Research on developmental biology and chemical control of field musk melon (Cucumis melo var. agrestis Naudin) and morning glory species (Ipomoea Spp.)

Field Musk Melon (Cucumis melo var. agrestis Naudin) and Scarlet Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederifolia L.) are invasive weed species for Çukurova Region The frequency of the Field Musk Melon in the Çukurova region was found to be 29.8% in 2015 and 63.5% in 2016 and Morning Glory species 1.7% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2016. The minimum, optimum and maximum temperatures for Field Musk Melon seed germination were determined as 20 °C, 20-30 °C, and 35 °C and for Scarlet Morning Glory 15 °C, 15-35 °C, and 40 °C respectively. They show a low level of primer dormancy. The weed seeds reach maximum germination on the seventh day. It was found that both species germinated in the same week with maize and produced mature seeds before maize harvest. Herbicides used were found to be 29-47% effective on Field Musk Melon and 40-83% on Scarlet Morning Glory. Herbicide applications restored corn yield by 13-46%. All herbicide applications increased net and gross profit. The herbicide residues were not detected in the maize and the soil samples at the harvest time of the maize. Control of this weed species is a long-term managing problem, it cannot be managed economically with the current technology, invasions cause long-term harmful results for agricultural areas. The solution is to apply crop rotations with 5-10 crops.