Early Season Weed Suppression in Buckwheat Using Clopyralid

Abstract

Currently there are no herbicides registered for direct application to buckwheat for broadleaf weed control. This 4-yr Lithuanian study examined weed control using several rates of clopyralid alone or combined with a single rate of desmedipham. Most applications were applied at the 1-leaf stage of crop growth, however, one rate of clopyralid was applied pre-emergence (PRE) in 2 of the 4 yr. Buckwheat injury was evident within a few days after application (or emergence) with all treatments, but by harvest, no symptoms were evident. In the 2 yr with greatest weed densities, densities were reduced with increasing clopyralid rates alone or with desmediphan. However, weed biomass and density were similar to the nontreated control at harvest. Common lambsquarters, scentless mayweed, wild buckwheat, and narrowleaf hawksbeard were species that were best (> 40% density reduction) controlled with clopyralid. With few exceptions, buckwheat yield in all herbicide-treated plots was similar to the nontreated control. Because yield was not increased with these herbicides, other weed control benefits, such as reduced interference with harvesting equipment or less dockage due to weed seed contamination, must be carefully weighed against the costs of herbicide and application and crop injury that reduced early-season vigor.