Efficacy of Acifluorfen on Broadleaf Weeds. Times and Methods for Application

Abstract

In field tests, common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.) was controlled at the one- and two-leaf stages with 0.3 kg/ha acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}. Four-leaf common cocklebur required 1.1 kg/ha for comparable control. Acifluorfen at 0.6 and 0.8 kg/ha controlled 96 and 90% of entireleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea(L.) Jacq. var.integriuscula] atone- and two-leaf stages, respectively, but control was reduced as plants aged. Dark applications (2100 h) were more effective than those at sun-up (0600 h) or midday (1200 h) in control of hemp sesbania [Sesbania exaltata(Raf.) Cory], pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosaL.), and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridusL.). Hour of application had no significant influence on control of common cocklebur or prickly sida (Sida spinosaL.). An increase in surfactant (80% alkyl aryl polyoxyethylene glycols) concentration enhanced acifluorfen control of entireleaf morningglory and Texas gourd [Cucurbita texana(A.) Gray] at the 0.3-kg/ha rate applied 2 weeks after emergence. Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] injury was increased with the 1.1-kg/ha rate when surfactant concentration was increased from 0.5 to 0.75%. Increasing the spray volume increased pitted morningglory control but decreased hemp sesbania control. In the growth chamber, better control of pitted morningglory and common cocklebur was obtained at high (35 C day, 26 C night) than at low temperatures (27 C day, 18 C night) when plants were treated 1 week after emergence.