USE OF FLAMER AS A HERBICIDE REPLACEMENT IN POTATO FIELDS

Abstract

Weed control in potato fields of Iran is carried out either by mechanical means or by use of herbicides ie. Metribuzine (pre-em.)or paraquat (post-em.), the latter being more successful. These means of weed control were compared with burning weeds using a portable gasoil flamer in a RCBD 2- Year experiment during 1997-1998.Results showed that flaming not only controlled weeds better than other methods,but also produced higher yields of potato. Both broad- leaf and grass weeds were controlled by flaming, but grass weeds germinated after flame treatment. An economic calculation showed that flaming is the cheapest method of weed control. None of the above methods could compete with the weed-free treatment as far as potato yield was concerned.