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Influence of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) on the Critical Period for Weed Control in Plasticulture-Grown Tomato

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Paul V. Garvey Jr.
Affiliation:
Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
Stephen L. Meyers*
Affiliation:
Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
David W. Monks
Affiliation:
Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
Harold D. Coble
Affiliation:
Office of Pest Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC 27606
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: slmeyers@ncsu.edu

Abstract

Field studies were conducted in 1996, 1997, and 1998 at Clinton, NC, to determine the influence of Palmer amaranth establishment and removal periods on the yield and quality of plasticulture-grown ‘Mountain Spring' fresh market tomato. Treatments consisted of 14 Palmer amaranth establishment and removal periods. Half of the treatments were weed removal treatments (REM), in which Palmer amaranth was sowed at the time tomato transplanting and allowed to remain in the field for 0 (weed-free all season), 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 wk after transplanting (WAT). The second set of the treatments, weed establishment treatments (EST), consisted of sowing Palmer amaranth 0 (weedy all season), 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 WAT and allowing it to grow in competition with tomato the remainder of the season. Tomato shoot dry weight was reduced 23, 7, and 11 g plant−1 for each week Palmer amaranth removal was delayed from 0 to 10 WAT in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Marketable tomato yield ranged from 87,000 to 41,000 kg ha−1 for REM of 0 to 10 WAT and 28,000 to 88,000 kg ha−1 for EST of 0 to 6 WAT. Percentage of jumbo, large, medium, and cull tomato yields ranged from 49 to 33%, 22 to 31%, 2 to 6%, and 9 to 11%, respectively, for REM of 0 to 10 WAT and 30 to 49%, 38 to 22%, 3 to 2%, and 12 to 9%, respectively, for EST of 0 to 6 WAT. To avoid losses of marketable tomato yield and percentage of jumbo tomato fruit yield, tomato plots must remain free of Palmer amaranth between 3 and 6 WAT. Observed reduction in marketable tomato yield was likely due to competition for light as Palmer amaranth plants exceeded the tomato plant canopy 6 WAT and remained taller than tomato plants for the remainder of the growing season.

En 1996, 1997 y 1998, se realizaron estudios de campo en Clinton, North Carolina, para determinar la influencia del establecimiento y momento de remoción de Amaranthus palmeri en el rendimiento y la calidad del tomate para el mercado fresco 'Mountain Spring' producido con cobertura plástica. Los tratamientos consistieron en 14 períodos de establecimiento y remoción de A. palmeri. La mitad de los tratamientos fueron de remoción de la maleza (REM), en los cuales se sembró A. palmeri al momento del trasplante del tomate y se mantuvo en el campo por 0 (libre de malezas a lo largo de toda la temporada), 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 ó 10 semanas después del trasplante (WAT). El segundo grupo de tratamientos, establecimiento de la maleza (EST), consistió en la siembra de A. palmeri a 0 (enmalezado durante toda la temporada), 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 ó 10 WAT y permitiéndole crecer en competencia con el tomate durante el resto de la temporada. El peso seco de la parte aérea del tomate se redujo 23, 7 y 11 g planta−1 por cada semana que se retrasó la remoción de A. palmeri desde 0 a 10 WAT en 1996, 1997 y 1998, respectivamente. El rendimiento de tomate comercializable varió entre 87,000 a 41,000 kg ha−1 para REM de 0 a 10 WAT y 28,000 a 88,000 kg ha−1 para EST de 0 a 6 WAT. El porcentaje del rendimiento de tomates “jumbo”, grande, mediano y de rechazo varió de 49 a 33%, 22 a 31%, 2 a 6% y 9 a 11%, respectivamente para REM de 0 a 10 WAT y 30 a 49%, 38 a 22%, 3 a 2% y 12 a 9%, respectivamente para EST de 0 a 6 WAT. Para evitar pérdidas de rendimiento de tomate comercializable y de porcentaje de rendimiento de fruta jumbo, las parcelas de tomate deben permanecer libres de A. palmeri entre 3 y 6 WAT. Las reducciones en el rendimiento de tomate comercializable se debieron probablemente a la competencia por luz, ya que las plantas de A. palmeri sobrepasaron el dosel de las plantas de tomate a 6 WAT y se mantuvieron más altas que las plantas de tomate por el resto de la temporada de crecimiento.

Type
Weed Biology and Competition
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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