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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287119
Title: Combinations of corn glutel meal, clove oil, and sweep cultivation are ineffective for weed control in organic peanut production

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item BOUDREAU, MARK - University Of Georgia
item DAVIS, JERRY - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2012
Publication Date: 6/4/2012
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Boudreau, M.A., Davis, J.W. 2012. Combinations of corn glutel meal, clove oil, and sweep cultivation are ineffective for weed control in organic peanut production. Weed Technology. 27:417-421.

Interpretive Summary: Weed control in organic peanut is difficult and lack of residual weed control complicates weed management efforts. Corn gluten meal is the protein fraction of corn and a byproduct of corn processing. Corn gluten meal has been shown to have herbicidal properties and can be used in certified organic production systems. Weed management systems using corn gluten meal in combination with clove oil herbicide and sweep cultivation were evaluated in a series of irrigated field trials. Corn gluten meal (broadcast rate of 800 lbs./A) applied in a 12 in. band over the row at preemergence (PRE), sequentially at PRE/2 wk after emergence, and PRE/2 wk/4 wk did not adequately control four annual grass species and smallflower morningglory. Similarly, a banded application of clove oil applied POST did not adequately control weeds. The only treatment factor that improved overall weed control was sweep cultivation. Peanut yields were not measured in 2006 due to heavy baseline weed densities and overall poor weed control. Peanut yields were measured in 2007 and were not affected by any weed control treatment due to poor efficacy. While sweep cultivation improved weed control, weeds were controlled only in the row middles and surviving weeds in-row reduced peanut yield. Even when used in combination with sweep cultivation, corn gluten meal and clove oil were ineffective and offer little potential in a weed management system for organic peanut production.

Technical Abstract: Weed control in organic peanut is difficult and lack of residual weed control complicates weed management efforts. Weed management systems using corn gluten meal in combination with clove oil and sweep cultivation were evaluated in a series of irrigated field trials. Corn gluten meal applied in a 30 cm band over the row at preemergence (PRE), sequentially at PRE/2 wk after emergence, and PRE/2 wk/4 wk did not adequately control four annual grass species and smallflower morningglory. Similarly, a banded application of clove oil applied POST did not adequately control weeds. The only treatment factor that improved overall weed control was sweep cultivation. Peanut yields were not measured in 2006 due to heavy baseline weed densities and overall poor weed control. Peanut yields were measured in 2007 and were not affected by any weed control treatment due to poor efficacy. While sweep cultivation improved weed control, weeds were controlled only in the row middles and surviving weeds in-row reduced peanut yield. Even when used in combination with sweep cultivation, corn gluten meal and clove oil were ineffective and offer little potential in a weed management system for organic peanut production.