WEED CONTROL IN TOMATOES RESEARCH RESULTS 2011 PREPARED BY DARREN ROBINSON, UNIV. GUELPH, RIDGETOWN CAMPUS FOR THE ONTARIO TOMATO RESEARCH INSTITUTE NOVEMBER 2, 2011
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WEED CONTROL IN TOMATOES (2011) BY: DARREN ROBINSON, RIDGETOWN CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Effect of Hail Damage on Tolerance of Tomato to Herbicides This trial was established to assess tolerance of transplanted tomato to combinations of simulated hail damage and various postemergence herbicides (Pinnacle, Sencor and Prism), to determine whether these cumulative stresses reduce yield more than each stress individually. The combination of hail damage plus Sencor caused more injury, and reduced dry weight and yield more than hail alone, hail plus Pinnacle or hail plus Prism. There is evidence of a cumulative effect of hail damage and a high rate of Sencor (200 g/ac). Tolerance of Processing Tomato Varieties to Pinnacle This trial was established to determine the tolerance of six processing tomato varieties to Pinnacle (thifensulfuron-methyl) applied 28 days after transplanting (DAT) at a rate of 6.4 g/ac. H2401, H1014, H1166, H1170 and H5108 were injured by Pinnacle applied at 6.4 g/ac. The delay in flowering ranged from 0 days in H1013 and H1180 to 17 days in H1166. Despite the injury observed in many varieties, only H1180 had lower red yield in the Pinnacle treatment than in the untreated check. There was higher green yield where Pinnacle had been applied to H2401, H1014, and H1166. Herbicide-Fungicide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato The addition of Kocide, Cabrio or Quadris to Venture L or Poast Ultra did not reduce grass control. Control of crabgrass was reduced when Quadris was added to Excel Super. Despite the loss of grass control, yield was not less in the tank mix treatments, than those treatments where herbicides were applied alone. Herbicide-Insecticide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato This study was established to determine whether Admire or Matador increased injury to tomato or reduced weed control of Excel Super, Venture L, or Poast Ultra. The addition of Admire or Matador to Excel Super, Venture L or Poast Ultra did not reduce grass control. Crop injury and yield were not less than those treatments where herbicides were applied alone. Tolerance of Tomato to Kixor, Sulfentrazone, Valtera and Reflex Kixor, sulfentrazone, Valtera or Reflex were applied PRE to tomatoes to determine tolerance at rates used in soybean. Kixor, sulfentrazone and Valtera caused significant injury, stand mortality and yield loss, while tomato was tolerant to Reflex applied prior to transplanting. Page 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Purpose Of This Report This report is provided as a guide to the 2011 tomato weed control research control plots. The experiments outlined in this booklet are located at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph. We appreciate the funding, cooperation and assistance provided by the Ontario Tomato Research Institute (tomato growers and processing companies). As well, we would like to thank the chemical companies and their representatives, agextension personnel, and other research scientists for their ideas, plant material and herbicide samples that were used in these trials. Funding for the 2011 research program was provided by: Ontario Tomato Research Institute Agchemical Companies Ontario Food Processors Association Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Technical Assistants Research Technician Kristen McNaughton