Herbicide screening for weed control and crop safety in California melon production

Abstract Weed management in cantaloupe and other melon crops is important to maximize fruit yield; however, there are few registered herbicides available California. Several independent herbicide trials were conducted at University of California field stations Davis (Yolo County), Five Points (Fresno Holtville (Imperial County) from 2013 2019 evaluate both unregistered incorporation methods (sprinklers, cultivation, or none) for crop safety weed control melons. Although specific treatments varied among locations depending on local practice research objectives, ethalfluralin halosulfuron used all experiments, bensulide S -metolachlor evaluated 4 6 site-years. Additional included clethodim, clomazone, DCPA, napropamide, pendimethalin, sethoxydim, sulfentrazone. Among herbicides, halosulfuron, + ethalfluralin, combinations provided consistently beneficial across site-years compared the nontreated control. performed as well best tested each site-year; although moderate injury was noted location, this did not reduce yield. The method incorporate preplant had a significant impact efficacy but by location. Mechanical resulted improved yield sprinklers. Early-season control, whether hand weeding, increase most