Band sowing with hoeing in organic grains: II. Evidence of improved weed management in spring wheat, oats, field peas, and flax

McCollough, Margaret R.; Gallandt, Eric R.; Molloy, Thomas

doi:10.1017/wsc.2020.18

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Instead of planting in standard rows where the crop is crowded into a narrow line, sowing in a random pattern within a 5-to 20-cm wide band may reduce competition among crop plants while increasing intraband weed suppression. However, outcomes have varied among studies evaluating band sowing and hoeing (McCollough et al 2020a(McCollough et al , 2020bSpeelman 1975), and further research is needed to validate the theoretical benefits of this strategy.…”

Section: Additional Intrarow Weed Management Strategies In the Hoed C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving upon the interrow hoed cereal system: the effects of crop density and row spacing on intrarow weeds and crop parameters in spring barley

McCollough

Melander

2022

Weed Sci

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Automated guidance systems have advanced precise inter-row hoeing in narrowly spaced cereals. Compared to other direct mechanical strategies, hoeing provides superior weed control and improved yields. However, weeds in the uncultivated intra-row zone may survive and compete intensely with the crop, causing yield loss. Therefore, improved intra-row weed management strategies in hoed cereals must be investigated. In spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), the effect of crop density was assessed at four levels (200, 300, 400, and 500 plants m−2); inter-row spacing at two levels (15 and 20 cm), relevant to the abilities of current automated equipment to hoe between narrowly spaced rows, and weed management treatment at three levels (no additional controls, herbicide, and pre-emergence tine harrowing). All treatments received inter-row hoeing, and a surrogate weed (Sinapis alba L.) was sown and monitored throughout experiments. The manipulation of crop density was a reliable method for suppressing the growth of intra-row weeds. As barley density increased from target 200 to 500 plants m−2, percent reduction in intra-row surrogate and ambient weed biomass (g m−2) increased from 49 to 82% and 53 to 99%, respectively. Increasing crop density caused a decrease in grain bulk density (kg hL−1) both years, and grain protein (%) and thousand kernel weight (g) in one year; whether these changes constitute a loss in grain quality depends upon end-use. While row spacing had no effect on intra-row weeds, crop yields were 7 to 8% less at 20 cm compared to 15 cm, incentivizing narrow row sowing. Barley yields were unaffected by increasing crop density, and the effect of pre-emergence tine harrowing was inconsistent. In one year, harrowing reduced surrogate and ambient weed biomass and increased barley yield; however, in another year, ambient weed biomass increased, and harrowing did not affect yield or surrogate weed biomass.

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Section: Additional Intrarow Weed Management Strategies In the Hoed C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving upon the interrow hoed cereal system: the effects of crop density and row spacing on intrarow weeds and crop parameters in spring barley

McCollough

Melander

2022

Weed Sci

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“…Furthermore, like annual flax, Lewis flax is likely a weak competitor against weeds, and both seed quality and yield may be reduced because of competition from weeds (Bilalis et al, 2012; Ehrensing, 2008; Flax Council of Canada, 2022; McCollough, Gallandt and Molloy, 2020). A meta-analysis of the organic:conventional yield gap by de Ponti et al (2012) found that average organic flax yields are only 65% of typical conventional yields.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First steps toward developing Lewis flax (Linum lewisii Pursh) as an agronomic crop

Pull

Gramig

Hulke

et al. 2023

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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Perennial Lewis flax (Linum lewisii Pursh) has the potential to be grown as a new oilseed crop that could simultaneously meet commodity production, ecosystem service provisioning, and farm resiliency goals. Despite many potential benefits, Lewis flax remains minimally explored as an agronomic crop. Determining agronomic best practices for producing economically relevant stands of Lewis flax is critical to its adoption as an oilseed crop. Several aspects of Lewis flax agronomic production were explored through the lens of adaptive management between 2020 and 2022. Initial field trials aimed at assessing spring-seeded Lewis flax row spacing, plant population density, and intercropping strategies with legumes and grasses failed due to poor establishment. Heavy rains and excessive weed pressure further complicated attempts to reestablish these initial trials. We established additional Lewis flax plots via fall and dormant seeding in response to the failure of our first experiment. This second experiment focused on exploring row spacing, population density, and seeding timing impacts on flax production. Flax yield did not differ among our treatments, averaging 59 kg ha−1. The low yields realized by our field trials may be due to several factors including need for harvest technology optimization, high weed pressure, and need for Lewis flax genetic improvement. Our study is a first step toward developing recommendations for optimal production strategies for Lewis flax in an agronomic context. Continued exploration of methods to improve management and yield of Lewis flax will be critical to its successful development as an agronomic crop.

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Organic small grain production in the Upper Midwest and Northeast: Challenges and lessons learned

Stedden,

Silva,

Ryan

et al. 2024

Agronomy Journal

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Small grains provide agronomic benefits that are critical to the success of organic production, and opportunities within local food movements create expanded markets for small grains. However, diversifying rotations with small grains can present challenges related to production, infrastructure, and markets. Here, we draw upon over two decades of integrated research and Extension efforts to support organic small grain production in the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and other regions of the United States where these crops are underutilized. Lessons learned have led to the development of guiding principles for a systems‐level approach to support regional organic small grain production. Forming innovative partnerships between farmers, researchers, and end users is critical. This enables research, production, and markets to adjust to local needs, adapt to available infrastructure, and foster local grain economies. The key research challenges that lie ahead are also discussed, especially adapting organic grain production practices to regional conditions and changing climates. The systems‐level approach to organic small grain research highlighted here will increase the success and resilience of organic farms across the United States and expand the adoption of organic small grain production.

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Band sowing with hoeing in organic grains: II. Evidence of improved weed management in spring wheat, oats, field peas, and flax

Cited by 4 publications

References 36 publications

Improving upon the interrow hoed cereal system: the effects of crop density and row spacing on intrarow weeds and crop parameters in spring barley

Improving upon the interrow hoed cereal system: the effects of crop density and row spacing on intrarow weeds and crop parameters in spring barley

First steps toward developing Lewis flax (Linum lewisii Pursh) as an agronomic crop

Organic small grain production in the Upper Midwest and Northeast: Challenges and lessons learned

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