Contribution of nitrogen fertilizer placement to weed management in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

• Published in: Weed technology 1998-07, Vol.12 (3), p.507-514
• Main Authors: Kirkland, K.J, Beckie, H.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Avena fatua; band placement; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control and other methods; Biomass; broadcasting; Broadleaf weeds; competitive ability; Crop density; Crop harvesting; crop yield; crop-weed competition; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Energy crops; Fertilizers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; growth rate; Nitrogen fertilization; Nitrogen fertilizers; Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizations; no-tillage; nutrient uptake; Oats; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; seedling emergence; Setaria viridis; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; subsurface application; Tillage; Triticum aestivum; weed control; Weeds; Wheat
• ISSN: 0890-037X; 1550-2740
• DOI: 10.1017/s0890037x00044225

The contribution of nitrogen (N) fertilizer placement to management of annual weeds in spring wheat grown under two tillage systems was examined at sites located in three ecoregions of the northern Great Plains from 1994 to 1996. The effect of three different fertilizer placements on narrowleaf and broadleaf weed emergence, growth, and N uptake were determined in a no-till and a conventional tillage system. Fertilizer was broadcast, subsurface-banded in the spring prior to seeding, or side-banded at the time of seeding. Tillage system generally did not influence weed and crop response to fertilizer placement. Broadcast-applied fertilizer was more effective than banded fertilizer in promoting wild oat and broadleaf weed emergence and growth over the growing season. Weed densities, biomass, and N uptake measured early in the growing season averaged 20 to 40% less, and grain yield of wheat at maturity averaged 12% higher where fertilizer was side-banded compared to broadcast. In contrast, the addition of fertilizer, regardless of placement, was detrimental to green foxtail because of enhanced crop competitiveness. Banding fertilizer at recommended rates can be an effective cultural practice for managing weeds in no-till and conventional tillage wheat-cropping systems in semiarid to subhumid regions of the northern Great Plains, but it is not reliable when used as the sole method of weed management.