Mulches: Durability, Aesthetic Value, Weed Control, and Temperature

Abstract Five organic mulches (pine bark, hardwood bark, cedar chips, longleaf pine needles, shortleaf pine needles), used alone or in combination with two inorganic mulches (black polyethylene, woven polypropylene), were evaluated over two years for weed control, durability, aesthetic value, and influence upon soil temperature. Organic mulches reduced total weed counts by 50% compared to control plots. and underlaying organic mulches with polyethylene resulted in complete control. Polypropylene, used in combination with organic mulch, was ineffective in controlling perennial weed species. Pine bark was the most durable organic mulch, requiring the least replenishment (70% initial volume) after 630 days. Durability of organic mulches increased when underlaid with polyethylene. Longleaf pine needles were rated most attractive, and underlying organic materials with either polyethylene or polypropylene enhanced appearance. Organic mulches reduced maximum daily temperatures at the soil surface by 2.2–3.3°C (4–6°F) and increased minimum daily temperatures by 1.1–2.2°C (2–4°F). However, the type of organic mulch did not affect temperatures at the soil surface.

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Efficacy and Estimated Annual Cost of Common Weed Control Methods in Landscape Planting Beds

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03609-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 199-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Christopher Marble ◽

Andrew K. Koeser ◽

Gitta Hasing ◽

Drew McClean ◽

Annette Chandler

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Pinus Palustris ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Weed Species ◽

Maintenance Costs ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Pine Straw ◽

Ilex Vomitoria ◽

Materials Used ◽

Hand Weeding

Organic mulch is commonly used in landscape planting beds to improve plant growth and reduce competition from weed species. Although many different mulch materials have been evaluated in landscape, forestry, or agricultural settings, there have been no previous reports concerning the maintenance costs associated with different mulch materials from a weed control perspective. Trials were conducted at two locations in Florida to estimate the annual maintenance costs associated with pine bark nuggets (bark derived from pine species not specified) and pine straw mulch [mix of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and slash pine (Pinus taeda) needles] with and without the use of a granular preemergence herbicide when maintained at similar depths in schilling’s holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Schilling’s Dwarf’) shrub beds and asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Minima’) groundcover beds. Weed coverage and residual mulch depth were tracked over time, with maximum and minimum thresholds (20% and 2 inches, respectively) set as triggers for maintenance activities. Results showed that the addition of herbicide (trifluralin + isoxaben) had little to no impact on weeding frequency or time when plots were mulched, but did reduce hand weeding frequency and time compared with nontreated, nonmulched plots. Both mulch materials used alone reduced hand weeding frequency and time compared with herbicide-only treatments. Although results varied by bed type and location, pine bark generally provided greater weed control compared with pine straw and required fewer mulch additions and less mulch by volume. Results from this study suggests that using pine bark nuggets as mulch may result in lower maintenance costs and weed pressure compared with pine straw when both are applied and maintained at 2-inch depths.

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Weed Seedbank Response to Tillage, Herbicides, and Crop Rotation Sequence

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500058264 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 654-659 ◽

Cited By ~ 169

Author(s):

Daniel A. Ball

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Dominant Factor ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Species ◽

Cropping Sequence ◽

Primary Tillage ◽

Pinto Beans

Changes in the weed seedbank due to crop production practices are an important determinant of subsequent weed problems. Research was conducted to evaluate effects of primary tillage (moldboard plowing and chisel plowing), secondary tillage (row cultivation), and herbicides on weed species changes in the soil seedbank in three irrigated row crop rotational sequences over a 3-yr period. The cropping sequences consisted of continuous corn for 3 yr, continuous pinto beans for 3 yr, or sugarbeets for 2 yr followed by corn in the third year. Cropping sequence was the most dominant factor influencing species composition in the seedbank. This was partly due to herbicide use in each cropping sequence producing a shift in the weed seedbank in favor of species less susceptible to applied herbicides. A comparison between moldboard and chisel plowing indicated that weed seed of predominant species were more prevalent near the soil surface after chisel plowing. The number of predominant annual weed seed over the 3-yr period increased more rapidly in the seedbank after chisel plowing compared to moldboard plowing unless effective weed control could be maintained to produce a decline in seedbank number. In this case, seedbank decline was generally more rapid after moldboard plowing. Row cultivation generally reduced seedbanks of most species compared to uncultivated plots in the pinto bean and sugarbeet sequences. A simple model was developed to validate the observation that rate of change in the weed seedbank is influenced by type of tillage and weed control effectiveness.

