Farmer perceptions of weed problems in corn and soybean rotation systems

Corn and soybean growers across Indiana were surveyed in 2003 to determine their perceptions of the importance of weed problems in various crop rotations. Growers were asked to list the three most problematic weeds in the following rotation systems: soybean and corn planted in alternate years (SC) and corn (CC) or soybean (SS) planted to the same field for 2 or more years. Although some summer annuals and perennials (common lambsquarters, Canada thistle, and common cocklebur) and winter annuals (chickweed and henbit) were considered problematic by at least 10% of growers in all three systems, there were differences among systems in the relative importance of weed species. Giant ragweed was considered problematic by at least 30% of SC and CC growers but by less than 10% of SS growers. Horseweed was listed as a problematic summer annual by 13% of SS growers but by only 3% of CC growers. Purple deadnettle was listed by 15% of CC growers but by less than 6% of SC and SS growers. Perennial dicots were more problematic in SS than in CC. Annual and perennial grasses were more problematic in CC than in SC or SS. Despite these differences, the results of this survey suggest that the cumulative effect of weed management practices in corn and soybean rotation systems in Indiana has been the promotion of larger seeded, broadleaf, summer annual species.