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

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Ronald L. Rainey ◽  
Edward E. Gbur

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.

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Robert L. Nichols ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the integration of cover crops and POST herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in cotton. The winter-annual grasses accumulated the greatest amount of biomass and provided the most Palmer amaranth control. The estimates for the logistic regression would indicate that 1540 kg ha−1would delay Palmer amaranth emerging and growing to 10 cm by an estimated 16.5 days. The Palmer amaranth that emerged in the cereal rye and wheat cover crop treatments took a longer time to reach 10 cm compared to the hairy vetch and crimson clover treatments. POST herbicides were needed for adequate control of Palmer amaranth. The glufosinate-based weed control system provided greater control (75% vs 31%) of Palmer amaranth than did the glyphosate system. These results indicate that a POST only herbicide weed management system did not provide sufficient control of Palmer amaranth, even when used in conjunction with cover crops that produced a moderate level of biomass. Therefore, future recommendations for GR Palmer amaranth control will include integrating cover crops with PRE herbicides, overlaying residual herbicides in-season, timely POST herbicide applications, and hand weeding in order to achieve season-long control of this pest.


2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Olmstead ◽  
Timothy W. Miller ◽  
Callie S. Bolton ◽  
Carol A. Miles

Consumer demand for organic and sustainably produced products has increased the interest in organic wine grape (Vitis vinifera) production. However, organic production can be challenging, and weed management is a critical issue during the establishment of an organic vineyard. In 2009, the effectiveness of five cover crop treatments and cultivation regimes was evaluated for two years for weed control in a newly established organic vineyard of ‘Pinot noir précoce’ and ‘Madeleine angevine’ grape cultivars in northwestern Washington State. Alleyway management treatments were cultivation in alleyways with hand weeding in the vine row (control), grass cover crop which included perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. perenne) and red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria) seeded in the alleyway and in-row tillage with a specialty offset-type cultivator, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cover crop with in-row string-trimming, austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. sativum var. arvense) cover crop with in-row string-trimming, and winter wheat–austrian winter pea cover crop mix with in-row string-trimming. In 2009, weed dry biomass was lowest in the alleyway of the control (0.8 g·m−2) and offset cultivator treatments (6.3 g·m−2) on 3 Aug. and tended to be lowest in the alleyway of the control (4.8 g·m−2) and offset cultivator treatments (16.0 g·m−2) on 27 Sept. In the second year of establishment (2010), winter wheat and austrian winter pea were eliminated from the plots by mid-July, and white clover (Trifolium repens) and perennial ryegrass were the dominant weed species and accounted for a majority of the total weeds. On average over the two-year period, the control treatment required the most time for alleyway management (92 h·ha−1) followed by the offset cultivator treatment (64 h·ha−1), while the winter wheat, austrian winter pea, and winter wheat–austrian winter pea mixture required 32 to 42 h·ha−1. ‘Madeline angevine’ produced more shoot growth than ‘Pinot noir précoce’ in Sept. 2010 (42.3 and 25.9 cm respectively), and shoot growth of both cultivars in the control treatment was significantly longer (125.0 cm) than under any other treatment (55.4 to 93.0 cm), illustrating the importance of weed control during vineyard establishment. In this study, the most effective weed management regime, although also the most time consuming, included a vegetative-free zone around the vines (e.g., in-row) maintained by hand weeding and a cultivated alleyway.


Weed Science ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reid J. Smeda ◽  
Stephen C. Weller

