Control of Winter Annual Weeds in White Clover Raised for Seed

Abstract

Winter applications of paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) or combinations of paraquat with diquat [6,7-dihydrodipydrido (1,2-α: 2′,1′-c) pyrazinediium ion], propham (isopropyl carbanilate), or pronamide [3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], usually controlled both winter annual grass and broadleaf weeds in established white clover (Trifolium repensL. ‘New Zealand,’ ‘Louisiana S-1,’ and ‘Tillman’). Diquat controlled broadleaf weeds, but was less effective than paraquat or combinations of paraquat with diquat, propham, or pronamide for grass control. Dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) controlled weeds in some experiments. Pronamide and propham usually controlled grass weeds but not broadleaf weeds. In experiments in which clover seed production differed significantly, paraquat or combinations of paraquat with propham or pronamide usually resulted in higher yields than the check. Yields increased more often where treatments included paraquat.