Winter wheat is an economically (and gastronomically) important grain crop in North Carolina, producing legions of cookies and crackers and almost $100 million in revenue for NC farmers. But Italian ryegrass is an herbicide-resistant weed that plagues winter wheat yields, especially in NC’s Piedmont region. In many fields, once the weed appears, it can’t be chemically controlled. NC State researchers have successfully drone-identified early-stage Italian ryegrass in winter wheat allowing for wholistic weed management options.
“It’s easy to identify a broadleaf weed in a grass crop or a grass in a broadleaf crop. But there were a lot of questions about whether or not we could differentiate within a grass species,” said Wes Everman, NC State associate professor of weed science. “Our aerial imagery was very clear. My team and I quickly realized that we could identify and map Italian ryegrass with up to 96% accuracy and early enough to have some management options.”
Studies have shown that Italian ryegrass reduces wheat tillering causing four percent yield declines for every ten Italian ryegrass plants per square meter. Up to 80 percent yield loss can occur where high densities of Italian ryegrass exist. If a significant Italian ryegrass population forms, farmers often settle to cut the crop for hay, usually at a lower price.
Continue reading: https://cals.ncsu.edu/crop-and-soil-sciences/news/winter-wheat-scouting-takes-flight/
“It’s easy to identify a broadleaf weed in a grass crop or a grass in a broadleaf crop. But there were a lot of questions about whether or not we could differentiate within a grass species,” said Wes Everman, NC State associate professor of weed science. “Our aerial imagery was very clear. My team and I quickly realized that we could identify and map Italian ryegrass with up to 96% accuracy and early enough to have some management options.”
Studies have shown that Italian ryegrass reduces wheat tillering causing four percent yield declines for every ten Italian ryegrass plants per square meter. Up to 80 percent yield loss can occur where high densities of Italian ryegrass exist. If a significant Italian ryegrass population forms, farmers often settle to cut the crop for hay, usually at a lower price.
Continue reading: https://cals.ncsu.edu/crop-and-soil-sciences/news/winter-wheat-scouting-takes-flight/
