Control of Three Weed Species in Sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris) with an Electrical Discharge System

Abstract

An electrical discharge system (EDS) was evaluated in field studies conducted in 1977 through 1979 in western Nebraska for its ability to control weed escapes in sugarbeets (Beta vulgarisL. ‘Mono Hy D2′). Nine weeks after sugarbeets were planted, kochia [Kochia scoparia(L.) Schrad.] had attained a height above sugarbeets sufficient for EDS treatment. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium albumL.) generally attained sufficient height above sugarbeets 11 and 13 weeks after sugarbeet planting. Sugarbeet root yields were reduced 40, 20, and 10% from competition by kochia, common lambsquarters, and redroot pigweed, respectively. Treatment of kochia, redroot pigweed, and common lambsquarters with EDS in some cases resulted in a reduction in weed height. The EDS treatments reduced the stand of all weeds 32, 39, and 47% for 1977, 1978, and 1979, respectively. Although the EDS treatments failed to kill many weeds, it did suppress the competitive ability of the three weeds to the extent that sugarbeet yields were higher in areas receiving EDS treatments than areas receiving no EDS treatment.