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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #108487
Title: A MODIFIED POWER-TILLER FOR METHAM APPLICATION ON CUCURBIT CROPS TRANSPLANTED TO POLYETHYLENE COVERED SEEDBEDS.

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item Webster, Theodore

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2001
Publication Date: 4/1/2001
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Webster, T.M. 2001. A modified power-tiller for metham application on cucurbit crops to polyethylene covered seedbeds. Weed Technology. 15(2):387-395.

Interpretive Summary: Methyl bromide is commonly used in vegetable crop production for broad spectrum pest control. However, methyl bromide depletes stratospheric ozone and all uses are being phased out, with total cancellation scheduled for 2005. Metham has been reported as an acceptable weed control alternative to methyl bromide in tobacco, tomato, and pepper plant beds. However, modifications in application equipment are required for using metham in cucurbit crops transplanted on polyethylene covered seedbeds. A power-tiller was modified to apply metham in a narrow band and shape seedbeds before laying a black polyethylene tarp. Modifications were made using commonly available stock materials, without contracting services to commercial machine shops. Additional modifications allowed the implement to be used in strip-tillage systems and conventional tillage systems. Metham applied using the modified power-tiller effectively controlled many species of weeds in transplanted watermelon, including yellow nutsedge, without phytotoxicity to watermelon. Features of the modified power-tiller also allow further modification to simultaneously apply gaseous fumigants.

Technical Abstract: Metham has been reported as an acceptable weed control alternative to methyl bromide in tobacco plant beds. However, modifications in application equipment are required for using metham in cucurbit crops transplanted to polyethylene covered seedbeds. A power-tiller was modified using commonly available stock materials to apply metham in a 61 cm band and shape seedbeds for laying a black polyethylene tarp. Additional modifications allowed the implement to be used in strip-tillage systems and conventional tillage systems. Metham applied using this modified power-tiller effectively controlled many species of weeds in transplanted watermelon, including yellow nutsedge.