Interference and Control of Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi) in Soybeans (Glycine max)

Abstract

Interference studies utilizing manipulated and natural infestations of giant foxtail (Setaria faberiHerrm. ♯ SETFA) in soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Williams’] were conducted at Urbana, IL, in 1982 and 1983. Giant foxtail clumps, each consisting of 3 to 6 plants per dm2, were used to determine the effect of clump density on giant foxtail dry weight and soybean seed yield. In both years, regression equations predicted a soybean seed yield loss of 0.8% for each giant foxtail clump per 9 m of row. The highest density of 30 clumps per 9 m of row reduced soybean yield 26%. In a second study, fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[(5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl)oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid} at 0.28 kg ai/ha or fluazifop + alachlor [2-chloro-2’,6’-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] at 0.28 + 2.24 kg/ha applied 10 or 15 days after emergence gave maximum giant foxtail control with little or no reduction in soybean seed yield. Interference from uncontrolled giant foxtail began to reduce soybean dry-matter accumulation 15 days after emergence under favorable growing conditions in 1982. Under less favorable conditions in 1983, similar effects were not observed until 25 days after emergence.