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Witchweed Control by Herbicides Translocated Through Host Plants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Paul F. Sand
Affiliation:
Formerly Plant Protection Division, Agr. Res. Serv. U. S. Dep. Agr.; now Environmental Quality Branch, Plant Protection Division, Agr. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agr., Hyattsville, Maryland
Grant H. Egley
Affiliation:
Crops Research Division, Agr. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agr., Whiteville, North Carolina
W. L. Gould
Affiliation:
Formerly Plant Protection Division, Agr. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agr.; now New Mexico State College, Las Cruces, New Mexico
C. A. Kust
Affiliation:
Formerly Witchweed Laboratory; now Dep. Agron., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Abstract

Dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) and 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid (2,3,6-TBA) applied in lanolin pastes to leaves or roots of host plants growing in soil were translocated acropetally and affected witchweed (Striga lutea Lour.) plants parasitizing roots of host plants. Emerged witchweed plants exhibited characteristic epinastic responses while emergence of other witchweed plants was delayed. Broadcast foliar treatments of dicamba and 2,3,6-TBA to corn (Zea mays L.) applied before witchweed emergence generally reduced the intensity of the infestation and delayed emergence. However, injury to corn, expressed as failure of kernel development and grain yield decreases, sometimes occurred. Injury was greater when herbicide application was delayed until corn was in the early tassel stage. Dicamba was more effective than 2,3,6-TBA for witchweed control. However, no treatment gave season-long control of witchweed. Yearly variations in corn injury precluded a selection of optimum treatment dates and rates for control of witchweed by this technique.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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