Weed control in kale in terms of reducing herbicide use

In studies conducted in 2018-2020 on transplant kale, methods of weed control, including mechanical weeding, flame weeding, mechanical weeding combined with flame weeding, and herbicide use, were tested. Chemical control was based on the use of metamitron alone before planting; metamitron before planting, followed by pyridate 1-3 weeks after planting; pyridate alone at full rate and at a reduced dose with the addition of adjuvant; and pyridate using the split-application method at 14-day intervals. During the studies, weed control, the number and biomass of weeds, secondary weed infestation, the response of kale to non-chemical methods and herbicides, and kale leaf yield were determined. The highest weed control and weed number reduction was achieved after mechanical treatments, slightly lower after metamitron use before planting and pyridate after planting, and after pre-planting pendimethalin application with supplementary flame weeding. The yield of kale leaves for most methods ranged from 48.84 to 50.07 t/ha and was lower only after mechanical treatments supplemented with flame weeding and in the control. The studies showed the usefulness of the tested methods for weed control in kale.