Weed Suppression in Spring-Sown Rye (Secale cereale): Pea (Pisum sativum) Cover Crop Mixes

• Published in: Weed technology 2000-07, Vol.14 (3), p.545-549
• Main Authors: AKEMO, Mary C, REGNIER, Emilie E, BENNETT, Mark A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biological control and other methods; Biomass; Cover crops; Creamers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Peas; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Rye; Seeding; Soil water; Vegetation cover; Weed control; Weeds
• ISSN: 0890-037X; 1550-2740
• DOI: 10.1614/0890-037X(2000)014[0545:WSISSR]2.0.CO;2

Field trials were conducted with spring-sown rye and field pea cover crops to determine the effect of five rye-pea proportions and three seeding rates (high, medium, and low) on weed suppression during cover crop growth. Measurements on weed and cover crop growth were taken approximately 2 mo after seeding when cover crops were killed. cover crops were killed by mowing in 1996 and by undercutting in 1997 and 1998. Cover crop biomass, averaged over rye-pea proportion, was highest in 1998 at 4.3 million tons (MT)/ha (high seeding rate) and lowest in 1997 at 1.5 MT/ha (low seeding rate). Cover crops of pure rye or rye-pea mixes suppressed weeds more effectively than did pure pea. Dominant weeds were ladysthumb, smooth pigweed, smallflower galinsoga, and common lambsquarters. Ground cover by weeds ranged from a low of 2% (rye-pea mixes) to a maximum of 73% (pure pea). Cover crop mixes of 50% or more rye seeded at the high rate gave the best weed suppression.