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Influence of Pine Bark Substrate Age on Performance and Leaching of Nursery Preemergence Herbicides

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci13748-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 896-902 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cody J. Stewart ◽

S. Christopher Marble ◽

Brian Jackson ◽

Brian J. Pearson ◽

P. Christopher Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Weed Species ◽

Digitaria Sanguinalis ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Cardamine Flexuosa ◽

P Leaching ◽

High Level ◽

Preemergence Herbicides ◽

Substrate Age

The objective of these experiments was to determine if preemergence herbicides perform similarly across pine bark that was aged for varying lengths of time including 0, 4, 8, and 12 months after bark removal from harvested trees. Three preemergence herbicides were evaluated for three separate weed species, including 1) Cardamine flexuosa With. (bittercress) with isoxaben, 2) Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. (large crabgrass) with prodiamine, and 3) Oxalis stricta L. (woodsorrel) with dimethenamid-P. Leaching of herbicides through substrates was evaluated for prodiamine. Weed growth in the various substrates was variable, but few differences were detected in weed growth among the pine bark substrates evaluated. For isoxaben and prodiamine, weed control was similar among the pine bark substrates in most cases when label rates were applied. Although some differences were detected in prodiamine performance across different pine bark ages, a high level of control was achieved in all cases at rates well below manufacturer recommendations. Prodiamine leaching was minimal in all substrates. It would be recommended that growers test substrates for physical properties before use so that irrigation and other production inputs could be modified if needed. In most cases, growers should expect similar performance of preemergence herbicides regardless of pine bark substrate age.

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Effect of Biodegradable Mulch Materials on Weed Control in Processing Tomatoes

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-09-020.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 369-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

A. Anzalone ◽

A. Cirujeda ◽

J. Aibar ◽

G. Pardo ◽

C. Zaragoza

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Rice Straw ◽

Biodegradable Plastic ◽

Barley Straw ◽

Weed Species ◽

Purple Nutsedge ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Biodegradable Mulch ◽

Manual Weeding ◽

Processing Tomatoes

Three years of field trials have been carried out in Zaragoza, Spain, using different biodegradable mulch materials in processing tomatoes. The aim was to evaluate weed control with several biodegradable mulches as alternatives to black polyethylene (PE) mulch. The treatments were rice straw, barley straw, maize harvest residue, absinth wormwood plants, black biodegradable plastic, brown kraft paper, PE, herbicide, manual weeding, and unweeded control. Assessments focused on weeds and on crop yield. A laboratory study showed that 1 kg/m2of organic mulch was sufficient to cover the soil for rice, barley straw, and maize harvest residue. The most abundant weed species in the field were purple nutsedge, common purslane, common lambsquarters, and large crabgrass and a change in weed composition was observed between treatments and years. Most weed species were controlled by the mulching materials except that purple nutsedge was controlled only by paper mulch. The other species were well controlled by PE and biodegradable plastic and also by some of the organic mulch treatments. Best weed control and lowest weed biomass were achieved by paper followed by PE and biodegradable plastic. The best organic mulch was rice straw and the worst weed control was from absinth wormwood. Tomato yield was highest for PE followed by paper, manual weeding, biodegradable plastic, and rice straw and was clearly related to weed control. Paper, biodegradable plastic, and rice straw are potential substitutes for PE and herbicides.

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014 Weed Control and Productivity of Field-grown Cut Flowers

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.443b ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 443B-443

Author(s):

E. Jay Holcomb ◽

Tracey L. Harpster ◽

Robert D. Berghage ◽

Larry J. Kuhns

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Soil Surface ◽

High Rate ◽

Crop Plant ◽

Cut Flower ◽

Cut Flowers ◽

Early Season ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Late Season ◽

Preemergence Herbicides

A set of studies was established in Summer 1998 to determine the tolerance of field-grown cut flower species to specific preemergence herbicides, the effectiveness of weed control by those materials, and to determine if productivity of cut flowers is affected either by the herbicides or by colored mulches. Pendimethalin provided excellent early season weed control, but poor late-season control. It consistently caused injury at 4 lb a.i./A and sometimes at the 2 lb a.i./A rate. Oryzalin provided good to excellent weed control, but slightly injured celosia and zinnia when applied at 4 lb a.i./A. Napropamide provided excellent early season weed control, but marginally acceptable weed control later in the season. Though napropamide caused some injury to celosia early in the season when applied at the high rate, no injury to any of the plants was observed later in the season. Prodiamine and trifluralin were the overall safest of the herbicides, but they provided the weakest weed control. OH-2 was very effective when placed on the soil surface, but was less effective when placed on an organic mulch. The organic mulch was designed to keep the OH-2 particles from splashing on to the crop plant and injuring the plants. OH-2 tended to be safer placed on a mulch than on the soil surface, but statice was slightly injured even when a mulch was used.

