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Title: Managing Weeds in Potato Health Management, ed. D. Johnson. APS Press

Author
item Boydston, Rick
item HUTCHINSON, P - UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
item BELLINDER, R - CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Potato Health Mangement 2nd Edition APS Series
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2006
Publication Date: 11/26/2007
Citation: Boydston, R. A., P. J. S. Hutchinson, and R. Bellinder. Weed management. Chapter 22 in Potato Health Management. Pages 223-233. Ed. D. Johnson. APS press. 2007.

Interpretive Summary: Weeds are present and in cropping systems and require management in order to prevent yield loss. This chapter discusses integrated weed management in potato production in the U. S. An integrated weed management approach that involves field selection and crop rotation, monitoring and field surveys, sanitation of equipment, and proper integration of cultivation and herbicides is presented. Knowledge of weed biology and weed identification are critical components of an integrated weed management program and key weeds in potato production systems are listed along with color plates. Use of herbicides, managing herbicide resistant weed populations, and avoiding problems of herbicide carryover and how they relate to potato crop management are discussed. Cultivation principles and techniques, preventative weed management tactics, and strategies to manage the weed seed bank are outlined.

Technical Abstract: Weeds must be managed throughout the entire crop rotation to optimize potato tuber yield and quality. Understanding factors that promote weed species and allow them to persist in crop rotations is key to designing cropping systems that discourage and reduce the impact of weeds. Weeds can be best managed using an integrated weed management approach that involves an understanding of weed biology and identification, field selection, crop rotation, monitoring and field surveys, sanitation of equipment, and proper integration of cultivation and herbicides. Herbicide carryover, managing herbicide resistant weeds, and soil testing are components of weed management requiring careful attention of crop managers. Common weeds of potato rotations, their biology and identification, and control options are discussed in this chapter intended for potato growers and crop managers.