Common Chickweed Control in Established Alfalfa

Abstract

Herbicide treatments were applied to established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) in 1969 and 1970 to determine winter annual weed control efficacy, crop tolerance, and influence on alfalfa yield and protein. Common chickweed (Stellaria media(L.) Cyrillo) was the predominant species in both years. Excellent weed control was achieved in 1969 with 2-sec-butylamino-4-ethylamino-6-methoxy-s-triazine (GS 14254) at 1.7 kg/ha, 2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methyl-propionitrile (cyanazine) at 4.5 kg/ha, 2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) at 1.7 kg/ha, and 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil (terbacil) at 1.1 kg/ha. Several other treatments also significantly reduced weed yields. All herbicides significantly reduced weed yields in 1970. First harvest alfalfa yields in 1969 were not increased significantly despite the excellent weed control afforded by several treatments. Second harvest alfalfa yields did not differ significantly, however, weeds were not a problem in the regrowth. In 1970 four of the 19 treatments did yield significantly more than control plots. Alfalfa protein was not altered by any of the treatments either year.