Strawberry and Raspberry Pest Management in Wisconsin

Strawberry Weed Management
A successful weed management program depends on the integration
of mechanical and chemical methods. Not all weeds that occur in
strawberry plantings in Wisconsin are controllable with herbicides.
Additionally, repeated use of the same herbicide on the same field
growing the same crop may lead to weed resistance. In these cases
mechanical means such as cultivation, hand pulling, and hoeing are
necessary. Rotation of strawberries with crops that require different
herbicides and cultivation practices should result in better weed
management. Weeds cause a multitude of problems in strawberry
production, including—
• increased cost of irrigation and fertilizers due to increased
competition,
• lowered berry yields and quality,
• harvesting is more difficult and less enjoyable for customers,
• increased difficulty implementing nutrient management and
integrated pest management,
• interference with spray applications,
• act as alternate hosts for a variety of diseases, and
• provide a haven for undesirable insects.
Weeds and weed seeds are always present. If no control measures are
taken, the size and number of weeds will always increase as the
growing season progresses. The following strategies help to effectively
control weeds:
• Use well-adapted, vigorous cultivars.
• Plant narrower row spacings and adjust plant densities.
• Encourage rapid stand establishment.
• Plan shorter crop rotations.
• Use clean, weed-seed-free mulches such as rye straw.
• Always scout for new weeds or “outbreaks” of common weeds in
your fields. Document them on a map.
• Clean farm equipment between fields (an excellent practice for
insect and disease control as well).
• Maintain good berry crop health.
• Choose the correct herbicide for the situation. Accurately calibrate
the sprayer and apply the appropriate labeled rate for the soil type
and weed pressure level.
• Mow or treat weeds on the field edge before they go to seed.
Eliminate perennial weeds such as quackgrass, thistles, dandelions, and
dock the year before planting strawberries by using smother crops;
summer fallow; non-residual, systemic herbicides; and cultivated
agronomic row crops. Rye, for example, is an ideal crop to plant prior to
strawberries. It is sufficiently aggressive to outcompete most weeds but
also has allelopathic effects to suppress emerged and germinating
weeds. Rye used as a winter mulch is also desirable for strawberry
culture.
25