Cover Crop and Pre-Emergence Herbicide Combinations in No-Tillage Fresh Market Cucumber Production

Weed Management Systems for No-Tillage Vegetable Production

“…Although cucumber will provide some weed suppressive ability once it forms a vine across the soil surface, other weed control measures are generally necessary to achieve adequate weed control. The use of clomazone and ethalfluralin does not provide consistent satisfactory weed control in NT cucumber culture (Ogutu & Caldwell 1999, Walters et al 2007). The PRE herbicide mixture of clomazone + ethalfluralin + halosulfuron provides both broadleaf and grass weed control and high cucumber yields in a NT production system when used in combination with a winter rye cover crop (Walters et al 2007).…”

“…The use of clomazone and ethalfluralin does not provide consistent satisfactory weed control in NT cucumber culture (Ogutu & Caldwell 1999, Walters et al 2007). The PRE herbicide mixture of clomazone + ethalfluralin + halosulfuron provides both broadleaf and grass weed control and high cucumber yields in a NT production system when used in combination with a winter rye cover crop (Walters et al 2007). However, many-difficult to control broadleaf weeds are not adequately controlled by these herbicides when used PRE in a cover crop residue NT system, which often provides various problems for cucumber growers including yield suppression and reduced harvest efficiency.…”

“…In NT squash (Walters et al 2004(Walters et al , 2005 and cucumber (Walters et al 2007) production systems, the use of winter rye enhanced weed control even when a standard herbicide program was used. In NT pumpkin production, redroot pigweed and common waterhemp control was achieved early in the growing season with only winter rye residues but control was not sustained throughout the growing season and required some other method of weed management, such as herbicides, to optimize control .…”

“…Furthermore, although pickling cucumber leaf number, leaf area index and vine growth were reduced by NT, no reduction in total yield was observed compared to CT; and, the reduced vegetative growth in NT may actually be an advantage for the mechanical harvesting of this crop (Lonsbary et al 2004). Adequate weed control in NT cucumber production systems must be achieved in some manner before this system will be widely used for this crop (Walters et al 2007). The most consistent establishment of cucumber plants in NT occurred in winter wheat or rye residues, which provided a substantial level of weed suppression for at least 60 days following herbicide application to cover crops (Weston 1990).…”

“…The most consistent establishment of cucumber plants in NT occurred in winter wheat or rye residues, which provided a substantial level of weed suppression for at least 60 days following herbicide application to cover crops (Weston 1990). Walters et al (2007) indicated that a winter rye cover crop alone would provide some but not sufficient, season-long redroot pigweed and smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb. ex Schweig.)…”