Herbicide-resistant weed species in no-till crop production systems require innovative approaches for control. Integrated weed management that includes use of fall-sown cover crops has emerged as a valuable approach, where cover crops compete with weeds for essential resources during growth and surface mulch suppresses weeds after termination. The adoption of cover crops also has numerous soil health and conservation agriculture benefits. However, cover crops offer incomplete weed control that is not season long, and therefore requires integration with other herbicide-based tactics, such as use of soil-residual herbicide for more comprehensive weed control. Soil-residual herbicides applied preemergence extend the weed-free period, improve crop competitiveness, and slow resistance evolution to postemergence herbicides. Yet, integrating cover crops and herbicides pose several management challenges, including reduced soil bioavailability of residual herbicides to cover crop interference of spray deposition. Interference is likely amplified by the practice of planting green, which has gained popularity, due to greater cover crop biomass accumulation prior to herbicide application.
