Sorghum cover crop and repeated soil fumigation for purple nutsedge management in tomato production

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici), root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) are among the most damaging soilborne pests for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) production in the southeastern United States. Allyl isothiocyanate (allyl ITC) was evaluated as a potential fumigant alternative for control of soilborne pathogens, nematodes, and weeds. Shank- or drip-injected allyl ITC at rates ranging from 221 to 367 kg ha−1 exhibited excellent performance, reducing the recovery of total F. oxysporum from treated soils. Shank- or drip-injected allyl ITC at 367 kg ha−1 provided equivalent control of C. rotundus compared with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin and metam potassium, respectively. Totally impermeable film (TIF) did not further reduce the recovery of F. oxysporum and various nematodes from soil treated with allyl ITC compared with virtually impermeable film (VIF). However, TIF mulch significantly improved C. rotundus control versus shank- or drip-injected allyl ITC treatments under VIF mulch. Overall, allyl ITC is an effective methyl bromide alternative against F. oxysporum, C. rotundus, and plant-parasitic nematodes Criconemella spp. and Hoplolaimus spp. in plasticulture tomato production.

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INFLUENCE OF FALL-PLANTED COVER CROP ON RAINFALL RUN-OFF IN A PROCESSING TOMATO PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Acta Horticulturae ◽

10.17660/actahortic.2001.542.44 ◽

2001 ◽

pp. 343-346 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Miyao ◽

P. Robins

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Processing Tomato ◽

Run Off

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Integration of a Brassicaceae Cover Crop with Herbicides in Plasticulture Tomato

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-08-165.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 280-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Edward E. Gbur

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Purple Nutsedge ◽

Yellow Nutsedge ◽

Full Rate ◽

Over The Top ◽

Large Crabgrass

Weeds are a major constraint in tomato production, especially in the absence of methyl bromide. Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the integrated use of a mustard ‘Caliente’ (a blend of brown and white mustard) cover crop with one-half and full rate PRE/POST herbicides for weed control and crop response in polyethylene-mulched tomato. Caliente was flail mowed and incorporated into the soil prior to forming beds. PRE herbicides were applied under polyethylene mulch, and POST herbicides were sprayed over the top of tomato. Full rates for S-metolachlor, halosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron were 1,600, 27, and 7.9 g ai/ha, respectively. Caliente had no effect on weed control or tomato injury and yield. Except for large crabgrass control and tomato injury and yield, only the main effect of herbicide selection and application rate affected these parameters. Tomato injury was minimal (< 6%) from PRE- and POST-applied herbicides. S-metolachlor applied PRE provided 66% purple nutsedge, 67% yellow nutsedge, and 77% Palmer amaranth control at 4 wk after transplanting (WATP). S-metolachlor–treated plots at the full rate produced the highest marketable fruit yield among herbicide treatments, with jumbo fruit yield equivalent to the hand-weeded treatment. Trifloxysulfuron was the best POST-applied herbicide based on marketable yield and weed control. POST-applied trifloxysulfuron provided 41% purple nutsedge, 58% yellow nutsedge, and 55% Palmer amaranth control at 8 to 9 WATP. Halosulfuron applied PRE controlled purple and yellow nutsedge 70 and 78%, respectively, at 4 WATP, and POST-applied halosulfuron controlled purple nutsedge 74% and yellow nutsedge 78% at 8 to 9 WATP. Halosulfuron applied either PRE or POST failed to control Palmer amaranth and large crabgrass. Greater weed control and marketable tomato yield were achieved with full rates of herbicides. This research demonstrates no additional advantage of Caliente mustard when used with herbicides in tomato. None of the PRE or POST herbicides applied alone were sufficient to maintain season-long, broad-spectrum weed control and optimum marketable yield in tomato. Therefore, integration of PRE and POST herbicides at full rates is suggested.

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Efficacy of preplant soil fumigation with chloropicrin for tomato production in Italy

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/s0261-2194(02)00031-5 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 741-749 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

M.L Gullino ◽

A Minuto ◽

G Gilardi ◽

A Garibaldi ◽

H Ajwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fumigation ◽

Tomato Production

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Economic Returns in Plasticulture Tomato Production from Crucifer Cover Crops as a Methyl Bromide Alternative for Weed Management

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.4.764 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 764-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Ronald L. Rainey ◽

Edward E. Gbur

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Methyl Bromide ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Untreated Control ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Net Returns ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Oriental Mustard

