Efficacy and Crop Safety of Soil Herbicides in the Fruit Nursery

Abstract

The research was conducted in the fruit nursery of the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology (RBIP) Holovousy, Czech Republic in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The efficacy and potential phytotoxic effect of soil herbicides were assessed in spring‑planted and summer‑budded rootstocks M9, MA, Gisela 5 and St. Julien A in seven treatments with the following herbicides: linuron, metazachlor, metamitron, chlorotoluron, dimethenamid‑P, pendimethalin, and combination of pendimethalin and dimethenamid‑P in one product. The effects of the surfactant and simulated rainfall in combination with the pendimethalin + dimethenamid‑P treatment were also assessed. Herbicides were applied twice a season, i.e. in spring after planting and in autumn to control weeds emerging during the season. The efficacy of the herbicide combining both pendimethalin and dimethenamid‑P was the highest in all three seasons. Metazachlor, pendimethalin and dimethenamid‑P provided satisfactory efficacy with adequate soil moisture. Pre‑emergent efficacy of metamitron, linuron and chlorotoluron was not satisfactory, especially in dryer conditions. The synergistic effect of the surfactant and rainfall on the efficacy of pendimethalin in combination with dimethenamid‑P was proved in the dry year only. None of the tested herbicides had a negative effect either on the growth and health status of planted rootstocks or subsequently on budded plants in the following year.