Investigation of the opportunities of using cover crops for weed control in corn (Zea mays L.) production

Abstract Corn is a key agricultural crop with high grain yield, but effective weed control is essential for maximizing production. While herbicides and mechanical methods are common, herbicides can harm sustainable agriculture, necessitating alternative approaches. This study, conducted at the experimental field of the Agricultural Research and Treatment Centre of Erciyes University (Kayseri-Turkey) (ERUTAM), investigated the possibilities of using cover crops for weed control in grain corn cultivation. The experiment was established according to the split plot design in randomized blocks with four replications and consisted of a total of 7 characters, six of which were cover crop treatments and 1 control plot. Cover crops, including 100 kg ha⁻ 1 Vicia villosa Roth, 20 kg ha⁻ 1 Secale cereale L., 100 kg ha⁻ 1 Vicia pannonica , 20 kg ha⁻ 1 Brassica rapa var. rapa L., 20 kg ha⁻ 1 Lolium perenne L, and 20 kg ha⁻ 1 Brassica oleracea var. acephala L, were planted at regional densities on October 10, 2013, and October 15, 2014, and incorporated into the soil on May 5, 2014, and May 8, 2015, respectively. The studies showed that the highest dry biomass of cover crops was achieved in the plots with V. villosa (591.16 g m −2 ). The lowest weed dry biomass was recorded as 16.28 g m −2 on day 28 and 27.72 g m −2 on day 56 in the plots where V. villosa was applied, after the cover crops were incorporated into the soil. After incorporating cover crops into the soil, V. villosa plots showed the greatest weed dry weight reductions (79.83% on day 28 and 88.93% on day 56) and the highest corn grain yield (7576 kg ha⁻ 1 ). Thus, V. villosa should be included in integrated weed control programs for its ability to suppress weed germination and boost corn yield.