Effect of Mechanical and Herbicide Treatments on Weed Densities and Biomass in Two Potato Cultivars

Abstract

The effect of potato cultivar and mechanical or herbicide treatments on weed densities and biomass was determined in a research study on a field, conducted from 2007 to 2009 at the Institute of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization. Included in the study were two cultivars and different weed control treatments, including a mechanical method and metribuzin combined with various herbicides and application timings. Chemical methods of controlling weeds were more effective than mechanical methods to reduce weed densities and biomass. The combination of metribuzin with rimsulfuron + SN oil, applied before potato emergence (PRE), was more effective than the other metribuzin combinations. The weed infestation of potato cv. “Irga” was greater than that of cultivar “Fianna” due to differences in the type of growth.

Characteristics of Organically Grown Compared to Conventionally Grown Potato and the Processed Products: A Review

“…They induce quantity and quality losses of the yield and ultimately decrease the net return of the production system with increased production costs. Potato cultivars with a strong, erect shoot growth habit with shorter stems, more branching, and a denser and taller canopy in the early stages of plant growth may be less susceptible to weed interference than cultivars with less lofty plant habit [38][39][40]. Commercial potato growers follow rigorous herbicide application schedules throughout the conventional potato growing season and apply different pesticides.…”

“…The use of neonicotinoid chemistry as a seed tuber treatment greatly reduced the need to spray insecticide, especially for Colorado potato beetle control, and the amendment with cattle or swine manure led to better crop health and reduced the need for pest and disease treatments [65]. Herbicide selection, herbicide combinations, and application rates and timing determine the effectiveness of the method in weed management [40,[66][67][68]. Barbaś et al [40] found that the chemical method of controlling weeds was the most effective weed control method over a combination of mechanical methods in potato production.…”

“…Herbicide selection, herbicide combinations, and application rates and timing determine the effectiveness of the method in weed management [40,[66][67][68]. Barbaś et al [40] found that the chemical method of controlling weeds was the most effective weed control method over a combination of mechanical methods in potato production. However, the combination of metribuzin and rimsulfuron+SN oil as a potato pre-emergence tool was more effective than the other meribuzin, ethoxylated isodecyl alcohol 0.1%, fluazyfop-P butyl, and SN oil combinations.…”

Characteristics of Organically Grown Compared to Conventionally Grown Potato and the Processed Products: A Review

“…Weeds are a threat to any cultivated crop and negatively impact crop production as they compete with the planted crop for light, nutrients, water, and space and induce quantity and quality losses of the yield and ultimately decrease the net return of the production system with increased production costs. Potato cultivars with a strong, erect shoot growth habit with shorter stems, more branching, and a denser and taller canopy in the early stages of plant growth may be less susceptible to weed interference than cultivars with less lofty plant habit (Pszczółkowski and Sawicka, 2003;Baranowska et al, 2016;Barbaś et al, 2020). Commercial potato growers follow rigorous pesticide application schedules throughout the conventional potato growing season, and apply different pesticides.…”

“…The use of neonicotinoid chemistry as a seed tuber treatment greatly reduced the need to spray insecticide, especially for Colorado potato beetle control, and the amendment with cattle or swine manure led to better crop health and reduced the need for pest and disease treatments (VanderZaag, 2010). Herbicide selection, herbicide combinations and application rates and timing determine the effectiveness of the method in weed management (Pawlonka, 2007;Lavlesh Ragha et al, 2018;Zarzecka et al, 2020;Barbaś et al, 2020). Barbaś et al (2020) found that chemical method of controlling weeds was the most effective weed control method over a combination of mechanical methods in potato production.…”