Kiwifruit
Joe DeFrancesco 
Revised November 7, 2008
KIWIFRUIT—Weed and Vegetation Management 
General strategy  The type of vine support structure and the method of irrigation influence weed management. Shade from pergolas reduces light available for weed germination and growth. A T-bar trellis may facilitate growth of perennial sods or winter cover crops for soil conservation. Drip irrigation reduces weed germination and growth both within rows and in aisles. Minimize weed competition and interference within rows. (See “Horticultural Weed Management—Orchards, Vineyards, and Berries” in this Handbook.)
Cultivation  Tillage controls annual weeds while suppressing perennials depending on tilling frequency (every 3 wk as necessary to eventually deplete perennials). Adverse effects include soil erosion from sloping sites, soil compaction, and reduced water infiltration during winter rains (except in very sandy soils).
Mowing or flailing  Mowing or flailing grass sods or weedy vegetation in aisles improves trafficability, prevents erosion, and improves soil conditions. Improved turfgrasses combined with water and fertilizer management for both the crop and sod offer long-term advantages in soil management.
Herbicides  Kiwifruit roots proliferate in undisturbed, competition-free strips representing a third to half the area depending on moisture availability. New plantings may benefit from nearly vegetation-free conditions during 3 yr of establishment. Choose combinations of practices that act together to achieve your desired level of vegetation management.
KIWIFRUIT—Site Preparation
•  glyphosate (several products)
Rate  Consult labels.
Time  Apply to weeds at least 10 days before planting the crop.
Remarks  Use highest rate on field bindweed. Rain within 6 hr after application may reduce effectiveness.
Caution  Do not apply if weeds are under stress from drought, weather, or maturity. 
Action in plant  Causes ammonium ions to accumulate, disrupting photosynthesis.
Site of action  Group 9: inhibits EPSP synthase
Chemical family  None generally accepted
KIWIFRUIT—New Plantings
•  napropamide (Devrinol)
Rate  4 lb ai/A
Time  Apply after transplanting to firm soil before weeds germinate.
Remarks  Water the day of treatment to wet the soil 2 to 4 inches deep to reduce degradation by sun and to activate the herbicide. Where convenient, shallow mechanical incorporation appears to improve activity. 
Action in plant  Inhibits root growth.
Site of action  Group 15: inhibits very long chain fatty acid synthesis
Chemical family  Acetamide
•  oryzalin (Surflan, Oryzalin)
Rate  2 to 6 lb ai/A 
Time  Apply after transplanting to firm soil before weeds germinate. Requires sprinkler irrigation, rain, or shallow cultivation (1 to 2 inches) to activate.
Remarks  Rate depends on duration of weed control desired.
Caution  Do not use on soils with more than 5% organic matter. Avoid exposing transplant roots to contact with treated soil. 
Action in plant  Inhibits mitosis, primarily in roots.
Site of action  Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family  Dinitroaniline
•  isoxaben (Gallery)
nonbearing crop only
Rate  0.495 to 0.998 ai/A
Time  For preemergence control of certain broadleaf weeds, apply to weed-free soil surface.
Remarks  Activate herbicide within 21 days with either shallow cultivation or irrigation with at least 0.5 inch water.
Action in plant  Appears to disrupt root and hypocotyl development. Susceptible plants die before emerging.
Site of action  Group 21: inhibits cell wall synthesis Site B
Chemical family  Benzamide
•  isoxaben + trifluralin (Snapshot 2.5TG)
nonbearing crop only
Rate  2.5 to 5 lb ai/A
Time  For preemergence control of certain broadleaf weeds and grass weeds, apply to weed-free soil surface.
Remarks  Activate herbicide within 3 days either with shallow cultivation or irrigation with at least 0.5 inch water.
Action in plant  (isoxaben) Appears to disrupt root and hypocotyl development. Susceptible plants die before emerging. (trifluralin) Inhibits mitosis in shoots and roots.
Site of action  (isoxaben) Group 21: inhibits cell wall synthesis Site B; (trifluralin) Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family  (isoxaben) benzamide; (trifluralin) dinitroaniline
•  fluazifop (Fusilade DX)
nonbearing crop only
Rate  0.25 to 0.375 lb ai/A 
Time  Apply to actively growing grasses, or within 7 days after irrigation, as a directed spray with 1% crop oil or 0.25% nonionic surfactant.
Remarks  Identify grass weeds and adjust rates, depending on susceptibility and stage of growth as label instructs. Results often are erratic on grasses stressed from lack of vigor, drought, high temperature, or low fertility. More mature grasses and quackgrass can be controlled but may require two applications. Annual bluegrass and all fine fescues resist treatment.
Caution  Preharvest interval is 1 yr. Grazing is prohibited 
Action in plant  Inhibits fatty acid production, cell membranes, and new growth. 
Site of action  Group 1: acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors
Chemical family  Aryloxyphenoxy propionate
KIWIFRUIT—Established Plantings—Winter Applications that Persist in Soil
•  napropamide (Devrinol)
Rate  4 lb ai/A
Time  Apply fall through spring before weeds germinate, or apply foliar-active herbicide to control existing weeds. 
Remarks  Irrigation or shallow incorporation is recommended for treatments made November through February if no rain falls within 2 wk after application. Irrigate within 24 hr to wet soil 2 to 4 inches deep if applied March through October. Shallow mechanical incorporation seems to enhance activity. Performance is reduced with excessive plant residues on soil surface. 
Caution  Do not apply within 35 days of harvest. 
Action in plant  Inhibits root growth.
