Weed control is challenging to farmers who are transitioning from production systems that use synthetic herbicides to organic systems. A 2-year field study examined air-propelled corncob grit abrasion for in-row weed control efficacy and effect on corn yield. Grit was applied based on corn vegetative developmental stages with one (V1, V3 or V5), two (V1 + V3, V1 + V5, or V3 + V5), or three (V1 + V3 + V5) applications. Flame-weeding or cultivation was used after the V5 application for between-row weed control. Grit applications decreased in-row weed densities by about 60% (α = 0.05) and biomass up to 95% (α = 0.001). Between-row treatments provided similar control, and reduced weed biomass by 55% in 2013 (α = 0.01) and 86% (α = 0.001) in 2014. In-row grit treatments increased corn yield up to 44%, and yield was more influenced by in-row weeds than between row weeds. These results indicate that abrasive corncob grit for in-row weed control, supplemented with cultivation or flaming, can reduce weed biomass substantially and help maintain corn yield. However, timing and frequency of grit application need further refinement based on weed growth as influenced by climate, as treatments at similar corn growth stages did not consistently provide adequate weed control between years.

Saflufenacil solubility and efficacy has been shown to be influenced by carrier water pH. This research was conducted to determine if altering the pH of a solution already containing saflufenacil would influence the efficacy of the herbicide. Saflufenacil at 25 g ai ha−1 was applied to field corn in carrier water with one of five initial pH levels (4.0, 5.2, 6.5, 7.7, or 9.0) and then buffered to one of four final solution pH levels (4.0, 6.5, 9.0, or none) for a total of twenty treatments. All treatments included ammonium sulfate at 20.37 g L−1 and methylated seed oil at 1% v/v. Generally, saflufenacil with a final solution pH of 6.5 or higher provided more dry weight reduction of corn than saflufenacil applied in a final pH of 5.2 or lower. When applying saflufenacil in water with an initial pH of 4.0 or 5.2, efficacy was increased by raising the final solution pH to either 6.5 or 9.0. Conversely, reduction in corn dry weight was less when solution pH of saflufenacil mixed in carrier water with an initial pH of 6.5 or 7.7 was lowered to a final pH of 4.0. When co-applying saflufenacil with herbicides that are very acidic, such as glyphosate, efficacy of saflufenacil may be reduced if solution pH is 5.2 or lower.