Halosulfuron Tank Mixtures and Adjuvants for Weed Control in Pumpkin Production

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to evaluate postemergence combinations of halosulfuron plus sethoxydim or clethodim with various adjuvants for effects on jack-o-lantern pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) injury and yields and control of large [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] and smooth crabgrass [D. ischaemum (Schreb. ex Schweig.) Schreb. ex Muhl.]. Halosulfuron caused 27% and 14% pumpkin injury at 28 d after postemergence treatment (DAPT) in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Tank-mixing sethoxydim or clethodim with halosulfuron did not increase pumpkin injury compared with halosulfuron alone. Pumpkin injury from sethoxydim and clethodim alone at 28 DAPT ranged from 19% to 23% in 2004, but was only 7% to 8% in 2005. The addition of oil-based adjuvants to halosulfuron did not affect pumpkin injury compared with using a nonionic surfactant (NIS). The tank mixture of halosulfuron and sethoxydim did not affect crabgrass control regardless of adjuvant. However, the addition of halosulfuron to clethodim plus NIS reduced control of crabgrass from 89% to 77% at 28 DAPT. Crabgrass control was unaffected by the addition of halosulfuron to clethodim with crop oil concentrate (COC) or a NIS/COC blend. None of the herbicide treatments provided pumpkin yield (fruit no./ha) similar to the weed-free control. The pumpkin yield of treatments using postemergence herbicides was at least 50% less than the weed-free treatment. These low pumpkin yields were most likely the result of the combination of pumpkin injury from the herbicide applications and insufficient weed control.