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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352616
Research Project: Integrated Weed and Insect Pest Management Systems for Sustainable Sugarcane Production

Location: Sugarcane Research

Title: Evaluation of new herbicide chemistries for managing itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) in Louisiana sugarcane

Author
item ORGERON, ALBERT - LSU Agcenter
item Spaunhorst, Douglas

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2018
Publication Date: 9/1/2018
Citation: Orgeron, A.J., Spaunhorst, D.J. 2018. Evaluation of new herbicide chemistries for managing itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) in Louisiana sugarcane [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 38:44.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) was first observed in Louisiana in 1927 near a train track in St. Martin Parish, and by the 1950’s became a significant weed pest of sugarcane. This annual C4 grass is among the most problematic weed for Louisiana sugarcane producers because of limited pre- and postemergence herbicide management options. Three potentially new PRE herbicides were evaluated for itchgrass control. A spring treatment of S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione (Lumax EZ® ) (3.35 kg ha-1), S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione + bicyclopyrone (Acuron®) (2.9 kg ha-1) and indaziflam (Alion®) (55 g ha-1) provided 30, 20, and 49% control of itchgrass respectively; however, the industry standards, pendimethalin (Prowl H2O®) (2.77 kg ha-1) and hexazinone (Velossa®) (0.54 kg ha-1) provided 88 and 73% itchgrass control, respectively. A second study evaluated two-way herbicide tank-mixtures with S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione (Lumax EZ®) (3.35 kg ha-1) for increased itchgrass control. Pendimethalin (Prowl®) (2.78 kg ha-1), clomazone (Command®) (1.26 kg ha-1), metribuzin (TriCor®) (2.52 kg ha-1), and hexazinone (Velossa®) (0.54 kg ha-1) were applied in combination with S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione (Lumax EZ®) to create a two-way herbicide mixture. At 28 days after treatment, the number of emerged itchgrass plants were counted for the two-way herbicide mixture study. When tank-mixed with S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione; pendimethalin (202 plants ha-1), clomazone (120 plants ha-1), metribuzin (209 plants ha-1), and hexazinone (964 plants ha-1) provided greater itchgrass control as compared to S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione (1,764 plants ha-1) alone and the non-treated check (2,803 plants ha-1). When applied alone, S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione; S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione + bicyclopyrone; and indaziflam show little potential for preemergence control itchgrass, but the addition of other herbicides may provide acceptable preemergence control of itchgrass.