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Title: EVALUATION OF HEXAZINONE PLUS DIURON MIXTURES FOR GRASS CONTROL IN SUGARCANE

Author
item Richard Jr, Edward

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2003
Publication Date: 6/20/2004
Citation: Richard Jr, E.P. 2004. Evaluation of hexazinone plus diuron mixtures for grass control in sugarcane [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 24:94.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The number of soil-active herbicides available to selectively control johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.], itchgrass [Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W. Clayton], and other problematic weeds common in Louisiana sugarcane fields is limited. Field studies were initiated in 2000 to evaluate the possible enhanced efficacy of hexazinone when applied at reduced rates in tank-mixture with diuron (DuPont K4®) at planting and during the spring. Seedling johnsongrass control following at-planting and spring applications of hexazinone + diuron was higher than either herbicide applied alone and appeared to be additive. However, control was lower than the seedling johnsongrass control obtained with standard at planting followed by spring applications of pendimethalin plus atrazine at 3.36 + 3.36 kg ai/ha and clomazone plus diuron at 1.4 and 2.24 kg ai/ha. Of the treatments evaluated, only hexazinone alone at 0.56 and 1.2 kg/ha and diuron at 2.0 kg/ha did not result in an increase in sugar yields when compared to the non-treated check. The hexazinone plus diuron mixture provided some early season control of itchgrass, but control was equivalent to the application of hexazinone alone at 0.56 and 1.2 kg/ha and was not as good as the control observed with the standard application of pendimethalin plus atrazine. In a varietal tolerance study where weed pressures were minimal, sugar yields with at-planting followed by spring applications of hexazinone plus diuron were equivalent to the non-treated check for LCP 85-384, HoCP 85-845, and HoCP 95-555; the three predominant varieties currently grown in Louisiana. Results suggest that a mixture of hexazinone plus diuron will provide an acceptable level of preemergence control of seedling johnsongrass, but preemergence control of itchgrass beyond 45 days after treatment may be questionable.