Residual Herbicide Dissipation from Soil Covered with Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch or Left Bare

Field studies were conducted to examine the dissipation of three soil-applied residual herbicides for bare soil compared with soil under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch in 2003 and 2004. Studies indicated that halosulfuron andS-metolachlor dissipation was more rapid for bare soil than soil under LDPE mulch. Sulfentrazone dissipation from bare soil was equal to soil under LDPE mulch in 2003. However, sulfentrazone dissipation in 2004 was more rapid for soil under LDPE mulch than for bare soil. The order for half-life, defined as time for 50% dissipation (DT50), varied by herbicide and soil exposure. Averaged across 2003 and 2004, metolachlor DT50was 2 d, halosulfuron 7 d, and sulfentrazone 16 d for bare soil.S-metolachlor DT50was 4 d, halosulfuron 10 d, and sulfentrazone 13 d for soil under LDPE mulch. Correlation between quantified herbicide dissipation and bioassay for bare soil compared with soil under LDPE mulch in 2004 indicated that assay species root dry weights were negatively correlated with herbicide concentration. Data indicated thatS-metolachlor and sulfentrazone bioassays, with oat and cotton, respectively, could be used to assess the level of dissipation for each herbicide.

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Halosulfuron-Methyl Degradation from the Surface of Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch Using Analytical and Bioassay Techniques

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2017.51 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 15-24

Author(s):

Timothy L. Grey ◽

A. Stanley Culpepper ◽

Xiao Li ◽

William K. Vencill

Keyword(s):

Half Life ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Analytical Data ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Low Density ◽

Field Bioassay ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Vegetable injury and yield loss has occurred when applying halosulfuron to low-density polyethylene mulch (LDPE) prior to transplanting. Research determined vegetable crop response to halosulfuron applied over LDPE mulch from 1 to 28 d prior to transplanting using (1) temperature effects in aqueous solution in laboratory experiments, (2) analytical evaluation of degradation from LDPE under field conditions, and (3) a field bioassay. Halosulfuron stability was evaluated on a thermal gradient table for temperatures at 10 to 42 C for 15 d. Half-life was inversely related to temperatures ranging from 38.5 d at 20 C to 3.2 d at 42 C, with little to no degradation at temperatures of 11 and 15 C. Analytical data indicated that the field half-life of halosulfuron at 26 or 52 g ha−1applied to LDPE mulch under dry conditions was 2.6 and 2.8 d, respectively. Given the changes in the microclimate effects at the mulch surface by absorption of solar radiation, daily thermal energy quantified halosulfuron degradation (at the same rates) to be 51 and 55 MJ m−2, respectively. At 21 d after treatment (DAT), 90% of halosulfuron had dissipated from the mulch, with none detectable 35 DAT under dry conditions. When watermelon or yellow crookneck squash was transplanted into mulch previously treated with halosulfuron at 79 g ha−1, plant growth and development were equal to nontreated controls as long as there was a 14 d prior to transplant (DPT) interval accompanied by 13.5 cm of rain, or a 17 DPT interval accompanied by 6.2 cm of rain. However, at 79 g ha−1applied at 9 or 1 DPT in 2013, and 1 DPT in 2014, halosulfuron injured yellow squash and reduced yield and fruit number. Halosulfuron at 79 g ha−1applied 1 DPT significantly reduced watermelon yield in 2013, which was confirmed by vine length and plant biomass reductions in 2014. Halosulfuron POST controlsCyperusspp. in mulch vegetable production, but time and rainfall are required for dissipation to occur in order to prevent injury and yield loss.

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Herbicide Dissipation from Low Density Polyethylene Mulch

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-08-144.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 351-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Timothy L. Grey ◽

William K. Vencill ◽

Theodore M. Webster ◽

A. Stanley Culpepper

Keyword(s):

