Weed Management in Berry Crops: Introduction

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Weed Management in Berry Crops: Introduction

Author:	OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date:	25 November 2002
Last Reviewed:	19 June 2008

Pub 75: Guide to Weed Control > Berry Crops > Weed Management in Berry Crops: Introduction

Excerpt from 2008 Chapter 14, Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control, Order this publication

Introduction
Perennial Weed Control
Site Preparation
Mulching
Reducing Weed Pressure
Rotating Herbicide Families

Introduction

A successful weed control program must integrate cultural and chemical weed control practices. Growers cannot depend entirely on chemical weed control in berry crops, since there is a limited spectrum of herbicides registered for these crops.

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Perennial Weed Control

It is important to identify and control perennial weeds in the preplanting year. It is very difficult to control perennial weeds once a planting is established because of crop sensitivity to some herbicides and since it is not possible to clean cultivate in established berry crops.

The following perennial weeds present serious problems in these crops; quackgrass, bindweed, vetch, wild grape, perennial nightshade, thistles, ground-ivy (creeping Charlie) and burdock. In strawberries, sheep sorrel, toadflax and milkweed also present problems.

Systemic herbicides such as glyphosate (eg. Roundup) or amitrole (eg. Amitrol 240) should be applied to perennial weeds in the preplanting year. Consult the product label and be sure to use the recommended rate for the weed in question. Apply the herbicide at the proper stage of growth of the weed, otherwise only temporary control will be achieved. Repeated cultivations of some perennial weeds such as bindweed will also provide control.

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Site Preparation

A green manure crop such as perennial ryegrass or Sudan grass should be established in the preplanting year following or in conjunction with measures to control perennial weeds. This crop will provide competition to reduce weed growth as well as improving the soil structure. Non-selective herbicides can be applied before planting the green manure crop and before plowing it under. Short residual selective herbicides such as 2,4-D may be used with the green manure crop, but avoid using herbicides that leave a soil residue that will carry over into the planting year.

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Mulching

For bramble and bush fruit, a biodegradable plastic mulch could be used for weed control in the planting strip. Straw mulch will also assist in weed control beneath the plants or in the planting strip if it is applied early in the season before the weed seeds germinate. Use mulch that is free of weed seeds and ensure that enough nitrogen is provided for the plants. The mulch should be pulled away from around the plants for winter rodent protection.

For strawberries, use of straw mulch before weeds germinate can help control weeds. Some growers are trying plasticulture as a way to improve weed control.

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Reducing Weed Pressure

Cultivation can provide weed control between the rows. In bramble and bush fruit, a vigorous sod between the rows will prevent weeds from becoming established. It is better to seed in a fescue sod than to rely on a natural sod composed of weed and grass species, since the weeds will seed into the herbicide strip.

Prevent weeds from setting seed in adjacent uncropped areas by using cultural or chemical weed control measures. Mowing at regular intervals will prevent many weeds from flowering. Try to control weeds which escape before they set seed, by cultural removal or chemical mowing. In some situations, tools such as a weed whip may be of use. Mowers are available which will cut close to the plants without injury. Mowing, however, will not eliminate weed competition.

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Rotating Herbicide Families

(See Table 4-5, Herbicide Groupings in Ontario)

In perennial crops, rotation of herbicide families is important to minimize the building up of seed from weed escapes, including triazine tolerant weeds. Rotation will also help avoid an accumulation of herbicide residues in the soil that may result in crop injury over a period of years and may hinder replanting.

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