Integrating cultural tools for weed management in irrigated soybean in Southern Alberta
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Date
2022
Authors
Jayasekara, Shamini D.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important legume crop in western Canada. However, soybean exhibits delayed emergence and growth compared with many weeds in this region, resulting in greater reliance on herbicides. A field experiment was established near Lethbridge, Alberta, in 2020 and 2021 to determine how four cultural weed management practices [soybean row spacing (23 cm vs. 69 cm), target plant density (400,000 vs. 600,000 plants ha-1) cultivar (slender vs. bushy) and fall rye cover cropping (with vs. without)] influenced soybean productivity and weed suppression. Overall, narrow compared with wide rows increased the ability for soybean to compete with and withstand competition from weeds. Increased target densities improved weed suppression, while bushy cultivars played a supporting role. The fall rye cover crop had inconsistent effects between years. Planting a bushy soybean cultivar in narrow rows at higher densities could improve irrigated soybean productivity and weed suppression in Alberta.
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Keywords
soybean , glyphosate , herbicide resistant weeds , Soybean--Weed control--Research--Alberta , Weeds--Cultural control--Research--Alberta , Weeds--Control--Research--Alberta , Glyphosate , Herbicide resistance , Dissertations , Academic