-5- 



The usefulness of 2,4-D in the strawberry field is strictly limited. It can 

 cause severe injury when runner or fruit buds are forming or when blossoms or 

 fruit are on the plants. Therefore, little time is left when 2,4-D can be used 

 safely. The best and safest use is In connection with bed renovation, right 

 after the crop is off and fruit buds have not yet started to form. At 1/2 - 1 

 pound per acre it can aid in controlling broad leaved weeds. 



In Massachusetts for the past two falls no material has been recommended for 

 the control of winter weeds. The recommendation to use Chloro IPC was discontinued 

 because of severe injury following its use in several states including three cases 

 of injury in Massachusetts following applications made in the fall of 1957. It 

 is now pretty well agreed that the injury was caused by too heavy applications. 

 Chloro IPC is a powerful growth inhibitor which interferes with cell division. 

 To use it in excess of one pound per acre is courting trouble. One pound per 

 acre means one pound of actual Chloro IPC distributed evenly over 43,560 square 

 feet. Some growers have had trouble because they sprayed over the strawberry 

 rows and not between them, thus unwittingly doubling the rate of application. 

 Others have had trouble following spot spraying where there is no control over 

 rate. Chloro IPC is formulated so that there are 4 poundsactual per gallon. One 

 quart in 20-40 gallons of water evenly distributed over an actual acre will give 

 good chickweed control and there should be no injury to the strawberries. Another 

 important point in avoiding injury is to be sure the plants are dormant. 



In New Jersey and further south growers are using a combination of one pound 

 of Chloro IPC and 2 pounds of Sesone applied in late fall or early winter to 

 control chickweed and other winter weeds. The Sesone controls some weeds which 

 are not sensitive to Chloro IPC. 



Another possibility for winter weed control is one of the dinitros (such as 

 Premerge or Sinox P. E.) used at the rate of one pound in 20-40 gallons of water 

 per acre. These chemicals kill by contact. Their effectiveness depends on 

 thorough coverage. They are much more active at high temperatures on sunny days 

 but may injure the strawberries unless the plants are fully dormant. 



Small chickweeds 2-4 inchiis tall are much more susceptible to DN's than larger 

 plants. If the chickweed is matted, only the top layer will be killed. 



Some soil fumigants, such as methyl bromide and VPM or Vapam, are effective 

 weed control agents but because of high cost, difficulty of application or both 

 have been used very little in strawberry fields. 



Blueberries 



The dinitros at 2-4 pounds per acre can be used around cultivated blue- 

 berries but care must be used not to spray the young tender shoots starting from 

 the base. DN's should be used while weeds are small. They will kill only the 

 weeds present. There is no residual effect. 



Diuron at 2 pounds per acre applied once in early spring will keep most weeds, 

 except deep rooted perennials and a few annuals such as plantain, out all season. 

 Use only on plants which have been two or more years in the field. 



Raspberries 



A dinitro at 2-4 pounds per acre in 20-40 gals, of water can be used as a 

 directed spray. Care should be exercised to keep the spray off young shoots. 



