Symposium Long-term weed management studies in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

The winter wheat production system of the Pacific Northwest is characterized by severe wind and water erosion and winter annual grass weeds requiring high herbicide input. Since 1985, numerous multi- and interdisciplinary, long-term, large-scale, integrated cropping systems studies have been or are currently being conducted. The primary focus of these studies was on weed biology, ecology, and management, whereas secondary evaluations were on alternative cropping systems, conservation tillage, and fertilizer or herbicide inputs. The 6-yr integrated pest management project, conducted in the high-rainfall zone (> 400 mm), showed for the first time that when weeds were adequately managed, conservation production systems were more profitable than conventional systems. In the intermediate rainfall zone (350 to 400 mm), a recently concluded 6-yr, three-state study integrated single-component research results into a multifaceted approach to managing jointed goatgrass. This project has been used as a model study for other western states and the National Jointed Goatgrass Research Initiative. At present (9 yr thus far), a study is being conducted in the low-rainfall zone (< 350 mm) to examine the feasibility of no-till spring cropping systems in lieu of the highly erosive, weed infested, wheat–fallow system. Because of these projects, the Washington Wheat Commission recognized the importance of long-term, interdisciplinary, cropping systems research and has therefore established an Endowed Chair at Washington State University for direct seed cropping systems research. Federal, national, and regional agencies have used information from these projects for farm plans and pesticide usage.

Impact of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Winter Wheat and Cropping System Performance across Precipitation Gradients in the Inland Pacific Northwest, USA

“…Nevertheless, chemical fallow has been reported to be, overall, just as efficient as tilled fallow in retaining soil moisture throughout the 13 month fallow period in areas receiving more than 290 mm annual precipitation (Schillinger, unpublished;Machado et al, 2015). Previous research in the region has also demonstrated that conservation practices can be more profitable if weeds are properly managed, and conservation production systems may incorporate multi-faceted approaches to manage weeds in the low precipitation zone (Young, 2004).…”

The Research on Ragweed Extracting Solution to Rats Acute Toxicity and Protective Enzymatic Activity of Rats’ Liver

“…Their toxicity level also belongs to high toxicity. Ragweed is a malignant weed which is harmful to agricultural environment and human health [9][10]. Some researchers made toxicity test on forestry pests in recent years.…”

Light-Activated, Sensor-Controlled Sprayer Provides Effective Postemergence Control of Broadleaf Weeds in Fallow

“…Herbicides are used on 87 million ha of cropland in the United States (Gianessi and Reigner 2007) and represent 60% of the volume and 65% of the expenditure of pesticides in the United States (Donaldson et al 2002). The PNW has the greatest dryland wheat yields in the world (Young 2004). Herbicides comprise a major input cost for PNW wheat production and are applied to 92% of the winter wheat crop area annually (NASS 2010).…”