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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #98902
Title: WEED MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN CUCURBIT CROPS TRANSPLANTED ON PLASTIC COVERED BEDS.

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll

Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Johnson, W.C. 1999. Weed management considerations in cucurbit crops transplanted on plastic covered beds [abstract]. Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. 52:83-84.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted in 1998 in Tifton, GA on weed management systems in transplanted cantaloupe and watermelon grown on plastic covered beds. The trials were a split-plot design using three preplant soil fumigants and six herbicide systems. Soil fumigants were metam-sodium, metam-sodium followed by 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) plus chloropicrin, and a nonfumigated control. Herbicide treatments were ethalfluralin PRE, ethalfluralin PRE followed by glyphosate applied with a hooded sprayer, glyphosate alone, bensulide plus naptalam PRE, bensulide plus napalm PRE followed by glyphosate, and a nontreated control. Weed control and yield was not improved with soil fumigation in either cantaloupe or watermelon. The fields in these trials were not infested with high levels of plant parasitic nematodes or soil-borne pathogens, thus there was no measurable benefit from the soil fumigants on these pest complexes. It appears that there may be minimal benefit in either cantaloupe or watermelon production from preplant soil-fumigation for weed control. Control of southern crabgrass, crowfootgrass, redroot pigweed, and Florida pusley was adequate with any of the PRE herbicides evaluated in these trials. Herbicide systems that included glyphosate applied with a hooded sprayer improved weed control and yield by controlling large-seeded weeds such as smallflower morningglory and sicklepod. The use of plastic covered seedbeds and semi-directed applications of PRE herbicides offered cucurbit seedlings protection from herbicide. The consistency and seedling vigor of transplanted cucurbits,protection from herbicide injury provided by plastic film, and ability to apply glyphosate with a hooded sprayer gives growers more options for effective weed management than in direct-seeded systems.