scholarly journals On-farm Evaluations of Wood-derived, Waste Paper, and Plastic Mulch Materials for Weed Control in Florida Container Nurseries

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 866-873
Author(s):  
S. Christopher Marble ◽  
Shawn T. Steed ◽  
Debalina Saha ◽  
Yuvraj Khamare

Mulches have been evaluated extensively as a weed management tool in container plant production, but most research has focused on loose-fill wood-derived mulch materials, such as pine bark or wood chips. In this experiment, pine (mixed Pinus sp.) bark (PB), shredded hardwood (HW), and pine sawdust were evaluated for weed control and crop response both alone and in combination with a guar gum tackifier alongside a plastic film mulch, a paper slurry mulch, and the paper slurry mulch + PB and compared with a nonmulched, nontreated control and a single application of preemergence herbicide (oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin). Mulch materials were applied to nursery containers ranging from 7 to 25 gal at two different nurseries and at two research centers in central Florida in 2017 and 2018. Results showed that the plastic mulch provided more than a 90% reduction in hand weeding time and weed weight over a 6-month period, and similar control was achieved with PB, paper slurry + PB, and the HW treatment (64% to 91% reduction in weeding time and weed weight). No growth differences were observed with any mulch treatment in any species evaluated including ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), or podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllum).

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-289
Author(s):  
H. Kaur ◽  
Navneet Kaur ◽  
R. I. S. Gill ◽  
Makhan S. Bhullar ◽  
A. Singh

AbstractCommon cottonwood-based agroforestry system is widely adopted in Indian Indo-Gangetic plains. The stem cuttings of common cottonwood are raised in a nursery 10 to 12 months in rows spaced 0.5 mx0.5 m, before re-planting in the field. The longer duration of 10 to 12 months and wider spacing of stem cuttings in the nursery makes the entire transplants highly vulnerable to weed competition, especially during early establishment stages. The efficacy of preemergence herbicides and plastic and straw mulches for weed management in common cottonwood nursery was investigated at two sites in years 2014 and 2015. The major weed flora in the experimental field consisted of three grass weeds (crowfootgrass, feather lovegrass, and southern crabgrass), and four broadleaf weeds (scarlet pimpernel, garden spurge, niruri, and lesser swinecress). The integrated use of pendimethalin or alachlor applied PRE with paddy straw mulch significantly reduced density and biomass of both grass and broadleaf weeds compared to herbicide or straw mulch used alone, and provided similar level of weed control to hand weeding at both locations. Spreading of plastic mulch in the whole field after punching holes for common cottonwood stem cuttings, or in row spaces recorded similar weed control to hand-weeding. The integrated use of herbicides with straw mulch, and or plastic mulch alone significantly improved plant height, stem diameter, below- and above-ground biomass of common cottonwood plants compared to unweeded check. The study concluded that integrated use of herbicides plus paddy straw mulch or plastic mulch alone could be adopted for weed management in common cottonwood nursery plantations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Daugovish ◽  
Steven A. Fennimore ◽  
Maren J. Mochizuki

Field trials were conducted at three California locations near Oxnard, Salinas, and Watsonville from 2002 to 2006 to evaluate broadleaf weed control and tolerance of strawberry to oxyfluorfen. Oxyfluorfen applied at 0.3 and 0.6 kg/ha before strawberry transplanting reduced densities of broadleaf weeds such as California burclover, hairy nightshade, little mallow, shepherd's-purse, and yellow sweetclover 70 to 100% compared with nontreated plots but did not control horseweed. Oxyfluorfen application resulted in 9% and 19% greater visible injury to strawberry for the two rates, respectively, compared with nontreated plants in 1 yr but did not reduce strawberry yield. After oxyfluorfen application at 0.6 kg/ha, strawberry plants had 5 to 48% more injury than nontreated plants in subsequent years but early-season yields were similar. Hand-weeding time was reduced 30 to 50% compared with nontreated plots regardless of oxyfluorfen rate. Both water-based and solvent-carrier formulations of oxyfluorfen resulted in similar weed control, strawberry injury, and fruit yield. Plastic mulch installation after oxyfluorfen application but before planting reduced injury to strawberry more than 50% compared with nonmulched beds. Oxyfluorfen applied 30 d before strawberry transplanting had similar crop injury and yield to applications made 15 and 7 d before planting. These results suggest that oxyfluorfen can be used safely in California plasticulture strawberry production for control of common weed species and to reduce labor inputs associated with hand weeding.


