Weeds


 Several methods have been identified to reduce weed populations including crop

competition, mechanical control, mulching, and use of chemicals. It is recommended to use

several of these methods in combination to obtain effective weed control. Disking, hoeing,

mowing, or cultivation can also be an effective method of weed control. Crop competition can

be a method of control by not only increasing the number of crop plants to effectively compete

against weeds for water and nutrients, but also ensuring a healthy crop population by using good

water and nutrient management practices. The use of plastic mulch in conjunction with fumigant

chemicals can be effective in the control of many weeds. The mulch itself acts as a barrier to

many weeds, with the exception of nutsedge which can grow through the plastic.

 Methyl bromide is used as a method of control for weeds found in watermelon

production, such as crab grass, panicum, goosed grass, and lambsquarter. The following is a

list of other chemicals that can be used to control weeds. Bensulide (Prefar) is preplant

incorporated and used for control of germinating grasses. Bensulide + naptalam is applied

preplant or pre-emergence for a wide range of weed control. Diquat (Diquat) can be applied

post-emergence, for burdown of vines after final harvest. Sethoxydim (Poast) is used for post-

emergence control of grass weeds. Paraquat (Gramoxone) is used as a post-emergence contact

for control of all emerged weeds, and it is used in row middles between beds or as a pre-

emergence application. Ethalfluralin (Curbit) is applied pre-emergence & post-emergence, for

control of grasses such as goose grass, crabgrass, fall and Texas panicum, and broadleaf signal

grass. Glyphosate (Roundup) can be used prior to planting for removal of weeds for planting.

Naptalam (Alanap) is applied as a pre-emergence for control of germinating annuals such as