Weed Control and Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Tolerance with Fomesafen

Abstract

Research was conducted to determine the tolerance of flue-cured tobacco to fomesafen and the potential for weed control in tobacco with fomesafen. Treatments consisted of fomesafen at 0.4 or 0.6 kg ai ha–1applied pretransplant incorporated (PTI), pretransplant (PRE-T), post-transplant (POS-T), postemergence-over-top (POT), or post-directed (PD). Tobacco injury within 30 d of application was as high as 30%, but tobacco recovered and few significant differences in tobacco yield, grade index, or price were observed except where fomesafen was applied PTI at 0.6 kg ha–1. Tobacco tolerance relative to time of application was generally PRE-T = POT > POS-T = PTI. Florida pusley and large crabgrass control was > 80% for all fomesafen treatments. Yellow and purple nutsedge control was approximately 30% before cultivation.