Weed management in glufosinate-resistant corn (Zea mays)

An experiment was conducted at five locations in North Carolina to compare management systems utilizing glufosinate applied postemergence (POST) in glufosinate-resistant corn with standard systems of metolachlor plus atrazine preemergence (PRE) or nicosulfuron plus atrazine POST. Glufosinate alone and both standard systems controlled common ragweed and prickly sida at least 98%, whereas sicklepod control was < 20% late in the season. Late-season control of common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, pitted morningglory, and tall morningglory was generally less with glufosinate alone than with the standard systems. However, late-season control of common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, pitted morningglory, tall morningglory, and sicklepod by mixtures of glufosinate plus atrazine was at least 99, 100, 89, 93, and 81%, respectively, and was equal to or greater than control by either standard. Broadleaf signalgrass, large crabgrass, and fall panicum were controlled similarly by glufosinate and the standards. Goosegrass control by glufosinate was similar to control by nicosulfuron plus atrazine, but it was less than control by metolachlor plus atrazine. Metolachlor applied PRE or atrazine mixed with glufosinate increased goosegrass control to that achieved with metolachlor plus atrazine. Mixing atrazine with glufosinate did not affect fall panicum control, but metolachlor PRE followed by glufosinate controlled fall panicum as well as the standards. Cultivation or ametryn applied at layby increased control when PRE or POST herbicides alone controlled weeds less than about 90%. Ametryn was generally more effective than cultivation. Glufosinate POST followed by ametryn at layby controlled sicklepod > 90% and other species > 95% late in the season. Corn yield and net returns were similar in the glufosinate and standard systems.