THAT PESKY
CHICKWEED
The mild weather in January
and February has resulted in a
major chickweed problem in alfal
fa, especially in Southeastern Pen
nsylvania and points south. That’s
the story I heard repeatedly as I
traveled across Lancaster and
Chester Counties last week. The
problem is especially serious in
sec-dings made last August. But
there’s also plenty of chickweed
and other winter annual weeds in
seedings made last spring, and
older stands as well.
What, if anything, can be done
right now to reduce the competi
tion caused by this troublesome
weed? The options are either none
or at best very limited. But in an
attempt to fmd some answers I
checked with Penn State weed sci
entists Nate Hartwig and Lynn
Hoffman for some suggestions.
But first a word about chick
weed itself. It’s a winter annual
that starts to grow anytime the
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temperature is above freezing. A
prolific seed producer it’s already
flowering in some areas and by
early April or before, will be pro
ducing an abundance of seed
which can spell more trouble for
next winter.
The biggest duckweed problem
is in alfalfa seedings made last
August And here of course, is
where competition on the alfalfa is
the greatest. Unfortunately, how
ever, there’s not much you can do
to control duckweed in August
seedings.
If the seeding includes a grass
there are no options. And at the
moment the same is true for alfalfa
seeded alone. But, Dr. Nate Hart
wig tells me, a special local needs
(24Q label has been applied for
allowing the use of gramoxone
(paraquat) on new seedings of
alfalfa less than one year old. If
approved, Hartwig says, this label
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CONTROL IN LATE
SUMMER SEEDINGS
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OLDER
ALFALFA STANDS
On established alfalfa stands
more than one year old gramox
one (paraquet) can be used. How
ever to avoid injury to the alfalfa
do not apply if new spring growth
exceeds one inch. Applications
made at later stage of growth may
set the crop back and reduce first
harvest yield. And do not use
more than the recommended rate.
Add surfactant as directed on the
label and follow all other label
directions carefully.
Other options on older stands
include Velpar, Sinbar, and
Lexone/Sencor 4L, Lynn Hoff
man reminds you. Velpar applied
at the rate of one-half to one and
one half lbs. per acre does an
excellent job of controlling dande
lions as well as many winter annu
al weeds, and is reasonably effec
tive on duckweed, Lynn tells me.
It should be applied in a minimum
of 20 gallons of water and before 2
inches of new alfalfa growth is
present.
Sinbar (terbacil) applied in the
spring before new alfalfa growth
begins is also effective on chick
weed, benbit and other broad
leafed weeds. Hoffman says. But
if you use Sinbar remember do not
replant the field to any crop within
2 years after the last application.
Lexone/Sencor 4L (metribuzin)
applied at the recommended rate
will control dandelion and a num
ber of annual broadleaves and is
reasonably effective on chick
weed. In liquid form alfalfa may
be severely injured if new growth
is present at spring application.
However, if impregnated on dry
fertilizer these products may be
applied safely after dormancy is
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broken, but prior to 3 inches of
new alfalfa growth. Metribuzin
may be used on alfalfa-grass mix
tures, but may injure grasses if
applied at the higher rates.
All chemicals should, of course,
be applied when the air tempera
ture is above freezing. And for
Records Broken
At NCGA Corn Classic
PHOENIX, Ariz. A record
number of 1,927 attendees from
42 states; Washington, D.C.;
Canada; and Mexico flocked to
the 1990 National Com Growers
Association’s (NCGA) 32nd
annual Com Classic, held Febru
ary 21-23.
The record crowd had an oppor
tunity to view the hugest trade
show exhibit at a Com Classic,
where 86 exhibitors occupied 177
booth spaces and heard nationally
known speakers.
“Our Com Classic attendance
and trade show have nearly
doubled in the past four years,”
said NCGA President Alan Kem
per, a Lafayette, Indiana com
grower. “And corporate support
for the Classic was at its highest
level, with 33 companies sponsor-
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maximum benefit from paroquet
daytime temperatures into the SO’s
are desirable.
Under all circumstances be sure
to read the label carefully before
using, Hartwig, Hoffman
repeated. And follow all direc
tions on the label carefully.
ing various programs, meals,
receptions and awards.
“The Com Classic has truly
become the com industry event of
the year, with all industry seg
ments represented,” Kemper said.
NCGA leaders selected the
Phoenix location to recognize the
city for its efforts to reduce carbon
monoxide levels caused by auto
emissions by using corn-derived
ethanol blended fuels While it was
the first time a Com Classic has
been held outside the major com
growing area of the country,
response from attendees, exhibi
tors, and corporate sponsors
exceeded expectations, according
to Kemper.
The NCGA Corn Classic
returns to the Midwest in 1991,
and is set for February 20-22 in
Kansas City, Missouri.
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