The phase-out of methyl bromide required an effective and economically viable alternative for weed management in polyethylene-mulched tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). A field experiment was conducted to compare economics of tomato production associated with crucifer (Brassicaceae) cover crops under low-density polyethylene mulch (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulch with a standard treatment of methyl bromide:chloropicrin (67:33) at 350 lb/acre. Three crucifer cover crops, ‘Seventop’ turnip (Brassica rapa), ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), and Caliente [a blend of brown mustard (B. juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba)], were evaluated in combination with hand-weeding. Because of marginal weed control from crucifer cover crops, hand-weeding cost in all cover crop plots, regardless of mulch type, increased from $380.54/acre to $489.10/acre over that in methyl bromide plots. However, total weed management costs in the untreated control and cover crops with LDPE treatments were $17.82/acre to $111.33/acre lower than methyl bromide. Because of mulch expenses, VIF mulch increased the total weed management cost by $328.16/acre over LDPE mulch in the untreated control and cover crop treatments. Because of equivalent marketable yield, gross returns ($21,040.43/acre) were identical in all treatments. Preplant fumigation with methyl bromide provided $6260.90/acre of net returns in tomato production. The untreated control, ‘Seventop’ turnip, ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard, and Caliente mustard under LDPE treatment were $54/acre, $54/acre, $98/acre, and $147/acre more profitable, respectively, than methyl bromide. However, in all other treatments under VIF, net returns relative to methyl bromide were reduced from $181/acre to $274/acre. Therefore, regardless of soil amendment with crucifer cover crops, hand-weeding can serve as an economically viable alternative to methyl bromide for weed control in LDPE-mulched tomato production, depending on the nature and level of pest infestation, labor availability, and wages.

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Tomato Growth in Spring-sown Cover Crops

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.11.1.150 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 150

Author(s):

Mary C. Akemo ◽

Mark A. Bennett ◽

Emilie E. Regnier

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

Nutrient Analysis ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Number Of Leaves

Pure and biculture stands of rye `Wheeler' (Secale cereale L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were established and killed for mulch in Spring 1996, 1997, and 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. Treatments were five rye to pea proportions, each with a high, medium, and low seeding rate. Their effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth and yield were compared with those of a weedy check; a tilled, nonweeded check; and a tilled, hand-weeded check. Tomato tissue and soil were sampled for nutrient analysis. Number of leaves, branching, height, leaf area, dry weight, rate of flowering and fruit set, and fruit yield of tomato plants varied directly with the proportion of pea in the cover crop and decreased with reduced cover crop seeding rates. In 1997, yields of tomato were as high as 50 MT·ha-1 in the 1 rye: 3 pea cover crop; yield was poorest in the weedy check (0.02 MT·ha-1 in 1996). Most of the cover-cropped plots produced better yields than did the conventionally weeded check. No consistent relationship between levels of macronutrients in tomato leaf and soil samples and the cover crop treatments was established. Spring-sown rye + pea bicultures (with a higher ratio of pea) have a potential for use in tomato production.

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Fumigant Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Polyethylene-mulched

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.7.1208 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1208-1211 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Salvadore J. Locascio ◽

James P. Gilreath ◽

D.W. Dickson ◽

Thomas A. Kucharek ◽

J.P. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Broad Spectrum ◽

Methyl Bromide ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Soil Fungi ◽

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

The United States ◽

Soil Fumigation ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Metam Sodium

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was grown to evaluate various chemicals as possible alternatives to methyl bromide soil fumigation. Due to a combination of weeds, nematodes, and soil fungi, the use of a broad-spectrum fumigant has been essential for economical tomato production in Florida. Methyl bromide (MBr) and combinations of MBr with chloropicrin (Pic) are the fumigants of choice for most growers using polyethylene mulch culture. In 1991, MBr was allegedly associated with stratospheric ozone depletion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has since mandated a phaseout of MBr for soil fumigation in the United States by the year 2001. At three locations in Florida, alternative soil fumigants were evaluated, including soil injected 98% MBr—2% Pic at 450 kg·ha-1, 67% MBr—33% Pic (390 kg·ha-1), Pic (390 kg·ha-1), dichloropropene + 17% Pic (1,3-D + Pic) at 327 L·ha-1, and metam-sodium (935 L·ha-1). Also, metam-sodium and tetrathiocarbonate (1870 L·ha-1) were applied by drip irrigation. Dazomet (450 kg·ha-1) was surface applied and soil incorporated. Pebulate (4.5 kg·ha-1) was soil incorporated with some treatments. Pic and 1,3-D + Pic treatments provided good to moderate control of nematodes and soil fungi except in one of the six studies, in which nematode control with 1,3-D was moderate to poor. Nutsedge densities were suppressed by addition of pebulate. Tomato fruit yields with 1,3-D + Pic + pebulate and with Pic + pebulate at the three sites ranged from 85% to 114%, 60% to 95%, and l01% to 119%, respectively, of that obtained with MBr treatments. Pest control and crop yield were lower with treatments other than the above pebulate-containing or MBr-containing treatments. These studies indicate that no one alternative pesticide can provide the consistent broad-spectrum control provided by MBr. Chemical names used: trichloronitromethane (chloropicrin); 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D); sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam-sodium); sodium tetrathiocarbonate (tetrathiocarbonate); 3,5-dimethyl-(2H)-tetrahydro-l,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione (dazomet); S-propyl butyl(ethyl)thiocarbamate (pebulate).