Research Assistants Christy Sikkema Kyle Vink We trust that the information provided by this research will further the science of weed control by assisting with the registration of herbicides through the minor use system. We also hope this information will be of use in the extension of proper herbicide recommendations, thereby enabling growers to achieve consistent, broad spectrum weed control with a minimum of crop damage. D.E. Robinson Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0 (519) 674-1604 drobinso@ridgetownc.uogelph.ca Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS # TRIAL NAME PAGE 1. Effect of Hail Damage on Tolerance of Tomato to Herbicides 4 2. Tolerance of Processing Tomato Varieties to Pinnacle 7 3. Herbicide-Fungicide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato 10 4. Herbicide-Insecticide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato 13 5. Tolerance of Tomato to Preemergence Herbicides 16 Page 3
Trial 1: Effect of Hail Damage on Tolerance of Tomato to Herbicides Objective: Determine the effect of cumulative stress caused by hail damage and a POST application of Pinnacle, Sencor or Prism, with and without an application of Bravo. Materials & Methods: Crop: Tomato Variety: H5108 Planting date: Jun 2/11 Planting rate: 11803 plants/ac Depth: 5 cm Row spacing: 1.5m Plant spacing: 45 cm Design: Randomized Complete Block Design Plot width: 1.5m Plot length: 10m Reps: 4 Field Preparation: Field was worked with an S-tine cultivator and fertilizer was applied at 120 kg N/ha on Jun 1. Applied Dual II Magnum (0.5 L/ac) and Sencor (200 ml/ac) prior to transplanting on Jun 2, to keep the trial area weed free. Soil Description: Sand: 63% OM: 5.5% Texture: V. fine sandy loam Silt: 20% ph: 6.7 Soil: Watford/Brady Clay: 17% CEC 21 Application Information: A APPLICATION DATE JUN 29 TIME OF DAY 7:30PM TIMING POST AIR TEMP (c) 23 RH (%) 78 WIND SPEED (KPH) 3 SOIL TEMP (c) 27 CLOUD COVER (%) 15 CROP STAGE 8-11LF HAIL INJURY WAS SIMULATED ON JUN 18. Spray Equipment: Application Method: CO2 Backpack Pressure: 207 KPA (30 PSI) Nozzle Type: Air Induction Nozzle Size: ULD120-02 Nozzle Spacing: 50 cm (20 ) Boom Width: 1.5 m (60 ) Spray Volume: 200 L/ha (20 GAL/AC) Page 4
Table 1.1. Effect of hail damage, herbicide treatment and fungicide (Bravo) on tomato visual percent caused by hail and herbicide 7 days after application. HAIL HERBICIDE FUNGICIDE? PERCENT INJURY Y/N Y/N HAIL HERBICIDE N UNTREATED N 0D 0E Y UNTREATED N 46BC 0E Y PINNACLE N 40C 3DE Y PINNACLE Y 42BC 5CD Y SENCOR N 54A 26A Y SENCOR Y 48ABC 23AB Y PRISM N 50AB 6CD Y PRISM Y 45BC 2FG N PINNACLE N 0D 9C N PINNACLE Y 0D 9C N SENCOR N 0D 18B N SENCOR Y 0D 20B N PRISM N 0D 1DE N PRISM Y 0D 1DE LSD (P <0.05) 8 4 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Page 5
Table 1.2. Effect of hail damage, herbicide treatment and fungicide (Bravo) on tomato plant dry weight and yield. HAIL HERBICIDE FUNGICIDE? DRY WT YIELD Y/N Y/N G/ 4PLANT T/AC N UNTREATED N 83A 35A Y UNTREATED N 57B-E 33A Y PINNACLE N 56B-E 32AB Y PINNACLE Y 52CDE 36A Y SENCOR N 44E 27B Y SENCOR Y 45E 28B Y PRISM N 56B-E 32AB Y PRISM Y 60BCD 36A N PINNACLE N 76AB 32AB N PINNACLE Y 70A-D 37A N SENCOR N 73ABC 37A N SENCOR Y 70A-D 36A N PRISM N 80A 33A N PRISM Y 83A 34A LSD (P <0.05) 24 4 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Conclusions: This trial was established to assess tolerance of transplanted tomato to combinations of simulated hail damage and various postemergence herbicides (Pinnacle, Sencor and Prism), to determine whether these cumulative stresses reduce yield more than each stress individually. The combination of hail damage plus Sencor caused more injury, and reduced dry weight and yield more than hail alone, hail plus Pinnacle or hail plus Prism. There is evidence of a cumulative effect of hail damage and a high rate of Sencor (200 g/ac). Page 6
