Author
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Kremer, Robert |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2002 Publication Date: 2/13/2004 Citation: Kremer, R.J. 2004. Weed control. Smith, C.W., Betran, J., Runge, E.C.A., Editors. Corn: Origin, history, technology, and production. John Wiley & Sons, New York, New York. p.717-752. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Weed infestation is generally the most serious constraint to corn production in the humid region of the U.S. Weed control is accomplished by various cultural methods (e.g., tillage, mechanical cultivation, crop rotation, and cover cropping) and chemical and biological control methods. The nearly complete reliance on chemical herbicides for weed control has led to current cropping systems in which high-yielding corn varieties are grown in either monoculture or in short rotations using high inputs of chemicals on the most fertile and productive soils. The objectives of this chapter are to review current weed control methods in corn and to investigate the potential for using integrated and biologically based weed management systems to reduce herbicide use for improved water and soil quality. Integrated weed management systems offer many options to producers based on weed demographics and soil characteristics. Current herbicide-based corn production systems will continue into the near future due to their perceived low environmental risks, and because government policies support low diversity crop production systems that are innately dependent on chemical inputs. Skilled, innovative corn producers able to anticipate future weed problems will be the most successful in adopting new integrated and biologically based weed management systems. |