Author(s):  
K. Choube ◽  
D. K. Raidas ◽  
M. L. Jadav ◽  
N. S. Kirar

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi, 2018-19 at Horticulture farm, RAK College of Agriculture, Sehore (M.P.) to study the effect of different weed management practices on growth and yield of cauliflower. The treatments namely - T1- Weedy check (control), T2- Weed free (through hand weeding) at 30 & 60 DAT, T3 -Pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) + one hand weeding at 30 DAT, T4 Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC (PE) + one hand weeding at 30 DAT, T5 - Propaquizafop 10% EC (POE) + one hand weeding at 60 DAT, T6 -Wheat straw mulch 5kg/plot, T7- Black plastic mulch (150 mm) were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that the there was no weed under T7 -black plastic mulch (150 mm) at all the stages. The maximum weed control efficiency (98%) was found with the treatment T7 - black plastic mulch (150 mm) at all the stages i.e. at 30, 60 and 90 DAT. The minimum weed index (0.00, 0.00 and 0.00%) was found with the treatment T7 (Black plastic mulch (150 mm) at all the stages. The maximum curd length, curd width, total curd weight (g) and curd yield (q ha-1) was recorded T7- black plastic mulch (150 mm) with the maximum net return (Rs. 75772.58 per ha).While the lowest net return was found under T1 (Weedy check) (Rs. 21405.34 per ha) treatment. The maximum B: C ratio (1:4.0) was recorded in case of treatment T3 [Pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) + 1HW at 30 DAT].


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 539-543
Author(s):  
Aradhana Bali ◽  
B. R. Bazaya ◽  
Sandeep Rawal

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2011 at Research Farm, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha, Jammu to evaluate the effect of weed management prac-tices on yield and nutrient uptake of soybean utilizing different resource management strategies. The lowest weed density and dry matter of weeds was recorded with hand weeding at 15 and 35 days after sowing (DAS) which was equally effective as imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 (PoE) fb hoeing at 35 DAS and quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g ha-1 (PoE) fb hoeing at 35 DAS. All weed control treatments had significant effect on yield and nutrient up-take of soybean. Among the different weed control treatments, lowest N, P and K uptake by weeds were recorded in hand-weeding (15 and 35 DAS) which was statistically at par with imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. The maximum uptake by seed and straw were recorded in weed free which was statistically at par with twice hand weeding at 15 and 35 DAS, imazethapyr @ 75 g ha-1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS and quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g ha-1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. The highest seed and straw yield of soybean was harvested with hand-weeding (15 and 35 DAS) followed by imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. For the first time, soybean crop has been introduced in Jammu region for research purpose. Weed management varies with agro-climatic conditions. The study would be helpful to understand weed menace in this particular climatic condition of Jammu and to manage them combinedly and efficiently.


Agriculture ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Sandler

Integrated weed management (IWM) has been part of cranberry cultivation since its inception in the early 19th century. Proper site and cultivar selection, good drainage, rapid vine establishment, and hand weeding are as important now for successful weed management as when the industry first started. In 1940, Extension publications listed eight herbicides (e.g., petroleum-based products, inorganic salts and sulfates) for weed control. Currently, 18 herbicides representing 11 different modes of action are registered for use on cranberries. Nonchemical methods, such as hand weeding, sanding, flooding, and proper fertilization, remain integral for managing weed populations; new tactics such as flame cultivation have been added to the toolbox. Priority ratings have been developed to aid in weed management planning. Despite many efforts, biological control of weeds remains elusive on the commercial scale. Evaluation of new herbicides, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), image analysis, and precision agriculture technology; investigation of other management practices for weeds and their natural enemies; utilization of computational decision making and Big Data; and determination of the impact of climate change are research areas whose results will translate into new use recommendations for the weed control of cranberry.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. MUHAMMAD ◽  
I. MUHAMMAD ◽  
A. SAJID ◽  
L. MUHAMMAD ◽  
A. MAQSHOOF ◽  
...  

Weed management is a primary concern in direct seeded rice (DSR) cropping because weed growth becomes a major constraint on crop yield. A two year field study was set up to evaluate the effect of various weed control measures on crop growth, grain yield and grain quality of DSR. The experiment involved five different weed control measures: hand weeding, hoeing, inter-row tine cultivation, inter-row spike hoeing and herbicide treatment (Nominee 100 SC). The extent of weed control (compared to a non-weeded control) ranged from 50-95%. The highest crop yield was obtained using hand weeding. Hand weeding, tine cultivation and herbicide treatment raised the number of fertile rice tillers formed per unit area and the thousand grain weight. Tine cultivation provided an effective and economical level of weed control in the DSR crop.


Author(s):  
Clusterbean . ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Imazethapyr . ◽  
Pendimethalin . ◽  
Weed Management

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2014 and 2015 at Udaipur (Rajasthan) to find out the effect of weed management on productivity of clusterbean under varying fertility levels. The results revealed that among various weed management practices, two hand weeding 20 and 40 DAS recorded significantly lower weed dry matter, higher weed control efficiency, higher values of yield attributes, seed, haulm and biological yield during both the years over rest of the treatments except sequential application of pendimethalin fb imazethapyr which was statistically at par. Further, application of Imazethapyr fb hand weeding and pendimethalin fb hand weeding also gave comaparable results with pendimethalin fb imazethapyr in terms of weed control efficiency and yields. Among the fertility levels application 20 Kg N + 40 Kg P2O5 ha-1 significantly increased pods plant-1 (24.04), seeds pod-1, (7.12), test weight ( 25.33 g), seed ( 1035 kg ha-1), haulm (2161 kg ha-1) and biological (3196 kg ha-1 ) yield and harvest index ( 31.98 %) of clusterbean over 10 Kg N + 20 Kg P2O5 ha-1 however, it was found statistically at par with fertility level 30 Kg N + 60 Kg P2O5 ha-1. Therefore, clusterbean should be fertilized with 20 Kg N + 40 Kg P2O5 ha-1 and weeds must be controlled with pendimethalin (PE) fb imazethapyr 0.1 kg ha-1 20 DAS .