Trial 2: Tolerance of Processing Tomato Varieties to Pinnacle Objective: Determine the tolerance of several tomato varieties to Pinnacle. Materials & Methods: Crop: Tomato Variety: VARIOUS Planting date: Jun 2/11 Planting rate: 11803 plants/ac Depth: 5 cm Row spacing: 1.5m Plant spacing: 45 cm Design: Randomized Complete Block Design Plot width: 1.5m Plot length: 10m Reps: 4 Field Preparation: Field was worked with an S-tine cultivator and fertilizer was applied at 120 kg N/ha on Jun 1. Applied Dual II Magnum (0.5 L/ac) and Sencor (200 ml/ac) prior to transplanting on Jun 2, to keep the trial area weed free. Soil Description: Sand: 63% OM: 5.5% Texture: V. fine sandy loam Silt: 20% ph: 6.7 Soil: Watford/Brady Clay: 17% CEC 21 Application Information: A APPLICATION DATE JUL 6 TIME OF DAY 9:30AM TIMING 28DAT AIR TEMP (c) 24 RH (%) 85 WIND SPEED (KPH) 6 SOIL TEMP (c) 26 CLOUD COVER (%) 100 CROP STAGE 10-11 LF (SOME PLANTS WERE IN BLOOM) Spray Equipment: Application Method: CO2 Backpack Pressure: 207 KPA (30 PSI) Nozzle Type: Air Induction Nozzle Size: ULD120-02 Nozzle Spacing: 50 cm (20 ) Boom Width: 1.5 m (60 ) Spray Volume: 200 L/ha (20 GAL/AC) Page 7
Table 2.1. Effect of tomato variety and time of Pinnacle (6.4 G/AC) application on percent injury in tomatoes 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment, and length of delay to 50% flowering. Variety PERCENT INJURY DELAY TO 50% 7D 14D 28D FLOWER (DAYS) H9553 5C 3C 0C 0C H2401 13B 18A 13AB 3BC H1013 7C 4C 0C 0C H1014 15A 11AB 7B 6B H1166 19A 15AB 9B 17A H1170 7C 15AB 17A 3BC H5108 8C 10BC 8B 3BC H1180 8C 4C 0C 0D LSD (P <0.05) 4 6 4 2 Table 2.2. Effect of tomato variety and time of Pinnacle (6.4 G/AC) application on red and green yield. Variety PINNACLE YIELD (T/AC) RATE (G/AC) RED GRN H9553 0 48A 10A 6.4 48A 8A H2401 0 21A 6B 6.4 16A 12A H1013 0 20A 2A 6.4 28A 3A H1014 0 45A 6B 6.4 36A 20A H1166 0 39A 11B 6.4 16B 31A H1170 0 20A 9A 6.4 16A 12A H5108 0 28A 4A 6.4 24A 9A H1180 0 46A 15A 6.4 49A 18A LSD (P <0.05) 12 9 Page 8
Conclusions: This trial was established to determine the tolerance of six processing tomato varieties to Pinnacle (thifensulfuron-methyl) applied 28 days after transplanting (DAT) at a rate of 6.4 g/ac. H2401, H1014, H1166, H1170 and H5108 were injured by Pinnacle applied at 6.4 g/ac. The delay in flowering ranged from 0 days in H1013 and H1180 to 17 days in H1166. Despite the injury observed in many varieties, only H1180 had lower red yield in the Pinnacle treatment than in the untreated check. There was higher green yield where Pinnacle had been applied to H2401, H1014, and H1166. Page 9
Trial 3: Herbicide-Fungicide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato Objective: Determine whether Kocide 2000, Cabrio or Quadris increase injury to tomato or reduce weed control of Excel Super, Venture L, or Poast Ultra. Materials & Methods: Crop: Tomato Variety: H5108 Planting date: Jun 2/11 Planting rate: 11803 plants/ac Depth: 5 cm Row spacing: 1.5m Plant spacing: 45 cm Design: Randomized Complete Block Design Plot width: 1.5m Plot length: 10m Reps: 4 Field Preparation: Field was worked with an S-tine cultivator and fertilizer was applied at 120 kg N/ha on Jun 1. Applied Dual II Magnum (0.5 L/ac) and Sencor (200 ml/ac) prior to transplanting on Jun 2, to keep the trial area weed free. Soil Description: Sand: 63% OM: 5.5% Texture: V. fine sandy loam Silt: 20% ph: 6.7 Soil: Watford/Brady Clay: 17% CEC 21 Application Information: A APPLICATION DATE JUN 29 TIME OF DAY 6:30PM TIMING POST AIR TEMP (c) 23 RH (%) 78 WIND SPEED (KPH) 3 SOIL TEMP (c) 27 CLOUD COVER (%) 15 CROP STAGE 8-11LF Spray Equipment: Application Method: CO2 Backpack Pressure: 207 KPA (30 PSI) Nozzle Type: Air Induction Nozzle Size: ULD120-02 Nozzle Spacing: 50 cm (20 ) Boom Width: 1.5 m (60 ) Spray Volume: 200 L/ha (20 GAL/AC) Page 10