Weed control in tomato production systems is difficult because few are registered. The use of rye for weed control and its influence on transplant tomato yields was investigated during 1986 and 1987 at two locations in IN to determine if cover crops can provide an alternative weed management technique. ‘Wheeler’ rye was sown in the fall of 1985 and 1986, and mowed or desiccated with glyphosate at various times before planting ‘IND 812'tomatoes. At the time of glyphosate application, rye residues reduced the growth of overwintering weeds by 93% or more compared to bare ground (no cover crop) areas. The time of desiccating rye prior to planting tomatoes affected the extent of weed suppression by rye residues. In 1986, rye treated 4 wk before planting (WBP) tomatoes provided up to 89% suppression of weed growth at 2 wk after planting (WAP) tomatoes, but no measurable weed suppression 5 WAP tomatoes. Rye treated 2 WBP tomatoes provided up to 97% weed suppression up to 5 WAP tomatoes. In 1987, weed suppression varied between locations and differed from 1986. At Lafayette, rye treated 2 and 1 WBP tomatoes provided greater than 81% suppression of weed growth up to 8 WAP tomatoes. Rye mowed and the residues placed into a plot at a known density also reduced weed growth (60%) 8 WAP tomatoes. At Vincennes, however, rye treated 2 and 1 WBP in 1987 did not reduce weed growth later than 4 WAP tomatoes compared to the unweeded, bare ground treatment. The mowed rye residues at Vincennes suppressed weed growth (96%) up to 8 WAP tomatoes. Tomato yield was correlated to weed suppression. In 1986, tomato yield in the rye treated 2 WBP tomatoes was comparable to yield in the bare ground, weeded controls. However, tomato yield in rye plots treated 4 WBP tomatoes was similar to yield in the bare ground, unweeded control. In 1987, tomato yields in all rye plots (mowed, treated 2 and 1 WBP tomatoes) were similar to tomato yields in the bare ground, weeded control at Lafayette. At Vincennes, only the mowed rye treatment yielded comparably to the bare ground, weeded control. In general, rye plots that were weeded yielded similar to or up to 28% more than a bare ground, weeded control. Tomato yields were not reduced by rye residues. Tomato yields in rye residues that provided effective suppression of weed growth (greater than 80%) for a minimum of 4 to 5 WAP tomatoes were comparable to bare ground, weeded controls.


Author(s):  
Vipin Kumar ◽  
O. P. Meena ◽  
M. R. Yadav ◽  
S. K. Goyal ◽  
A. K. Meena ◽  
...  

The present study was conducted in kharif seasons of 2015, 2016 and 2017 at experimental farm of Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to study efficacy of different weed management practices in clusterbean. Three years result shows that compared to weedy check (6.82 m-2) application of Pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb one hand weeding recorded lowest weed density (3.58 m-2). Among herbicidal treatments, Pendimethalin @ 0.75kg a.i/ha as PE fb one hand weeding at 25 DAS (83.7%) and Pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha as PE+ Imazathapyr+ Imazamox @ 40g a.i./ha PoE (74.0%) recorded highest weed control efficiency. Likewise, application of Pendimethalin @ 0.75kg a.i/ha as PE fb one hand weeding at 25 DAS and Pendimethalin 0.75kg/ha at PE fb Imazathapyr + Imazamox @ 40g a.i. ha-1 recorded significantly higher seed (1136 kg ha-1 and 1009 kg ha-1), haulm (3304 kg ha-1 and 2943 kg ha-1) and biological yield (4440 kg ha-1 and 3953 kg ha-1), respectively over other herbicidal treatments. Economic evaluation indicated that application of Pendimethalin @ 0.75kg a.i/ha as PE fb one hand weeding at 25 and which was followed by with Pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha as PE+ Imazathapyr+ Imazamox@ 40g a.i./ha recorded, gross return (INR 55352 ha-1 and INR 49189 ha-1) net returns (INR 38852 ha-1 and INR 34289 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.35 and 2.20), respectively. Whereas, minimum cost of cultivation (INR 10000 ha-1) and gross returns (INR 25632 ha-1), net returns (INR 15632 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.56) were recorded under weed check. So looking to the laborious pressure of hand weeding, cost effectiveness ease of application of chemical herbicides, application of Pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 fb one hand weeding can be an effective weed control option in cluster bean crop with higher seed and haulm yield under Semi-arid and Arid regions of Rajasthan.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah M. Duzy ◽  
Ted S. Kornecki ◽  
Kipling S. Balkcom ◽  
Francisco J. Arriaga

AbstractTomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) producers are faced with uncertain yields and prices, and utilizing a production system that will reduce risk while maintaining yield may keep tomato producers economically sustainable into the future. A conservation tillage production system with high biomass cover crops may be an economically viable alternative for tomato producers in Alabama. The objective of this study was to compare the economics of alternative production systems using different cover crops, such as cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatumL.), and different subsoiler shanks for fresh-market tomato production relative to a commonly used plastic mulch system to determine the preferred treatment. Gross revenues and net returns from tomato production using a rye cover crop were higher than tomato production using plastic mulch in 2 of the 4 years. For the clover cover crop, gross revenues and net returns were higher in 1 out of the 4 years. Under tomato prices and weather conditions observed during 2005–2008, the preferred treatment for a risk neutral producer was planting tomatoes into a rye cover crop with a wide shank. For a strongly risk averse producer, all cover crop treatments were preferred to plastic mulch. The use of a cover crop in tomato production has the potential to be an equally profitable, less risky alternative to plastic mulch in Alabama.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Ciaccia ◽  
Stefano Canali ◽  
Gabriele Campanelli ◽  
Elena Testani ◽  
Francesco Montemurro ◽  
...  

