TITLE:
Reduced Rates of Metribuzin and Time of Hilling Controlled Weeds in Potato
AUTHORS:
Walaa Siblani, Mustapha A. Haidar
KEYWORDS:
Potato, Metribuzin, Hilling, Weed Control
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.12,
November
28,
2017
ABSTRACT: The current emphasis on reducing herbicide applications
has led to an increase in alternative weed control measures. Field experiment
was conducted in the spring of 2014 to examine the effect of hilling-time and
reduced-rates of metribuzin and their combinations on weed infestation in
potato, and to determine their impact on potato yield. Metribuzin at 0.35, 0.56,
or 0.75 kg ai/ha
with or without hilling 6, 7, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) were used. Weed
count, weed control visual rating, weed dry weight, potato plant height, number
of shoots and leaves, root dry weight, and potato yield were collected. Results
showed that metribuzin, at all tested rates, with or without hilling
significantly reduced weed infestation after 50, 70, and 110 days after
planting (DAP) compared to the check. Best results were obtained by a
combination of metribuzin at all tested rates with hilling 6, 7, and 8 WAP. The
results suggest that long season weed control and high marketable yield could
be achieved by metribuzin at 0.35 kg ai/ha (53% reduction in metribuzin) supplemented with hilling (6 WAP).
None of the treatments was toxic to potato plants compared to the hand-weeded
plots.