Compatibility of Chemical and Mechanical Weed Control Methods

Abstract

Herbicides were applied postplant to field grown peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsatum L.) in association with various cultivation devices. Rotary cultivations were compatible with single or multiple chemical treatments applied to soil. For eight preemergence herbicides commonly used on a nonincorporated basis, use of the multiple-application multiple-rotarycultivation technique, in comparison to the common method of use, increased the early-season weed control rating from 3.4 to 4.5 (scale 1.0 = no control, 5.0 = perfect), reduced weeds from 209 to 37 plants/50 sq ft, increased length of control from 36 to 50 days, and reduced the manual hoe time requirement from 24 to 10 hr/A. Incorporation of single or multiple chemical treatments decreased crop safety for some herbicides especially where cotton was the crop. The power driven rotary cultivator was superior to the standard sweep-equipped cultivator and the weeder for use in conjunction with multiple chemical applications. Herbicidal applications incorporated with the rotary cultivator at 0, 7, and 14; 7, 14, and 21; or 0, 14, and 28 days after planting provided equal weed control.