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Influence of fluazifop timing and rate on johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control in ACCase-resistant grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2023

Jacob Fleming*
Affiliation:
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Jason K. Norsworthy
Affiliation:
Distinguished Professor and Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Muthukumar Bagavathiannan
Affiliation:
Professor of Weed Science, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Tom Barber
Affiliation:
Professor and Extension Weed Scientist, Cooperative Extension Service, Lonoke, AR, USA
*
Corresponding author: Jacob Fleming; Email: jaf035@uark.edu
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Abstract

Genetic similarities between johnsongrass and grain sorghum leave producers with limited herbicide options for postemergence johnsongrass control. TamArkTM grain sorghum with resistance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase-inhibiting herbicides was developed through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Two field experiments were conducted in 2021 in two locations each: Keiser and Marianna, AR, or Fayetteville and Marianna, AR. The objective of the first was to determine the optimal rate and application timing of fluazifop-butyl for control of natural johnsongrass populations in a noncrop setting, and the objective of the second was to evaluate johnsongrass control and TamArkTM grain sorghum tolerance in response to fluazifop-butyl applied at different timings and rates based on crop growth stage. The highest levels of johnsongrass control occurred when sequential applications of fluazifop-butyl were utilized. All sequential treatments provided at least 80% johnsongrass control at any rate or application timing tested. A single application of fluazifop-butyl provided greater than 90% johnsongrass control when applied at 210 g ai ha−1 to johnsongrass with fewer than 6 leaves. Weed size played a role in achieving high levels of johnsongrass control. Greater than 90% control was achieved when johnsongrass had 6 leaves or fewer at the initial application for the sequential application treatments. A single application of fluazifop-butyl at 105 g ai ha−1 resulted in no more than 82% johnsongrass mortality at any application timing. TamArk™ grain sorghum injury did not exceed 6% at any application timing or rate. It was therefore considered to be safe even if the initial application was made before the 6-leaf crop stage. Because no unacceptable levels of injury were observed with TamArk™ grain sorghum for fluazifop-butyl, johnsongrass size at the time of application should be the most critical aspect for control with this herbicide.

Information

Type
Research Article
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Weed Science Society of America
Figure 0

Table 1. Analysis of variance for johnsongrass response to fluazifop-butyl in Marianna and Keiser, AR, in 2021.a,b

Figure 1

Table 2. Visible johnsongrass control by fluazifop-butyl for two rates at 14, 21, and 28 d after final application, averaged over application stage, number of applications, and location.a,b

Figure 2

Table 3. Visible estimates of johnsongrass control as influenced by growth stage at application at 14, 21, and 28 d after final application, averaged over application rate, type, and location.a,b

Figure 3

Table 4. Visible estimates of johnsongrass control as influenced by number of applications at 14, 21, and 28 d after final application, averaged over application rate, stage, and location.a,b

Figure 4

Table 5. Percentage mortality of johnsongrass as influenced by application rate, type, and timing of fluazifop at 28 d after the final application, averaged over location.a,b

Figure 5

Table 6. Analysis of variance for TamArk™ grain sorghum injury and johnsongrass control, mortality, and seed reduction in Fayetteville and Marianna, AR, in 2021.a,b

Figure 6

Table 7. Visible estimates of johnsongrass control from fluazifop-butyl initially applied to 2- to 3-leaf and 5- to 6-leaf TamArk™ grain sorghum and rated 14, 21, and 28 d after final application and johnsongrass mortality and seed production, averaged over application rate and location.a,b

Figure 7

Table 8. Visible estimates of johnsongrass control as influenced by fluazifop-butyl rate at 14, 21, and 28 d after final application and johnsongrass mortality averaged over application timing and location.a,b

Figure 8

Table 9. Injury to TamArk™ grain sorghum as influenced by stage at initial application at 14, 21, and 28 d after final application and relative heading, averaged over application rate and location.a,b