Influence of soil cover and herbicide application on weed control and corn yield

Abstract

Crop management and herbicide rotation have influenced the sustainability of production systems. The cover crops use and pre-and post-emergence herbicides are important tools that help farmers’ strategies and conserve the agricultural system. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the dry matter production of different cover crops before the establishment of corn, the effect on decreasing weed population, and the increase in corn yield. In addition, the influence of pre-and post-emergence herbicides on summer cultivation, observing the behavior concerning weeds, crop injury, and crop yield. The experiment was conducted during the years 2018-2019 in Sertão/RS - Brazil. The experimental arrangement was of randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments used were three different winter cover crops preceding corn cultivation × four pre- emergence herbicides × four post-emergence herbicides, totaling 192 experimental units. Going through the results, atrazine and atrazine + simazine used in pre-emergence had more influence on weed number reduction, and the post-emergence ammonium glufosinate herbicide promoted the highest weed control in post-emergence. Amicarbazone and glyphosate resulted in the best combination for corn yield using in pre-and post-emergence, respectively. Rye + turnip + vetch as cover crop resulted in higher biomass production, more significant weed number reduction, and increase corn yield.