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Title: Propelled abrasive grit applications for weed management in transitional corn grain production systems

Author
item ERAZO-BARRADAS, MAURICIO - South Dakota State University
item FRIEDRICHSEN, CLAIRE - South Dakota State University
item Forcella, Frank
item HUMBURG, DAN - South Dakota State University
item CLAY, SHARON - South Dakota State University

Submitted to: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2017
Publication Date: 6/6/2017
Citation: Erazo-Barradas, M., Friedrichsen, C.N., Forcella, F., Humburg, D., Clay, S.A. 2017. Propelled abrasive grit applications for weed management in transitional corn grain production systems. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. doi:10.1017/S174217051700031X.

Interpretive Summary: One of the greatest agronomic hurdles for growers who are transitioning from conventional production systems to organic systems is weed control. Although a number of weed control techniques, which are compatible with organic standards, are available to growers, all have some flaws. Thus, new techniques are desirable, especially ones that can be integrated with and supplemented by older methods. Accordingly, a two-year field study in transitional corn examined a new technique involving abrasion and control of weed seedlings within crop rows by air-propelled corncob grit. This new technique was integrated with either cultivation or flaming for between-row weed control. Grits were applied based on corn developmental stage with one, two, or three applications, and these were supplemented with flame-weeding or cultivation at the 5-leaf stage of corn growth for between-row weed control. Grit applications at the 1-leaf through 5-leaf stages of corn decreased in-row broadleaf weeds by up to 99% and grass weeds by up to 82%. Between-row cultivation and flaming treatments provided similar control to one another, reducing broadleaf weeds up to 86% and grass weeds by about 51%. In-row grit treatments increased corn yield up to 44%. These results show that air-propelled abrasive corncob grit for in-row weed control, supplemented with cultivation or flaming, can control weeds and help maintain corn grain yields. This information is of value to farmers who are transitioning, or contemplating transitioning, from conventional to organic row crops, as well as to extension educators and crop advisors who advise growers with regard to weed management in organic crops.

Technical Abstract: Weed control is challenging to farmers who are transitioning from production systems that use synthetic herbicides to organic systems. A two-year field study examined weed control efficacy and corn grain yield of air-propelled corncob grit abrasion for in-row weed control. Grits were applied based on corn developmental stage with one, two, or three applications, with flame-weeding or cultivation used at corn vegetative growth stage V5 for between-row weed control. Grit applications at the V1 through V5 stages decreased in-row broadleaf weed biomass by up to 99% and grass weed biomass by up to 82%. Between-row cultivation and flaming treatments provided similar control to one another, reducing broadleaf weed biomass up to 86% and grass weed biomass by about 51%. In-row grit treatments increased corn yield up to 44%. These results indicate that abrasive corncob grit for in-row weed control, supplemented with cultivation or flaming, can reduce weed biomass substantially and help maintain corn grain yields while farmers are transitioning from conventional to organic systems.