Early-Harvest Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Silage Reduces Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Densities Under Zero Tillage 1

Abstract

Effective, long-term wild oat management requires an integrated approach that uses management techniques beyond simple herbicide application. A 5-yr (1996 to 2000) zero tillage study was conducted to assess the influence of barley harvest timing on wild oat densities in subsequent years at Lacombe, AB, Canada and Melfort, SK, Canada. Harvest timings included barley harvested 1 wk after heading (early), approximately 14 to 16 d later at the soft dough stage (normal), and at maturity (grain). In the absence of herbicides, wild oat densities decreased in silage plots harvested early and increased in grain plots. Reductions were more distinct at Lacombe where barley pheno- logical differences and whole plant moisture contents between early and normal silage harvests were greater than at Melfort. Half rates of wild oat herbicides (ICIA 0604 and imazamethabenz) did not augment reductions in wild oat densities after early silage harvest, but did improve wild oat management after normal silage harvest, and in grain production. At Lacombe, early silage harvest reduced wild oat densities more than did herbicides in grain production. Similar trends were apparent at Melfort but were not statistically significant. Early barley silage harvests may be an effective integrated weed management tool for wild oat.