Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Tolerance to Mulch

Abstract

Mulch from cover crops can effectively suppress weeds in organic corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) as part of cover crop-based rotational no-till systems, but little is known about the feasibility of using mulch to suppress weeds in organic winter small grain crops. A field experiment was conducted in central NY, USA, to quantify winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling emergence, weed and crop biomass production, and wheat grain yield across a gradient of mulch biomass. Winter wheat seedling density showed an asymptotic relationship with mulch biomass, with no effect at low rates and a gradual decrease from moderate to high rates of mulch. Selective suppression of weed biomass but not wheat biomass was observed, and wheat grain yield was not reduced at the highest level of mulch (9000 kg ha−1). Results indicate that organic winter wheat can be no-till planted in systems that use mulch for weed suppression. Future research should explore wheat tolerance to mulch under different conditions, and the potential of no-till planting wheat directly into rolled-crimped cover crops.

High seeding rates, interrow mowing, and electrocution for weed management in organic no-till planted soybean

“…Soybean was planted with a four-row (76-cm width) John Deere ® 1755 planter (John Deere) as part of single-pass operation at rolling in fields with cereal rye (Fields 1a, 1b, and 2a) (Table 1). The planter was modified for no-till planting into cover crop mulch, with hydraulic downforce, double disk openers before the planting tube, a seed-firmer behind the seed tube, and cast-iron notched closing wheels (Ryan et al 2021). Fields without cereal rye (Fields 1c and 2b) were disked and cultimulched before soybean planting, but no secondary cultivation (i.e., tine weeding, rotary hoeing, or interrow cultivation) was used after soybean establishment (Table 1).…”

“…Previous research has focused on several aspects of cereal rye management, including planting and termination dates, seeding rates, cultivar selection, and fertilizer application (Crowley et al 2018; Mirsky et al 2009, 2011, 2013; Ryan et al 2011a, 2021; Teasdale and Mohler 2000; Wells et al 2016). Studies that evaluated fall-planting dates found that planting cereal rye in late August to early September allows the crop to reach optimal biomass for weed suppression (more than 8,000 to 9,000 kg ha– 1 ) at time of roller-crimping (Mirsky et al 2009, 2011; Ryan et al 2021; Teasdale and Mohler 2000). In addition, seeding cereal rye between 135 to 269 kg ha– 1 , depending on planting date and location, can provide a thick stand in the spring, leading to cereal rye competition with early-emerging weeds and reduced weed biomass (Mirsky et al 2013; Ryan et al 2011a, 2021).…”

“…Cereal rye mulch has the potential to provide adequate weed suppression in organic, no-till planted soybean, depending on cereal rye management, environmental conditions, and weed infestation levels (Mirsky et al 2011; Ryan et al 2011b). Previous research has focused on several aspects of cereal rye management, including planting and termination dates, seeding rates, cultivar selection, and fertilizer application (Crowley et al 2018; Mirsky et al 2009, 2011, 2013; Ryan et al 2011a, 2021; Teasdale and Mohler 2000; Wells et al 2016). Studies that evaluated fall-planting dates found that planting cereal rye in late August to early September allows the crop to reach optimal biomass for weed suppression (more than 8,000 to 9,000 kg ha −1 ) at time of roller-crimping (Mirsky et al 2009, 2011; Ryan et al 2021; Teasdale and Mohler 2000).…”

“…Studies that evaluated fall-planting dates found that planting cereal rye in late August to early September allows the crop to reach optimal biomass for weed suppression (more than 8,000 to 9,000 kg ha −1 ) at time of roller-crimping (Mirsky et al 2009, 2011; Ryan et al 2021; Teasdale and Mohler 2000). In addition, seeding cereal rye between 135 to 269 kg ha −1 , depending on planting date and location, can provide a thick stand in the spring, leading to cereal rye competition with early-emerging weeds and reduced weed biomass (Mirsky et al 2013; Ryan et al 2011a, 2021). While mulch from a cereal rye cover crop can often effectively suppress weeds (Menalled et al 2021; Mirsky et al 2013; Ryan et al 2011a; Silva and Delate 2017), suboptimal management can limit biomass production and weed suppression.…”

Sustainable Weed Management

“…The authors reported that the use of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) as living mulches combined to minimize soil disturbance, reduce the need for weed management, and promote the complexity of the Arthropod fauna in terms of both the number of species and the taxonomic complexity. Another technique related to cover cropping, i.e., mulching, was studied in this Special Issue by Ryan et al [8] in winter wheat cultivated in central New York (USA). Evaluating a gradient of mulch biomass primarily composed of perennial species such as orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and red clover (T. pratense), they found that wheat seedling density showed an asymptotic relationship with mulch biomass (no effect at low rates and a gradual decrease from moderate-to-high rates of mulch) and that the highest level of mulch (9000 kg ha −1 ) selectively suppressed weed biomass without reducing wheat grain yield.…”