Stale seedbed practices for vegetable production

Effects of several stale seedbed procedures on weed density and biomass wer e evaluated on a silt loam soil in central New York. After an initial rotar y tillage, weeds were allowed to emerge and either single or multiple appli cations of glyphosate, propane flame, spring tine weeder, springtooth harro w, or rotary tiller were used to kill the weeds over a 4-week period. The l ast (or only) application occurred immediately prior to simulated seeding o f a crop performed by passing an empty seeder through the plots. These stal e seedbed treatments were compared with a control consisting of a single ro tary tillage just before simulated planting. Flaming or glyphosate stale se edbed techniques significantly reduced density and biomass of the principal broadleaf species, common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common chic kweed [Stellaria media (L.) Cyrillo], in most cases. A single delayed flame or glyphosate stale seedbed treatment was usually as effective as multiple treatments. None of the stale seedbed techniques was effective against yel low nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). A flexible tine weeder was not effect ive as a stale seedbed weed-killing treatment in this study because of poor penetration of crusted soil. Penetration was better with a springtooth har row, but this failed to reduce weed density. None of the stale seedbed trea tments fully controlled weeds. However, glyphosate or flaming a stale seedb ed could be incorporated into integrated weed management programs to improv e control and reduce the need for herbicides. Broadleaf weed density within 3.8 cm. of the center of the seeder wheel track was greater than elsewhere in the plot. Chemical name used: N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate).