Articles
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) management in southern California strawberry
Article number
1410_3
Pages
17 – 22
Language
English
Abstract
Coastal California remains one of the world’s primary strawberry production regions with annual fruit produced on 15, 000 ha at a value of more than $3 bln.
In addition to threats from soil-borne pathogens, a very competitive perennial weed Cyperus esculentus has become increasingly difficult to manage in strawberry since the phase-out of methyl bromide.
In a series of replicated trials, we evaluated end-season bed fumigation, pre-plant application of S-metolachlor, steam and anaerobic soil disinfestation as management tools for yellow nutsedge.
End-season bed fumigation via two drip lines with metam sodium at 280 L ha‑1 reduced nutsedge tuber germination 100% under the drip lines, but only 67-75% in-between drip lines. S-metolachlor at 0.36 and 0.72 kg ha‑1 applied to beds immediately before plastic tarp installation and 30-35 days before strawberry transplanting provided 80-100% control of nutsedge shoots.
Both S-metolachlor rates were slightly phytotoxic to strawberry, but the plants outgrew injury and yielded similar to untreated.
Application of superheated steam to maintain soil temperature at 70°C for 20 min reduced nutsedge shoot emergence 84%. Maintaining anaerobic conditions under plastic mulch for three weeks after an addition of 9.2 t ha‑1 of labile carbon sources and irrigation, provided an environment that reduced shoot germination of yellow nutsedge tubers 40-90%. Yellow nutsedge remains a challenging weed that interferes with strawberry production.
Multiple management approaches are necessary to prevent yield losses in strawberry production in California.
In addition to threats from soil-borne pathogens, a very competitive perennial weed Cyperus esculentus has become increasingly difficult to manage in strawberry since the phase-out of methyl bromide.
In a series of replicated trials, we evaluated end-season bed fumigation, pre-plant application of S-metolachlor, steam and anaerobic soil disinfestation as management tools for yellow nutsedge.
End-season bed fumigation via two drip lines with metam sodium at 280 L ha‑1 reduced nutsedge tuber germination 100% under the drip lines, but only 67-75% in-between drip lines. S-metolachlor at 0.36 and 0.72 kg ha‑1 applied to beds immediately before plastic tarp installation and 30-35 days before strawberry transplanting provided 80-100% control of nutsedge shoots.
Both S-metolachlor rates were slightly phytotoxic to strawberry, but the plants outgrew injury and yielded similar to untreated.
Application of superheated steam to maintain soil temperature at 70°C for 20 min reduced nutsedge shoot emergence 84%. Maintaining anaerobic conditions under plastic mulch for three weeks after an addition of 9.2 t ha‑1 of labile carbon sources and irrigation, provided an environment that reduced shoot germination of yellow nutsedge tubers 40-90%. Yellow nutsedge remains a challenging weed that interferes with strawberry production.
Multiple management approaches are necessary to prevent yield losses in strawberry production in California.
Authors
O. Daugovish, M. Valdes-Berriz, S. Fennimore
Keywords
physical weed control, soil fumigation
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