ARS | Publication request: Impact of Biofumigation with Seed Meal on Plasticulture Strawberry Production

Submitted to: American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 19, 2007
Publication Date: July 19, 2007
Citation: Sams, C.E., Deyton, D.E., Vaughn, S.F., Cummins, J.C. 2007. Impact of biofumigation with seed meal on plasticulture strawberry production [abstract]. American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting. p. 921.

Technical Abstract: A study was initiated in 2006 to study the effects of seed meals on weed control, soilborne diseases and strawberry yield. A trial with five replications and 13 treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design was established at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center in Knoxville, TN. Treatments included: 1) nontreated soil, 2) applications of 336 kg/ha or 3) 673 kg/ha of Basamid, 4) 560kg/ha, 5) 1121 kg/ha, 6) 2242 kg/ha, or 7) 4484 kg/ha of Oriental mustard (Brassica juncea L.) meal, 8) 560 kg/ha, 9) 1121 kg/ha, or 10) 2242 kg/ha of pennycress seed meal (Thlaspi arvense L.), or 11) 560 kg/ha, 12) 1121 kg/ha, or 13) 2242 kg/ha of dried distillers grains. All treatments were tilled into soil beds on September 18 and immediately overhead irrigated with 1.3 cm of water. Each plot was 4.3 m long and 1.5 m wide. Raised plastic-covered beds were formed on October 10 and planted two days later with double rows of strawberries. Weeds had emerged before bed formation, an area 0.3 m by 0.3 m was selected at random in each plot and photographed on October 2. The weeds on the photograph were later counted and classified as broadleaf or grassy weeds, wild garlic or nutsedge. The untreated plots had 46.2, 6.8, 0.6, and 0.0 broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds, garlic, and nutsedge seedlings/0.09 m2, respectively, two weeks after treatment. Plots treated with Basamid had less than one broadleaf weed or 0.5 grassy weed/0.9 m2. Plots treated with 560 kg/ha, 1121 kg/ha, 2242 kg/ha, or 4484 kg/ha mustard meal had 31.6, 16.0, 1.6, and 3.3 broadleaf weeds/0.09 m2. Plots treated with 1121 kg/ha of pennycress or distiller¿s grain had less broadleaf weeds than the control with 12.0 and 15.6 weeds/0.09 m2, respectively. The meal treatments did not decrease the grassy weed population. Disease and yield will be taken this spring and discussed.