Terry Wyciskalla of Wyciskalla Consulting in southern Illinois shares a video exhibiting the differences between chemical control and cover crop control of weeds in a plot in Washington County.
Wyciskalla notes “After speaking with the area manager, the cereal rye did not give full season 100% suppression of waterhemp. There were some breakthroughs but were still considerably better than the conventional chemical control plots.”
About the Author: Terry Wyciskalla
Terry Wyciskalla is a Certified Professional Agronomist, a Certified Crop Adviser, and a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist. He has a Master of Science (MS) in Plant and Soil Science and has spent 25 years as a soil fertility agronomist/precision agriculture consultant in a 10-county region in southern Illinois while also spending 16 years as a researcher in soil fertility and an instructor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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Great post! The choice between chemical weed control and cover crops is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on the goals, environmental considerations, and economic factors of the specific agricultural operation. Some farmers may choose to integrate both methods, using cover crops as part of an integrated weed management strategy that reduces the reliance on chemical herbicides while improving soil health and biodiversity. Ultimately, sustainable weed control should be based on a holistic approach that considers long-term soil health and environmental impacts.