Water Solubility ◽

Sprinkler Irrigation ◽

Field Studies ◽

High Water ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Low Density ◽

Laboratory Studies ◽

Polyethylene Mulch ◽

High Water Solubility

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to examine herbicide dissipation when applied to low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch for dry scenarios vs. irrigation. Analytical chemical analysis was used for quantification. In field studies, halosulfuron, paraquat, carfentrazone, glyphosate, and flumioxazin were surface applied to black 32-μm-thick (1.25 mil) LDPE mulch. LDPE mulch harvest began 1 h after treatment (HAT) then continued every 24 h for five consecutive rain-free days after treatment (DAT) to determine the level of herbicide dissipation from the LDPE mulch surface. In a related study, treated LDPE mulch was harvested 1 HAT, then sprinkler irrigation was applied, followed by a sampling five HAT, then the same irrigation and sampling procedure was repeated every 24 h for five consecutive DAT. The order for half-life, as defined as time for 50% dissipation (DT50), varied by herbicide and method of dissipation for dry and irrigated studies. Data indicated that glyphosate and paraquat dissipation was rapid following irrigation. Glyphosate and paraquat DT50 were both 1 h in the irrigated study, but 84 and 32 h for the dry scenario, respectively. This indicated that glyphosate and paraquat could be removed from LDPE mulch with rainfall or irrigation, primarily due to their high water solubility. Halosulfuron and flumioxazin DT50 were 3 and 6 h in the irrigated study, and 18 and 57 h for the dry study, respectively. Carfentrazone DT50 was similar at 28 and 30 h for the irrigated and dry studies, respectively. This indicated that carfentrazone was adsorbed to the LDPE mulch, and irrigation water did not remove it from the LDPE mulch. Results from 14C-herbicide laboratory studies were similar to those from field studies for halosulfuron, glyphosate, paraquat, and flumioxazin.

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Purple Nutsedge Control with Allyl Isothiocyanate under Virtually Impermeable Film Mulch

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-13-00095.1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 200-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy

Keyword(s):

Methyl Bromide ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Standard Treatment ◽

Allyl Isothiocyanate ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Low Density ◽

Purple Nutsedge ◽

Treated Soil ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Nutsedge control is challenging in commercial vegetable production in the absence of methyl bromide, and therefore, an effective alternative is needed. This study investigated allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) as a methyl bromide alternative for purple nutsedge control under polyethylene-mulch. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the retention of allyl ITC in treated soil (3,000 nmol g−1) under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulches. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of allyl ITC (6 rates: 0, 15, 75, 150, 750, 1500 kg ai ha−1) under VIF mulch against purple nutsedge. Additionally, a standard treatment of methyl bromide+chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ai ha−1under LDPE mulch was included for comparison. In the greenhouse experiment, the predicted half-life of allyl ITC under LDPE and VIF mulch was 0.15 and 0.59 d, respectively. In the field experiment, it was predicted that allyl ITC at 1,240 and 1,097 kg ha−1under VIF mulch is required to control purple nutsedge shoot and tubers equivalent to methyl bromide + chloropicrin at 4 wk after treatment (WAT). It is concluded that allyl ITC under VIF mulch would need to be applied at 2.8 to 3.2 times the standard treatment of methyl bromide + chloropicrin under LDPE mulch for commercially acceptable purple nutsedge control.

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The Use of Hydromulching as an Alternative to Plastic Films in an Artichoke (Cynara Cardunculus cv. Symphony) Crop: A Study of the Economic Viability

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5313

Author(s):

Josefa López-Marín ◽

Miriam Romero ◽

Amparo Gálvez ◽

Francisco Moisés del Amor ◽

Mari Carmen Piñero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bare Soil ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Economic Viability ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Water Evaporation ◽

Low Density ◽

Paper Mills ◽

Rice Hulls ◽

Negative Results ◽

Hand Weeding

The use of mulching in agriculture suppresses the weeds around crop plants, enhances the nutrients status of soil, controls the soil structure and temperature, and reduces soil water evaporation. Excessive use of low-density polyethylene mulches is contributing to the accumulation of high amounts of plastic wastes, an environmental problem for agricultural ecosystems. Fragments of plastic from such wastes can be found in soils, in water resources, and in organisms, including humans. The objective of this work was to study the economic viability of the use of different hydromulches in an artichoke crop. Three blends were prepared by mixing paper pulp (recycled from used paper) and cardboard (from paper mills) with different additives: wheat straw (WS), rice hulls (RH), and substrate used for mushroom cultivation (MS). These were compared with low-density polyethylene (Pe), a treatment without mulching on bare soil where hand weeding was performed (HW), and a treatment without mulching on bare soil where herbicide was applied (H). The results indicate that the use of hydromulch in an artichoke crop represents a good alternative for reducing plastic waste in agriculture. The net profits of the hydromulch treatments (MS, WS, RH) were higher than for HW and H, and slightly lower than for Pe. The most profitable treatment was Pe (€0.69 m−3), followed by RH (€0.59 m−3), WS (€0.58 m−3), MS (€0.47 m−3), HW (€0.36 m−3), and H (€0.32 m−3). A sensitivity analysis showed a probability of negative results of 0.04 in Pe, 0.13 in SM, 0.08 in WS, and 0.07 in RH, so the probability that the grower will make a profit is greater than 0.9 with the use of mulch (except mushroom substrate) or polyethylene.

