Overcoming Barriers to Success in Reduced-Tillage Pumpkin Production: Implementing Effective Plant Establishment and Weed Management Strategies

Abstract

Adequate weed control in pumpkins and squash is one of the most difficult practices for growers to obtain whether it is in a reduced-tillage system or conventional bare ground culture. Reduced-till pumpkin trials established in Albany County this year to evaluate a new post emergent herbicide called Sandea (halosulfuron-methyl, Gowan Company) were established. However, a poor stand of rye and high populations of perennial weeds not controlled with Round-Up applications, resulted in poor pumpkin establishment and poor annual weed control using Sandea. The cover crop trial to be established at the Valatie Research farm also had its share of problems. Due to the late funding of this IPM project, planting of spring oats was not able to be completed, the triticale plots were plowed and it was determined that there was not enough sorghum sudangrass residue to complete that treatment either. However, a bare ground winter squash trial comparing the effects of Sandea on transplant cell size, squash type and different varieties within a type was established.