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Mulch Type and Depth, Herbicide Formulation, and Postapplication Irrigation Volume Influence on Control of Common Landscape Weed Species

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04208-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 65-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Debalina Saha ◽

S. Christopher Marble ◽

Brian J. Pearson ◽

Héctor E. Pérez ◽

Gregory E. MacDonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Weed Species ◽

Digitaria Sanguinalis ◽

Euphorbia Hirta ◽

Eclipta Prostrata ◽

Pine Straw ◽

Spray Formulation ◽

Irrigation Volume ◽

Large Crabgrass

Mulch is often applied in landscape planting beds for weed control, but little research has focused specifically on mulch and preemergence (PRE) herbicide combinations. The objectives of this research were to determine the efficacy of herbicide + mulch combinations and which factors significantly affected weed control, including herbicide formulation and posttreatment irrigation volumes. Additional objectives were to determine efficacy derived from mulch or herbicides used alone under herbicide + mulch combinations and to identify differences in the additive (herbicide + mulch combinations) or singular (herbicide or mulch) effects compared with the use of herbicides or mulch only. Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), garden spurge (Euphorbia hirta), and eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) were used as bioassay species for prodiamine, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, and indaziflam efficacy, respectively. The experiment consisted of a factorial treatment arrangement of two herbicide formulations (granular or spray applied), three mulch types [hardwood chips (HWs), pine bark (PB), and pine straw (PS)], two mulch depths (1 and 2 inches), and three levels of one-time, posttreatment irrigation volumes (0.5, 1, and 2 inches). Three sets of controls were used: the first set included three mulch types applied at two depths receiving only 0.5-inch irrigation volume, the second set included only two herbicide formulations and three one-time irrigation volumes, whereas the last set received no treatment (no herbicide or mulch) and only 0.5-inch irrigation volume. High levels of large crabgrass and garden spurge control (88% to 100%) were observed with all herbicide + mulch combinations evaluated at mulch depths of 1 inch or greater. When comparing mulch types, the best eclipta control was achieved with hardwood at 2 inches depth. The spray formulation of indaziflam outperformed the granular formulation in most cases when used alone or in combination with mulch. Overall, the results showed that spray formulations of prodiamine and dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin were more effective than granular formulations when applied alone, whereas indaziflam was more effective as a spray formulation when used both alone and in combination with mulch. Increasing irrigation volume was not a significant factor for any of the herbicide + mulch combinations when evaluating overall weed control.

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Mulch Depth Affects Weed Germination

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-27.2.85 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 85-90

Author(s):

Diana R. Cochran ◽

Charles H. Gilliam ◽

D. Joseph Eakes ◽

Glenn R. Wehtje ◽

Patricia R. Knight ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Substrate Surface ◽

The United States ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Plant Production ◽

Control Technique ◽

Weed Species ◽

Container Nurseries ◽

Fourth Experiment ◽

Container Plant

Abstract With environmental concerns increasing, non-chemical weed control in container plant production is increasing in the United States. Pine bark mini-nuggets were evaluated as a non-chemical weed control technique for two weed species; Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small (spotted spurge) and Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.(eclipta). On June 19, 2006, seed (25 per container) were directly placed on the potting substrate surface of #3 containers before mulching with pine bark mini-nuggets to a depth of either 0, 1.27 or 2.54 cm (0, 0.5 or 1.0 in). Additional treatments consisted of applying the mini-nugget mulch at either 1.27 or 2.54 cm (0.5 or 1.0 in) on the potting substrate then overseeding with either spotted spurge or eclipta. Eclipta number per container were 87% less 60 days after seeding (DAS) with the 1.0 in mulch depth compared to non-mulched. Furthermore, spotted spurge fresh weight (FW) was reduced by 45 and 87% (0.5 and 1.0 in, respectively) compared to the non-mulched treatment. The experiment was repeated on August 30 and spurge number per container was 90% less 60 DAS in the 1.0 inch mulch treatment compared to the non-treated containers. A third and fourth experiment also demonstrated that pine bark mini-nuggets have potential to provide non-chemical weed control in nursery crops grown in #3 containers. Results, suggest that with proper application pine bark mini-nuggets can enhance weed control in container nurseries.

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Herbicide Application Timings on Weed Control and Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Yield

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.22.2.201 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 201-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Alan Walters ◽

Bryan G. Young

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Weed Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Production Systems ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Growing Season ◽