AbstractIntegrating cover crops into vegetable cropping systems can provide a wide range of ecological services, of which weed management is a key component. Cover crop effects on weed control, however, are dependent on termination methods and weed species present in specific cropping seasons. A 2-year weed management experiment with two cultivars of organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) in central Italy was carried out to compare the effect of a barley (Hordeum distichum L.) cover crop terminated with a modified roller-crimper (RC) to incorporated barley as green manure (GM) and a tilled control left fallow (FA) in the off-season. The effects of cover-crop management on crop competitiveness, yields and weed populations were evaluated by direct measurement, visual estimation and competition index methods. Results showed a significant reduction in weed biomass (>80%) and weed abundance with the RC compared to the GM and FA treatments. Moreover, the RC barley mulch maintained weed control in zucchini plots even under high weed pressure, as determined by the agronomic tolerance to competition (ATC) value of 67% in the RC treatment compared to 40 and 34% in the FA and GM treatments, respectively, averaged over both years of the experiment. The competitive balance (Cb), which quantified the ability of the zucchini crop to compete with weed populations, was also greater (+0.37) in the RC treatment compared to FA (−0.87) and GM (−0.69) treatments over the same period. Zucchini crop biomass was greatest in the RC treatment in 2011. Zucchini fruit yields varied from an average over both years of 1.4 Mg ha−1 in the RC treatment to 0.7 Mg ha−1 in the GM treatment, but yields in the FA treatment, 1.2 Mg ha−1, did not differ from the RC treatment. No differences in yield between ‘Dietary’ and ‘Every’ zucchini, or any significant interactions between cultivar and cover management related to fruit biomass, were observed. Our findings suggested the viability of the modified RC in creating a barley cover-crop mulch to effectively manage weeds and enhance yields in transplanted zucchini.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Sharif Ahmed ◽  
Virender Kumar ◽  
Murshedul Alam ◽  
Mahbubur Rahman Dewan ◽  
Khairul Alam Bhuiyan ◽  
...  

Abstract In Bangladesh, weeds in transplanted rice are largely controlled by labor-intensive and costly manual weeding, resulting in inadequate and untimely weed control. Labor scarcity coupled with intensive rice production has triggered increased use of herbicides. These factors warrant a cost-effective and strategic integrated weed management (IWM) approaches. On-farm trials with transplanted rice were conducted during monsoon (‘Aman’) season in 2016 and 2017 and winter (‘Boro’) season in 2016 to 2017 in agroecological zones 11 and 12 with ten treatments - seven herbicide-based IWM options, one mechanical weed control-based option, and two checks – farmers’ current weed control practice and weed-free, to assess effects on weed control, grain yield, labor use, and profitability. Compared to farmers’ practice, herbicide-based IWM options with mefenacet+bensulfuron-methyl as preemergence (PRE) followed by (fb) either bispyribac-sodium or penoxsulam as postemergence (POST) fb one hand-weeding (HW) were most profitable alternatives, with reductions in labor requirement by 11 to 25 persons-day ha−1 and total weed control cost by USD 44 to 94 ha−1, resulting in net returns increases by USD 54 to 77 ha−1 without compromising on grain yield. In contrast, IWM options with bispyrbac-sodium or penoxsulam as POST application fb one HW reduced yields by 12 to 13% and profits by USD 71 to 190 ha−1. Non-chemical option with mechanical weeding fb one HW performed similarly to farmers’ practice on yield and profitability. We suggest additional research to develop feasible herbicide-free approaches to weed management in transplanted rice that can offer competitive advantages to current practices.


