HO-178
Year-Round
Strawberry Weed Control
FRUIT PRODUCTION * COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE * PURDUE UNIVERSITY * WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
S.C. Weller and R.A. Hayden

Strawberries are a perennial crop that remains in production for several years. Since the crop is low growing, any competition from weeds can affect the longevity, vigor, and yield. Weed-free plantings produce better than do weedy ones.
Careful site preparation prior to planting is highly recommended. In fact, weed infested fields should always be thoroughly prepared at least one year prior to planting. This preparation includes thorough cultivation of the ground and planting a cover crop where good weed control can be practiced. Perennial weeds can be largely eliminated by cultivation and careful chemical weed control measures in the year or two before planting berries. Avoid materials that leave soil residues that could damage strawberry plants or leave undesirable or illegal residues in the fruit. After proper site preparation, weed control is considerably easier during the time the berries are in the ground.
In situations where weed problems are severe or where prior cropping is impossible and problems associated with soilborne diseases and insects are found, fumigation of the soil may be required. Materials for fumigation include methyl bromide, methyl bromide plus chloropicrin, Vorlex, or Vapam. Although these are expensive treatments, they may result in sufficiently better plant growth and productivity to be worth the cost.
Strawberry weed control is a year-round process, starting at planting time and continuing throughout the life of the planting. This bulletin outlines suggestions for obtaining optimum weed control in your strawberry field. Continued use of these suggestions will, in most cases, result in strawberry fields that yield high quality fruit and contain few weeds. Herbicides, however, do not eliminate all weeds, and some mechanical and hand removal of problem weeds will be required to maintain complete weed control. 
Herbicide Recommendations

New Plantings
Planting time (April 15 - June 15): Strawberry plants should be planted in a freshly prepared seedbed. After planting, Dacthal (75% WP) should be applied at 8 pounds per acre on light soils and 12 pounds per acre on heavier soils to a weed-free soil. If applied postplant, 1/2 inch of water should be applied within 3 to 5 days of treatment if rainfall does not occur. Dacthal can be applied as a preplant incorporated treatment if preferred, except on very sandy soils. Do not incorporate deeper than 2 inches, and ensure uniform distribution in the soil.

Two to Six weeks after transplanting: Apply Enide 90W over the planting after new berry foliage has appeared. Use 4.4 pounds per acre on a coarse soil and 6.6 pounds per acre on medium to fine soils. If no rainfall occurs within 2 to 3 days of treatment, apply 1/2 inch of irrigation water to assist in incorporation. A temporary delay in the rooting of daughter plants may occur but will not affect yield. Enide may be applied twice per year at 6-month intervals.
Postemergence grass control in new plantings. Fusilade 2000 or Poast (1.5 EC) can be applied to strawberries to control emerged grasses. Apply Fusilade at 1 1/2 pints per acre in combination with 2 pts. crop oil concentrate or 0.25% v/v nonionic spreader. Fusilade must be applied at least 1 year prior to fruit harvest. Apply Poast at 1.0 to 2.0 pts. plus 2 pts. crop oil concentrate in 25 gals, water per acre. Poast may be applied up to 30 days before harvest. Do not apply more than 2.5 pts. per season.

Established Plants First Year
June-Julv:	Repeat Dacthal as above after
cultivation to remove emerged weeds; or apply chloroxuron (Tenoran 50 W or Norex 50 WP) at 6-8 pounds per acre. Chloroxuron can be applied after weeds have emerged, until they are two inches tall.