Synergism of Dicamba with Diflufenzopyr with Respect to Turfgrass Weed Control

Abstract

Diflufenzopyr is an auxin-transport inhibitor that can increase the phytotoxicity of certain auxin-mimicking herbicides such as dicamba on broadleaf species. Dicamba is commonly used alone and in combination with other auxin herbicides for broadleaf weed control in various species of turfgrass. Dicamba efficacy applied over a series of rates either alone or as an admixture with either 20 or 40% by weight of diflufenzopyr relative to the weight of dicamba was evaluated on purple cudweed and common lespedeza. The 20% admixture reduced the LD50of dicamba on purple cudweed from 23 to 20 g/ha. Similarly, LD50on common lespedeza was reduced from 36 and 27 g/ha. The 20% admixture was 13 and 25% more active than dicamba alone for these two weed species, respectively. However, the synergistic benefit was limited to a relatively narrow range of rates that are below the minimal registered rate of dicamba. Turfgrass injury, as expressed by the suppression of foliage growth, was similar whether dicamba was applied alone or with diflufenzopyr for all species evaluated except St. Augustinegrass. The admixture was less injurious than dicamba alone in St. Augustinegrass. The synergistic benefit with respect to weed control was obtained without a corresponding increase in injury on the turfgrasses.