WEED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN POTATO AND ONION PRODUCTION IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Weed Management
If you grow potatoes or onions and yellow nutsedge keeps muscling in, these field-tested herbicide combinations show you can knock it back over 90% without harming your crop—and that your soil and local climate may matter more to your harvest than which weed killer you use.
Yellow nutsedge is a tough, fast-spreading weed that competes aggressively with vegetables like potatoes and onions. Scientists tested several combinations of weed killers applied before and after the weed sprouted, and found the right mixes can wipe out more than 90% of the nutsedge without hurting the crops. Interestingly, Oregon plots produced significantly more potatoes than Washington plots even with similar weed control, pointing to soil and weather as the bigger players in yield.
Key Findings
Multi-herbicide programs combining EPTC, S-metolachlor, metribuzin, and rimsulfuron achieved 93–96% season-long control of yellow nutsedge across both trial sites.
Crop injury was negligible (0–0.5% in Washington, none in Oregon), and no yield loss was detected at either location.
Marketable potato yield was notably higher in Oregon (58.5 t/ha) than Washington (47.5 t/ha) despite comparable weed control, suggesting soil and climate outweigh herbicide effects on productivity.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers in Washington and Oregon tested herbicide combinations to control yellow nutsedge—a stubborn weed—in potato and onion fields, finding that certain multi-herbicide programs suppressed the weed over 90% all season with minimal crop damage and no yield loss.
Abstract Preview
Integrated weed management (IWM) strategies are essential for maximizing crop productivity while minimizing herbicide-induced crop injury. The study evaluated the efficacy and crop safety of herbic...
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