Non-chemical Suppression of Perennial Weeds

1996 Annual Report for FNC96-137

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1996: $9,875.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1998
Region: North Central
State: Iowa
Project Coordinator:

Non-chemical Suppression of Perennial Weeds

Summary

"Weed control is always a concern with row-crop farming. This especially true with farmers in the rapidly growing organic community. Farmers who are not intent on becoming organic, but who also see the value in an alternaive approach to clean crops, will also be interested in this project."

Objectives: To control quack grass with non-chemical means. Plots include three cover crop systems and one control strip in six replications. Plantings include: a) oats and red clover seeded in April; b) berseem clover seeded in April, tilled in June and planted to Japanese millet in July; c) beseem clvoer seeded in April, tilled in June and planted to sorghum sudan in July; and d) control strip.

Results: Planting strips a, b and c exhibited excellent stands of cover crops. Evaluation of cultural effects on weed populations will rely on data collected by Laura Jackson, of the University of Northern Iowa, and her associates. The project was extended for one year.