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HORTICULTURE
Herbicide Injury in Fruit Crops
Herbicides are a common tool used for controlling weeds in fruit
plants and around the home. Herbicides may be applied directly to the weed to kill it
(contact or post emergent herbicides). Some herbicides are applied to the ground and
suppress weed germination or kill young plants as they start to grow while not damaging
older established plants. Drift of the herbicide from the application area to sensitive
plants is a common way for herbicides to injury plants. Another way is by
misapplication or making a mistake when applying herbicides. You might use too much
or apply to sensitive plants. I have collected a lot of pictures of herbicide injury and
show some here to help you determine if what you see is herbicide injury.
I am still working on this page.
2,4-D is a common and useful herbicide used for controlling board leave weeds. It is commonly used to control weeds in lawns and pastures because it does not harm grasses. Grapes, a major fruit crop, are very sensitive to 2,4-D. 2,4-D distorts grape leaves and shoots and can stop the growth and ripening of the grape berries. I have posted more information on 2,4-D and Grapes.
Many other fruit crops can be affected by 2,4-D
When you use pesticides it is your responsibility to reduce drift and off site damage.
Please send me your comments and suggestions Mark Longstroth