State blackberry farmers could soon have two “new” herbicide options for the 2025 growing season. Weed scientist and assistant professor of horticulture for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Matt Bertucci, recently published research that shows the herbicides 2,4-D choline and glufosinate are safe and effective in blackberry production. Now being looked at by the USDA and EPA, the research is awaiting final approval before recommendations can be released.
These herbicides have been used for other applications, but this would be the first time they’ve been approved for the production of blackberries. Commonly used in crops such as rice, corn and soybeans, this was the first study to test them extensively in blackberry fields, according to a press release by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The research team conducted trials over two years to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 2,4-D choline and glufosinate on blackberries.
“We’re excited about these results because they offer growers new tools for better weed control,” said Bertucci, who discussed this research in an episode of the Food, Farms and Forests podcast by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The team found that established blackberry plants showed minimal, temporary damage symptoms from 2,4-D choline, while glufosinate managed to control weeds without harming young blackberry plants, when carefully applied.
Due to the crop’s sensitivity to many commonly used herbicides, blackberry growers face challenges in controlling weed growth. The problem is made worse by the lack of financial incentives for developing new herbicides compared to major row crops. The USDA’s IR-4 Project supports the registration of pesticides for specialty crops like blackberries and ensures that smaller but economically valuable crops receive the resources needed for continued research.
“This support is crucial because it helps growers without the chemical companies bearing the full cost and logistical challenges of registration,” Bertucci said.
2,4-D choline is a synthetic herbicide known for its broadleaf weed control. The chemical was tested on established blackberry plants. The trials involved applications during three phases of growth – before the plants broke dormancy, during active growth and post-harvest. According to Bertucci, results indicated that 2,4-D choline could be a safe option for established blackberries, showing comparable yields and only minor, short-lived damage to the plants.
A non-selective herbicide, Glufosinate, was tested on newly planted blackberry plugs. Researchers used wax cartons to shield the young plants and avoid direct contact during herbicide application, protecting the plants from potential harm. While some minor leaf burning was observed, it was restricted to the lower parts of the plants and did not affect overall plant health, Bertucci said. It also reduced the need for manual pruning by helping control new blackberry shoots, he said.
“Currently registered products for post-emergence application in blackberries only control grassy weeds,” Bertucci said. “2,4-D choline and glufosinate will give us some broader activity and let us go after a different set of species that really can cause fits for our growers.”
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