The control of annual weeds in young and mature orchards by means of terbutryne and terbutryne/simazine mixtures.
Arenstein Z.
Author Affiliation: Agan Chemical Manufacturers Ltd., Agric. Dep., P.O.B. 262, Ashdod, Israel.
Proceedings 1980 British Crop Protection Conference - Weeds. : 159-163
Abstract : Chemical weed control in young orchards is problematic due to the sensitivity of the trees to the chemicals. In general, the standard recommended products when used at the rates recommended for mature orchards cause damage to the young trees. Under Israeli conditions even mature stone fruit trees are sensitive to simazine and diuron. Terbutryne as 50% w.p. is today recommended for use in young orchards and stone fruit orchards of all ages for the control of annual weeds. The disadvantage to this treatment is that the biological activity is of a very short duration (8-10 weeks). In the past two years the possibility was investigated of mixing terbutryne with simazine (at 2 kg + 0.75 kg/ha). The trials were conducted on various soil types in avocado, mango, olive, persimmon, vine and apple orchards from the time of planting, and in stone fruit orchards of all ages. From these trials and from semi-commercial applications the terbutryne/simazine mixture was found non-phytotoxic, effectively preventing the germination of annual weeds and effectively controlling existing annual weeds up to a height of 10 cm. The mixture prevents the germination of a wide spectrum of weeds for an extended period of time. From summary