Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries - Evaluation of Fall Herbicide Application for Lambkill and Rhodora Control in Wild Blueberries Followed by Fall or Spring Pruning

Partner: Bleuets NB Blueberries

Abstract: Lambkill (Kalmia angustifolia L.) and rhodora (Rhododendron canadense L.) continue to be significant weed issues within new wild blueberry development. in the fall of 2007, a trial was established in a newly developed wild blueberry field in the Lavillette region of North–eastern New Brunswick. The trial design was a split plot with the main plots represented by pruning timing (either fall pruning or spring pruning) and the sub–plots being the herbicide applied in the fall. No difference was noted between fall and spring mowing as examined in this trial. Imazethapyr, aminopyralid plus 2,4–D ester and triclopyr plus 2,4–D ester caused significant crop injury and would not be acceptable for this use pattern. Dicamba alone or with 2,4–D ester remains the best choice for rhodora control. Dicamba/2,4–D ester or glyphosate had the highest control levels for lambkill.