Weed infestation and yielding of potato under conditions of varied use of herbicides and bio-stimulants

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of applied herbicides and growth regulators on the airborne limitation of dry weed mass and the total yield of three edible potato varieties. The field experiment was established as two-factor in a (split-plot) system in three replications. The experiment examined: I factor - three moderately early varieties of edible potato: Bartek, Gawin, Honorata. II factor - five ways of using herbicides and bio-stimulants: 1. control object: mechanical care 2. Harrier 295 ZC herbicide at a dose of 2.0 dm3.ha-1, 3. Harrier 295 ZC herbicide at a dose of 2.0 dm3.ha-1 and then after the plant rises the Kelpak SL bioregulator twice at a dose of 2.0 dm3.ha-1, 4. Sencor 70 WG herbicide at a dose of 1.0 kg.ha-1, 5. Sencor 70 WG herbicide and then after the plant rises the Asahi SL bio-stimulant twice at a dose of 1.0 dm3.ha-1. The obtained test results showed that the smallest dry weed mass determined in both research dates was obtained using Harrier 295 ZC herbicide and Kelpak SL growth bio-stimulant (0.7 g.m-2 and 3.1 g.m-2), while the largest in the control object (15.1 and 64.7 g.m-2), respectively. The total yield of potato tubers depended on both the types of herbicides and bio-stimulants used and the varieties cultivated in the experiment. However, the weather conditions which varied in particular years significantly influenced both the size of the air-dried mass of weeds and the total yield of potato tubers.