I'm posting this information - mostly for information to those who plant food plots for deer.
Read the link to follow on weed surpression due to allelopathy in Rye - Do a couple searches on allelopathy - and you are well on your way to a great rotation program to reduce weed growth in your food plots - without excessive chemical control.
Farmhunter, I've read that stuff twice and still don't know what its all about. Perhaps, if you have time, you could condense it and put it in layman's terms. Pretend you are explaining it to a rock. A not too bright rock. Or a wit. Dimwit, halfwit, nit wit. Thanks, terry
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lawnfarmer; you've probably heard that many plants (tomatoes etc.) won't grow near black walnut trees because of the Juglone that the tree roots give off. Farm hunters article says that rye is not only good for making whiskey but it has the same effect as a herbicide on other weeds.
I am with you Terry, I think it means it will choke out weed growth, like a good healthy lawn where the grass is extremely thick, and rye of the cereal crops performs that function in suppressing weed growth.
Allelopathy is chemical warfare, plant-style. Plants have developed chemicals that inhibit germination or growth of other plant species. Many species of plants are believed to exhibit this trait, but very little is known about it. I assume 2,4-dihydroxy would be the same as what I know as 2, 4-D. 2, 4-D is probably one of the most common chemicals used in small grains. It will not harm grasses, but is lethal on broadleaf weeds.
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Sorry I haven't answered back - I've been hunting.
Sorry I didn't elaborate - but yes - Rye gives off a chemical similar to some commercial herbicides that GREATLY reduces weed growth. Not only while its growing - but when cut-residue is still present - for up to 3 months!!
I read once where oats gives off as much or more.
But the important thing is that - if you are planting a cover crop in the fall, rye is a good choice (#1 because deer love it - #2 its very presence will reduce weed competition in next year's corn or clover plot.
i got a 40lb bag of planting winter rye today. 8 bucks. i've dredged out a few small ponds and the muck is spread out over a few tennis court or larger sized areas. i put an inch or two of soil over matured pigweed plants.
in the next few days i'll put out some lime and the rye seeds. erosion control, weed control, and feeding deer are my main goals. bump this post up in a few months and i'll let you know how it works.
this is a pretty radical concept in weed control..........i heard it here first!!! thanks!!!
kinda' dumb luck (the luck, not me, LOL)... but i ended up planting ladino clover and winter rye in all but one of my plots last month.......so should i expect less weeds in the spring in my clover/rye plots compared to my clover only plot?
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Thats a great article - and it shows the benefit - other than "just for deer".
I kept is for my tree projects I'm working on - and really enjoyed the parts I've read so far.
StrmChzr - You are part right - but remember that the weed surpressing chemical Rye produces - does not discriminate - in fact the clover will likely be "stunted" until the Rye is long gone - Rye can be a pest the next summer for sure. But the clover roots can become very well established in the meantime - and when the rye is done the clover will flourish. This is really common practice amoung farmers in my area. They use winter wheat, oats, rye, tritacle, and/or barley for overseeding clover and alfalfa plots.
Sometimes - the more questions we ask - the more we get - but we learn in the process. I've been researching for about 4 years now - and hardly a day goes by that I look for new information on plots and weed control that I do not learn something new.
allelopathy - Understanding Weed Control
