Reduced rates of herbicides following hilling controlled weeds in conventional and reduced tillage potato (Solanum tuberosum) production

Time of billing (4.5, or 6 weeks after planting; WAP) and 0.5x, 1x, and split (0.5x + 0.5x) rates of metolachlor + metribuzin were evaluated in conventional tillage (CT) and rye-stubble, reduced tillage (RT) potato plots. Weed populations 4 to 10 WAP were generally higher in CT than in RT. Weed control was excellent in both tillage systems when 1x rates of metolachlor + metribuzin were applied delayed preemergence, or in a split application where 0.5x was applied delayed PRE and hilled 6 WAP, and followed with a second application of 0.5x metolachlor + metribuzin 7 days after billing (DAH). Weed control with 0.5x rates of metolachlor + metribuzin applied 7 DAH, when hilled 4 and 5 WAP, was equivalent to the 1x and split-rate treatments. Weed control was reduced only when billing was delayed to 6 WAP and 0.5x of metolachlor + metribuzin applied 7 DAH. Total yields were not influenced by tillage, hilling, or herbicide treatment, however, larger numbers of green and small-sized tubers reduced marketable yields in RT.

Reduced rates of herbicides following hilling controlled weeds in conventional and reduced tillage potato (Solanum tuberosum) production Academic Article