Field Crops Research

Authors

• Carolina San Martín, Oregon State UniversityFollow
• Dan S. Long, USDA-ARS Soil and Water Conservation ResearchFollow
• Jennifer A. Gourlie, Oregon State University
• Judit Barroso, Oregon State University

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1-7-2019

Citation

2019 Elsevier B.V.

Comments

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.12.017 Field Crops Research 233 (2019) 12–20

Abstract

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) is a problematic weed for the conventional fallow/winter wheat (F/W) production system in the low precipitation-region (< 350mm yr−1) of the Pacific Northwest. A 4-yr field experiment was conducted to determine if incorporating spring barley (B, Hordeum vulgare L.) or spring carinata (C, Brassica carinata A. Braun) into 3-yr crop rotations with W would benefit weed management. The experimental design was a split-plot with four replications where each phase was present every year for the following rotations: 1) F/W, 2) F/W/B, and 3) F/W/C. Reduced tillage, consisting of a single undercutting operation with a wide-blade sweep, and herbicides were used to control weeds during the fallow period. The seeded plots were subdivided in three different weed management areas: a weed-free area where weeds were pulled by hand, a weedy area with no weed control and a general area where weeds were chemically controlled. Weed density and cover per species and W yield were evaluated in each rotation. Grass cover and density after one and two complete cropping cycles were significantly higher in F/W than in F/W/B and F/W/C. Reduction in density and cover of total weeds was found after two cycles. However, differences in community biodiversity were only found between F/W, and F/W/B or F/W/C in 2017. Winter wheat plots of F/W had more downy brome than F/ W/B or F/W/C indicating the greater capacity of the latter to control this weed. In 2018, the 3-yr rotation with barley had greater winter wheat grain yield compared with F/W when weeds were not present though weeds were more competitive in F/W/B. Intensifying the F/W cropping system into a 3-yr crop rotation of W followed by spring barley or spring carinata may reduce weed infestations of winter annual grasses that are difficult to control in W and the most competitive due to larger similarities in their life cycle with this crop.