Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T01:59:48.801Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An Integrated Weed Management Procedure for the Control of Dodder (Cuscuta indecora) in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

D. W. Cudney
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. Plant Sci., Univ. Calif., Riverside, CA 92521
S. B. Orloff
Affiliation:
Siskiyou Co., 1655 S. Main St., Yreka, CA 96097
J. S. Reints
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. Plant Sci., Univ. Calif., Riverside, CA 92521

Abstract

Largeseed dodder is the most troublesome weed in alfalfa fields in the high desert of Southern California. Preemergence treatment with trifluralin controls dodder early in the season, but, as the season progresses, control declines. A method was needed to control attached dodder plants that escaped preemergence treatment. Flail mowing was compared to burning with a handheld propane-fueled weed burner. These methods were equally effective for controlling attached dodder, but flail mowing was more economical, and less injurious to alfalfa yield and stand density. Burning dodder patches at the end of the season reduced dodder seed viability by an average of 99%. Thus, we propose the use of a three tiered integrated approach consisting of PRE herbicide treatment followed by flail mowing in mid-season to control escaped dodder and burning at the end of the season to reduce dodder seed.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Ashton, F. M. and Santana, D. 1976. Cuscuta spp. (dodder): a literature review of its biology and control. Div. Agric. Sci., Univ. Calif. Bull. No. 1880. 22 p.Google Scholar
2. Cooke, D. A. and Black, I. D. 1987. Biology and control of Cuscuta campestris and other Cuscuta spp.: a bibliographic review. Dep. Agric., South Aust. Tech. Pap. No. 18.Google Scholar
3. Dawson, J. H. 1990. Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) control with dinitroaniline herbicides. Weed Technol. 4:341348.Google Scholar
4. Dawson, J. H., Ashton, F. M., Welker, W. V., Frank, J. R., and Buchanan, G. A. Dodder and its control. 1984. U.S. Dep. Agric. Farmers' Bull. No. 2276. 24 p.Google Scholar
5. Dawson, J. H. 1965. Prolonged emergence of field dodder. Weed Sci. 13:373374.Google Scholar
6. Hutchison, J. M. and Ashton, F. M. 1979. Germination of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris). Weed Sci. 28:330333.Google Scholar
7. Orloff, S. B., Vargus, R. N., Cudney, D. W., Canevari, W. N., and Schmier, J. 1989. Dodder control in alfalfa. Calif. Agric. 43(4):3032.Google Scholar