Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Field studies were conducted to determine the effect of crop species, tillage, and rye mulch on sicklepod growth. Competition from soybean and sunflower reduced sicklepod biomass by 19 and 77%, respectively. Sicklepod height was reduced by rye mulch. Rye root residue caused 49% reduction in sicklepod biomass, while whole plant rye mulch reduced weed growth an additional 12%. Crop competition reduced sicklepod shoot biomass to a greater extent when rye residue was present. Crop seed yield was 32% lower in tilled plots compared with no-tillage due to more weed competition in the tilled plots. In the presence of rye root residue, soybean yield showed a two-fold increase over no mulch or whole plant rye mulch. Sunflower yield increased by 30% in the presence of rye residue compared with no mulch.