Weed Survey of Nova Scotia Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium augustifolium Ait.) Fields and Development of Management Strategies for Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.)

Abstract

Weed surveys in lowbush blueberry fields are important and they provide the basis for vegetation management research in lowbush blueberries. A total of 165 bearing year lowbush blueberry fields were surveyed from 2017 to 2019, within which approximately 211 weed species were identified. The most common weed species were herbaceous perennials and woody perennials. Results are guiding future research priorities for weed management in lowbush blueberry fields. Spreading dogbane is a troublesome weed in lowbush blueberries. Results indicated dicamba and glyphosate continue to be the most effective herbicide spot treatments for spreading dogbane. Spot applications of foramsulfuron and flazasulfuron caused >85% injury to spreading dogbane and could be explored further as potential spot treatments. Dicamba was more effective than cutting when the herbicide was applied at the early-bud and flowering stages. Our recommendation for lowbush blueberry growers to control spreading dogbane is to apply dicamba in the early bud stage.