IPM / Weed Science

Economic Comparison of Initial Vine Density, Nitrogen Rate, and Weed Management Strategy in Commercial Cranberry
To remain economically competitive, MA growers are considering renovating existing beds to high-yielding varieties. Renovation is a very expensive activity ($10,000 to $25,000 per acre); obviously, growers need to minimize costs while maximizing quick and thorough establishment of the new vines. The purchase of vines can be a major portion of the initial costs for a new planting. No study had previously examined various vine densities and documented the progress of the cranberry plants.

An economic analysis was conducted on data collected from a 2-year field trial that examined the interaction of nitrogen rate, vine density, and weed management options for establishing new cranberry plantings. The study examined all combinations of the following: 4-rates of nitrogen (0,25,50,100 lb/acre), 4 planting densities (0, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 tons/acre) and three weed management options (preemergence herbicide [Devrinol], postemergence weed control [hand-weeding and grass herbicide] and untreated). Utilizing the vigorous hybrid, ‘Stevens’, the cost-efficiency of the treatment combinations was evaluated by combining cranberry and weed biomass data with various economic estimates. The most cost-effective production scheme for establishing new cranberry beds is to plant vines at a low density, use moderate rates of nitrogen, and apply an annual application of preemergence herbicide. This combination produced substantial vine coverage at very low cost, reduced weed biomass by 85% compared to untreated plots, and gave the best weed control per dollar spent. Growers may opt for other combinations that involve higher labor costs if they can produce their own cuttings (reducing initial costs) or if they are farming with the intent to reduce overall synthetic inputs.

Managing Cuscuta gronovii (swamp dodder) in Cranberry Requires an Integrated Approach
Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that threaten the sustainability of many crops. Because this parasite is very adept and successful from biological and ecological perspectives, a single control strategy is unlikely to provide sufficient economic control. Dodder (C. gronovii) is a particularly serious pest in commercial cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production. Multiple viable strategies must be integrated and tailored into a weed management plan to provide acceptable control. The key to sustainable management of this serious pest will require a combination of chemical and cultural approaches, supported by understanding the complicated nature of dodder biology. Research from small fruit production systems like cranberry into the biology of dodder (e.g., germination patterns, host preference, use of plant growth regulators) may provide insights that could ultimately be useful for other crop system management plans.

IPM Laboratory
Along with the bog and greenhouse facilities here at the Cranberry Station, the Weed/IPM Lab does all of its work with fairly low-tech equipment. Some of the technical equipment we use includes a LI-Cor PAR and leaf area meter and SigmaScan for digitization of dodder infestations.

Recent IPM Awards/Funding

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Strategic Agricultural Initiatives Program.  $99,692.  Promoting the adoption of reduced risk options for weed control in commercial cranberry production.  H.A. Sandler and K.M. Ghantous. July 2010-April 2012.

United States Department of Agriculture, Special Grants Program.  $148,907.  Overcoming barriers to sustainable cranberry production: a study of cranberry phytochemistry, ecology, and physiology.  H.A. Sandler, C.J. DeMoranville, and F.L. Caruso (co-PIs).  FY 2010.

United States Department of Agriculture, Special Grants Program.  $103,485.  Chemistry, behavioral analysis, systems ecology, and physiology to reduce pesticide dependence and increase sustainability in cranberry production.  F.L. Caruso, C.J. DeMoranville, and H.A. Sandler (co-PIs).  FY 2009.

United States Department of Agriculture, Special Grants Program . $110,192. Use of molecular genetics to reduce pesticide dependence in cranberry production. F.L. Caruso (PI), C.J. DeMoranville, H.A. Sandler, and C. Neto. July 2008-June 2009.

United States Department of Agriculture, Northeast-IPM Program. $128,738. Combining a disease and weather monitoring network with measurements of inoculum potential for disease forecasting in vineyard IPM for southern New England . F. Ferrandino (PI), R. Kiyomoto, D. Cooley, F. Caruso, J. LaMondia, H.A. Sandler, and P. Rolshausen. May 2008-August 2011.

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. $49,093. Use of flame cultivation as a nonchemical option for weed control in commercial cranberry production. H.A. Sandler. August 2008-July 2011.

Cranberry Institute/Cranberry Research Foundation/Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association.  $21,000.  Postemergence dodder control options.  H.A. Sandler.  May 2008-December 2010.

Cranberry Research Foundation/Cranberry Institute/Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.  $17,000.  Efficacy data for the use quinclorac for postemergence dodder control.  H.A. Sandler.  May 2009-March 2011.

Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association/Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc./Cranberry Research Foundation.  $12,100.  Implementation of periodic mowing in the management of Stevens: an alternative to sanding or pruning.  C.J. DeMoranville and H.A. Sandler.  April 2008-April 2012.

USDA Hatch Allocation, State Agricultural Experiment Station, $6,000 per annum. Best management practices for propagating cranberry vines and planting new cranberry beds. H.A. Sandler. October 2007-September 2010.

United Phosphorus, Inc.  $4,500.  Multiple applications of Devrinol with or without Callisto on new plantings.  H.A. Sandler.  May 2009-December 2010.

United Phosphorus, Inc.  $3,000.  Evaluation of Devrinol 3.75L on new plantings of cranberry.  H.A. Sandler.  April 2010-December 2010.

Bayer CropScience.  $1,500.  Preliminary testing with Alion on cranberry.  H.A. Sandler.  April 2010-December 2010.

Chemtura Corporation.  $4,000.  Evaluation of phytotoxicity of late applications of Casoron.  H.A. Sandler.  May 2009-December 2010.