Author(s):  
Arvind Verma ◽  
Roshan Choudhary

A Field experiment was conducted at Agronomy instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur (Rajasthan) during 2016-17 to find out the impact of new generation herbicides in green gram.  The results revealed that all growth and yield characters of blackgram were significantly affected by distinct weed control practices. A similar trend was also observed in weed parameters. Higher seed yield (13.8 qha-1) and higher weed control efficiency (88.97%) were recorded under application of acifluorfen sodium + clodinafop propargyl (370 g a.i. ha-1) at 3-4 leaf stage and which comparable with pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone +pendimethalin (TM) 127.5+1000 g a.i/ha, imazethapyr+ quizalofop (TM) use at 70 + 60 g a.i/ha at 3-4 leaf stage, imazethapyr 70 g a.i/ha 3-4 leaf stage, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) use at 70 g a.i/ha at 3-4 leaf stage, pendimethalin fb quizalofop 1000 + 60 at pre-emergence & 3- 4 leaf stage, imazethapyr + pendimethalin (RM) 1000 g a.i/ha as pre-emergence, propaquizfop 75 g a.i/ha at 3-4 leaf stage, weedy check and two hand weeding twice at 20 & 40 DAS. They also recorded improvement in yields and net returns by 65.22% over weedy check. These herbicide ready-mixes may be a promising weed management strategy for the green gram grown in the Southern Rajasthan.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 495b-495
Author(s):  
Akemo Mary Christine ◽  
Mark Bennett ◽  
Emily Regnier

A cover crop study in Spring 1996 showed that mowing did not completely kill the cover crops. In 1997 the study was repeated with the same cover crop treatments using winter rye `Wheeler' (Secale cereale) and field peas (Pisum sativum). Cover crops were eastablished in pure stands and bi-cultures in decreasing levels and varying proportions in early Spring 1997. They were undercut under the soil 2 months later, prior to transplanting tomato seedlings. Three controls were included in each replicate. Tomato plants in treatments with higher seeding rates of field peas had higher leaf areas and dry weights 1 month after transplanting. Weeds, especially dicotyledons, grew through the cover crop mulch 1.5 months after undercutting, but by then the tomato plants were at an advanced stage of growth. Tomato fruit yields were much higher than those of 1996 and had significant differences (P = 0.05). Highest yields were from treatments with highest rates of 0.25 rye + 0.75 peas, 0.5 rye + 0.5 peas, pure peas, and the conventionally hand-weeded control. Lowest yields were from the weedy checks. Undercutting the cover crops improved yields in all plots so treated probably because the soil was loosened and the tomato plants' roots accessed nutrients and water better. Spring sowing and undercutting cover crops definitely has a potential for weed control.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratap Devkota ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Ron Rainey

In the absence of an effective alternative to methyl bromide (MeBr), weeds cause a significant economic loss in bell pepper production. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and economics of PRE followed by (fb) POST-directed (POST-DIR) herbicide programs compared with MeBr for weed control in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulched bell pepper production. Imazosulfuron at 0.112, 0.224, and 0.336 kg ai ha−1andS-metolachlor at 1.6 kg ai ha−1were PRE-applied fb POST-DIR applied mixture of trifloxysulfuron + halosulfuron at 0.008 and 0.027 kg ai ha−1, respectively, at 4 wk after transplanting (WATP). The standard MeBr treatment (67 and 33% mixture of MeBr + chloropicrin) was applied at 390 kg ai ha−1. In addition, a weed-free (hand weeding) and a non-treated control were used for comparison.S-metolachlor-containing herbicide program controlled Palmer amaranth ≥ 90%, large crabgrass ≥ 78%, and yellow nutsedge ≥ 90%, which were comparable to MeBr. After POST-DIR herbicide application, bell pepper was injured ≥ 17% with theS-metolachlor-containing herbicide program at 6 WATP; however, the crop later recovered. Marketable bell pepper yield in plots treated withS-metolachlor (≥ 29.9 ton ha−1) was comparable to those treated with MeBr. Economic evaluation of the imazosulfuron herbicide programs demonstrated the loss of ≥ $7,300 ha−1. Conversely, theS-metolachlor-containing herbicide program was profitable with a net return of $9,912 ha−1. In addition, theS-metolachlor herbicide program generated a net profit of $173 ha−1compared to the MeBr application. Therefore, PRE-appliedS-metolachlor fb POST-DIR applied trifloxysulfuron + halosulfuron is a potential alternative to MeBr for weed management in LDPE-mulched bell pepper production given the weed spectrum evaluated in this study.


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