Development of a Best Management Plan for Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.) in Wild Blueberry Fields

Abstract

There is little information published on the phenology and biology of spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.), a perennial weed that is considered a serious problem in wild blueberry fields. There is no known effective control technique for an established population. Therefore, a two year study was conducted to examine the growth dynamics of spreading dogbane in wild blueberry fields, and to monitor the suppressive effects of several herbicides and application techniques. The results show that spreading dogbane emergence at low GDD values and peak emergence occurred approximately 420 GDD. The optimal timing for POST herbicide application was predicted between 486 to 535 GDD. Result of this research also indicated that summer broadcasts of nicosulfuron with Merge, fall broadcast application of dicamba or dicamba plus nicosulfuron, spot spray with glyphosate, dicamba or primosulfuron and dicamba effectively controlled spreading dogbane with minimal blueberry damage as well as wiping with glyphosate and triclopyr.