Manipulating sorghum agronomy to suppress summer grass weeds

Michael Widderick, Asad Shabbir, Greg Harvey, Linda Heuke, Michael Walsh, Adam McKiernan

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Summer grass weeds awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona) and feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata) are difficult to control in the summer crop sorghum. Both weeds have populations resistant to herbicides and there are few effective herbicide options for in-crop control. We manipulated the agronomy of sorghum in field trials by comparing cultivars, row spacing and crop density. The suppressive ability of different crop configurations was assessed by comparing their impact on growth and seed production of target weeds. Sorghum grown at a narrow row spacing (50 vs 100 cm) and increased crop density (10 vs 5 plants m-2) reduced growth and seed production of both FTR and BYG. Weed biomass was reduced by 36-99% and weed seed production by up to 90% at a narrow row spacing. At a greater crop density, 39-63% less biomass was produced and 41-56% less weed seed was produced. The effect of sorghum cultivar was not consistent across sites
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication20th Australian Agronomy Conference 2022 Proceedings
PublisherAustralian Society of Agronomy
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event20th Australian Agronomy Conference - Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Australia
Duration: 18 Sept 202222 Sept 2022
https://agronomyconference.com/2022-conference/ (Conference website )
https://www.agronomyaustraliaproceedings.org/index.php/2022 (Proceedings)

Conference

Conference20th Australian Agronomy Conference
Abbreviated titleSystem solutions for complex problems
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityToowoomba
Period18/09/2222/09/22
OtherThe theme of the conference is System Solutions for Complex Problems. The theme underpins the need to strengthen collaborations between practitioners and researchers from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds to address increasingly complex problems and uncertainties. So, the question is not If, but when and how, multidisciplinary collaborations will be developed.
The 20th Australian Agronomy Conference will feature leading international and national speakers addressing issues such as the need to foster soil biology for enduring profitability, carbon sequestration, herbicide resistance, and the interwoven relationships between food production, energy and the environment. We will discuss and share our latest research findings amongst circa 300 agronomists from Australia and the world, as well as farmers, consultants, agribusinesses and farmer peak bodies.
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