Author
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Boydston, Rick |
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Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2003 Publication Date: 3/1/2004 Citation: BOYDSTON, R.A. MANAGING VOLUNTEER POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM) IN FIELD CORN (ZEA MAYS) WITH CARFENTRAZONE-ETHYL AN DICAMBA. WEED TECHNOLOGY. 2004. VOL 18:83-87. Interpretive Summary: Volunteer potato infests numerous rotation crops in regions where mild winter temperature fail to kill tubers left after potato harvest. When not controlled, volunteer potato harbors insects, diseases, and nematodes that can infest neighboring or future potato crops. Field corn is a common rotation crop with potato in many potato production areas. Carfentrazone-ethyl was recently registered for POST broadleaf weed control in field corn. Volunteer potato control with carfentrazone-ethyl has not been investigated and these studies were conducted to evaluate volunteer potato control in field corn with single and multiple applications. The most effective treatments tested were a single applications of carfentrazone-ethyl plus dicamba applied at tuber initiation, or two to three sequential applications of carfentrazone-ethyl alone, which reduced weight of new tubers produced by 76 to 96 % and prevented corn yield loss. This information can be used by producers to select volunteer potato control options which fit best in their overall weed management programs. Technical Abstract: Volunteer potato is a perennial weed that is difficult to control in crop rotations. Field studies were conducted near Paterson, WA in 2001 and 2002 to evaluate the control of volunteer potato with carfentrazone-ethyl and dicamba in field corn. When potatoes were not controlled corn yield was reduced 23 and 62 % in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Single POST applications of carfentrazone-ethyl at 9 g/ha killed exposed foliage of potato, but new shoots continued to emerge both years and reduced corn yield in 2002. The most effective treatments tested were a single MPOST application of carfentrazone-ethyl plus dicamba (9 + 280 g/ha), two applications of carfentrazone-ethyl alone at EPOST and LPOST, and three POST applications of carfentrazone-ethyl, which controlled volunteer potato 77 to 87 % in early June, reduced weight of tubers produced by 76 to 96 % compared to nontreated checks, and prevented corn yield loss compared to hand-weeded checks. Herbicide treatments reduced potato tuber weight more than tuber number. |
