The Effects of Using Cereal Rye (Secale cereale) as a Cover Crop for Control of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in Fallow Land in the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina
Applied Research
Morgan Menaker
Field Crops Extension Agent
NC State University
Monroe
Abstract
Herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass (Loloium multiflorum) is a persistent issue in North Carolina, particularly in the southern Piedmont, where ALS, ACCase, glyphosate, and paraquat resistance have been confirmed. While pyroxasulfone provides residual control, it does not affect emerged ryegrass, and resistance to pre-emergent herbicides is likely to develop. Paraquat-resistant ryegrass threatens all North Carolina crops, especially small grains, and delaying until ryegrass senescence would push corn, cotton, and soybean planting into June, significantly reducing yield potential. Cereal rye (Secale cereale) is well known for its weed-suppressive abilities via allelopathy and competition. Union County Agricultural Agents set objectives to; 1.) Explore the effectiveness of using cereal rye as a management tool for controlling Italian ryegrass, 2.) Determine the ideal planting date, seeding rate, pre-emergent herbicide, and which combinations best control Italian Ryegrass, 3.) Determine fertilization rates to produce cereal rye for hay and straw production.
Over two years, randomized strip and small plot trial work on-farm research; planting date (4) x seeding rate (5), cereal rye + pre-emergent herbicides (9 treatments), and forage fertility (6 treatments) revealed promising results.1.) Cereal rye has a wide range of plating for successful stand establishment following soybeans and can be applied pre and post-harvest in corn, soybean, and cotton. 2.) When planted on time 100 lbs/ac of cereal rye alone provides statistically similar (p < 0.1) control compared to cereal rye + pre-emergent herbicides, and 6/7 pre-emergent treatments significantly reduced ryegrass populations compared to the control. The seeding rate had no effect on forage but the nitrogen rate (0, 30 60 lbs N/acre) showed a statistically significant increase within seeding rates of 50 & 100 lbs/acre.
Two field days were held on-farm, March 2024, and March 2025, to educate row crop producers in surrounding counties about the findings and allow them to visually observe the treatments under investigation. Attendance was 40 and 55 persons respectfully. Between 2024 and 2025, informal surveying revealed that Union County growers planted approximately 3,000 acres of cereal rye, with three of the five adopters using a cover crop for the first time.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Morgan Menaker, Andrew Baucom, Rachel Owens, Aaron Moore
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Menaker, M. Field Crops Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28112
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Baucom, A. County Extension Director, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28112
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Owens, R. Livestock Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28112
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Moore, A. Commercial Horticulture Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28112