Weed Management Techniques for Tree Fruit and Vineyard Crops

Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695

Performing Department
Horticultural Science

Non Technical Summary
Herbicides are the most economical and effective means to control weeds and they are the primary means used by fruit growers to eleminate weed competition in fruit crops. Weeds compete with fruit crops for water and nutrients which results in reduced growth in young plantings, reduced yields and quality in establshed plantings. Weed management is also an important part of integrated pest management programs to control other pests like insects, viral diseases, and vertebrate pests. Weed management in fruit crops are facing additional challenges related to populations of herbicide resistant biotypes and difficult to control species like yellow nutsedge, mugwart, and bermudagrass. In order for growers to deal with these historical issues and combat potential weed related issues in the future there is a need to develop data to support the registration of additional herbicides and evaluate management programs to control problem species.In order to properly address these issues the conduct of applied research in commercial fruit production settings is necessary to answer the needs of fruit growers' concerns related to weed management. These trials well be funded through commodity association grants, herbicide manufacturer support, and competitive grants. Results from this project will be shared with the industry and growers through written publications and oral presentations.The ultimate goal of this project will be to develop effective techniques to address weed management issues for fruit growers throughout the Southeastern United States. In order to develop solutions to these issues there has to be consideration for environmental impact and stewardship, as well as, economically feasible and effectiveness to insure grower adoption and utilization.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
213	0199	1140	100%

Knowledge Area
213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;

Keywords

herbicides for fruit crops

orchard floor management

fruit crops

tree fruit

Goals / Objectives
The primary goals of this project is to develop data to support the registration of herbicide for use in tree fruit and vineyard crops, develop management programs to control certain weed species, and determine the interaction between orchard weeds, ground cover, and herbicide strip width and impact it has on fruit yield and quality, as well as, develop data to determine the susceptibility of fruit crops to new herbicide technologies being developed for use in other cropping systems. Developed information from this research will be shared with the pest management industry, IR-4 Project, extension agetns, and fruit growers to assist in management decision related to weed control and herbicide use in fruit crops.

Project Methods
Field trials will be conducted in comercial production settings (on farm or research station). Trials will be replicated with various treatments for comparison. Data will be subject to statistical analysis then summarized. Results will be reported using peer reviewed publications extension publications, and oral presentations.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience for this project is commercial fruit growers, agricultural extension agents, and industry professionals that serve commercial fruit growers. Industry professionals include crop consultants, professionals retailing crop protectants, and company officials involved with research and development of herbicide uses for fruit crops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from these trials have been shared with agents, growers, and industry professionals through oral presentations. I am planning to share some of this information at future professional meetings as well. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Information will be shared at professional meeting with oral presentation and abstract

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2019 this project work to develop herbicide programs to utilization Pindar GT herbicide that was recently cleared for use in apple and peach orchards. The herbicide has limitations that prevents it application after bud break however it has a novel active ingredient in penoxsulam that would have value as a herbicide to rotate with other chemistry as part of a resistance management strategy. 2,4-D choline in the compound used for weed control in 2,4-D tolerant crops. Support for Corteva has allowed for the funding of research trials looking at the potential for using 2,4-D choline in small fruit crops. It has demonstrated extreme safety in tree fruit crops and could be useful at controlling in perenial weeds in caneberry and blueberry as well as glyphosate resistant weeds in vineyards.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Effect of Rate and Timing of Indaziflam on Sunbelt and Muscadine Grape. N.T. Basinger, K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks, and W.E. Mitchem. 2019. Weed Tech. 33(2):380-385.