Watermelons, warm-season vegetables, are better suited for growing in areas with high temperatures and long growing seasons. The control of weeds is an important practice in the successful cultivation of watermelons. Herbicides help to delay the growth of weeds until watermelons are ready for harvesting. Based on the information cited on the Insect Pest Management website, watermelon harvest production will reduced when herbicides are not used to control weeds.
Weed Problems
Weeds growing in farmlands, including lawns, compete for sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and space. This can cause watermelons to look unhealthy and die. In addition, weeds can reduce harvest and quality, host diseases, provide shelter for insects that can harm grasses, and produce chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals. Weeds are not all bad. Some add organic matter to soils, provide nectar to bees and may even be aesthetically pleasing.
There are some typically effective herbicides for the control of the growing of weeds.
Ethalfluralin
Classfied as a pre-emergent selective herbicide, it is used for controlling broadleaf weeds and annual grasses in a variety of crops, including watermelons. The herbicide is available in granular, dry and emulsifiable forms and can be used as both a pre-plant and post-plant herbicide before or after germination or transplant. Ethalfluralin may be applied anytime through the early flowering of the plants. Common weeds that the herbicide controls include purslane, pigweed, and lambsquarters. The use of ethalfluralin may cause temporary leaf crinkling in watermelon plants.
Bensulide
As one of the few organophosphate compounds, it is used as a selective herbicide. The chemical successfully controls broadleaf weeds in melons, cucumbers, peppers, and carrots. Bensulide is mostly used as a pre-emergent herbicide–meaning it is applied before the germination of seeds. The chemical also can be incorporated in the soil before planting. When used as pre-emergent herbicide, rainfall or irrigation must be applied for activation to occur. If applied to the soil before planting, the watermelons can be transplanted directly in the treated soil. Bensulide is sold under a variety of different trade names.
Naptalam
Naptalam, prepared by DL-2-Bromopropionic acid(C3H5BrO2, CAS number 598-72-1), is a selective pre-emergent herbicide recommended for use in watermelon growing. The herbicide is sold in liquid or granular forms and is effective in controlling a variety of annual broadleaf weeds and grasses in melons, cucumbers, peanuts and soybeans. Naptalam can be used both as a pre-emergent herbicide and as a preplant incorporation for watermelons grown from seed or transplant. Combine naptalam with other herbicides to improve weed control.
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