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Selecting Herbicides
Before selecting an herbicide, the fruit grower should consider the available weed-control alternatives. The weed should be identified and its growth habit--annual, biennial, or perennial--should be determined. Additional consideration should be given to the location of the weeds and the intended use of the area after the weeds are removed. In a noncrop area, a certain herbicide might be very practical and effective, but in a crop area, that same material might not be suitable for controlling the same weed species. The potential problem of drift, or contamination of adjacent plants, is always present when using herbicides in small areas. In addition, contamination of adjacent properties might also result in legal problems for the applicator.
The formulation of the herbicide also should be considered in relation to the crop and area being treated and the type of equipment available. Herbicides come in different forms and are prepared for the following:
- Mixing with a liquid carrier--usually water--and applying with a sprayer. These herbicides include wettable powders, water-soluble liquids, emulsifiable concentrates, and water-dispersible liquids.
- Distribution with mechanical spreaders or by hand. These herbicides include granules or pellets that are applied dry.
- Injecting into the soil for vaporization or fumigation. These include liquids, liquefied gases, and granules. They usually require specialized equipment available only to individuals who have a commercial pesticide applicators license.
The area to be treated, the crops, the type of weeds, and the availability of application equipment all affect the selection of a suitable herbicide.
In light of changing government regulations concerning pesticide use, it is very difficult to make specific recommendations about the control of weeds on an individual's property. Far too many variables exist within a given property, not to mention among different properties, to safely recommend herbicides with a safety range wide enough to meet an individual's needs. In addition, each type of fruit varies in its tolerance to a specific herbicide, further compounding the difficulty of selecting the optimum material for a given situation. Even with today's restrictions and limitations on pesticide use, the interested individual can take several routes to obtain assistance in selecting suitable weed control. Once you have studied the site conditions and determined your needs, you will be able to select an herbicide that satisfies those needs without exceeding the limitations of the site or crop.