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Reduction of Phytophthora cactorum in Strawberry Fields by Trichoderma spp. and Soil Solarization

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-91-2-0142 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

pp. 142-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

M. Porras ◽

C. Barrau ◽

F. T. Arroyo ◽

B. Santos ◽

C. Blanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Methyl Bromide ◽

Untreated Control ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Low Density ◽

Phytophthora Cactorum ◽

Trichoderma Spp ◽

Soil P ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Field experiments were conducted in southwest Spain for three consecutive years from 2000 to 2003 to evaluate the effectiveness of solarization and Trichoderma spp., alone and combined, in reducing Phytophthora cactorum soil populations and consequently leather rot on fruit of strawberry plants. Plots (12.5 by 3.3 m), never treated with methyl bromide, were naturally infested by P. cactorum. Solarization was conducted during the summer, using clear 50-µm low-density polyethylene mulch. Trichoderma spp. were applied via drip and dip, adding to the soil 7 days before planting (108 conidia/m2), and strawberry roots were dipped in a suspension of Trichoderma spp. (106 conidia/ml) prior to planting. Solarization reduced the soil P. cactorum population 100% in year 1, 47% in year 2, and 55% in year 3 relative to the untreated control. Trichoderma spp. applications reduced soil populations of P. cactorum and reduced leather rot incidence 76.6% in year 1 and 33.8% in year 2 compared with the untreated control. The combination of solarization and Trichoderma spp. reduced P. cactorum soil population the most each year, 88.9% in January 2001, 97.6% in 2002, and 99.0% in 2003. The very promising effect of Trichoderma spp. and solarization against P. cactorum indicates that there may be future alternatives to traditional chemicals for disease control.

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Vegetable Response to Herbicides Applied to Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch Prior to Transplant

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-08-135.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 444-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. Stanley Culpepper ◽

Timothy L. Grey ◽

Theodore M. Webster

Keyword(s):

Biomass Yield ◽

Production Systems ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Low Density ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Few herbicides are available for weed control in vegetable production systems using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic mulch. With the elimination of methyl bromide for pest management and subsequent use of various alternative fumigants, the need for herbicides in vegetable production systems has increased. An experiment was conducted to evaluate tolerance of transplant summer squash and tomato to carfentrazone, flumioxazin, glyphosate, halosulfuron, or paraquat applied to the mulch prior to transplanting. After applying herbicides overtop of the mulch but prior to vegetable transplant, the mulch was either irrigated with 1.0 cm of water or not irrigated. Carfentrazone did not affect either crop regardless of irrigation. Irrigation readily removed glyphosate and paraquat from the mulch, as there was no adverse crop injury in these treatments. In the absence of irrigation, glyphosate and paraquat reduced squash diameter and tomato heights 18 to 34% at 3 wk after transplanting (WAT). Squash and tomato fruit numbers and fruit biomass (yield) were reduced 17 to 37%, and 25 to 33%, respectively. Halosulfuron reduced squash diameter and yield 71 to 74% and tomato heights and yields 16 to 37% when mulch was not irrigated prior to transplanting. After irrigating, halosulfuron had no affect on tomato, but reduced squash growth and yield 40 to 44%. Flumioxazin killed both crops when the mulch was not irrigated; and reduced squash yield 56% when irrigated. With irrigation, flumioxazin did not impact tomato fruit number, but did reduce tomato weight by 25%. These studies demonstrate the safety of carfentrazone, applied on mulch prior to transplanting either squash or tomato, regardless of irrigation, and also demonstrate the safety of glyphosate and paraquat if irrigated prior to transplanting. Conversely, flumioxazin should not be applied over mulch before transplanting either crop, regardless of irrigation. Halosulfuron application over mulch should be avoided before transplanting squash, regardless of irrigation, but can be applied prior to transplanting tomato if irrigated.

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Weed Management with Oxyfluorfen and Napropamide in Mulched Strawberry

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-04-114r ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 325-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

James P. Gilreath ◽

Bielinski M. Santos

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Low Density ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of herbicide and mulch on weed management and strawberry yield. Napropamide at rates of 4.50, 6.75, or 9.00 kg ai/ha; oxyfluorfen at 0.57 kg ai/ha; and napropamide plus oxyfluorfen at 4.50 plus 0.57 kg/ha were applied pretransplant on pressed beds covered with either low-density polyethylene mulch or virtually impermeable film. There was no herbicide by mulch interaction. Mulch types had no influence on weed counts and fruit yield, whereas herbicides affected both variables. The napropamide plus oxyfluorfen treatment resulted in the highest fruit number and weight, increasing yield by 20% with respect to the nontreated control. This herbicide combination provided the best weed suppression.

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