ARS | Publication request: Potential components for weed management in organic vegetable production systems

Submitted to: Hortscience Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 7, 2008
Publication Date: July 21, 2008
Citation: Shrefler, J., Webber III, C.L., Roberts, W., Brandenberger, L., Taylor, M. 2008. Potential components for weed management in organic vegetable production systems [abstract]. Hortscience. 43(4):1107.

Technical Abstract: Organic vegetable production relies on a variety of tactics for preventing losses to crop yield and quality that result from weed interference. These include field selection, long term field management, cultivation practices, mulching, and manual weeding to name a few. The concept of "herbicides" that could be used in organic vegetable production is attractive in that it offers additional options where current practices are inadequate for one reason or another. Similarly, management techniques that enhance the weed control derived from cover crops would enable growers to receive greater benefit from expenses incurred for planting non cash crops. This paper will review research conducted in Oklahoma on cover crop management for weed control, corn gluten meal as a preemergence herbicide, and pelargonic acid formulations for use as contact herbicides.