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Title: BERMUDAGRASS CONTROL IN SUGARCANE WITH ROUNDUP AND A HOODED SPRAYER.

Author
item GRIFFIN, JAMES - LOUISIANA AG. EXP. STN.
item CLAY, PATRICK - LOUISIANA AG. EXP. STN.
item MILLER, DONNIE - LOUISIANA AG. EXP. STN.
item GRYMES, CHARLES - LOUISIANA AG. EXP. STN.
item Hanks, James

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Roundup Ultra was applied in two experiments at 2 qt/A to CP 70-321 sugarcane planted 8 weeks earlier. Sugarcane was 12 to 15 inches tall with 3 to 5 leaves and wind speed was 7 to 10 mph at application time. Bermudagrass control was compared using a standard hood and one equipped with four Weedseeker Model 600 weed sensors. The unique differences in the spectral characteristics of light reflected from green plant material and bare soil can be detected by the sensors allowing herbicide to be applied only when weeds are present. Both hoods were attached to the same tool bar to allow for side-by-side comparisons. Use of the sensor-equipped hood resulted in 29 to 68% savings (experiment 1) and 5 to 27% savings (experiment 2)in Roundup volume sprayed compared with the standard hood that sprayed continuously. Bermudagrass control on the row tops and in the middles 24 DAT was excellent (98 to 100%) where both the standard and sensor-equipped hoods were used. Ability of sensors to detect weed presence and activate and deactivate solenoids that controlled spray delivery was particularly impressive since ground speed was 5 mph. A slight reduction (5-10%) in sugarcane plant height was observed 24 DAT. On March 21 of the following year, bermudagrass ground cover was no more than 3% in either experiment where Roundup was applied compared with 25% (experiment 1) and 61% (experiment 2) for the nontreated checks. No visual differences in sugarcane height or shoot population were observed between the treated and nontreated plots.