One application of two different herbicides is used on most fields of processing cabbage for weed control near planting time. Subsequent weed control is achieved through hand weeding. Herbicide load in crucifers is a relatively small proportion of total pesticide use. Fresh market crucifers. Disease control is much more important for fresh market crops than for processing crops because of the need to maintain an aesthetically pleasing product for the marketplace.
Black rot is another major disease problem.
No fungicides are currently labeled for control of Sclerotinia white mold or Fusarium yellows. Although pest problems are similar for both types of crops, more formulated product of insecticide is used on fresh market crucifers than on the processing crop. Nevertheless, insecticide on the fresh market crop constitutes a smaller percentage of total pesticide used than in the process market. The explanation for this seeming discrepancy is the fact that fungicides are extensively used on fresh market crucifers, which thus affects all percentages of pesticide use. Weed control is achieved in the same way for fresh market cabbage as for processing cabbage.