Eggplant tolerance to halosulfuron applied through drip irrigation

Abstract

Halosulfuron is an alternative to methyl bromide for managing nutsedges (Cyperus spp.) in several vegetable crops. Field studies were conducted to evaluate eggplant growth and yield when halosulfuron was applied through drip-irrigation before transplant at four rates (0, 26, 39, or 52 g·ha-1 a.i.) or following transplant (26 g·ha -1 applied 1, 2, or 3 weeks after transplant) in spring and fall crops in 2002 and 2003. Inverse linear relationships were observed between rate of halosulfuron and eggplant growth and rate of halosulfuron and eggplant yield. Halosulfuron at 52 g·ha-1 reduced eggplant growth (crop height and canopy width) 19% to 22%. Eggplant fruit biomass at the first harvest was reduced 37% to 63% by halosulfuron applied before transplant. Eggplant was capable of recovering from the initial injury and there was no effect of halosulfuron rate on fruit biomass at the final harvest. Total season fruit biomass was reduced ≤4% from halosulfuron at 39 g·ha-1, while halosulfuron at 52 g·ha-1 reduced fruit biomass 33%. Delay in application of halosulfuron to 3 weeks after transplant (WAT) resulted in ≤7% reduction in fruit biomass and number for the entire season. When halosulfuron was applied 1 WAT, fruit biomass at the first two harvests was reduced >33%, however total season harvest from this treatment was >99% of the yield from the nontreated control. This preliminary study indicates that halosulfuron injected through drip tape may have the potential to assist in the replacement of methyl bromide for nutsedge management in eggplant. However, there are many issues that must be addressed and studied before adopting this practice in eggplant.