Weed Management Strategies in Potato and Onion Production in the Pacific Northwest
Year: 2027
Type: article
Abstract: Integrated weed management (IWM) strategies are essential for maximizing crop productivity while minimizing herbicide-induced crop injury. The study evaluated the efficacy and crop safety of herbicide programs targeting yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) production systems in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). In a field trial conducted in Pasco, WA, and Ontario, OR, preemergence (PRE)-only and PRE fb postemergence (POST) programs combining EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate), S-metolachlor, metribuzin, and rimsulfuron consistently controlled yellow nutsedge over 90% season-long with control levels of 93% in WA and 96% in OR. Crop injury was minimal (0 to 0.5% in WA), and no injury was detected in OR; and in both locations, injury did not reduce yield. Despite comparable levels of weed control, marketable tuber yield was higher in OR (58.5 t/ha) than in WA (47.5 t/ha), suggesting that environmental factors such as soil properties and climate may have had a greater influence on tuber production than herbicide effects.
Source: Washington State University
DOI: 10.7273/000008292
Author: Velasco Vargas, Diana Lorena
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7165559875