Alternative Tillage and Herbicide Options for Successful Weed Control in Vegetables

Abstract

Increased federal and state regulations resulting from concerns for pesticide-free food and protection of ground water have created the need to reevaluate weed control strategies that currently depend on chemicals (Sweet et al., 1990). Cultivation and hand-weeding are feasible for small-scale growers but are usually not economical for large, commercial growers. Weed control in vegetables relies heavily on soil-applied, preemergence herbicides. However, with the development of selective, postemergence herbicides that can be applied as needed, growers may now fine-tune weed control strategies, combining the new herbicides with reduced rates of soil-applied herbicides and cultivation. Reducing inputs and integrating farming practices to lower costs and reduce environmental impacts while maintaining successful weed control is difficult (Edwards and Regnier, 1989). However, strategies that may reduce chemical inputs include: delaying applications of reduced rates of preemergence herbicides, banding herbicides over the crop row, using mulch and reduced tillage systems that aid in weed suppression, tank-mixing low rates of postand preemergence herbicides, applying postemergence herbicides after cultivation, and using new, environmentally “soft” herbicides that are active at extremely low doses. The objective of this paper is to discuss previous and current research that integrates tillage, mulches, and low-rate applications of herbicides for use in commercial vegetable production.