Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Bentazon, Fluazifop, Haloxyfop, and Sethoxydim on Corn (Zea mays)

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to measure the response of corn (Zea maysL. var. ‘Pioneer 3377’) to foliar applications of sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}, fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid}, and haloxyfop {2-[4-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid} as influenced by corn growth stage and the addition of 7.7, 15,4, 77.7, 140, 280, and 840 g/ai/ha of bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide]. Applications of sethoxydim (16.8, 33.6, 67.2, 100, and 134 g ai/ha), fluazifop, or haloxyfop (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 13.4 g ai/ha) to four- to five-leaf corn did not reduce seed weight, but significant reductions resulted when sethoxydim (100 g/ha) or fluazifop (13.4 g/ha) was applied to 70- to 80-cm (six-leaf) corn with or without bentazon. Corn grain yield was significantly reduced by sethoxydim (>67.2 g/ha) treatment at either growth stage of corn. In contrast, corn injury induced by fluazifop (>8.0 g/ha) and haloxyfop (13.4 g/ha) resulted in reductions in yield only when applications were made to 70- to 80-cm corn. Significant reductions in seed germination also resulted from foliar applications of the graminicides, but these reductions were inconsistent across corn growth stage.