Interested Members of the University Community are invited to attend the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Science of Hayley Brackenridge of the Department of Plant Agriculture 

DATE: Tuesday, December 14
TIME: 1 PM Via Zoom 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92346182287?pwd=U3VzNW1yanNvZ3NZaytYV2J0Q2c1Zz09
Meeting ID: 923 4618 2287
Passcode: 319416

Thesis Title: Investigation of management practices to optimize cover crop-based weed mitigation in Canadian sweet corn production. 

Advisory Committee 
Dr. Robert Nurse, Advisor  
Dr. François Tardif, Co-advisor 
Dr. Darren Robinson 
Dr. Jamie Larsen                               

Examination Committee 
Prof. Chris Gillard, Chair
Dr. Robert Nurse
Dr. Darren Robinson
Dr. Kimberley Schneider 

ABSTRACT 

Fall sown cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) has gained popularity as a roller crimped cover crop due to its weed-suppressive capabilities, but management recommendations are needed to promote adoption in Canadian sweet corn production. Field trials were conducted to investigate the effect of rye cultivar, seeding rate, and roller crimping direction on weed control and sweet corn yield to determine best management practices. In the first trial, two rye cultivars (early vs. standard maturity) were compared at three seeding rates (150, 300, and 600 seeds m^-2). In the second trial, rye planting directions (North-South vs. East-West) and roller crimping directions (parallel vs. perpendicular) were tested. Weed control and sweet corn yield were highest in the standard cultivar sown at 300 to 600 seeds m^-2 and in parallel roller crimping for either rye planting direction; However, supplemental weed control measures should be investigated to reduce yield loss from uncontrolled weeds.