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Groundcherry, Smooth
(Physalis virginiana Mill.)

Author: Mike Cowbrough - Weed Management (Field Crops) Program Lead/OMAF
Creation Date: 05 April 2005
Last Reviewed: 05 April 2005

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Table of Contents

  1. History
  2. Life Cycle
  3. Distinguishing Characteristics
  4. Postharvest Control

History

A member of the nightshade family and a very difficult weed to control. It is found in a range of habitats in Ontario. In crop production, it prefers cultivated fields in well-drained coarse soils.

Life Cycle

Perennial, reproducing by seed and by deeply penetrating and widely spreading roots.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Very similar to clammy groundcherry, but is pretty much hairless in comparison. It can be identified by its very deep perennial root, yellow flowers with a dark purple centre. The flower will produce fruit in the form of a green berry which turns a yellow colour and resembles a small tomato.

Smooth Groundcherry Pictures
Each thumbnail image links to a larger image

Link to a larger photo of Smooth Groundcherry
Link to a larger photo of Smooth Groundcherry
Link to a larger photo of Smooth Groundcherry

Postharvest Control

There have been no field studies that have evaluated the control of smooth groundcherry in corn, soybeans or winter wheat. One trial evaluated the effectiveness of post-harvest applications for controlling smooth ground cherry in the following spring (Table 1). It is important to note that certain re-cropping restrictions exist when applications of AMITROL 240 and BANVEL II are made in the fall. Refer to Table 2 and the product label for specific re-cropping restrictions.

Table 1. Smooth groundcherry control with fall applications of BANVEL II, AMITROL 240 and glyphosate.
Active Ingredient Trade Name
Fall - % Control
Spring - % Control
glyphosate glyphosate (1 L/ac)
99
99
amitrole AMITROL 240
93
99
dicamba BANVEL II
43
99

Table 2. A summary of cropping restrictions that exist with fall and spring applications of AMITROL 240, BANVEL II and 2,4-D Ester.
Trade Name Restrictions
AMITROL 240 If planting corn and whitebeans wait 10-14 days after application before planting. If planting soybeans wait 6 days after applications before planting.
BANVEL II If applied alone or with glyphosate before September 1st, then field corn, soybean, spring cereals and canola can be planted in the spring. If applied after September 1st or in the spring, then only field corn can be planted after application. Do Not plant winter wheat if Banvel II has been applied in the fall.
2,4-D Ester Use only the low rate (0.5 L/ac) in the spring. Only field corn or spring cereals can be planted after a spring application, however a 14 day interval between application and planting is required. No specific crop restrictions are mentioned when applied alone or with glyphosate in the fall. However, to be safe, 2,4-D should be treated the same as BANVEL II.

Source:
Dr. Peter Sikkema, University of Guelph.

Number of Trials:

Table 1 is based on 1 field trial in Ontario.

Herbicide Rates:
Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAF Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.

Weed Stage:
Smooth groundcherry was in flower at the time of alll post-emergent applications.

What has been your experience?
We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.

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