| There is little information published in peer-reviewed journals on sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.), an invasive, perennial weed that contributes to decreasing lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) yields in Nova Scotia. The effects of fertilizer and hexazinone on sheep sorrel were assessed within prune year lowbush blueberry fields. Hexazinone decreased sheep sorrel root length, root, shoot, and reproductive and total biomass, as well as seed production. Fertilizer decreased root length, but increased the number of seeds per shoot. Fertilizer increased sheep sorrel densities, and hexazinone decreased densities even where fertilizer was added. Hexazinone, not fertilizer, increased blueberry yields, and crop-year hexazinone did not increase blueberry yields. Ramets seem to be the main contributor to an increase in sheep sorrel populations. Seedlings did not survive within a blueberry clone, even where hexazinone was not applied. Seedlings appear to only contribute to the population in fields that have a high organic matter content. |
