Cotton and Weed Response to Glyphosate Applied with Sulfur-Containing Additives

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to assess two sulfur-containing additives for use with glyphosate applied postemergence to glyphosate-resistant cotton for the control of sicklepod and yellow nutsedge. Neither diammonium sulfate (AMS) nor ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), both applied at 2.24 kg/ha, increased control of either species. Effective control of both species was dependent on glyphosate (isopropylamine salt) rate alone, with optimum control at 1.26 kg ae/ha. Plant-mapping data further indicated that sulfur-containing additives generally had no effect on either cotton fruiting patterns or yield. However, applying glyphosate at any rate did increase seed cotton yield in 2 of 3 yr vs. no glyphosate. In addition, applying glyphosate at any rate resulted in an increase in the number of bolls vs. no glyphosate in the following plant-mapping responses: total number of bolls per plant, number of abcised bolls per plant, bolls at the top five sympodial nodes, and bolls at positions 1 and 2 on the sympodia. Glyphosate absorption and subsequent translocation, as influenced by the addition of the sulfur-containing additives, was evaluated using radiotracer techniques. Glyphosate absorption after 48 h was 86, 63, and 37% of amount applied in cotton, sicklepod, and yellow nutsedge, respectively. Absorption by sicklepod and yellow nutsedge was not affected by the addition of either of the additives. Absorption by cotton was reduced by ATS but was not affected by AMS. In yellow nutsedge and cotton, glyphosate concentration in the treated area and adjacent tissue was not affected by either additive. A greater portion of glyphosate was translocated away from the treated area in sicklepod with glyphosate plus AMS (32%) than with glyphosate plus ATS (21%). AMS and ATS may be used in glyphosate-resistant cotton without the risk of either crop injury or yield reduction. However, their use for increased control of annual weed species, such as sicklepod and yellow nutsedge, may not be warranted.