Chemical Control of Field Horsetail

Abstract

Soil-incorporated treatments of dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) at 4.5 or 9 kg/ha completely controlled field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) for 2 yr and at 9 kg/ha, control was 90 to 99% in the third year. Mulching with sawdust after surface application of dichlobenil gave similar results. In an area treated at 9 kg/ha and isolated from emerged field horsetail, there was no reappearance of field horsetail until 5.5 yr after treatment. Japanese holly (Ilex crenata Thunb.) and azalea (Rhododendron X ‘Rosebud’) planted a year after treatment made as much growth in treated as in adjacent untreated soil. Douglas fir seedlings [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] made as much growth in treated as in untreated soil only when planted 2 yr after treatment. Strawberry (Fragaria X ‘Northwest’) plants made approximately 80% as much top growth in treated as in untreated soil when planted 2 yr after herbicide application.