Source: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
INTEGRATING HIGH-RESIDUE COVER CROP AND RESIDUAL HERBICIDE TACTICS TO IMPROVE HERBICIDE-RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT IN MID-ATLANTIC FIELD CROPS.
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1026912
Grant No.
2021-70006-35313
Cumulative Award Amt.
$325,000.00
Proposal No.
2021-04906
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[ARDP]- Applied Research and Development Program
Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
408 Old Main
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802-1505
Performing Department
Plant Science
Non Technical Summary
The evolution and spread of glyphosate and multiple herbicide-resistant weeds has led to significant increases in herbicide use and farm-level weed control costs within no-till field crop productions systems across U.S. regions.Development and communication of proactive, integrated weed management (IWM) strategies that employ non-chemical tactics to reduce the likelihood of herbicide resistance evolution is urgently needed. Cover cropping is unique among potential IWM tactics in that current interest and adoption is primarily driven by long-term sustainable agroecosystem management goals. Understanding of interactions between high-residue cover crops and use of soil-applied residual herbicides is a significant knowledge gap that prevents improved efficacy of integrated tactics. Our goal is to improve understanding of how high-residue cover crop management tactics (termination timing, species selection, residue management) influence the fate and efficacy of soil-applied residual herbicides. Field experiments will be conducted to (1) quantify the interactive effects of cover crop residue and residual herbicide properties on herbicide fate processes, including interception, retention, and soil bioavailability, and (2) evaluate interactions between high-residue cover crop and residual herbicide management tactics on population dynamics of multiple herbicide resistant weeds. Anticipated impacts of our integrated research and extension project include improved producer knowledge of best management practices (BMPs), conceptual approaches, and long-term management goals for employing proactive IWM to manage and prevent herbicide resistance.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21652201140100%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
5220 - Pesticides;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
Understanding of interactions between high-residue cover crops and soil-applied residual herbicides is a significant knowledge gap. Our goal is to improve understanding of how high-residue cover crop management tactics (termination timing, species selection, residue management) influence the fate and efficacy of soil-applied residual herbicides. Our proposal aims to (1) develop best management practices (BMPs) for integrating high-residue cover crops and residual herbicides, (2) evaluate interactive effects (i.e., antagonism, synergism, complementarity) of high-residue cover cropping herbicide-based tactics on weed population dynamics, and (3) communicate IWM concepts and BMPs to farmers and stakeholders.
Project Methods
Research Objective 1 (R1).Quantify interactions between cover crop residue and residual herbicide properties on herbicide fate processes.Description.Field experiments will be conducted across a range of soil-environment conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region to examine how combinations of cover crop and residual herbicide management tactics affect herbicide fate processes. The combination of cover crop and residual herbicide treatments will produce cover crop residues that differ in physical and chemical properties at each residual herbicide application timing. This experiment is designed to identify the magnitude of cover crop management effects on soil bioavailability of residual herbicides across varying levels of cover crop management intensity.Research Objective 2 (R2).Quantify interactions between cereal rye and residual herbicide management tactics on population dynamics of multiple herbicide resistant weed species.Description.A field experiment will be initiated across a range of soil-environment conditions to examine how cereal rye and herbicide management intensity affects weed population dynamics in soybean. Observed differences in weed control will be a function of how management tactics impact weed suppression potential of cereal rye residues, as well as herbicide bioavailability in soil due to direct and indirect effects on herbicide deposition and persistence processes.Extension Objectives (E1-E2). Two complementary strategies will be employed to complete extension objectives.Engagement in co-learning, participatory research networks. We recognize the significant value of on-farm, participatory research and co-learning opportunities for facilitating change in agricultural management practices. Farmers value participatory learning environments where they can learn from each other because they trust that other farmers have learned through experience [57]. To facilitate co-learning of IWM concepts, goals, and management tactics, we will leverage our participation in a coordinated on-farm research network (USDA-AFRI-SAS; #2018-09014) that focuses on cover crop management tactics for enhancing nutrient, water, and pest management goals.Communication via diverse extension-outreach mediums. Project outcomes will be integrated into established regional extension programming, including (1) publication of the Mid-Atlantic Field Crop Weed Management Guide, and (2) demonstrations at annual weed management field days held at each location. Together, these extension and outreach products reach diverse farmer and agricultural service industry networks.