An integrated system of summer solarization and fallow tillage for Cyperus esculentus and nematode management in the southeastern coastal plain

Authors: Johnson, Wiley - Carroll; Davis, Richard; MULLINIX, JR., B - UNIV OF GA, TIFTON,GA

Submitted to: Crop Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2007
Publication Date: 8/18/2007
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Davis, R.F., Mullinix, Jr., B.G. 2007. An integrated system of summer solarization and fallow tillage for Cyperus esculentus and nematode management in the southeastern coastal plain. Crop Protection. 26:1660-1666.

Interpretive Summary: Yellow nutsedge is a troublesome weed that is difficult to control in organic cropping systems and home vegetable gardens where pesticide use is not possible. Solarization is a form of pest control using clear plastic mulch that allows sunlight to heat the soil to temperatures lethal to pests. Fallow tillage is a proven practice to reduce baseline weed densities. Trials were conducted in Georgia to evaluate systems of pest control using solarization and fallow tillage. Treatments were all combinations of four solarization and three fallow tillage regimes. Solarization regimes began in either May, July, September, or a non-solarized control using clear plastic mulch. Fallow tillage treatments were weekly, monthly, and a non-tilled control using a power-tiller. All solarization materials were removed in early October each year and turnip green were seeded into the pre-existing plots. The following spring, sweet corn were seeded and plots re-established. Solarization beginning in May or July provided excellent control of yellow nutsedge in plots planted to turnip green and reduced densities of plant parasitic nematodes. Fallow tillage throughout the summer with a power-tiller at monthly or weekly intervals were equally effective. Yellow nutsedge in spring planted sweet corn responded similarly. These results show that a system of solarization and fallow tillage effectively reduces populations of yellow nutsedge to manageable levels without pesticides, provided that the solarization period during the summer lasts at least 90 days. This is beneficial to organic crop producers and home gardeners who have few options for yellow nutsedge and nematode control.

Technical Abstract: Solarization is a form of pest control using clear plastic mulch that allows sunlight to heat the soil to temperatures lethal to plant pests. Fallow tillage is a proven practice to reduce baseline weed densities. Field trials were conducted at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, GA from 2003 to 2005 to evaluate integrated systems of pest control using solarization and fallow tillage. Treatments were all possible combinations of four solarization regimes and three fallow tillage regimes. Solarization regimes began in either May, July, September, or a non-solarized control. Plots were solarized using clear plastic mulch. Fallow tillage treatments were weekly, monthly, and a non-tilled control using a power-tiller. All solarization materials were removed in early October each year and turnip green were direct seeded into the pre-existing plots. The following spring, sweet corn were seeded and plots re-established a second time. Solarization beginning in May or July provided excellent control of yellow nutsedge in plots planted to turnip green and reduced densities of plant parasitic nematodes. Fallow tillage throughout the summer with a power-tiller at monthly or weekly intervals were equally effective. Yellow nutsedge in spring planted sweet corn responded similarly. These results show that an integrated system of solarization and fallow tillage can effectively reduce populations of yellow nutsedge to manageable levels without the use of fumigants or herbicides, provided that the solarization period during the summer last at least 90 days.