Low-Input Maize-Based Cropping Systems Implementing IWM Match Conventional Maize Monoculture Productivity and Weed Control

Guillaume Adeux, Simon Giuliano, Stéphane Cordeau, Jean-Marie Savoie and Lionel Alletto
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Guillaume Adeux: Université de Toulouse—École d’ingénieurs de Purpan, UMR 1248 AGIR—75, voie du TOEC, BP 57611, F-31076 Toulouse, France
Simon Giuliano: Université de Toulouse—École d’ingénieurs de Purpan, UMR 1248 AGIR—75, voie du TOEC, BP 57611, F-31076 Toulouse, France
Stéphane Cordeau: Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
Jean-Marie Savoie: Université de Toulouse—École d’ingénieurs de Purpan, UMR 1201 DYNAFOR—75, voie du TOEC, BP 57611, F-31076 Toulouse, France
Lionel Alletto: Université de Toulouse—École d’ingénieurs de Purpan, UMR 1248 AGIR—75, voie du TOEC, BP 57611, F-31076 Toulouse, France

Agriculture, 2017, vol. 7, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Conventional Maize Monoculture (MM), a dominant Cropping System in South-Western France, is now questioned for environmental reasons (nitrate leaching, pesticide use and excessive irrigation). Three low-input Cropping Systems (CS) using diverse weeding strategies (MM LI , a Low-Input MM implementing ploughing, a combination of on-row spraying and in-between row cultivation and cover crops; MM CT , Conservation Tillage MM implementing chemical control and cover crops; Maize-MSW, maize managed similar to MM LI but rotated with soybean & wheat) were compared to a reference system (MM Conv , a conventional MM with tillage and a high quantity of inputs). Potential of Infestation of weeds (PI), weed biomass and crop production of these CS were compared during the first five years after their establishment. Yields were also assessed in weed-free zones hand-weeded weekly in 2014 and 2015. Weed communities did not drastically differ among CS. PI and weed biomass were higher in MM CT , especially for Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. and were comparable between MM Conv , MM LI and Maize-MSW. Analysis of covariance between CS and weed biomass did not reveal a significant interaction, suggesting that weed biomass affected yield similarly among the CS. Comparison between weedy and weed-free zones suggested that weeds present at maize maturity negatively affected yields to the same extent for all four CS, despite having different weed biomasses. Grain yields in MM Conv (11.3 ± 1.1 t ha −1 ) and MM LI (10.6 ± 2.3 t ha −1 ) were similar and higher than in MM CT (8.2 ± 1.9 t ha −1 . Similar yields, weed biomasses and PI suggest that MM LI and Maize-MSW are interesting alternatives to conventional MM in terms of weed control and maize productivity and should be transferred to farmers to test their feasibility under wider, farm-scale conditions.

Keywords: integrated weed management; cropping system experiment; Zea mays L.; weed competition; weed biomass; conservation tillage; yield loss; Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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