Influence of late emerging weeds in glyphosate-resistant corn

Abstract

Fifteen field trials were conducted from 2009 to 2011 in Ontario, Canada and Michigan, USA to determine how long glyphosate-resistant corn needs to be kept weed-free after emergence to prevent yield loss. Data were separated into two environments based on when yield loss first occurred after glyphosate application. In Environment 1 (4/15 sites) yield was not reduced when corn was kept weed-free until the 4-leaf stage. However, in Environment 2 (11/15 sites) there was no yield loss when corn was kept weed-free up to the 2-leaf stage. The most prominent weeds were velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters and foxtail species. While later emerging weeds did not necessarily impact corn yield, weeds emerging after the 2- and 4-leaf corn stage likely produced seed that was added to the soil seed bank. Weeds emerging after 6-, 8-, and 10-leaf corn growth stages were small (low biomass/seedlings) and most likely did not reach reproductive maturity. Based on this research, corn must be maintained weed-free up to the 4-leaf stage. Any weeds emerging after that did not influence corn yield.