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:This project supports the needs of stakeholders who practice conservation tillage in an intensively managed field crop production system within the Mid-Atlantic region. Stakeholders will primarily include but are not limited to cash-grain, livestock feed grain, and processing vegetable producers and support industries that rely heavily on herbicide tactics as a primary method of weed control. Project outcomes will be of significant interest to producers with similar crop production practices in Midwestern and Southern regions. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2024, two graduate students that participated in this research project successfully finished their M.Sc. programs and published theses. Two additional undergraduate students participated in this project by assisting graduate students in field and laboratory work. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project team has disseminated results to farmers, agronomists, and other agricultural professionals at18 extension-outreach events in 2024,with additional events forthcoming. Outreach has included in-person presentations, webinars, field-day demonstrations, an an on-line YouTube video. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Prior to August 2025, we plan to publish three manuscripts in the peer-reviewed literature and publish a fact sheet that will be hosted on the GROW network website.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To complete these objectives, two experiments were established and completed at each of three participating locations (PA, DE, VA) in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. In 2024, two Master's theses were published (see, Smith, C and Czekaj, M) that summarized results. We are currently preparing three manuscripts and one fact sheet that summarizes the results.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Smith, C (2024) Cover crop management effects on the fate of soil-residual herbicides in no-till systems. M.Sc. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/files/final_submissions/31025
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Czekaj, M (2024) Multi-tactic weed control and crop rotation diversity for management of multiple herbicide resistant Amaranthus species. M.Sc. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/files/final_submissions/30987


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience: This project supports the needs of stakeholders who practice conservation tillage in an intensively managed field crop production system within the Mid-Atlantic region. Stakeholders will primarily include but are not limited to cash-grain, livestock feed grain, and processing vegetable producers and support industries that rely heavily on herbicide tactics as a primary method of weed control. Project outcomes will be of significant interest to producers with similar crop production practices in Midwestern and Southern regions. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We have recruited an M.Sc. graduate student (Cody Smith) and have employed four undegraduate students who have assisted with field and laboratory procedures in suport of the project.. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Preliminary results have been reported in nineextension-outreach talks including in-person events and a podcast. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next period, we will synthesize data, write two manuscripts, and assemble extension-outreach products from our findings.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To complete these objectives, two experiments were established and completed at each of three participating locations (PA, DE, VA) in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. In support of these objectives, a M.Sc. graduate student was recruited in May of 2022 and has led completion of field experiment objectives. In order to better characterize herbicide fate in field based assays, we have advanced methodologies to extract herbicides (HLPC) from soil samples and are currently near completion of all soil extractions.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:This project supportsthe needs of stakeholders who practice conservation tillage in an intensively managed field crop production system within the Mid-Atlantic region. Stakeholders will primarily include but are not limited to cash-grain, livestock feed grain, and processing vegetable producers and support industries that rely heavily on herbicide tactics as a primary method of weed control. Project outcomes will be of significant interest to producers with similar crop production practices in Midwestern and Southern regions. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have recruited an M.Sc. graduate student (Cody Smith) and have employed 2 undergraduate students in the first year of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preliminary results have been reported in four extension-outreach talks including in-person events and a podcast. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will replicate field experiments in 2023. A full analysis of year 1 data (3 sites, 2 experiments) will be completed in the spring of 2023 and be used in extension-outreach events throughout the 2023 growing season in PA, DE and VA.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? To complete these objectives, two experiments were established and completed at each of three participating locations (PA, DE, VA) and experiments were established in the fall of 2022 to replicate each experiment. In support of these objectives, a M.Sc. graduate student was recruited in May of 2022and has led completion of field experiment objectives. In order to better characterize herbicide fate in field based assays, we have advanced methodologies to extract herbicides (HLPC)from soil samples and will have all 2022 samples analyzed by February 2023.

    Publications