Perennial weeds include johnsongrass, nutsedge, black nightshade, silverleaf nightshade. Rotations with cotton and grain crops to help control weeds. In some cases row middles are treated before vines cover the soil. While these herbicides are not FQPA-targeted during Phase 1, they are important since options for weed control are limited. Outlook Pumpkins produce tremendous amounts of foliage, which favor insects and disease.
Chemical control is essential, along with cultural control methods.
Resistant varieties are not available. For the future, pumpkin growers have few herbicide options for weed control. Experimental herbicides that show promise in other countries cause severe injury in pumpkins, even at low rates. This effort is supported by the Texas Vegetable Association, and other commodity groups. Dr. Dudley Smith, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Dr. Juan Anciso, Texas Agricultural Extension Service prepared these reports August 2000 using information from numerous sources.