Breaking the Herbicide Habit: Integrating Cover Crops with Herbicide Application

Breaking the Herbicide Habit: Integrating Cover Crops with Herbicide Application

Summary

Traditionally, the producer used shade trees, mulching and a trimmer to manage weeds. However, after hurricane Georges eliminated the tree canopy, she was forced to rely on more aggressive practices for the management of weeds. In her project, she will develop an environmentally sensitive and cost-effective herbicide program along with the use of perennial herbaceous species, to use as living mulch, on her farm.

The producer intends to replace the weeds with a “live mulch system” comprised of herbaceous perennial species (legumes and non-legumes). These plants can control erosion and also improve soil nutrient status and soil structure. Further, they can be cut back during the nutrient-uptake peaks of the food crops to lessen nutrient competition with them.

The producer will use different doses, concentrations and frequencies of the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) in conjunction with other cultural practices. She will conduct soil analyses, a weed inventory and a fertility program based on crop plant demands. She will also develop a list of usable perennial herbaceous species adapted to the south.

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