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Title: WEED MANAGEMENT IN SHORT ROTATION POPLAR AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL CROPS GROWN FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

Author
item Buhler, Douglas - Doug
item NETZER, DANIEL - USDA FOREST SERVICE
item RIEMENSCHNEIDER, DON - USDA FOREST SERVICE
item HARTZLER, ROBERT - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Biomass and Bioenergy
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weed management is a key element of any crop production system. Weeds are a particular problem in the production of short rotation woody and perennial herbaceous biomass crops due to the shortage of registered herbicides and integrated weed management systems. Herbicides will be an important component of weed management in biomass crops, but it is important to take a broader view of weeds and incorporate all available weed management tactics in these production systems. In both short rotation poplar and herbaceous perennial crops, weed control during the establishment period is most critical. New plantings of these species grow very slowly and do not compete well with weeds until a canopy develops. Cultural practices such as site preparation, using weed-free seed, fallowing, selecting proper planting dates, companion crops, and controlling weeds in previous crops must be combined with herbicide use to develop integrated management systems. Weeds may also cause problems in established stands through competition with the primary crop and by contaminating the product. Effective and economical weed management systems will be essential for the development of short rotation woody and herbaceous perennial biomass crop production systems.