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light soils, 2-1/2 pcxinds per acre on light soils, 3 pounds per acre on mediuni 

 soils, and 4 pounds per acre on heavy soils. For small areas, one level teaspoon- 

 ful for 150 square feet equals one pound per acre. 



Since newly set strawberry plants are sensitive to Sesone, it is safest to 

 wait two to three weeks after planting before making the first application. 

 Applications made while runner plants are rooting may cause temporary injury and 

 delay in the rooting process. When Sesone is used during the bearing year, avoid 

 undesirable residue by not making applications later than one week before picking 

 begins. 



2,A-D was one of the first of the modern weed killers used on strawberries 

 and looked very promising for a time. However, it was soon found that it could 

 seriously upset runner gro\7th if applied during the period of runner development. 

 Furthermore, if it is applied during fruit bud formation or at any time V7hen 

 there are flov;crs or fruit on the plants, the result is small misshapen berries. 

 Therefore, the periods when 2,4-D can be used are quite restricted. Probably its 

 greatest usefulness is in assisting to clean up the bed after the first crop 

 where the bed is to be renovated and a second crop produced. The recommended 

 rate is 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of actual 2,4-D acid equivalent per acre. 



Chloro-IPC (CIPC) is useful for the control of fall and v/inter vjeeds, par- 

 ticularly chiclaveed. This is a material which can be extremely helpful if used 

 properly but can do serious harm if not used according to directions. First, it 

 should never be used until the strawberry plants have become dormant. This is 

 usually the middle of November or later. Second, it should never be used in 

 excess of recommended rates. Although it has been cleared for use at rates up to 

 3 pounds per acre, it is felt that under Massachusetts conditions 1 pound per 

 acre is much safer. 



Although chloro-IPG can be applied in the early spring before growth starts, 

 it is not nearly so effective applied at this time. As the soil warms up the 

 chemical breaks do\m and has less time in which to kill weeds. 



There are several of the dinitros which have been cleared and can be used 

 for the control of fall and winter weeds in strawberries but in Massachusetts 

 these are generally less effective than Chloro-IPC. These materials are not 

 selective and act by killing the tops of plants. Because of this "burning" action, 

 they are much more effective on warm sunny days than on cold days. Like CIPC, 

 they must be applied after the strav/berries become dormant. Since warm, sunny 

 days are not plentiful after mid-Movember, the usefulness of these materials is 

 limited. Since there are several formulations of these materials, it is wise to 

 follo\7 very closely the manufacturer's directions as to rate of application, 



Dacthal is the most recent material to be cleared for weed control in straw- 

 berries. Like Sesone, it appears to be more effective when applied to a weed 

 free soil. In Ohio satisfactory results followed four applications made in a 

 single season at rates of 4 to 6 pounds active ingredient per acre. Summer 

 applications have some carry-over effect into the fall for controlling chickweed 

 and other fall weeds. Late October or early November applications were found to 

 be very effective in controlling fall and winter weeds. Dacthal is suggested for 

 trial until more is known about it under our conditions. 



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