Author
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Webster, Theodore |
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Submitted to: University of Georgia Research Report
Publication Type: Experiment Station Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2002 Publication Date: 10/1/2002 Citation: Webster, T.M. 2002. A tale of two nutsedges: differential effects of polyethylene mulch on early season growth of purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge. University of Georgia Vegetable Research and Extension Report. p.98-102. Interpretive Summary: Methyl bromide, the standard pest control option in vegetable crops for >50 years, will be no longer be available for use after 2005. There are currently few suitable pest management alternatives in many vegetable crops. Nutsedges are the most troublesome weeds of vegetables in the Southeast U.S. Grass and broadleaf weed suppression is achieved by using polyethylene mulch in fruiting vegetables and cucurbit production in Georgia. However, nutsedges are capable of penetrating the mulch. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential suppressive effect of polyethylene mulch on the growth of nutsedges. Greenhouse studies were conducted in Tifton, GA in 2001 and 2002. Treatments included pots covered with either black polyethylene mulch (1.25 mil), clear-colorless polyethylene mulch (1.25 mil), or had no mulch (non-mulched, bare-ground control). The results of this study suggest that polyethylene mulches may suppress growth of yellow nutsedge more than purple nutsedge. Both black and clear mulches reduced yellow nutsedge tuber production about 50% and shoot populations >96%. There were few detectable differences in purple nutsedge growth between the non-mulched control and black or clear mulches. Yellow nutsedge had more growth (366 tubers, 146 shoots) than purple nutsedge (66 tubers, 15 shoots) in the non-mulched control over the 16-week period of the study. Technical Abstract: The impending elimination of methyl bromide in 2005 will leave many vegetable crops without suitable pest management alternatives. Nutsedges are the most troublesome weeds of vegetables in the Southeast U.S. Nutsedges are among the pests for which an effective alternative to methyl bromide has not yet been identified in many crops. The use of polyethylene mulch is common in fruiting vegetables and cucurbit production in Georgia. Nutsedges are capable of penetrating the mulch and successfully competing with crops for resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential suppressive effect of polyethylene mulch on the growth of nutsedges. Greenhouse studies were conducted in Tifton, GA in 2001 and 2002. Treatments included pots covered with either black polyethylene mulch (1.25 mil), clear-colorless polyethylene mulch (1.25 mil), or had no mulch (non-mulched, bare-ground control). The results of this study suggest that polyethylene mulches may suppress growth of yellow nutsedge more than purple nutsedge. Both black and clear mulches reduced yellow nutsedge tuber production about 50% and shoot populations >96%. There were few detectable differences in purple nutsedge growth between the non-mulched control and black or clear mulches. Yellow nutsedge had more growth (366 tubers, 146 shoots) than purple nutsedge (66 tubers, 15 shoots) in the non-mulched control over the 16-week period of the study. |
