Rutgers Cooperative Extension Hosts Presentation on Weed Control

COURT HOUSE – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County Agriculture and Natural Resources Division and the Cape May County Beach Plum Association hosted  a presentation on weed control for farmers April 6, 2017.  The program, How Better Weed Control Can Improve Fruit Quality in Grapes, with guest speaker Thierry Besançon, Ph.D. , Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers University took place at Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Cape May Court House, New Jersey.
Jenny S. Carleo, County Agent II, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said, “The purpose of the presentation was to show farmers how weed control can directly affect fruit quality and increase yield.”
The presentation highlighted the importance of weed control at the earliest stage of crop growth.  Besançon stressed to farmers that proper weed control has many benefits. Besançon said, “ Size does matter. The goal is to control weeds when they are small; the larger the weed, the more resistant it is to herbicides.”  “ Maintaining weeds should be a priority throughout the crop’s growing season,” added Besançon.  He explained that there are other ways to eliminate weeds without the use of herbicides, which can be costly, including mulching and cultivating the soil.
Important facts for farmers: Weeds reduce harvesting efficiency by delaying start of harvest, slower harvest speed, increase harvesting losses and wear and tear on equipment. Indirect crop losses include increased crop production costs such as the cost of herbicides and application, equipment and labor. Costs increase for cultivation and additional land prep, and management time.  Out of control weeds can lead to damage to the crop, herbicide damage to the target crop, mechanical damage, and moisture loss from cultivation.  Also, weeds can enhance other pest problems by acting as an alternate host for insect and disease pests, providing cover for rodents, and interfering with adequate crop pollination. 
There are also some crop losses that include limiting crop rotation choices. Weeds can determine which crops can and cannot be planted due to necessary management strategies. The herbicide program necessary to control weeds in one crop may dictate crops which can and cannot be planted next year. Other impacts of weeds are sanitation concerns, safety issues, and problems in water use.
Besançon has been the Extension Specialist in weed science for blueberry, cranberry, vegetables, wine grapes, and fruit crops for Rutgers University since September 2016. He received his master’s degree in agronomy in Lyon, France, in 1999 and worked as an agricultural biologist for 10 years in a fruit research station in eastern France, conducting field trials on managing pests and diseases in both organic and conventional stone fruit production. He received his Ph.D. in weed science from North Carolina State University in 2015. At Rutgers, he is focusing on establishing an innovative research program in weed science using effective, sustainable, and cost‐efficient methods of weed control for his major crops, in collaboration with New Jersey growers, the pesticide industry, county extension agents, USDA researchers, and fellow faculty members in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology.
For more information, please contact Jenny Carleo, County Agent II,  Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Cape May County at 606-465-5115, ext. 607 or via email carleo@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County helps both youth and adults improve their knowledge and skills, enhance their quality of life, and resolve problems in areas of food, nutrition, health and wellness; food safety; agriculture; environmental and natural resource management; and youth development.  This is accomplished through the use of science-based knowledge and university research.  Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an education organization within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.  Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.