Post-emergence herbicides are cost effective for vineyard floor management on the Central Coast

Tourte, L; Smith, R; Bettiga, L; Bensen, T; Smith, J; Salm, D

Post-emergence herbicides are cost effective for vineyard floor management on the Central Coast

Authors

Laura Tourte
Richard Smith
Larry Bettiga
Tiffany Bensen
Jason Smith
Daryl Salm

Authors Affiliations

L. Tourte, R. Smith and L. Bettiga are Farm Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Santa Cruz, Monterey and san Benito counties; T. Bensen is former Staff Research Associate, UCCE Monterey County; J. Smith and D. Salm are growers and managers, Valley Farm Management, Soledad, Calif.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 62(1):19-23. DOI:10.3733/ca.v062n01p19. January 2008.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Central Coast growers are under increasing scrutiny and regulatory pressure to manage herbicide use because of their farmland's proximity to the Monterey Bay and National Marine Sanctuary. Vineyard floor management practices typically consist of a combination of weed control strategies, including herbicide use and cover crops. We evaluated nine combinations of vineyard floor management practices for their impacts on fruit yield, quality and costs. We found that compared to the grower standard, post-emergence herbicide treatments generally used smaller amounts of chemicals and were less costly, with similar yields and quality.

References

Baumgartner K, Smith R, Bettiga L. Weed control practices and cover crop management affect mycorrhizal colonization of grapevine roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore populations in a California vineyard. Mycorrhiza. 2005. 15:111-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-004-0309-2 PubMed PMID: 15133724

Bettiga L, Smith R, Cahn M, Tourte L. Evaluation of the long-term impact of vineyard floor management practices on crop production and quality, weed control, soil and water parameters, and the economics of wine grape production. Viticulture Consortium Final Research Report. UCCE Monterey County 2006. 44.

Bosch DJ, Pease JW. Economic risk and water quality protection in agriculture. Rev Agri Econ. 2000. 22(2):438-63. https://doi.org/10.1111/1058-7195.00032

Christensen P. Modified sod cover cropping in vineyards. Blue Anchor. 1971. 48(3):20-22.

Costello MJ, Daane KM. Cover crops affect vine growth and vineyard microclimate. Grape Grower. 1997. 29(8):22-25.

Elmore CL, Roncoroni R, Wade L, Verdegaal P. Mulch plus herbicides effectively control vineyard weeds. Cal Ag. 1997. 51(2):14-18.

Gaffney FB, Van der Grinten M., Hargrove WI. Permanent cover crop for vineyards. In:. Cover Crops for Clean Water. 1991. Ankeny, IA.: Soil and Water Conservation Society. 32.

Haar MJ, Fennimore SA. Evaluation of integrated practices for common purslane (Portulaca olera-cea) management in lettuce. Weed Tech. 2003. 17:229-33. https://doi.org/10.1614/0890-037X(2003)017[0229:EOIPFC]2.0.CO;2

Hembree KJ, Ingels CA, Lanini WT. Weed management. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines 2006. www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302700111.html.

Hirschfelt D, Peacock W, Christensen P, Bianchi M. Vineyard floor management, nitrogen uptake. Grape Grower. 1993. 25(8):18-20.

Ingels CA, Bugg RL, McGourty GT, Christensen LP. Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. 1998. 162. ANR Pub 3338.

Lanini T, Bendixen W., Flaherty DL, Christensen LP, Lanini WT, et al. Characteristics of important vineyard weeds. In:. Grape Pest Management 1992. 2nd ed.412. ANR Pub 3343.

Olson KD, Eidman VR. A farmer's choice of weed control method and the impacts of policy and risk. Rev Agri Econ. 1992. 14(1):125-137. https://doi.org/10.2307/1349613

Wiles LJ. Economics of weed management: Principles and practices. Weed Tech. 2004. 18:1403-7.

Also in this issue:

Ecology and Management of Mindarus kinseyi Voegtlin (Aphidoidea: Mindaridae) on White-Fir Seedlings at a California Forest Nursery

UC know-how can boost California wine economy

Service grants allow 4H-ers to build healthier communities

Oiled birds cleaned up and sent home; research studies launched

UC Cooperative Extension helps people cope with Southern California wildfires

Trained ovines chomp on weeds, avoid vines

Mapping shows continued vineyard expansion in premium wine-growing areas

California wine industry evolving to compete in 21st century

Minimum tillage could benefit California rice farmers

Postharvest survival of navel orangeworm assessed in pistachios

Bait formulations and longevity of navel orangeworm egg traps tested

Public work projects cultivate youth in workforce development programs