Effect of Tillage and Herbicide Input on Benghal Dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) in Cotton

Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis L.) is an exotic invasive weed that poses a threat to many crops in the southeastern U.S. including cotton.  Preliminary studies conducted at the University of Florida West Florida Research and Education Center indicated that conventional tillage significantly reduced the level of benghal dayflower infestation.  This study was conducted to determine whether herbicide input could be reduced when combined with tillage.  Three levels of tillage (conventional moldboard plow, strip-tillage and para-tillage) were utilized in combination with six levels of herbicide input.  The results indicated that benghal dayflower infestation was reduced with increasing level of tillage and that fewer herbicide inputs were required with a higher level of tillage input.