Year 



Avg. % Ca 



1962 

 1963 

 1964 

 1965 

 1969 

 1971 

 1972 



90 

 98 

 97 

 96 

 95 

 76 

 80 



Range in % Ca 



In the last several years, it has been shown that this "neg- 

 lected" element is very essential in apple trees. It is now believed 

 that the leaf Ca should be 1.25 - 1.50% or higher in apple trees. 

 Therefore, it is obvious that Massachusetts apple growers are faced 

 with the problem of increasing Ca content of their apple trees. 

 Unfortunately, at the present time, there is no quick and sure rem- 

 edy for correcting low Ca levels. 



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



CONTROLLING WEEDS IN STRAWBERRIES 



Dominic A. Marini 

 Regional Fruit & Vegetable Specialist 



Weed control is one of the major problems in producing straw- 

 berries. Weed killers can help to control weeds but cannot be 

 expected to eliminate all cultivation, since a loose, open soil 

 is necessary for runners to take root. 



Chemical weed control is a useful tool, and like any tool, 

 must be used properly for best results. Application equipment 

 must be calibrated and in good working order so as to apply the 

 proper amount of material uniformly. The soil surface should be 

 smooth and free of clods. Chemicals used for pre-emergence weed 

 control must be applied to clean, weed-free, moist soil followed 

 by 1/2 to 1 inch of moisture within 3 or 4 days for best results. 

 Weed population influences choice of material, since each controls 

 some weeds and not others. 



In Massachusetts, there are three materials suggested for 

 weed control in strawberries in 1973. They are Dacthal* and 

 diphenamid (Dymid*or Enide*) for pre-emergence use, and Tenoran*, 

 which may be applied either pre-emergence or early post-emergence. 



Dacthal* is the most versatile in that it may be applied im- 

 mediately after planting and there is no limitation on the number 

 of times that it can be applied, except that it may not be used 

 during bloom and harvest. It is effective for about 4 to 6 weeks 

 providing good control of crabgrass and other annual grasses, 

 chickweed, purslane and 1 ambsquarters . It does not control gal- 



*Trade Name 



