Get the jump on summer weeds with this advice on summer weed management for Florida citrus growers from a UF/IFAS assistant professor.

UF/IFAS assistant professor, Ramdas Kanissery, shared tips for summer week management at a presentation on weed control for citrus. Kanissery maintained that the summer months are “a field day for weeds,” in a Citrus Industry article. See the details below.

Summer Weed Management Tips

The following advice was from the article on summer weed management tips:

General Tips  

  • “Learn about suggested herbicides in the weeds section of the 2022-23 Florida Citrus Production Guide.”
  • “The efficacy of post-emergent systemic herbicides is reduced when temperatures are above 90 degrees. Kanissery recommended avoiding spraying 2,4-D products when temperatures are higher than 90 degrees because the potential for herbicide injury is high then.”
  • “Avoiding glyphosate sprays close to harvest for Valencia oranges may improve yield safety.”
  • “Cover crops in row middles suppress weed growth, in addition to providing other benefits.”

Post-Emergent Herbicides

  • “Achieve adequate coverage on weed foliage; optimum spray volume is the key.
  • Use optimum rates; use high-labeled rates for heavy weed infestation and for weeds in a mature growth stage.
  • Use an appropriate surfactant to improve herbicide retention, coverage and efficacy.
  • Use suggested adjuvants.
  • Rotate post-emergent herbicides with different modes of action to reduce selection pressure on weed populations and to help manage weed tolerance.
  • Apply when there is ample sunlight. Midday applications generally provide higher levels of efficacy than early-morning and late-afternoon applications.
  • Spray when there is low wind.
  • Apply when weeds are non-stressed, actively growing and in an early growth stage.”

Pre-Emergent Herbicide

  • “Apply residual herbicides to bare soil for maximum soil incorporation.
  • Turn on irrigation to activate residual herbicides in the soil.
  • Include a compatible post-emergent tank-mix partner if there is already some weed growth.
  • Tank-mix pre-emergent herbicides with different modes of action to increase the spectrum of weed control and to reduce tolerance/resistance issues.”

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