Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T19:21:24.567Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Influence of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Straw Mulch and Metolachlor on Corn (Zea mays) Growth and Yield

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Gail A. Wicks ,
Don A. Crutchfield  and
Orvin C. Burnside
Gail A. Wicks
Affiliation:
Univ. Nebraska West Cent. Res. and Ext. Ctr., North Platte, NE 69101
Don A. Crutchfield
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
Orvin C. Burnside
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The presence of wheat straw mulch in no-tillage systems can increase corn yields in the central Great Plains, but information is needed on the optimal mulch level and the toxicity of metolachlor on corn growth. Research was conducted to determine the effect of winter wheat straw mulch levels of 0, 1.7, 3.4, 5.1, and 6.8 t ha–1 and metolachlor rates of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5X-rates on corn growth and yield in a winter wheat-ecofallow-corn-fallow rotation at three locations across Nebraska. Response of corn to different mulch levels and metolachlor rates varied with climate and location. In general, early corn growth was retarded by increasing amounts of mulch due to reduced soil temperatures, but after tasseling corn grew taller under increasing mulch levels because of increased soil moisture. Soil water content, kernel moisture at harvest, stover dry matter, total dry matter, ears per plant, and kernel weight increased with increasing mulch level. Corn grain yield reached a maximum at a mulch level of 5.1 t ha–1. Kernel weight, kernel number, and grain yield increased with higher mulch levels and 0.5 and 1.0X metolachlor rates as weed competition was reduced, but decreased at the 1.5X-rate of metolachlor due to corn injury. Lack of sufficient growing degree-days to compensate for lower soil temperatures or corn injury reduced corn yields at the higher mulch levels and 1.5X-rate of metolachlor in west-central and western Nebraska. From a practical standpoint, a mulch level of 3.4 to 5.1 t ha–1 and a metolachlor rate near the X-rate should increase corn yield (14 to 15%) over unmulched corn in the central Great Plains.

