Four weed management systems compared: Mulch plus herbicides effectively control vineyard weeds

Mulches have been used for many years to control weeds by smothering the weed seedlings. A 2-year study in a Lodi grape vineyard compared the weed-control effectiveness of herbicides, cultivation, cover crop biomass and wood-chip mulch and the cost of these practices. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Clyde Elmore, John Roncoroni, Layne Wade, Paul Verdegaal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 1997-03-01
Series:California Agriculture
Online Access:http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v051n02p14
Description
Summary:Mulches have been used for many years to control weeds by smothering the weed seedlings. A 2-year study in a Lodi grape vineyard compared the weed-control effectiveness of herbicides, cultivation, cover crop biomass and wood-chip mulch and the cost of these practices. The most effective and least expensive treatment over the 2 years was the use of preemergence herbicides and a post-emergence herbicide as needed. Growing cover crops, chopping the biomass and placing it into the vine row was very effective the second year, when more biomass was produced and weeds were controlled prior to mulch placement. The mulch was persistent in the field and should give long-term weed-control benefits, which were not evaluated in this study.
ISSN:0008-0845
2160-8091