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Title: VOLUNTEER POTATO CONTROL IN ONION USING FLUROXYPYR

Author
item OMAN, CLARK - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item NISSEN, SCOTT - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item WESTRA, PHIL - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item RANSOM, COREY - OREGON STATE UNIV
item Boydston, Rick
item Williams, Martin
item THOMPSON, W. MACK - PIONEER HYBRIDS, IA

Submitted to: National Allium Research Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2004
Publication Date: 12/8/2004
Citation: Oman, C., Nissen, S.J., Westra, P., Ransom, C., Boydston, R.A., Williams, M., Thompson, W. 2004. Volunteer potato control in onion using fluroxypyr. 2004 National Allium Research Conference, Grand Junction, CO., Dec. 2004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Volunteer potatoes are difficult to control in onions with tillage or current post-emergent herbicide programs. Even small volunteer potatoes can emerge from significant soil depths and produce plants that reduce onion yields and serve as hosts for several important potato pathogens. Field research was conducted to evaluate crop safety and volunteer potato control using fluroxypyr in onion. Initial field studies evaluated potato (Russet Norkotah) response to fluroxypyr applications of 71 to 284 g ai/ha. All rates significantly reduced top growth and daughter tuber yields. Potato variety response was evaluated by applying fluroxypyr at rates of 142, 213, and 284 g ai/ha to four potato varieties representing several market classes: chipping (Chipeta), red fresh-market (Sangre), and white fresh-market (Russet Norkotah and Russet Nugget). Norkotah was the most sensitive variety, while Nugget and Chipeta response was intermediate. Sangre was the most tolerant variety, producing a significant number of daughter tubers at the highest fluroxypyr rate. Onion response to fluroxypyr applied alone and in sequential applications with oxyfluorfen plus bromoxynil was evaluated under weed-free conditions. Onion yields were similar to the control for all treatments, including a 560 g ai/ha fluroxypyr application to four leaf onions. Volunteer potato biomass and daughter tuber yield were significantly reduced by the same treatments including three applications of oxyfluorfen plus bromoxynil. Fluroxypyr provided better control of potato top growth than three applications of oxyfluorfen plus bromoxynil; however, reductions in daughter tubers were similar. Fluroxypyr effectively controlled volunteer potatoes and onions appear to have acceptable tolerance.