Author
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Webster, Theodore |
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Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2001 Publication Date: 2/1/2002 Citation: Webster, T.M. 2002. Halosulfuron: potential component of cucumber and squash systems [abstract]. Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society. 55:208. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Halosulfuron may help fill the void of methyl bromide for weed control in plastic mulch-vegetable systems. However, cucurbit crop tolerance to halosulfuron may be an issue. Cucumbers appeared to be more tolerant to halosulfuron than were squash. Squash plants were most sensitive to preplant applications of halosulfuron; injury to squash increased with rate of halosulfuron when applied preplant. Cucumber injury did not increase with halosulfuron rate (up to 53 g ai/ha), application method (preplant or postemergence), or planting method (direct- seeded or transplanted seedling). Halosulfuron did not reduce squash crop yield relative to the nontreated control, but both had lower yields than metham (357 kg ai/ha) treated plots. Cucumber yields were not reduced when halosulfuron was applied through the drip tape irrigation in three of the four treatments. Early season purple nutsedge control was equivalent among all treatments that included black plastic mulch. Populations of purple nutsedge were reduced 79% early in the season in the black plastic mulch nontreated plots relative to the bare-ground nontreated control. At the conclusion of the season, nutsedge control from halosulfuron was 66-75%, similar to metham plots. Halosulfuron will be a valuable tool for nutsedge management in cucumber. However, excessive crop injury to squash cultivars from halosulfuron should restrict the utility of this herbicide in summer squash and zucchini. |
