Differential Varietal Response of Green Pea (Pisum sativum) to Metribuzin

Abstract

Field and greenhouse experiments evaluated the differential response of 15 green pea varieties to metribuzin applied preemergence. ‘Charo,’ ‘CMG 298,’ ‘Leah,’ ‘Scout,’ and ‘Puget’ were the most tolerant, whereas ‘Bolero’ and ‘Sundance’ were the most susceptible varieties under greenhouse conditions. Variable chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv), efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fmax), and leaf area were reduced sharply by metribuzin in susceptible varieties, and metribuzin susceptibility correlated highly with the reduction in shoot dry weight. Green pea varieties grown under field conditions responded to metribuzin similarly to pea varieties grown under greenhouse conditions. Metribuzin reduced shoot dry weight more in peas grown at 30/25 C than in those grown at 25/20 and 20/15 C. Also, metribuzin injured peas more when grown in soil saturated to field capacity compared to soil at 70 and 40% of field capacity.