Cover crops are an accepted integrated weed management practice for their ability to reduce emergence and growth rate of driver weeds such as Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. However, there is little information about how cover crops affect the viability of weed seeds present in the soil. Reducing the weed seedbank has the potential to improve management of herbicide-resistant weeds by reducing weed density in the years following cover crop use. This project will investigate Palmer amaranth and waterhemp seed germination following burial in plots with and without a cereal rye cover crop. The study will be conducted in five states, with two locations in Kansas and Wisconsin. Germination results will be evaluated in the context of soil temperature and moisture at the field sites.
Compare the effects of a cereal rye cover crop prior to soybean on weed seed germination and viability over time.
Data from the study will be shared with farmers through the investigators’ extension activities, including field days, newsletters, social media, and radio. Less traditional outreach, such as webinars and podcasts will be used as well.
A better understanding of seedbank dynamics of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp will improve weed management programs designed for multiple years of a cropping system.
The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.