Survey of Swallow-wort (Cynanchum acutum L.) Control in Pistachio Orchards of Kerman Province

Chemical and mechanical control of Cynanchum acutum (CA) in pistachio orchards of Kerman was investigated during 2007-2010. The experiment was performed in randomized complete blocks design with 4 replications and the following 22 treatments: glyphosate (41% SL) at 6 L/ha+ 8 kg ammonium sulfate، 1، 2 and 3 times، paraquat (20% SL) at 3 L/ha،1، 2 and 3 times، glufosinate-ammonium (Basta، 20% SL) at 5 L/ha، 1، 2 and 3 times، triclopyr (Garlon، 62%) at 2 L/ha، 1، 2 and 3 times، nicosulfuron (Cruz، 4% SC) at 2 L/ha، nicosulfuron at 2 L/ha+ glyphosate (41% SL) at 6 L/ha+ 8 kg ammonium sulfate، nicosulfuron at 2 L/ha+ paraquat at 3 L/ha، glyphosate (Weed Master،36% SC) at 2 and 3 L/ha، 1 and 2 times، mechanical surface cutting، 1،2 and 3 times. All treatments were carried on C. acutum at 10 cm growth stage. After every treatment density of CA was determined and compared to the density at the beginning of the experiment، as percentage. Results indicated that all treatments succeeded in reduction of CA density. The most effective treatments included glyphosate (41% SL) at 6 L/ha+ 8 kg ammonium sulfate، or glyphosate (Weed Master) at 2 L/ha، with one or two repetitions as needed. Surface cutting was also effective as a non chemical means.