Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) management in canola (Brassica rapa) and barley (Hordem vulgare) rotations under zero tillage

Abstract

The effect of in-crop herbicide rate, crop row spacing and seeding rate on Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] management in two cycles of a canola (Brassica rapa L.)/barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) rotation was investigated under zero tillage at Vegreville, Alberta. The entire plot area received pre-harvest glyphosate from 1993 through 1995. In crop, either no herbicides were applied or clopyralid and dicamba/MCPA-K were applied at one-half or full recommended rates to canola and barley, respectively. In most cases, Canada thistle shoot density and dry weight were lower when the herbicides were used at either rate compared with no herbicide application. Pre-harvest glyphosate followed by either clopyralid or dicamba/MCPA-K in-crop reduced Canada thistle shoot densities from approximately 20 m–2 in 1993 to one or fewer m–2 in 1996. In-crop herbicides resulted in higher crop yields and revenues in 1993 and 1994, but not in 1996 when the Canada thistle infestation was relatively low. The effect of crop row spacing was inconsistent, and had little effect on Canada thistle shoot density or dry weight. In some cases, crop yield was higher at 20-cm than at 30-cm row spacing. Crop seeding rate had no effect on crop or Canada thistle variables. Key words: Cirsium arvense, zero tillage, pre-harvest glyphosate, clopyralid, dicamba/MCPA-K, crop row spacing, crop seeding rate.