Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture - Evaluation of Spring Applied Herbicides on Strawberry Tolerance and Common Groundsel Control

Abstract: A trial to evaluate both registered and non registered spring applied herbicides in strawberries was established in Belleisle Creek, NB to determine crop tolerance and effectiveness in controlling groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.). Visual ratings on crop injury, crop stand, and weed control were collected in addition to yields. Results indicated that only the post-emergent non-residual treatments of Blazer, and Reflex + Agral 90 caused injury significantly higher than the untreated control during any of the ratings. Injury was observed as a speckling and burning on the leaves, which were emerged at the time of application. Injury was short lived however, as the new leaf growth was unaffected. Strawberry plants were very tolerant to spring applications of Dual, Prowl, Frontier and Devrinol. Although yields varied, differences were not considered significant between treatments. No obvious trends related to crop injury and/or groundsel control were evident when evaluating yields. Only Blazer (77%), and Reflex + Agral 90 (81%) provided groundsel control over 75% by the July 10 rating.

¹Potato and Horticulture Branch, NBDARD, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1