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Tomato Growth in Spring-sown Cover Crops

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.5.843 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 843-848 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mary C. Akemo ◽

Mark A. Bennett ◽

Emilie E. Regnier

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

Nutrient Analysis ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Number Of Leaves

Pure and biculture stands of rye `Wheeler' (Secale cereale L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were established and killed for mulch in Spring 1996, 1997, and 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. Treatments were five rye to pea proportions, each with a high, medium, and low seeding rate. Their effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth and yield were compared with those of a weedy check; a tilled, nonweeded check; and a tilled, hand-weeded check. Tomato tissue and soil were sampled for nutrient analysis. Number of leaves, branching, height, leaf area, dry weight, rate of flowering and fruit set, and fruit yield of tomato plants varied directly with the proportion of pea in the cover crop and decreased with reduced cover crop seeding rates. In 1997, yields of tomato were as high as 50 MT·ha–1 in the 1 rye: 3 pea cover crop; yield was poorest in the weedy check (0.02 MT·ha–1 in 1996). Most of the cover-cropped plots produced better yields than did the conventionally weeded check. No consistent relationship between levels of macro-nutrients in tomato leaf and soil samples and the cover crop treatments was established. Spring-sown rye + pea bicultures (with a higher ratio of pea) have a potential for use in tomato production.

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Biofumigation and Soil Conditioning Effects of Cover Crops in Processing Tomato

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.4.1111b ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1111B-1111

Author(s):

P. R. Johnstone ◽

T. K. Hartz ◽

E. M. Miyao ◽

R. M. Davis

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Trials ◽

Disease Suppression ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Metam Sodium ◽

Processing Tomato ◽

Tomato Yield ◽

Winter Runoff ◽

Legume Cover Crop

Mustard cover crop residue has been reported to have a “biofumigant” action when incorporated into the soil, potentially providing significant disease suppression and yield improvement for the succeeding crop. Such activity could be particularly useful in processing tomato rotations, where consecutive cropping invariably results in yield decline. Agronomic and environmental effects of growing over-winter mustard cover crops preceding tomato production were investigated in three field trials between 2002 and 2004. Two mustard cover crops [`Pacific Gold', a brown mustard (Brassica juncea), and `Caliente', a blend of brown and white mustard (Sinapis alba)] were compared to a legume cover crop mix, a fallow bed treatment (the standard grower practice in this region), and, in two of the three trials, a fumigation treatment using metam sodium. No suppression of soil populations of Verticillium dahliae or Fusarium spp. was observed with the mustard cover crops, nor was there any visual evidence of disease suppression on subsequent tomato crops. In these fields, the mustard either had no effect, or reduced tomato yield, when compared to the fallow treatment. At one of two sites, metam sodium fumigation significantly increased tomato yield. The presence of a cover crop, whether mustard or legume, reduced winter runoff by an average of 50% over two years of trials. No benefit of mustard cover cropping beyond this reduction in winter runoff was observed.

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ORGANIC TOMATO PRODUCTION IN OKLAHOMA

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.3.888d ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 888d-888

Author(s):

Warren Roberts ◽

Jonathan Edelson ◽

Benny Bruton ◽

Jim Shrefler ◽

Merritt Taylor

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Neem Extract ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Organic Vegetable Production ◽

Certified Organic ◽

Conducting Research ◽

Aphid Populations

Plots were established at the Lane Agricultural Center in Lane, Okla., in 2003 for the purpose of conducting research in certified organic vegetable production. A field was selected that had been in pine timber since 1985. The field was cleared, plowed, disked, and land-planed. To establish a baseline for future reference, soil samples were collected on a 30 × 30 ft grid. Lime was added to adjust the pH. Poultry litter was added to the field as a fertilizer, and was incorporated by disking. Turnips were grown as a cover crop during the winter of 2003–04. In Spring 2004, the field was divided into four equal sections, which were planted with either tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelons, or southern peas. Tomatoes were planted using both determinate and indeterminate types. Plants were selected based on reported properties of interest to organic growers, such as disease resistance, pest resistance, or heat-set capabilities. The cultivars with greatest yield were Sunny, Solar Set, Classica, Sun Leaper, and Mountain Fresh. Visual disease ratings were taken throughout the season. Copper sulfate was used as a fungicide. The cultivars with the lowest disease ratings were Amelia, Peron, Celebrity, Florida 91, and Mountain Fresh. The major insect pest throughout the season was aphids. Aphid counts reached 6.9 aphids per leaf on 11 June. Two applications of AzaDirect, a neem extract, reduced aphid populations to 1.0 aphid per leaf on 17 June, 0.1 aphid per leaf on 25 June, and 0 aphids on 9 July.

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