Table 3.1. Effect of grass herbicide and fungicide tank mix treatments on control of fall panicum, green foxtail (SETVI) and crabgrass (DIGSS). TREATMENT RATE PANDI SETVI DIGSS ML/AC EXCEL SUPER 270 100A 95AB 85AB VENTURE L 800 100A 100A 95A POAST ULTRA 800 100A 98A 85AB MERGE 2000 EXCEL SUPER 270 100A 100A 76AB KOCIDE 2000 1KG VENTURE L 800 100A 90B 91A KOCIDE 2000 1KG POAST ULTRA 800 100A 100A 85AB MERGE 2000 KOCIDE 2000 1KG EXCEL SUPER 270 100A 100A 82AB CABRIO 340 VENTURE L 800 100A 100A 83AB CABRIO 340 POAST ULTRA 800 100A 100A 84AB MERGE 2000 CABRIO 340 EXCEL SUPER 270 100A 100A 64B QUADRIS 200 VENTURE L 800 100A 100A 95A QUADRIS 200 POAST ULTRA 800 100A 100A 96A MERGE 2000 QUADRIS 200 LSD (P <0.05) 0 6 22 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Page 11
Table 3.2. Effect of grass herbicide and fungicide tank mix treatments on tomato injury at 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment. TREATMENT VISUAL INJURY YIELD 7D 14D 28D (T/AC) UNTREATED 0A 0A 0A 33A EXCEL SUPER 1A 1A 2A 28A VENTURE L 1A 2A 1A 35A POAST ULTRA 1A 1A 3A 33A MERGE EXCEL SUPER 1A 1A 3A 32A KOCIDE 2000 VENTURE L 1A 0A 0A 36A KOCIDE 2000 POAST ULTRA 0A 0A 0A 43A MERGE KOCIDE 2000 EXCEL SUPER 1A 1A 3A 29A CABRIO VENTURE L 1A 1A 2A 34A CABRIO POAST ULTRA 1A 3A 6A 31A MERGE CABRIO EXCEL SUPER 1A 3A 5A 32A QUADRIS VENTURE L 1A 1A 1A 32A QUADRIS POAST ULTRA 1A 0A 0A 30 MERGE QUADRIS LSD (P <0.05) 2 3 5 6 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Conclusions: The addition of Kocide, Cabrio or Quadris to Venture L or Poast Ultra did not reduce grass control. Control of crabgrass was reduced when Quadris was added to Excel Super. Despite the loss of grass control, yield was not less in the tank mix treatments, than in those treatments where herbicides were applied alone. Page 12
Trial 4: Herbicide-Insecticide Tank-Mix Interactions in Tomato Objective: Determine whether Admire or Matador increase injury to tomato or reduce weed control of Excel Super, Venture L, or Poast Ultra. Materials & Methods: Crop: Tomato Variety: H5108 Planting date: Jun 2/11 Planting rate: 11803 plants/ac Depth: 5 cm Row spacing: 1.5m Plant spacing: 45 cm Design: Randomized Complete Block Design Plot width: 1.5m Plot length: 10m Reps: 4 Field Preparation: Field was worked with an S-tine cultivator and fertilizer was applied at 120 kg N/ha on Jun 1. Applied Dual II Magnum (0.5 L/ac) and Sencor (200 ml/ac) prior to transplanting on Jun 2, to keep the trial area weed free. Soil Description: Sand: 63% OM: 5.5% Texture: V. fine sandy loam Silt: 20% ph: 6.7 Soil: Watford/Brady Clay: 17% CEC 21 Application Information: A APPLICATION DATE JUN 29 TIME OF DAY 7:05PM TIMING POST AIR TEMP (c) 23 RH (%) 78 WIND SPEED (KPH) 3 SOIL TEMP (c) 27 CLOUD COVER (%) 15 CROP STAGE 8-11LF Spray Equipment: Application Method: CO2 Backpack Pressure: 207 KPA (30 PSI) Nozzle Type: Air Induction Nozzle Size: ULD120-02 Nozzle Spacing: 50 cm (20 ) Boom Width: 1.5 m (60 ) Spray Volume: 200 L/ha (20 GAL/AC) Page 13
