Vol. 16—1962 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

USE OF GRANULAR CHl!H[CALAPPLICATORFORLAY-mWEEDCONl'ROLIN POTATOES
Arlhur
HawldML/
165
L8iv-btWged cont:rrol in potatoes was obtaine4:ldth granular formulations
of several. chemicals when b~aat by hand a.tterthe: last cultivation in
Connecticut in J.960.~:report;ed yield ~s of potatoes where
chemicals controlled crabgrass' &rIiicaused little dr' no inJur;y to potatoe ••
It appeared desirable to make hrthe1-com.parl.son& Usihg a commercialJ.y avaUable
granular ohemical applicator. .
. In 1961. g1'IlnU1ar formulations or several ohEll1o@3.swere aPplied broadcast
with an eight-toot granular chemical a~V. Thegranulea were
applied ldth1n Ii few hours to one day a.tter the fUtal cultivation of
Katahd1n potatoes in six commercial fields. The hopper was adjusted to a
height ot about six inches above the pOt~to. foliage to obtain satistactor,y
spread of the granules. .
f ....
Burlap bags were attached behind the machine to brush granules 1'rom the
plants to i'ed.uoe 1njur;y tram leat absorption ot c*"a:1n chemicals. The
distribut10n of, granuJ:.es appellZ'ed to be unitom and l"esulted in unitorm
control of weeds on the hills and between the rows nnder 1961 conditions.
Ettective control ot weeds was obtained with '&I'llhular to:nnulations or
some ot the chemicals applied at adequate rates with the granular applic8.toi'.
Increases in yields ot potatoes to ~5% were obtained where crabgrass or
barnyardgass was controlled. The high yield i.nIll-ease occurred in afield
where a heavy population ot crabgrass was contro1.l.ed and potatoes were not
ldlled by t'rost until Ootober 16.
Since the machine used was of the gt'avity-teed type, a oonstant field
speed was maintained to obtain a unitorm rate ot application. It was
operated at a field speed ot 4 MPH(352 teet ot travel in one minute).
When caJjhrating the machine, it was pulled at field speed tor a di$tance
that would give 1/20 acre. The granules were caught in a piece ot
plastic i'iJm.; the .contents were weighed in a pan .en a scale weighing
accurately in ounces. It was 'eas1er to repeat ealL1brations tor 20 lbe. or
more ot gNnu1es per acre than tor lower ratee.
1/ AgronoJllist &l'll1Ex!;ension Potato Specialist, University /')t Conn., Storrs,
Conn.,' ., .
2/ Hawkins, Arthur. Post-Hill Chemical. Weed Contrel in Potatoes with Granular
Formulations. Proc. NElNCC151100-181.. 1961.
3/ Manutaotured by Gandy' Co., Owatonna, Minnesota