Annual Grass Control in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) with Fluazifop, Sethoxydim, and Selected Dinitroaniline Herbicides

Abstract

One and two postemergence (POE) applications of the butyl ester of fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid} or sethoxydim (2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} following preemergence (PRE) application of fluometuron {N,N-dimethyl-N′-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] urea} were compared to a preplant-incorporated (PPI) application of trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] or pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] plus fluometuron PRE or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE for annual grass control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) and net economic return to land, overhead, and management. One POE application of either fluazifop or sethoxydim following fluometuron PRE resulted in greater control of a high population of broadleaf signalgrass [Brachiaria platyphylla(Griseb.) Nash. # BRAPP] and greater yield and net return than a PPI application of trifluralin or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE. A second application of fluazifop or sethoxydim increased late-season control but did not increase yield or net return. In a high population of large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalisL. # DIGSA), fluometuron PRE plus two POE applications of fluazifop or sethoxydim resulted in grass control, lint yield, and net return similar to trifluralin or pendimethalin PPI plus fluometuron PRE. No differences in grass control, crop response, or net return were noted between PPI application of trifluralin or pendimethalin. Control of broadleaf signalgrass and large crabgrass with pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE was less than with pendimethalin PPI plus fluometuron PRE. In fields with a low population of large crabgrass, fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorumMichx. # PANDI), and goosegrass [Eleusine indica(L.) Gaertn. # ELEIN], fluometuron PRE provided excellent season-long control. No benefits were obtained from addition of a grass herbicide. No treatments affected cotton maturity or fiber quality.