Project Number: 6402-22000-033-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 17, 2000
End Date: May 16, 2005

Objective:
Assess all aspects of weed biology including structural, physiological, biochemical, growth and reproduction, population biology in an effort to provide insight into why these weeds are successful and to provide more effective weed control tactics. Develop effective, economical, environmentally benign, and sustainable weed management systems for cotton, soybean, and corn by integrating chemical, cultural, and herbicide-resistant crops with a greater emphasis on conservation tillage practices. Determine ecological changes that occur in the weed populations as a consequence of cultural practices and herbicide changes, including weed species shifts, changes in seed bank dynamics, and the development of herbicide resistance. Investigate mechanisms of resistance in herbicide-resistant weeds.

Approach:
Sustainable integrated weed management systems will be developed by integrating chemical, cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods to exploit the benefits of each practice to maximize weed control and minimize herbicide inputs. Focus will be on use of conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, narrow row spacing, competitive cultivars, herbicide-resistant crops, site-specific decision aids (e.g., remote sensing, variable rate application), and biological control agents to reduce herbicide use and risks. Research will evaluate changes in the distribution and type of weed species and seed bank dynamics as a consequence of changes in the production practices, such as herbicide-resistant crops, cover crops, row spacing, and conservation tillage. A broad range of techniques will be used to determine mechanisms for herbicide resistance. Investigations will include biological and ecological aspects of a number of pernicious, noxious, and invasive weeds to understand the traits that lead to weediness and devise effective control measures.

Project Team

Reddy, Krishna Koger, Clifford Vaughn, Kevin Molin, William

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001   FY 2000