Table 4.1. Effect of grass herbicide and insecticide tank mix treatments on control of crabgrass 28 and 56 days after treatment. TREATMENT RATE CRABGRASS PERCENT CONTROL ML/AC 28D 56D POAST ULTRA 800 100A 94A-B MERGE 2000 EXCEL SUPER 270 99A 86A-D VENTURE L 800 86BC 74BCD POAST ULTRA 800 100A 95AB MERGE 2000 ADMIRE 520 POAST ULTRA 800 100A 89ABC MERGE 2000 MATADOR 33 EXCEL SUPER 270 80C 64D ADMIRE 520 EXCEL SUPER 270 83C 70CD MATADOR 33 VENTURE L 800 100A 83A-D ADMIRE 520 VENTURE L 800 96AB 89ABC MATADOR 33 LSD (P <0.05) 14 24 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Page 14
Table 4.2. Effect of grass herbicide and insecticide tank mix treatments on tomato injury at 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment. TREATMENT VISUAL INJURY YIELD 7D 14D 28D (T/AC) WEEDY CHECK 0A 0A 0A 38A WEED-FREE CHECK 0A 0A 0A 47A POAST ULTRA 0A 1A 0A 38A MERGE EXCEL SUPER 0A 0A 0A 38A VENTURE L 0A 0A 0A 46A POAST ULTRA 0A 0A 0A 41A MERGE ADMIRE POAST ULTRA 0A 0A 0A 45A MATADOR EXCEL SUPER 0A 0A 0A 45A ADMIRE EXCEL SUPER 0A 0A 0A 43A MATADOR VENTURE L 0A 0A 0A 42A ADMIRE VENTURE L 0A 0A 0A 47A MATADOR LSD (P <0.05) NS NS NS 10 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Conclusions: The addition of Admire or Matador to Venture L or Poast Ultra did not reduce grass control, however, adding either insecticide to Excel Super did reduce grass control. Despite the reduction in grass control, crop yield was not less in the tank mix treatments than in those treatments where herbicides were applied alone. Page 15
Trial 5: Tolerance of Tomatoes to Preemergence Herbicides Objectives: 1. Determine the efficacy and tolerance of tomato to Reflex, Kixor, Valtera and sulfentrazone applied PRE-T. Crop: Tomato Variety: H5108 Planting date: Jun 2/11 Planting rate: 11803 plants/ac Depth: 5 cm Row spacing: 1.5m Plant spacing: 45 cm Design: Randomized Complete Block Design Plot width: 1.5m Plot length: 10m Reps: 4 Field Preparation: Field was worked with an S-tine cultivator and fertilizer was applied at 120 kg N/ha on Jun 1. Applied Dual II Magnum (0.5 L/ac) and Sencor (200 ml/ac) prior to transplanting on Jun 2, to keep the trial area weed free. Soil Description: Sand: 63% OM: 5.5% Texture: V. fine sandy loam Silt: 20% ph: 6.7 Soil: Watford/Brady Clay: 17% CEC 21 Application Information: A APPLICATION DATE JUN 1/11 TIME OF DAY 6:30AM TIMING PRE-T AIR TEMP (c) 7 RH (%) 98 WIND SPEED (KPH) 8 SOIL TEMP (c) 9 CLOUD COVER (%) 100 CROP STAGE PRE Spray Equipment: Application Method: CO2 Backpack Pressure: 207 KPA (30 PSI) Nozzle Type: Air Induction Nozzle Size: ULD120-02 Nozzle Spacing: 50 cm (20 ) Boom Width: 1.5 m (60 ) Spray Volume: 200 L/ha (20 GAL/AC) Page 16
Table 5.1. Effect of herbicide treatment on tomato visual injury 7, 14 and 28 days after planting, plant dry weight 28 days after planting, and yield. HERBICIDE RATE VISUAL INJURY DRY WT YIELD 7D 14D 28D G T/AC 1. Check (WEEDFREE) 0B 0B 0B 35A 23.9A 2. REFLEX 400 ML/AC 0B 2B 1B 43A 23.0A 3. REFLEX 800 ML/AC 0B 2B 2B 39A 23.0A 4. KIXOR 25 gai/ha 5AB 5B 6B 37A 22.6AB 5. KIXOR 50 GA/HA 8A 18A 23A 22B 17.2BC 6. VALTERA 42 G/AC 0B 0B 30A 20B 18.1BC 7. VALTERA 84 G/AC 0B 0B 44A 16B 16.8C 8. SULFENTRAZONE 67 G/AC 2B 4B 8B 35A 16.4C 9. SULFENTRAZONE 135 G/AC 3B 11AB 28A 20B 15.1C LSD (P <0.05) 2 3 6 9 4.3 Note: Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05, LSD). Conclusions: This trial was established to determine tolerance of transplanted tomato to pretransplant applications of Kixor, sulfentrazone, Valtera or Reflex to determine tolerance at rates used in soybean. Kixor, sulfentrazone and Valtera caused significant injury, stand mortality and yield loss, while tomato was tolerant to Reflex applied prior to transplanting. Page 17