Recent investigations have shown that a combination of 2 herbicides 

 frequently provide more effective weed control than either material 

 used alone. In some cases the effect is additive, resulting in a wider 

 range of weeds controlled; in other cases the combination controls cer- 

 tain hard-to-kill weeds not controlled by either material alone. 



In one 1966 field trial, the combination of diphenamid and sesone 

 (SES) gave the best results of 5 different treatments. Both materials 

 were applied together in the same spray, diphenamid at the rate of 3 

 pounds of the 80 percent product per acre and sesone at 3 pounds per 

 acre. In another trial, the combination of diphenamid and dacthal, each 

 at 1/2 the recommended rate, gave the best results of 5 treatments. 

 The combination of dacthal at the rate of 8 pounds per acre and sesone 

 at H- pounds per acre gave better control than dacthal alone. 



On the basis of recent experience, it appears that the best choice 

 for controlling weeds in strawberries at the present time is a combina- 

 tion of diphenamid with sesone or dacthal. The use of diphenamid is 

 limited in that it may not be used within 12 months of harvest. The 

 weed population on your fa^-m would also have a bearing on your choice 

 of herbicide. A little experimenting with th'^^se nombinations on your 

 farm is advisable, to see which performs best for you under your condi- 

 tions. 



*************** 



RANDOM THOUGHTS ON CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN ORCHARDS 



William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



Chemical weed control is rapidly becoming a standard practice as 

 a means of eliminating hand mowing and as an aid in the mouse control 

 program. At present, most growers use a hand gun to apply herbicide 

 sprays to a limited area around the base of each tree. However, a more 

 reliable control of gallonage is obtained and at a lower cost of appli- 

 cation if a tractor -mounted spray boom is used instead of a hand gun. 



Effect on Tree Growth 



Whether or not growth of young fruit trees would be improved by 

 chemical weed control would depend upon existing cultural practices, 

 growing conditions and perhaps by the nutritional status of the tree. 

 Under good growing conditions, it is doubtful that chemical weed con- 

 trol would be superior to hay mulch for enhancing apple tree growth, or 

 superior to mulch or cultivation in promoting peach tree growth. How- 

 ever, when young trees are growing in a well-established sod and rain- 

 fall is inadequate for optimum growth, chemical weed control may benefit 

 growth. 



