Dale R. Mutch

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Suppression of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum)1

Common ragweed is an annual weed problem after winter wheat harvest in southwest Michigan. Although an interseeded cover crop of red clover is known to reduce weed populations in winter wheat stubble, the most effective rates and cultivars for weed suppression under Michigan conditions have not been identified. Three red clover cultivars were planted in March at three seeding rates in established winter wheat; after wheat harvest, a section of each plot was mowed to mimic forage harvest of clover. The experiment was repeated in 2 yr. Mowing significantly reduced common ragweed biomass each year. All cultivars and seeding rates were equally effective at significantly reducing common ragweed biomass in each year, despite the variation among years, cultivars, seeding rates, and mowing treatments in production of clover biomass. Nomenclature: Common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. ;ns3 AMBEL; red clover, Trifolium pratense L.; winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Additional index words: Cover crops, weed management.

The use of additives, temperature, and plant position to increase efficacy of dinoseb for potato (Solanum tuberosum) vine desiccation

Chemical vine desiccation is an important management practice for late season potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Michigan. A number of desiccants are registered; however, most Michigan growers apply dinoseb (2-sec- butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol). Greenhouse experiments were initiated to evaluate the potential of ammonium salts and ethephon (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid) to increase the efficacy of the chemical harvest aids dinoseb and endothall (7-oxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) on potato vines. Temperature and potato vine position were evaluated to determine their influence on vine desiccation.All treatments with endothall applied at 0.6 kg/ha resulted in unsatisfactory potato vine desiccation. Ethephon and ammonium sulfate increased efficacy of dinoseb. High temperature both before and after treatment contributed to greater dinoseb efficacy. The horizontal placing of potato vines resulted in the desired desiccation rating of 9.0 or greater using the combination of dinoseb at 2.8 kg/ha, plus ammonium sulfate at 9 kg/ha plus 2.4 L/ha X-77 surfactant.3ResumenEl secado quimico del follaje es una práctica de manejo importante en la producción de papas tardias (Solanum tuberosum 1.) en Michigan. Existe un número de desecantes registrados, sin embargo, la mayoría de los agricultures en Michigan aplican dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrofenol). Experimentos de invernadero fueron iniciados para evaluar el potencial de sales de amonio y ethephon ((2-cloroetyl) ácido fosfónico) en el incremento de la eficacia de los productos químicos que favorecen la cosecha dinoseb y endothall (7-oxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptano-2,3-ácido dicarboxilico) en follaje de papa. Temperatura y la posición del follaje fueron evaluadas para determinar su influencia en el secado del follaje.Todos los tratamientos con endothall, aplicado a la dosis de 0.6 kg/ha, resultaron en un secado insatisfactorio del follaje de papa. Ethepon y sulfato de amonio incrementaron la eficacia de dinoseb. Temperaturas altas, antes y despues del tratamiento, contribuyeron a una mayor eficacia de dinoseb. La colocación horizontal de las hojas y follaje resultó) en un secado de grado 9.0 ó mayor cuando se usó una combinación de dinoseb, a la dosis de 2.8 kg/ha, más sulfato de amonio a 9 kg/ha más 2.4 L/ha de surfactante X-77.

Status Update on Organic Blueberries in Michigan

The Great Lakes Region is an important region of blueberry production in the U.S., producing 30% of the annual U.S. production. In Michigan, blueberry acreage increased from 17,724 acres on 590 farms in 2002 to 21,758 acres on 840 farms in 2007. However, despite considerable market potential for organic blueberries, less than 1% of total Michigan blueberry acreage is organically certified. There is high interest and demand for organic blueberries from the Great Lakes Region, and the Michigan State University Blueberry Team has been working on organic production methods over the past 4 years. The establishment of the Michigan State University Organic Blueberry Research and Extension Planting on the Michigan State University campus has been one of the major accomplishments of the Michigan State Uuniversity research team. The objective of this project has been to study practices associated with soil health, nutrition, disease, and insect and weed control. Additional organic blueberry projects in Michigan have focused on studying the interaction of blueberry mulches and compost on nutrient release, and on-station and on-farm testing of OMRI-approved pesticides.

Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding of Cover Crops in Diverse Cropping Systems

Manure slurry-enriched seeding of cover crops is a new process that combines low-disturbance aeration tillage, land application of liquid manure and seeding of cover crops in one efficient operation. In this new process, low-disturbance aeration tillage creates an absorptive surface in untilled ground that mitigates overland flow and soil erosion by fracturing the soil, increasing surface roughness, improving infiltration, and conserving crop residues. In the same pass, cover crop seed mixed with the manure in the spreader tank is banded over the aeration slots through drop tubes behind each set of aeration tines. The nutrient-rich, seed-laden slurry quickly infiltrates the soil matrix. The developing cover crop captures nutrients and forms a vegetative barrier to overland flow. Results of field trials from 2004-2006 showed the slurry seeding process to be an efficient and effective cover crop establishment method for diverse cropping systems. Oil seed radish and oriental mustard were established in sugar beet rotations; cereal rye and wheat were established in corn silage stubble; and forage rape, forage turnips, oats and sorghum-sudan grass were established in small grain stubble for late season grazing. Biomass yields of manure slurry-enriched crops were equal to or greater than conventionally drilled crops. Compared to conventionally drilled stands, slurry-seeded stands (plants m-2) were generally less, but biomass yields (kg ha-1) were similar because individual plant biomass was up to 6 times greater with slurry seeding. There were no cases when the conventionally seeded crops yielded significantly more than the slurry-seeded crops.

Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding of Biosuppressive Covers Using a Subsurface Deposition Applicator

There is increasing interest among growers in novel establishment systems for cover crops that can rehabilitate and protect soil. Cropping intensification has led to yield declines, compacted and poor quality soil, and increased pest problems. Cover crops in the Brassica (mustard) family offer benefits in soil conservation, improvement in soil quality, and suppression of certain pests and soil borne fungal diseases. Establishment of cover crops in the fall after a crop is removed is a significant challenge, as soil is generally dry, compacted, uneven and far from an ideal environment for seed germination. The objective of this work was to evaluate slurry-enriched micro-site seeding of cover crops, including assessing stand establishment and biomass yield of oilseed radish and oriental mustard. The species were chosen for contrasting seed size, thus allowing evaluation of how small vs. medium seeded brassica respond to aeration tillage, manure application and seeding done in a single efficient ‘slurry micro-site seeding’ operation. Results of field trials in 2004 and 2005 are consistent with the new slurry seeding process as an efficient and effective cover crop establishment method. Compared to direct-drilling, slurry seeded plant stands (plants m-2) were significantly less (a = 0.10) in five of seven comparisons but biomass yields (kg ha-1) were similar because individual plant biomass was up to 6 times greater with slurry seeding. Biomass (aboveground and total) of slurryseeded plants was significantly greater in two of seven comparisons and there were no instances when the conventionally seeded crops yielded significantly more than the slurry seeded crops. Seed size was not related to success of the slurry seeding method.

Stabilizing Nutrient-Rich Farm Land with Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding of Cover Crops in Diverse Cropping Systems

A new and innovative process --manure slurry-enriched seeding-- that combines lowdisturbance aeration tillage, manure application, and seeding of cover crops in one efficient operation has been in development at Michigan State University since 2003. This new process provides an environmentally sensitive option for manure use in no-till cropping systems. In manure slurry-enriched seeding, low-disturbance aeration tillage is used to create an absorptive surface in untilled ground that prevents overland flow and soil erosion by fracturing the soil, increasing surface roughness, improving infiltration, and conserving crop residues. In one pass, cover crop seed that has been mixed in the slurry tank with the manure is placed over the aeration slots through drop tubes behind each set of aeration tines. The nutrient-rich, seedladen slurry quickly infiltrates into the soil matrix. The absorptive soil surface prevents soil erosion and phosphorus runoff. A cover crop soon emerges, capturing nutrients and forming a vegetative barrier to overland flow. The aerated soil resettles with time and is suitable for no-till planting with no additional seedbed tillage. In 2004 and 2005 biomass yields of oil seed radish, oriental mustard, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and wheat sown in untilled wheat or corn silage stubble were equal to or greater than conventional seedings.

MANURE SLURRY-ENRICHED MICRO-SITE SEEDING OF BIOSUPPRESSIVE COVER CROPS

In an effort to remain profitable, many cash grain farmers have shortened rotations or have changed cropping systems to include more frequent planting of high-value but nutrient demanding and pest-vulnerable crops. This increase in cropping intensity has led to yield declines, compacted and poor quality soil, and increased pest problems. Cover crops in the Brassica (mustard) family offer benefits in soil conservation, improvement in soil quality, and suppression of certain pests and soil borne fungal diseases. The objective of this work was to compare stand establishment and biomass yield of Oilseed Radish and Oriental Mustard established with conventional no-till drilling, and a new process whereby aeration tillage, manure application and cover crop seeding were done in a single, efficient operation. Based on the results in 2004, the biomass yield of Oilseed Radish and Oriental Mustard established as a late summer seeding in untilled wheat stubble with the experimental process was equal to or better than conventional no-till seeding.