BIOLOGICAL MULCHES FOR MANAGING WEEDS IN TRANSPLANTED STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA)

Authors: Forcella, Frank; POPPE, STEVE - UM-WCROC; HANSEN, NEIL - UM-WCROC; HEAD, WILLIAM - UM-WCROC; HOOVER, EMILY - UNIV. OF MN; PROPSUM, FAYE - UNIV. OF MN; MCKENSIE, JILL - UNIV. OF MN

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2003
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: FORCELLA, F., POPPE, S., HANSEN, N., HEAD, W.A., HOOVER, E., PROPSUM, F., MCKENSIE, J. BIOLOGICAL MULCHES FOR MANAGING WEEDS IN TRANSPLANTED STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA). WEED TECHNOLOGY. 2003. V. 17. P. 782-787.

Interpretive Summary: Strawberry growers seek chemical and non-chemical alternatives for weed control because the few herbicides available are expensive. In northern growing areas, weed control is especially important immediately after transplanting in spring for a typical 3-year crop. During 1999 and 2000 in Minnesota, several alternative methods of weed control during strawberry establishment were tested. Seven of these methods were common to both years: [a] 18-inch wide strip of single-ply, woolen landscaping fabric centered over the crop row; [b] double-ply strip of woolen fabric; [c] canola seeded in early spring, and when 12 inches tall incorporated into the soil with a rototiller; [d] as above, but canola killed with a burndown herbicide and left on the soil surface; [e] standard herbicide treatment, DCPA; [f] hand-weeded; and [g] no weed control. Weeds and strawberry daughter plants were measured as was fruit yield one year after transplantation. The single-ply woolen fabric nearly eliminated weeds from rows, promoted daughter plant rooting, and maximized fruit yields. Canola mulch left on the surface provided good weed control, but only temporarily, and daughter plants and fruit yields were low. Incorporated canola was similar to the weedy check treatment. DCPA was not as effective as woolen fabric for weed control or daughter plant production, but it did support high fruit yields. The procedures for use of woolen mulch can be adopted directly by strawberry growers to manage weeds during strawberry establishment. The benefits of using wool mulch to manage weeds include: excellent weed control, low herbicide use, high crop establishment, high daughter plant rooting and high fruit yields.

Technical Abstract: Diminishing availability and increasing costs of herbicides used for weed control in strawberry are causing growers to seek both chemical and non-chemical alternatives. Weed control in strawberry is especially important during crop establishment, that is, immediately after transplanting in spring for a typical 3-year crop. In 1999 and 2000, we examined several alternative methods of weed control during strawberry establishment in Minnesota. Seven of these methods were common to both years: [a] 45-cm wide strip of single-ply, woolen landscaping fabric centered over the crop row; [b] double-ply strip of woolen fabric; [c] canola seeded in early spring, and when 30 cm tall incorporated into the soil with a rototiller; [d] as above, but canola killed with a burndown herbicide and left on the soil surface; [e] standard herbicide treatment, DCPA; [f] hand-weeded; and [g] no weed control. Densities, dry weights of weeds and numbers of strawberry daughter plants were measured periodically as was fruit yield one year after transplantation. The single-ply woolen fabric nearly eliminated weeds from rows, promoted daughter plant rooting and allowed maximum fruit yields (no variable differed from hand-weeded check). Canola mulch left on the surface provided good weed control, but only temporarily, and daughter plants and fruit yields were low in this treatment. Incorporated canola was similar to the weedy check treatment. DCPA was not as effective as woolen fabric for weed control or daughter plant production, but it did support equally high fruit yields.