Weeds Control in Potatoes under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Barsa Country, Romania

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most intensive field crops, which requires permanent care. The number of registered herbicides has been limited and in most cases their efficacy greatly depends on precipitation. It is important to conduct location specific experiments on weed management because the efficiency of a given chemical is limited only to controlling certain weed species and it can vary with different factors. The present study was carried out between 2022-2023 to National Institute for Research and Development for Potato and Sugar Beet Brasov and to a farmer in Codlea, Romania. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. The study determined the degree of damage to crops and weeds, fresh and dry weight of weeds, their number and floristic composition. Two factors were analyzed: factor I - potato varieties: Brasovia variety to NIRDPSB Brasov and Ultra variety to Codlea; factor II - four different combination of herbicides to control weeds and the untreated plot (V1: Control; V2: metribuzin; V3: metribuzin + metribuzin fractional doses; V4: aclonifen + metribuzin; V5: aclonifen). In the period of examination were registered a predominant number of six weeds species (Green foxtail, Lambs quarters, Redroot pigweed, Field bindweed, Birdeye speedwell, Cleavers). The measurement of weeds was made by using a metric frame (4 x 0.25 m2 quadrats), recording the number of weeds per square meter. All treatments significantly reduced the weed density and dry weight during both year of experiments as compared to the untreaterd variant. Among the herbicides, metribuzin applied fractional or in combination with aclonifen gave very good control of broadleaf weeds and the highest marketable potato yields. Chemical weeds control has proven high efficiency in reducing the number and biomass of weeds.