Trends in weed management in New Zealand orchards

Abstract

A weed management survey was distributed to New Zealand pipfruit growers in 2001 seeking information on their approaches to weed control Results were compared with an earlier survey conducted in 1989/1990 Since 1989 orchardists have changed their approach to weed control The width of orchard herbicide strips has not changed but the intensity of weed control has decreased with more growers prepared to accept weeds on their orchards The use and application frequency of residual herbicides has decreased dramatically and there has been a large increase in the number of growers using glyphosate as their only herbicide A large number of growers are supplementing their herbicide programme with nonchemical means of weed control Winter grazing with sheep and partial mowing of the tree line are the most popular nonchemical methods employed