Keywords

Metolachlor, 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methyethyl)acetamide, corn, Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3901’ and ‘Nebr. 611’winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.Conservation tillageecofallowecofarmingherbicide injuryno-tillagephytotoxicity
Type
Special Topics
Information
Weed Science , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , March 1994 , pp. 141 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Al-Darby, A. M. and Lowrey, B. 1986. Evaluation of corn growth and productivity with three conservation tillage systems. Agron. J. 78:901–907.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Banks, P. A. and Robinson, E. L. 1983. Activity of acetochlor, alachlor, and metolachlor as affected by straw. Proc. South. Weed Sci. Soc. 36:394.Google Scholar
3. Batchelder, A. R. and Jones, J. N. Jr. 1972. Soil management factors and growth of Zea mays L. on topsoil and exposed subsoil. Agron. J. 64:648–652.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Brakke, J. P., Francis, C. A., Nelson, L. A., and Gardner, C. O. 1983. Genotype by cropping system interactions in maize grown in a short season environment. Crop Sci. 23:868–870.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Burnside, O. C., Wicks, G. A., and Carlson, D. R. 1980. Control of weeds in an oat (Avena sativa)-soybem (Glycine max) ecofarming rotation. Weed Sci. 28:46–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Chaudhary, M. R. and Prihar, S. S. 1974. Root development and growth response of corn following mulching, cultivation, or interrow compaction. Agron. J. 66:350–355.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Claasen, M. M. and Shaw, R. H. 1970. Water deficit effects on corn. Vegetative components. Agron. J. 62:649–652.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Cottingham, C. K. and Hatzios, K. K. 1991. Physiological studies with herbicide safener CGA-154281. WSSA Abstr. 31:58.Google Scholar
9. Cottingham, C. K. and Hatzios, K. K. 1992. Basis of differential tolerance of two corn hybrids (Zea mays) to metolachlor. Weed Sci. 40:359–363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Crutchfield, D. A., Wicks, G. A., and Burnside, O. C. 1985. Effect of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw mulch on weed control. Weed Sci. 34:110–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11. Denmead, O. T. and Shaw, R. H. 1960. The effects of soil moisture stress different stages of growth on the development and yield of corn. Agron. 52:272–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Doupnik, B. Jr. and Boosalis, M. G. 1980. Ecofallow—a reduced tillage system—and plant disease. Plant Dis. 64:31–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Fortin, M. C. and Pierce, F. J. 1990. Developmental and growth effects of crop residues on corn. Agron. J. 82:710–715.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Foy, C. L. and Witt, H. L. 1991. Effects of safener CGA-154281 on metolachlor/atrazine injury to corn (Zea mays). Weed Technol. 5:325–330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Frey, N. M. 1981. Dry matter accumulation in kernels of maize. Crop Sci. 21:118–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. Furrer, J. O., Martin, A. R., Roeth, F. W., Moomaw, R. S., Wilson, R. G., and Wicks, G. A. 1981. A 1981 Guide for Herbicide Use in Nebraska. Nebr. Coop. Ext. Serv. E. C. 81–130.Google Scholar
17. Greb, B. W., Smika, D. E., and Black, A. L. 1967. Effect of straw mulch rates on soil water storage during summer fallow in the Great Plains. Soil Sci. Soc., Am. Proc. 31:556–559.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18. Greb, B. W., Smika, D. E., and Black, A. L. 1970. Water conservation with stubble mulch fallow. J. Soil Water Conserv. 25:58–62.Google Scholar
19. Griffith, D. R., Moncrief, J. F., Eckert, D. J., Swan, J. B., and Breitbach, D. D. 1992. Crop response to tillage systems. Pages 25–33 in Conservation Tillage Systems and Management—Crop residue management with no-till, ridge-till, mulch-till. Mid West Plan Service, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
20. Hoefer, R. H., Wicks, G. A., and Burnside, O. C. 1981. Grain yields, soil water storage, and weed growth in a winter wheat-corn-fallow rotation. Agron. J. 73:1066–1071.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21. Johnson, R. R. and Wax, L. M. 1981. Stand establishment and yield of corn as affected by herbicides and seed vigor. Agron. J. 73:859–863.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22. Lal, R. 1978. Influence of within- and between-row mulching on soil temperature, soil moisture, root development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a tropical soil. Field Crops Re. 1:127–139.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23. Miller, M. F. and Duley, F. L. 1925. The effect of varying moisture supply on the development and composition of the maize plant at different periods of growth. Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 76. 36 pp.Google Scholar
24. Onderdonk, J. J. and Ketcheson, P. W. 1973, Effect of stover mulch on soil temperature, corn root weight, and phosphorus fertilizer uptake. Soil. Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 37:904–906.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25. Phillips, R. E., Blevins, R. L., Thomas, G. W., Frye, W. W., and Phillips, S. H. 1980. No-tillage agriculture. Science 208:1108–1113.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26. Prine, G. M. 1971. A critical period for ear development in maize. Crop Sci. 11:782–786.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27. Rowe, L. and Penner, D. 1990. Factors affecting chloroacetanilide injury to corn (Zea mays L.). Weed Technol. 4:904–906.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28. Rowe, L., Kells, J. J., and Penner, D. 1991. Efficacy and mode of action of CGA-154281, a protectant for corn (Zea mays) from metolachlor injury. Weed Sci. 39:78–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29. Thompson, L. M. 1966. Regional weather relations. Pages 143–154 in Pierre, W. H., Aldrich, S. R., and Martin, W. P., eds. Advances in Corn Production. Principles and Practices. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames.Google Scholar
30. Tollenaar, M. and Daynard, T. B. 1978. Relationship between assimilate source and reproductive sink in maize grown in a short-season environment. Agron. J. 70:219–223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
31. Triplett, G. B. Jr., Van Doren, D. M. Jr., and Schmidt, B. L. 1968. Effect of corn (Zea mays L.) stover mulch on no-tillage corn yield and water infiltration. Agron. J. 60:236–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32. Unger, P. W. 1978. Straw-mulch rate effect on soil water storage and sorghum yield. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42:480–491.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
33. Unger, P. W. and Jones, O. R. 1981. Effect of soil water content and a growing season straw mulch on grain sorghum. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 45:129–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
34. Viger, P. R. and Eberlein, C. B. 1986. Corn tolerance to acetanilide herbicides. Proc. North Cent. Weed Control Conf. 41:7–8.Google Scholar
35. Whitfield, C. J. 1962. A standardized procedure for residue sampling. ARS 41–68, U.S. Dep. Agric, Washington, DC. 9 pp.Google Scholar
36. Wicks, G. A. 1976. Ecofallow: a reduced tillage system for the Great Plains. Weeds Today 7:20–23.Google Scholar
37. Willis, W. O., Larsen, W. E., and Kirkham, D. 1957. Corn growth as affected by soil temperature and mulch. Agron. J. 49:323–328.CrossRefGoogle Scholar