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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203463
Title: Autumn vegetable response to residual herbicides applied the previous spring under low density polyethylene mulch

Author
item GREY, T - UNIV. OF GA, TIFTON,GA
item Webster, Theodore
item CULPEPPER, A - UNIV. OF GA, TIFTON,GA

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/12/2006
Publication Date: 4/1/2007
Citation: Grey, T.L., Webster, T.M., Culpepper, A.S. 2007. Autumn vegetable response to residual herbicides applied the previous spring under low density polyethylene mulch. Weed Technology. 21:469-500.

Interpretive Summary: The use of low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch has become standard for production of many vegetables in the southeastern US. Most LDPE in Georgia is laid for spring vegetable production, followed by a second crop in the autumn and potentially a third crop the following spring. This allows growers to minimize expenses associated with polyethylene mulch and drip tape irrigation. Weed control in the absence of methyl bromide (MBr) will require that herbicides be a component of these systems. Halosulfuron, sulfentrazone, and metolachlor all have activity toward Cyperus species and are either registered or pending registration for use under LDPE mulch in Georgia pepper or tomato. Field studies evaluated injury to autumn seeded and transplanted squash, seeded cucumber, transplanted eggplant, and transplanted cabbage to herbicide applied the previous spring. Injury to eggplant, cucumber, transplanted and seeded squash was less than 17% from all treatments in 2002, with no injury in 2005. Cabbage injury was less than 5% for any herbicide treatment, with no differences in cabbage yield. Vine length for cucumber and transplanted squash was significantly reduced by sulfentrazone relative to the nontreated control. Eggplant yield for the first harvest was significantly reduced by sulfentrazone relative to the nontreated control in 2002 but not in 2005. Growers should be aware of potential herbicide carryover issues when planning to use herbicides to ensure successful crop production.

Technical Abstract: Field studies were conducted in 2002 and 2005 to evaluate autumn vegetable tolerance to residual herbicides applied the previous spring under low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch. Spring applications of 1.12 kg/ha S-metolachlor, 0.027 kg/ha halosulfuron, 0.28 kg/ha sulfentrazone, and 1.12 kg/ha S-metolachlor plus 0.027 kg/ha halosulfuron were made under LDPE mulch in March of each year and included a nontreated control. After removal of the spring crop, vegetables were planted the following August. Seeded and transplanted squash, seeded cucumber, transplanted eggplant, and transplanted cabbage were evaluated. Injury to eggplant, cucumber, transplanted and seeded squash ranged from 8 to 16% for halosulfuron, sulfentrazone, and S-metolachlor plus halosulfuron in 2002, but no injury was observed in 2005. Cabbage injury was less than 5% for any herbicide treatment either year. There were no differences for cabbage biomass for three harvests for any herbicide treatment relative to the nontreated control. Vine length for cucumber and transplanted squash was significantly reduced by sulfentrazone relative to the nontreated control. Eggplant yield for the first harvest was significantly reduced by sulfentrazone as compared to the nontreated control in 2002 but not in 2005. Growers should read all registration materials when considering spring herbicide applications under LDPE mulch when autumn vegetable plantings are part of their production scheme to ensure successful crop production.