Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS
It is best for citrus growers to implement a proactive approach to weed management. Being reactive puts producers behind the eight ball with regards to controlling certain weeds in their groves.
That’s why Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), is preaching the importance of pre-emergent herbicides. They will help prevent a weed outbreak in citrus groves by stopping the weeds from germinating and seeding.
“I would say using a post-emergent herbicide is a temporary solution for a permanent problem. The weeds are there, getting ready to germinate at any time,” Kanissery said. “You need to have some residual materials in the soil to prevent germination.
“Summer is the time you get a lot of weeds. Whether it is in North Florida or South Florida, there’s going to be a lot of weed emergence. That’s a good time that growers can think about pre-emergence to prevent germination. Less germination and less emergence mean less problems in the future.”
Kanissery’s research has determined that growers can be most effective with weed management when applying pre-emergent herbicides at the beginning of summer or mid-summer. Growers have a plethora of options available in their chemical arsenal.
Chateau herbicide is an effective option for growers who have problems with broadleaf weed pressure, said Kanissery. Alion herbicide and Prowl H20 can be used by growers to control broadleaf weeds and grasses, he advised.
“Depending on what weed pressure the grower is expecting, we have several tools in our toolbox,” Kanissery added. “The aim here is to minimize the germination and emergence. Once we cannot see that, we will have less problems in the growing season.”
Learn how to enhance pre-emergent herbicide performance here.
By Clint Thompson