Subsurface Placement Methods for Metribuzin and Trifluralin

Abstract

Metribuzin [4-ammo-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] at 0.4 kg ai/ha controlled rape (Brassica hitraMoench. # SINAL) when applied 2.5 to 10 cm deep in a horizontal layer or in lines 1 to 4 cm apart. Trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) at 0.8 kg ai/ha did not control ‘Rox Orange’ forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench. # SORVU] satisfactorily when applied in a subsurface layer, in lines, or in vertical bands 1, 2, and 3 cm apart up to 10 cm deep. Applications of trifluralin at 1.1 kg ai/ha in vertical bands followed by 0.6 kg ai/ha mixed in the surface 2.5 cm controlled forage sorghum as well as or better than surface application followed by incorporation. The combined subsurface and surface trifluralin placement systems were effective for application depths up to 7.5 cm and band spacings up to 2 cm wide. The development of effective subsurface herbicide injection systems would make the use of herbicides requiring incorporation feasible in reduced tillage crop production systems.