B. A. Majek Rutgers A. R. & E. C. Bridgeton, NJ · 2018. 1. 2. · Weed Control Considerations in...
Transcript of B. A. Majek Rutgers A. R. & E. C. Bridgeton, NJ · 2018. 1. 2. · Weed Control Considerations in...
Orchard Floor Management
B. A. Majek
Rutgers A. R. & E. C.
Bridgeton, NJ
Why Control Weeds in Orchards?
Weeds compete with the crop:
water
nutrients
sunlight
space
Alternate host for insect and disease pests.
Provide cover for rodents.
Interfere with pollination.
Reduce harvest efficiency.
Do NOT apply when bloom is present in the orchard!
Consider
Soil
Weeds
Insect Pests & Beneficials
Diseases
Rodents
Operations
Frost Risk
Tree Performance
Cultivation
Short TermEliminates Weeds
Increases Water Penetration
Prunes roots
Raises Oxygen Level
oxidizes organic matter
releases adsorbed nutrients
CultivationLong Term
Exposes Soil to Wind and Water EROSION
Increases Root Vulnerability to disease
Decreases Organic Matter & Destroys Soil
Structure
Reduces Water Penetration
Decreases Nutrient and Water Holding
Capacity of the Soil
Increases soil compaction
Soil
50% mineral and organic solids
25% micropores (holds water despite gravity)
25% macropores (water flows out due to gravity)
Sod Row Middles
&
Tree Row (weed free)
Desirable Orchard Floor Vegetation
Minimally competitive with the trees.
Good traction for equipment in all conditions.
Roots should be shallow, fine and fibrous.
NOT an alternate host for insect & disease pests.
Inexpensive to maintain.
Easily controlled.
Encourage beneficial organisms.
Sod Groundcover Establishment
site preparation
sod species
grass groundcover seeding
sod care for the first 22 months
Site Preparation
correct pH
adjust fertility
control established perennial weeds
improve drainage – ridging, field tiling or leveling
prepare seedbed
Sod Species
Kentucky bluegrass
perennial ryegrass
tall fescue
„Kentucky 31‟
turf type varieties
hard fescue
Sod Groundcover Seeding
(sod middles)
Timing
north Jersey – 8/15 to 9/1 (9/15 deadline)
south Jersey – 9/1 to 9/15 (9/30 deadline)
north & west – 8/1 to 8/30 (?)
Blend
100% tall fescue
95% hard fescue + 5% perennial ryegrass
Rate – 25 to 50 pounds of seed per acre
Equipment – drop seeder with rollers
Sod Groundcover Seeding
(tree row)
Timing
north Jersey – 8/15 to 9/1 (9/15 deadline)
south Jersey – 9/1 to 9/15 (9/30 deadline)
north & west – 8/1 to 8/30 (?)
Blend
100% perennial ryegrass – kill with Roundup or OLF at least 1 week before planting trees
Rate – 25 to 50 pounds of seed per acre
Equipment – drop seeder with rollers
Sod Care (first 22 months)
Fertility – 40 to 80 lb of N per acre
at seeding
early spring – March/April after seeding
early spring – 1.5 years after seeding
Mowing – never remove more than 1/3 the height
of the grass
Sod Care (first 22 months)
Weed Control
Fall
2,4-D – 0.5 pints per acre in late fall, at least
10 weeks after seeding
Spring
Prowl – 1.5 quarts per acre
+
2,4-D – 1 pint per acre in early spring
(before planting trees)
Sod Row Middles
&
Tree Row (weed free)
Split Herbicide Application Program
Fall & Spring
good labor dist. 2 app. trips
w. annual control hunting season
low light
act. rainfall
lower herb. rates
soluble herbicides work
perennial weed seedling control
----------THE NEXT STEP----------
What is the Potential of Mulches
in Peach Orchards?
• Which works better Organic or Fabric
mulch?
• Will reduced herbicide programs be
possible with mulch?
• How do mulches affect weed control,
tree growth and yield?
• Will mulch “create” new problems?
Split Plot Design
Main Plots
untreated
residual & postemergence herbicide applications
Prowl 3.3 lb ai/A
Gallery 1.0 lb ai/A
Grramoxone + NIS 0.6 lb ai + 0.25%/A
Split Plot Design
Main Plots
untreated
residual & postemergence herbicide applications
Sub Plots
tilled monthly
no-till
yard waste (leaf) mulch
landscape fabric
Untreated
Num. Dry Wt (g) Trunk Dia. Yld (lb/tree)
Tilled 0 0 1.6 1
No-Till 87 363 1.4 2
Yd Waste 3 141 16.4 7
L. Fabric 1 4 23.2 30
Res. Herb.
Tilled 6 21 14.1 15
No-Till 15 271 10.3 20
Yd Waste 0 0 19.3 27
L. Fabric 1 0 26.0 46
Summer Annual Weeds/Yd2 Impact on Tree Growth
Mulches – Concerns and Questions
Rodent Damage – may be more severe under mulch!
Leaf Mulch & Landscape Fabric suppressed or controlled weeds.
Increased tree growth and early yield with leaf mulch and landscape fabric could not be explained by improved weed control.
Questions concerning mulches that need answers:
fertility
root zone (soil) temperatures
moisture
Should we be growing our own mulch between the rows?
Questions?