See the details of research that showed a combination of fertilizer and herbicide to fight weeds and boost production in Florida tomatoes.
Florida tomatoes grown in plastic-mulch beds don’t compete with many weeds, but there is one—nutsedge—that can really throw a wrench in tomato production, according to a UF/IFAS blog post. The blog maintains that “research has shown that an infestation of purple nutsedge can reduce tomato yields by more than 40%,” and that “These weeds are particularly difficult to manage in crops like tomatoes that grow in plasticulture systems because they are the only weeds that can puncture plastic mulch.” The blog shared recent research by UF/IFAS that show a combination of fertilizer and herbicide can combat the nutsedge weed and improve yield. See the details below.
Fertilizer and Herbicide
According to the blog, “When nutsedge infests plastic-mulch beds, it competes with tomato plants for vital resources such as water and nutrients.” Also, the damage the weed does to the plastic increases labor costs as the plastic needs to be replaced. The article shared that “To control nutsedge, tomato growers use pre-emergence herbicide – which is sprayed on soil before the weed sprouts from the ground. The problem with that approach is that herbicide can leach into the root zone of tomato plants, which can minimize crop growth.”
Researchers “found that if growers apply herbicides such as S-Metolachlor to raised tomato beds before laying down plastic mulch, they can control nutsedge without harming crop health or yield,” and that “combining the herbicide with [a slow-release iron] fertilizer can help suppress nutsedge in the beds, while maintaining yield.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.