Improving Weed Control with 2,4-DB Amine in Seedling Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa)

Abstract

2,4-DB ester had been widely used for winter annual broadleaf weed control in seedling alfalfa in the western United States, but was replaced commercially by the amine formulation in 1990. Field studies conducted in the high desert region of southern California confirmed previous reports that 2,4-DB amine is not as effective as the ester formulation. Two methods were found to improve the weed control performance of 2,4-DB amine: 1) application at earlier alfalfa growth stages and 2) the addition of adjuvant. Applications made at the three-trifoliate leaf stage of the alfalfa were more than three times as effective as applications made at the eight-trifoliate leaf stage. When adjuvants were added to the amine formulation, weed control was improved 50 to 97%.