Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

100.
INTERACTIONOF SOIL MOISTURE,SEED TREATMENTANDHRRBICIDES
ON ONIONSTANDSANDYIELDS ONMUCKSOIL
M. w. M~adows(l), J. R. orsenigo(2) , and J. D. VanGeluwe(l)
PROBLEM: The stand of seeded onions on muck soils is often reduced drastically.
It is speculated'that this stand reduction can be attributed to a number of
individual factors or combination ~ffects of several.
Factors that are more usually suspect are herbicide, soil moisture, and
insecticide-fungicide see4 treatments.
Such variables as planting depth, soil and'air temperature, oni~n variety,
etc. may be important but were not included in this study.
MATERIALSANDMETHODS: A factorial experiment was laid out at the Everglades
Experiment Station. Belle Glade, Fla., to check out the follmving variables.
.
Soil Moisture (3 levels) - During period of , qnion germination. Supplemental
irrigation was used to supply 0, 1 and 2 inches of additional water.
Herbicide - Pre-emergence applications of 11 herbicidal treatments were made
plus 2 untreated checks. The results of 3 granular CIPC + Randox formulations
were combined as were the check treatments.
Seed Treatment - A 5% Ethion-5% Thiram granular was drilled in the row in --­
intimate contact with the onion seed. Rates of application were 0, 40 and
80 Ibs. of the granular material per acre based on a 15 inch row spacing.
The recommended rate of thi~ granula~ formulation is 30 Ibs. per acre at the
same row spacing. .
Plots - Individual plots were 40' long x 6' wide consisting of 4 rows of onions
spaced 18 inches apart. Two rows received no seed treatment and the remaining
rows received the 40 and 80 lb. granular insecticide-fungicide treatment. An
individual herbicide treatment was applied over this 40' x 6' plot.
Irrigation treatments were confined to blocks with one block each devoted to
a particular water level.
Each seed treatment x herbicide plot within an irrigation block was replicated·
4 times.
All planting) spraying and granular application work was done with tractormounted
equipment.
The following data are pertinent to this work:
Onion variety - Early Yellow Globe
Planting dates - February 4 - 5, 1960
Herbicides applied February 6, 1960. Sprays in 45 gallons of water per acre
and granulars with a Noble applicator.
(1) G.L.F., Soil Building Division, Ithaca. N. Y.
(2) E'lerglades Experiment Station, Belle Glade. Fla.