Interaction of Prodiamine and Flumioxazin for Nursery Weed Control

Abstract

Both prodiamine and flumioxazin are used in the nursery production and landscape maintenance industries in the southeastern United States for preemergence weed control. Research was conducted to determine whether a tank mixture of these two herbicides would be more effective than either component applied alone. Prodiamine alone, flumioxazin alone, and a 72 : 28 (by weight) prodiamine–flumioxazin mixture were each applied at a series of rates to containers filled with a pine bark–sand substrate that is typical for nursery production in the southeastern United States. Our intent was to have a rate range that hopefully extended from ineffective to lethal for each treatment series. Subsequent to treatment, containers were overseeded with either large crabgrass, spotted spurge, or eclipta. Percent control was determined by comparing treated weed foliage fresh weight to that of the appropriate nontreated control at 6 and 12 wk after application. ANOVA followed by nonlinear regression was used to evaluate the interaction of prodiamine and flumioxazin when combined and to determine the rate of each treatment series required for 95% control (if applicable) for each of the three weed species. Results varied with weed species. The mixture was synergistic and more cost effective than either of the components applied alone in controlling spotted spurge. With respect to large crabgrass control, the mixture was additive and slightly more cost effective than the components. Eclipta could only be controlled with flumioxazin, and this control was antagonized by the addition of prodiamine.