Faculty contact:  Robin Bellinder

The long-term goal of the Department of Horticulture’s weed science program is to provide growers with alternative and/or integrated programs to control weeds that are less dependent on herbicides. Areas of study include developing improved weed management strategies, determining new uses for old and new herbicides, and registration activities including conducting residue trials.

Recent projects include:

• Evaluating cultivation tools for fruit and vegetable crops.
• Studying the impact of reduced tillage on weeds.
• Participation in long-term studies of the effects of crop rotation on weed populations.
• Evaluating the use of off-season cover crops and the interseeding of cover crops to out-compete weeds and reduce herbicide use.

The program has also facilitated the registration of 14 herbicides for 15 different vegetable crops for New York State growers. These were new products and new uses of old products. Statewide, rates of 6 herbicides have decreased 33 to 75 percent in 7 crops, leading to a reduction of 60,000 lbs of active ingredient per year.