EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES AND HERBICIDES ON WEED POPULATION AND COMPETITION IN POTATOES
The effect of hilling methods on weed control in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) was studied in association with the effect of herbicides and cultivars. Without herbicides, hilling at emergence gave the best control. However, late-germinating weeds were not controlled. When herbicides were used, no difference was noted in weed control due to hilling methods. Hilling at tuber set needed to be preceded by a herbicide. This method gave earlier development of tubers. Variations in yield were more closely associated to top weight than to weed density. Linuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) was more effective than prometryne (2,4 bis (isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine). There were no significant differences in weed control between cultivars. Time of hilling potatoes should not be determined according to its influence on weed control, but rather according to its influence on the vegetative growth of the potato plant.