CANADA THISTLE SUPPRESSION AND RAPESEED TOLERANCE WITH DICAMBA AND PICLORAM

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted over a number of years to determine the effectiveness for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) control and tolerance of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. and Brassica napus L.) to various rates of dicamba (0–140 g/ha) and picloram (0–110 g/ha). Dicamba at 70 g/ha and picloram at 20 g/ha provided about 60% and 50%, respectively, reduction in the dry weight of shoots of Canada thistle growing in Candle rapeseed. This degree of suppression did not result in increases in rapeseed yield over the untreated check. Flower formation in Canada thistle was prevented by all rates of dicamba and picloram tested. In tolerance experiments the yield of Candle rapeseed was not reduced with dicamba applied at rates up to 70 g/ha at the two-, four- or six-leaf stages, but yields were reduced at higher rates. Picloram applied at rates up to 70 g/ha did not reduce the yield of Candle rapeseed. Altex yields were reduced with 40 g/ha and higher rates and Regent yields were reduced with picloram applied at 70 g/ha at the six-leaf stage. The data indicate that dicamba at 70 g/ha and picloram at 20 g/ha may selectively suppress the growth of Canada thistle in rapeseed and reduce the spread of this weed through seed or vegetative means while maintaining some rapeseed yield from the treated areas of a field.Key words: Canada thistle control, canola, dicamba, picloram, rapeseed tolerance