Investigation of Weed Control Methods in Seed Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Cultivation

Pumpkin seed production has increased greatly in recent years due to its profitability. However, pumpkin producers are faced with numerous biotic and abiotic factors that affect production. One of these factors is weeds. In addition to the damage, they cause through direct competition, weeds are hosts to many viruses, fungi, etc. that affect pumpkins. Pumpkin is widely grown in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. This study was conducted to determine an effective method of controlling weeds in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) crops. The trials were conducted in 2017–2018 in the city of Kayseri of Turkiye in a randomized block design with four replicates. In the study, halosulfuron methyl doses of 15, 22.50, 30, 45, 75 g ai ha⁻¹ pre- and post-emergence and clomazone of 48, 96, 192, 384 ml ai ha⁻¹ separately, hoe, weedy control and weed-free control applications were used. According to the results, the highest weed biomass (54.218 g m⁻²) was obtained in the weedy control plots and the lowest weed biomass (0.000 g m⁻²) was obtained in the control plots without weeds. The plots with the lowest weed biomass and thus the most effective weed control was found in the plots where halosulfuron methyl 22.50, 45, and 75 g ai ha⁻¹ was applied as a pre-emergence herbicide. The study of the effects of the different applications in weed control in pumpkins showed that the application of clomazone 96 ml ai ha⁻¹ before emergence can be recommended.