From 2022 to 2024, we evaluated the performance of 15 June-bearing strawberry cultivars grown in a plasticulture system using black and white-on-black plastic mulches at two locations in Indiana: the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, IN, and the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm in Lafayette, IN. During the experimental period, monthly average temperatures at the…Read more about Performance of 15 June-bearing Strawberry Cultivars Grown in Plasticulture System for Two Seasons in Indiana[Read More]
Jeanine Arana
From 2022-2024, we evaluated the performance 15 strawberry cultivars grown in plasticulture system using black and white-on-black plastic mulches (Figure 1) at two locations: Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, IN (USDA hardiness zone 6b), and Meigs Purdue Agricultural Center in Lafayette, IN (USDA hardiness zone 6a). Strawberries were harvested for two seasons. Plug plants…Read more about Performance of Strawberries on Black vs. White Plastic Mulches in Indiana[Read More]
Common names Common chickweed, chickweed, starwort, starweed, bindweed, chicken-weeds, winter weed, satin flower, tongue grass, chickwhirtles, cluckenweed, mischievous Jack, skirt buttons, cyrillo, and white bird’s eye. Fun fact Did you notice how many common names refer to chickens? It turns out that this weed was used as a go-to in chicken and bird diets! Latin…Read more about Weed Spotlight: Common Chickweed[Read More]
Weeds can quickly take over vegetable farms, reducing yield and interfering with harvest. Effective weed management is vital for keeping farms efficient and productive. Because every farm is unique, there is no universal weed management solution. Prior to implementing a weed control strategy, you should properly identify the problematic weeds on your farm and establish…Read more about Weed Management Strategies for Vegetable Farms[Read More]
Common Names Purple deadnettle, red deadnettle. Latin name Lamium purpureum. “Lamium” is derived from the Latin for “throat,” referencing the flower tube’s elongated shape. “purpureum”, also derived from the Latin, means “purple”. Family Lamiaceae – “the mint family”. Life cycle In Indiana, purple deadnettle is a winter annual. Plants emerge as small seedlings in the…Read more about Weed Spotlight: Purple Deadnettle[Read More]
Common names: Henbit, henbit dead nettle, henbit nettle, blind nettle, bee nettle, and giraffe head. Latin name: Lamium amplexicaule. “Lamium” is derived from the Latin for “throat,” referencing the flower tube’s elongated shape. “amplexicaule”, also derived from the Latin, means “embracing the stem,” describing the upper leaves of henbit that encircle the stem. Family: Lamiaceae…Read more about Weed Spotlight: Henbit[Read More]
Throughout the growing season, vegetable crop farmers often report suspected herbicide drift injury. Each type of herbicide results in specific types of injury. Knowing what to look for can help us narrow which herbicide or herbicide mode of action could be responsible. To document how watermelon and pumpkin respond to various herbicides, we sprayed a…Read more about Pumpkin and Watermelon Herbicide Injury Symptoms – In Photos[Read More]
Using herbicides with different modes of action is one way to more effectively control weeds and avoid or delay herbicide resistance. But how do you know if you are rotating herbicides properly? Group Numbers. Most herbicide labels have a herbicide Group number on the front page, usually above or next to the product’s trade name…Read more about Am I Properly Rotating my Herbicides?[Read More]
As of March 29, 2022, Reflex herbicide is registered for use on select vegetables in the state of Indiana through an indemnified 24(c) special local needs label. Below we discuss what this means for Indiana vegetable producers and how to access the new label. What crops are included?: Pea (succulent) Bell and non-bell pepper (transplanted)…Read more about Reflex Herbicide Now Registered for Use in Select Indiana Vegetables[Read More]
The vegetable crops have all been harvested and it’s time to just relax, right? Maybe. However, the decisions you make this fall will influence your weed control next spring. In all likelihood, you did not control EVERY weed during the growing season. Inevitably, there were weeds that escaped control. If so, these weeds have already…Read more about Post-harvest Weed Management[Read More]