Site of action  Group 15: inhibits very long chain fatty acid synthesis
Chemical family  Acetamide
•  oryzalin (Surflan, Oryzalin)
Rate  2 to 6 lb ai/A
Time  Apply late fall or early spring to bare soil or after existing vegetation has been destroyed by tilling or by using a foliar-active herbicide.
Remarks  For longer residual control, use higher rates, or split treatments and apply in fall and spring. Irrigate with at least 0.5 inch of water or rain to activate herbicide. Shallow cultivation can control newly germinated weeds without reducing herbicide activity.
Caution  Do not use on soils with more than 5% organic matter. Wait 24 mo before planting vegetables after kiwi. 
Action in plant  Inhibits mitosis, primarily in roots.
Site of action  Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family  Dinitroaniline
KIWIFRUIT—Established Plantings—Directed Applications in Kiwifruit Rows
•  pelargonic acid (Scythe)
Rate  For annual weeds, a 3% to 5% solution; for perennial herbaceous weeds and sucker control, a 5 to 7% solution
Remarks  Apply in 75- to 200-gal/A water broadcast; agitation required. Cool weather may slow the product’s activity and delay or reduce visible effects. This product is a contact, nonselective herbicide and controls only actively growing, emerged green vegetation.
Action in plant  Control or burndown of a broad spectrum of weeds on contact.
Site of action  Group  26: unknown
Chemical family  Carboxylic acid
•  carfentrazone (Aim)
Rate  0.031 lb ai/A
Remarks  Apply as a directed application to actively growing weeds not beyond the six-leaf stage. Allow at least 14 days between applications. Preharvest interval is 3 days.
Caution  This product is a contact, nonselective, broadleaf herbicide. Avoid contact with desirable kiwi foliage, green bark, or fruit.
Action in plant  Disrupts cell membranes.
Site of action  Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor
Chemical family  Triazinone
•  glyphosate (several products)
Rate  Spray—consult labels
Remarks  Select application equipment to prevent crop injury by directing spray, or use selective applicators. Adjust concentration depending on equipment. See label for rate and application time, especially for perennial weeds. Adding surfactant or mixing ammonium sulfate according to label directions may improve control of slightly stressed weeds.
Caution  Do not let drift or mist contact green foliage, green bark, suckers, or vines and renewals less than 3 yr old. Preharvest interval is 14 days. If applications are repeated, check label for the maximum amount of glyphosate allowed per season. 
Action in plant  Causes ammonium ions to accumulate, disrupting photosynthesis.
Site of action  Group 9: inhibits EPSP synthase
Chemical family  None generally accepted
•  glyphosate (several products)
Rate  Wiper—33% solution
Time  Mix 1 gal product to 2 gal water and wipe weeds.
Remarks  Avoid contact with desirable vegetation. In severe infestations, reduce equipment ground speed, or apply in two directions to ensure contact with wiper. (See remarks above.)
Action in plant  Causes ammonium ions to accumulate, disrupting photosynthesis.
Site of action  Group 9: inhibits EPSP synthase
Chemical family  None generally accepted
•  oxyfluorfen (Goal or Galigan)
Rate  0.5 to 2 lb ai/A
Time  Apply only to healthy vines.
Remarks  Direct spray toward base of vines; avoid direct plant contact. Dormant application only; do not apply oxyfluorfen after buds start to swell until harvest is complete. Controls broadleaf weeds preemergence and postemergence, depending on application rate and weed species. For preemergence control of susceptible weeds, use 1.25 to 2 lb ai/A rate on a clean, weed-free soil surface. For postemergence control of susceptible weeds, use 0.5 to 2 lb ai/A, depending on stage of growth.
Caution  Do not apply when fruits are present. Oxyfluorfen can be applied upon completion of final harvest. Do not exceed 2 lb ai/A per season.
Action in plant  Acts as a contact-type herbicide, either directly on broadleaf weeds or at soil surface as weeds emerge.
Site of action  Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor
Chemical family  Diphenylether
• paraquat (Gramoxone Max) 
Rate   0.638 to 1.012 lb ai/A (1.7 to 2.7 pints/A)
Time  Apply as a directed-shielded spray toward base of vines when weeds are growing vigorously and new weeds are 1 to 6 inches high.
Remarks  Add a nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate according to label; avoid anionic formulations that react in the tank to form insoluble precipitates.
Caution  A restricted-use pesticide. Do not ingest or inhale spray mist. Wear protective face shields, respirators, and clothing. Do not let spray contact green stem, fruit, or foliage. Avoid windy conditions. Do not treat more than three times per year. Preharvest interval is 14 days. 
Action in plant  Acts as contact; absorbs energy produced during photosynthesis and forms peroxides that disrupt living cells.
Site of action  Group 22: photosystem I electron diversion
Chemical family  Bipyridilium
• pyraflufen (Venue)
Rate  0.001 to 0.006 lb ai/A (0.7 to 4 fl oz/A)
Remarks  Apply as a directed application to actively growing weeds less than 4 inches high or rosettes less than 3 inches in diameter. Use lower rate for small weeds and higher rate for larger weeds. Do not exceed 6.8 fl oz/A or three applications per season. Allow at least 30 days between applications. Apply only at prebloom, postharvest, or during dormancy. Mixing this herbicide with another herbicide increases the weed spectrum and is highly recommended.
Caution  This product is a contact, nonselective, broadleaf herbicide. Avoid contact with desirable kiwi foliage, green bark, or fruit.
Action in plant  Inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) that disrupts cell membranes.
Site of action  Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor
Chemical family   Phenylpyrazole 
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