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Funded Project

Funding Program: Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM)

Project Title: Use of brassicaceae cover crops and other integrated weed management strategies for control of nutsedge species in high-risk crops

Project Directors (PDs): Jason K. Norsworthy [1] David W. Monks [2]

Lead State: SC Lead Organization: Clemson University

Extension Funding: $22,092

Research Funding: $122,908

Start Date: Aug-01-2005 End Date: Jul-31-2008

Pests Involved: nutsedge

Site/Commodity: tomato and bell pepper

Area of Emphasis: cover crops

Summary: This research project focuses on using Brassicaceae cover crops and other integrated weed management strategies along with reduced-risk herbicides for management of purple and yellow nutsedge in plasticulture tomato and bell pepper. Tomato and bell pepper are the two most valuable vegetable commodities in the Southeast, with a combined annual value over $860 million. Continual, extensive use of soil fumigants in these and other vegetables makes most existing weed management practices non-sustainable and alternative control measures are needed with the impending loss of methyl bromide. Weed management strategies must be comprised of multiple approaches that strive to minimize weed emergence and interference if weeds are to be effectively managed using reduced-risk herbicides and other environmentally sound tactics. Brassicaceae (mustard family) plants produce allelochemicals (isothiocyanates, ITCs) effective in suppressing many weeds, which offers vegetable producers potential to reduce rates of synthetic herbicides. In preliminary greenhouse trials, rhizome growth from yellow nutsedge tubers was diminished in Brassicaceae-amended soil, which reduced the competitiveness and ability of yellow nutsedge to procreate. Additionally, tomato and bell pepper transplants are not deleteriously affected in Brassicaceae-amended soil when transplanted 1 wk after incorporating Brassicaceae residues. Based on these data, we hypothesize that under field conditions Brassicaceae-amended soil will reduce the detrimental interfering effects of purple and yellow nutsedge in plasticulture tomato and bell pepper without deleteriously affecting growth and development of either crop, lessening the need for herbicides and/or soil fumigants. Specific objectives of this project are to 1) quantify yellow nutsedge fecundity and interference with plasticulture tomato and bell pepper in Brassicaceae-amended soil using additive competition field experiments, 2) assess weed management programs in plasticulture tomato and bell pepper that utilize Brassiceace cover crops in combination with reduced herbicide rates, 3) evaluate the effectiveness of multi-facet, cultural strategies on residual purple nutsedge control and its effect on bell pepper fruit yield, and 4) disseminate the use of Brassicaceae cover crops and other integrated weed management strategies to vegetable producers and other clientele. This research will provide an effective, alternative means of managing purple and yellow nutsedge in plasticulture vegetables and will be instrumental in the development of integrated pest management strategies. Objectives: 1. Quantify yellow nutsedge fecundity and interference with plasticulture tomato and bell pepper in Brassicaceae-amended soil using additive competition field experiments. 2. Assess weed management programs in plasticulture tomato and bell pepper that utilize Brassiceace cover crops in combination with reduced herbicide rates. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of multi-facet, cultural strategies on residual purple nutsedge control and its effect on bell pepper fruit yield. 4. Outreach - Disseminate the use of Brassicaceae cover crops and other integrated weed management strategies to vegetable producers and other clientele.

Final Report:

Results From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system PROGRESS: 2005/08 TO 2007/12 Research terminated due to resignation of principal investigator. IMPACT: 2005/08 TO 2007/12 Research terminated due to resignation of principal investigator. PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2005/08 TO 2007/12 No publications reported this period

Outcomes N/A

Impacts From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system Research terminated due to resignation of principal investigator

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