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 751-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonne Rodenburg ◽  
Kazuki Saito ◽  
Runyambo Irakiza ◽  
Derek W. Makokha ◽  
Enos A. Onyuka ◽  
...  

Time requirements, weed control efficacy, and yield effects of three labor-saving weed technologies were tested against hand weeding during three seasons in 2012 and 2013. The technologies included two hand-operated mechanical weeders, the straight-spike and the twisted-spike floating weeder, and the PRE application of oxadiazon. The straight-spike floating weeder reduced weeding time by 32 to 49%, the twisted-spike floating weeder reduced weeding time by 32 to 56%, and the application of herbicide required 88 to 97% less time than hand weeding. Herbicide application provided the best weed control in two of the three seasons. No differences in weed control efficacy were observed between mechanical and hand weeding. Yield differences were only observed in season 3 with higher rice yields after PRE application of oxadiazon compared with other weed management treatments.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Peruzzi ◽  
Marco Ginanni ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
Paolo Bàrberi

AbstractWeed management is often the most troublesome technical problem to be solved in organic farming, especially in poorly competitive crops like vegetables. A four-year (2000–2003) series of trials was established to assess the possibility of adopting an innovative non-chemical weed management system in organic carrot grown on the Fucino plateau, i.e., the most important carrot-growing area in Italy. The system utilized for physical weed control was based first on a false seedbed technique followed by pre-sowing weed removal, performed with a special 2 m wide 6-row spring-tine harrow. Prior to crop emergence, a pass with a flame weeder equipped with four 50 cm wide-open flame burners was also performed. Post-emergence weed control consisted of one or more hoeing passes with a purpose-designed 11-tine precision hoe equipped with spring implements (torsion weeders and vibrating tines), in addition to hand weeding. This innovative system was applied to a novel planting pattern (sowing in ten individual rows within 2 m wide beds) and compared to the standard management system of the area (sowing within 2 m wide beds but in five bands, use of spring-tine harrowing and flame weeding pre-emergence and of traditional hoeing post-emergence). The new system was tested in different commercial farms including both early and late-sown carrot. Assessments included machine operative characteristics, labor time, weed density and biomass, crop root yield and yield quality, and economic data (physical weed control costs and crop gross margin). Compared to the standard system, the innovative system usually resulted in reduced labor time (from 28 to 40%) and total costs for physical weed control (on average −416 € ha−1). Use of the precision hoe resulted in intra-row weed reduction ranging from 65 to 90%, which also led to a marked reduction in the labor required for hand weeding. In 2001 the two systems did not differ in terms of yield and yield quality, whereas in 2002 and 2003 the innovative system showed a higher mean density of carrot plants (from 28 to 55%), root yield (from 30 to 42%), and gross margin (from 40 to 100%). Carrot yield was higher in farms which adopted an early sowing whereas root commercial quality was somewhat variable between systems and years. In general, results obtained with the innovative management system look very promising.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Christian Frasconi ◽  
Francesca Sorelli ◽  
Marco Ginanni ◽  
...  

AbstractTomato is a very important vegetable crop in Italy. Improving the means of production for processing organic tomatoes could help guarantee better profits for farmers and, at the same time, enhance environmental management and safeguard consumers’ health. Weed control, in particular within crop rows, is one of the main problems in organic farming, and thus also for the organic cultivation of tomato. The aim of this study was to develop innovative strategies and equipment for effective physical weed control in processing tomatoes. A conventional weed management system incorporating herbicides was compared with an alternative system relying exclusively on physical control during three growing seasons (2006–2008) on a farm located near Pisa, Italy. The crop was transplanted mechanically onto paired rows. The conventional strategy consisted of three different chemical treatments, two post-transplanting PTO-powered rotary hoe passes and several hand-weeding treatments on the paired rows. The alternative system included a stale seedbed technique (performed by a rolling harrow pass and one flaming treatment), two post-transplanting precision hoeing treatments and several hand-weeding treatments. All the machines for the alternative system were adjusted and set up for processing tomatoes transplanted in paired rows. Each physical treatment (mechanical and thermal) within the alternative system allowed an ‘instantaneous’ (just before/just after) weed control from 50 to 100%, while the alternative strategy as a whole achieved values of weed dry biomass at harvest ranging from 22 to 126 g m−2. However, the alternative system required a total labor input that averaged 50% higher than the conventional strategy. The conventional system had on average more effective weed control than the alternative system, but both strategies controlled weeds effectively. Weed biomass at harvest averaged 36 and 68 g m−2 for conventional and alternative strategies, respectively. On the other hand, the alternative system generally led to a significant increase in fresh crop yield (+13% average yield for the 3 years).


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