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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #177269
Title: EGGPLANT TOLERANCE TO HALOSULFURON APPLIED THROUGH DRIP-IRRIGATION

Author
item Webster, Theodore
item CULPEPPER, A - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2005
Publication Date: 10/3/2005
Citation: Webster, T., Culpepper, A. 2005. Eggplant tolerance to halosulfuron applied through drip irrigation. HortScience. 40(6):1796-1800.

Interpretive Summary: Used since the early 1900's, methyl bromide was a critical component of pest management in commercial vegetable production. However, methyl bromide is as an ozone depleting substance and use will be abolished. Nutsedges are the primary weeds of vegetables in the Southern US. Halosulfuron is a potential herbicide for use in several vegetable crops. Halosulfuron controls nutsedge, impedes tuber production, and reduces tuber viability. Crop tolerance to halosulfuron limits adoption of this tactic for a broad range of vegetable crops. Halosulfuron application through drip irrigation may be an alternative means of using this herbicide to target nutsedge, while minimizing crop injury. Field studies evaluated eggplant growth and yield when halosulfuron was applied through drip-irrigation prior to transplant or following transplant in spring and autumn crops. There were inverse linear relationships between halosulfuron rate and eggplant growth and eggplant yield. Eggplant was capable of recovering from the initial injury and there was no effect of halosulfuron rate on fruit biomass by final harvest. There was minimal yield loss when halosulfuron application was delayed to 3 weeks after transplant (WAT). When halosulfuron was applied 1 WAT, yield was reduced, however cumulative yield was similar to nontreated control. This preliminary study indicates that halosulfuron injected through drip-tape may have the potential to assist in the replacement of methyl bromide for nutsedge management in eggplant.

Technical Abstract: Halosulfuron is an alternative to methyl bromide for managing nutsedges in several vegetable crops. Field studies were conducted to evaluate eggplant growth and yield when halosulfuron was applied through drip-irrigation prior to transplant at four rates (0, 26, 39, or 52 g ai/ha) or following transplant (26 g/ha applied 1, 2, or 3 weeks after transplant) in spring and autumn crops in 2002 and 2003. There were inverse linear relationships between halosulfuron rate and eggplant growth and halosulfuron rate and eggplant yield. Halosulfuron at 52 g/ha reduced eggplant growth (crop height and canopy width) 19 to 22%. Eggplant fruit biomass at the first harvest was reduced 37 to 63% by halosulfuron applied prior to transplant. Eggplant was capable of recovering from the initial injury and there was no effect of halosulfuron rate on fruit biomass at the final harvest. Total season fruit biomass was reduced <4% from halosulfuron at 39 g/ha, while halosulfuron at 52 g/ha reduced fruit biomass 33%. Delay in application of halosulfuron to 3 weeks after transplant (WAT) resulted in <7% reduction in fruit biomass and number for the entire season. When halosulfuron was applied 1 WAT, fruit biomass at the first two harvests was reduced >33%, however total season harvest from this treatment was >99% of the yield from the nontreated control. This preliminary study indicates that halosulfuron injected through drip-tape may have the potential to assist in the replacement of methyl bromide for nutsedge management in eggplant.