Control of Difficult Weeds for California Strawberry Production

Tolerance of Strawberry Cultivars to Oxyfluorfen and Flumioxazin Herbicides

“…Methyl bromide (MB) + chloropicrin (Pic) fumigation has long been used to control weeds in strawberry with the exception of weeds with a hard seedcoat such as California burclover (Medicago polymorpha L.) and common mallow (Malva neglecta Wallr.). Where MB was used, weeding costs would traditionally range from $750 to 1750/ha (Daugovish et al, 2009). With the phase out of MB as a soil fumigant, growers have moved to using alternative fumigants including Pic, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), or metam sodium, but these alternatives do not always provide the same level of weed control as MB-Pic application (Fennimore et al, 2008;Locascio et al, 1997).…”

“…With the phase out of MB as a soil fumigant, growers have moved to using alternative fumigants including Pic, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), or metam sodium, but these alternatives do not always provide the same level of weed control as MB-Pic application (Fennimore et al, 2008;Locascio et al, 1997). Particularly difficult to control are weeds with hard seedcoats and perennial weeds like yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) (Daugovish et al, 2009). Hand weeding the fields increases production costs and has little effect on weeds such as nutsedge.…”

“…Both flumioxazin and oxyfluorfen herbicides are registered for strawberry production in California, and each product was used on over 2000 ha of strawberry in 2010 (California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 2012; Daugovish et al, 2009). Flumioxazin at 0.07 and 0.11 kgÁha -1 a.i can be applied to the raised bed 30 d before strawberry transplanting, and film installation must occur before time of transplanting (Valent U.S.A.…”

“…], little mallow, shepherd's purse [Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. ], and clovers (Daugovish et al, 2008(Daugovish et al, , 2009. Stall et al (1995) found pre-emergence oxyfluorfen application at 0.3 and 0.6 kgÁha -1 did not affect strawberry vigor and provided season-long control of weeds including Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum L.) and cutleaf evening primrose (Oenotheria laciniata Hill.).…”

“…the herbicide from the soil to strawberry crown and foliage during an irrigation event can also potentially injure the crop (Fennimore et al, 2008). These injuries through splashing and codistillation can be reduced by film installation on the bed before strawberry transplanting (Daugovish et al, 2009).…”