Weed Control in Direct-Seeded Tomato,Lycopersicon esculentum, for Transplants

Abstract

Herbicides were evaluated alone, in combinations, or as sequential treatments on direct-seeded tomato each year from 1982 through 1984. Diphenamid at 4.5 kg ai/ha or napropamide at 1.1 to 2.2 kg ai/ha alone are registered but frequently do not control weeds adequately, particularly when yellow nutsedge and/or Florida pusley is common. Combinations or sequential treatments are necessary to overcome these weed problems in cropping systems. Metolachlor at 0.8 to 3.4 kg ai/ha injured direct-seeded tomato in proportion to the rate applied. Pendimethalin at 0.6 kg ai/ha also injured tomatoes. Fluazifop at 0.3 to 0.6 kg ae/ha and sethoxydim at 0.2 to 0.5 kg ai/ha effectively controlled annual grasses without injuring tomato seedlings. These herbicides would reduce competition and would increase harvesting efficiency where grass weeds are a problem.