Project Number: 5358-21000-037-23
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Sep 17, 2010
End Date: Sep 30, 2012

Objective:
1. Develop use-patterns for quinclorac in blackberries that maximize control of bindweed and Canada thistle, and minimize risk of crop injury. 2. Evaluate establishment potential of the gall forming mite Aceria malherbae in W. Oregon berry fields on bindweed and determine efficacy of this mite, particularly when used in combination with the herbicide quinclorac.

Approach:
Test sites will be chosen from western Oregon berry fields where bindweed and Canada thistle is present. The most probable site under consideration is currently in EY production in the Dayton area. Quinclorac will be applied in the spring of the production year after the weeds have reached an appropriate size or just before the PHI for this herbicide (40 days), whichever comes first. Fall treatments will be applied to bindweed after the primocanes have been trained onto the wires, but just before or near the first frost. Mites will be released in two blackberry fields infested with bindweed in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Ag. Bindweed plants infested with mites will be collected, taken to the test sites and entangled with resident bindweed shoots as they emerge from the soil and are actively growing in the spring, but before flowering. Mite survival and dissemination from the point of introduction will be monitored by examining bindweed plants monthly for two growing seasons for presence of the mites and plant damage. Documents Grant with Oregon State University.