Response of ‘Jerseyland’ Peach Trees to Three Consecutive Yearly Herbicide Applications of Simazine and Dalapon Alone and in Combination1

Response of ‘Jerseyland’ peach trees to 3 consecutive yearly herbicide applications of 2-chloro-4,6 bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) and sodium salt of 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) alone and in combination was determined. The data included weed control, tree growth, fruit size, yield and leaf N, K, Ca and Mg content. The herbicide combination of dalapon at 4.25 lb ai/acre and simazine at 3.2 lb ai/acre gave the best weed control. The partial reduction in weed population was of no benefit to tree growth, fruit size, yield and nutrition. Simazine did not alter the chemical composition of the leaf or affect growth, fruit size and yield, as compared with either dalapon or the mowed control.