Weed Species ◽

Application Timing ◽

Over The Top

A study was conducted in a no-tillage (NT) jack-o-lantern pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) field following winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) harvest to determine the effects of using registered herbicides at various timings on weed control and pumpkin yield. All application timings used in this study were important to maximize weed control over the pumpkin growing season. For an initial stale seedbed burndown treatment, paraquat provided better broadleaf weed control than glyphosate, which lead to greater pumpkin yields. The use of s-metolachlor + halosulfuron-methyl preemergence (PRE) and clethodim postemergence (POST) gave the best results for the second series of herbicide applications which related to higher pumpkin yields compared with none or only a PRE application. The last application timing (midseason POST-directed paraquat application between rows) also improved weed control and provided higher pumpkin yields compared with no treatment. Growers who use a stale seedbed burndown treatment in NT pumpkin production, before seedling emergence or transplanting, will generally use glyphosate although this study indicated that paraquat may prove to be a better choice depending on the weed species that are present at this application timing. Most weed control in NT pumpkin production is achieved by a PRE application of various tank-mixed herbicides for both grass and broadleaf weed control, with a POST grass herbicide, a POST application of halosulfuron-methyl, or both [for control of nutsedge (Cyperus sp.), specific broadleaf weed species, or both] applied 3 to 4 weeks later, and this study indicated that the use of labeled PRE and POST herbicides are essential to optimize weed control and pumpkin yields in NT. Most pumpkin growers do not use a POST-directed application of a nonselective herbicide (such as paraquat) before vines cover the soil surface although it appears that this application may be warranted to control weeds that have emerged later in the growing season to maximize pumpkin yield, especially if POST midseason over-the-top herbicide applications are not used. This study indicated that in addition to applying the limited PRE and POST herbicides available for weed control in pumpkin, the use of other chemical weed management practices (e.g., stale seedbed herbicide treatments or POST-directed nonselective herbicide applications) can provide valuable weed control in NT production systems and should be considered by growers to maximize pumpkin yield.

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Bio-efficacy of post emergence herbicides in boro rice nursery as well as main field and their residual effects on non-target microorganisms

ORYZA- An International Journal on Rice ◽

10.35709/ory.2020.57.3.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 199-210

Author(s):

Rajib Kundu ◽

Mousumi Mondal ◽

Sourav Garai ◽

Ramyajit Mondal ◽

Ratneswar Poddar

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Weed Management ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Block Design ◽

Resistance Index ◽

Residual Effects ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Main Field ◽

Weed Species ◽

Similar Treatment

Field experiments were conducted at research farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal, India (22°97' N latitude and 88°44' E longitude, 9.75 m above mean sea level) under natural weed infestations in boro season rice (nursery bed as well as main field) during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the herbicidal effects on weed floras, yield, non-target soil organisms to optimize the herbicide use for sustainable rice-production. Seven weed control treatments including three doses of bispyribac-sodium 10% SC (150,200, and 250 ml ha-1), two doses of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 9.3% EC (500 and 625 ml ha-1), one weed free and weedy check were laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Among the tested herbicides, bispyribac-sodium with its highest dose (250 ml ha-1) resulted in maximum weed control efficiency, treatment efficiency index and crop resistance index irrespective of weed species and dates of observation in both nursery as well as main field. Similar treatment also revealed maximum grain yield (5.20 t ha-1), which was 38.38% higher than control, closely followed by Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (625 ml ha-1) had high efficacy against grasses, sedge and broadleaf weed flora. Maximum net return (Rs. 48765 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.72) were obtained from the treatment which received bispyribac-sodium @ 250 ml ha-1. Based on overall performance, the bispyribac-sodium (250 ml ha-1) may be considered as the best herbicide treatment for weed management in transplanted rice as well as nursery bed.

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Establishing white clover (Trifolium repens) as a living mulch: weed control and herbicide tolerance

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2021.45 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

Nicholas T. Basinger ◽

Nicholas S. Hill

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

White Clover ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Tolerance ◽

Single Application ◽

Weed Species ◽

Living Mulch ◽

Herbicide Resistant ◽

Research And Education ◽

Weed Emergence

Abstract With the increasing focus on herbicide-resistant weeds and the lack of introduction of new modes of action, many producers have turned to annual cover crops as a tool for reducing weed populations. Recent studies have suggested that perennial cover crops such as white clover could be used as living mulch. However, white clover is slow to establish and is susceptible to competition from winter weeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine clover tolerance and weed control in established stands of white clover to several herbicides. Studies were conducted in the fall and winter of 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 at the J. Phil Campbell Research and Education Center in Watkinsville, GA, and the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, GA. POST applications of imazethapyr, bentazon, or flumetsulam at low and high rates, or in combination with 2,4-D and 2,4-DB, were applied when clover reached 2 to 3 trifoliate stage. Six weeks after the initial POST application, a sequential application of bentazon and flumetsulam individually, and combinations of 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, and flumetsulam were applied over designated plots. Clover biomass was similar across all treatments except where it was reduced by sequential applications of 2,4-D + 2,4-DB + flumetsulam in the 2019 to 2020 season indicating that most treatments were safe for use on establishing living mulch clover. A single application of flumetsulam at the low rate or a single application of 2,4-D + 2,4-DB provided the greatest control of all weed species while minimizing clover injury when compared to the non-treated check. These herbicide options allow for control of problematic winter weeds during clover establishment, maximizing clover biomass and limiting canopy gaps that would allow for summer weed emergence.

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