Controlling Weeds in Dormant and Nondormant Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Abstract

When applied in early February, simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine], pronamide [3,5-dichloro-(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], secbumeton [N-ethyl-6-methoxy-N′-(1-methylpropyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine], and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] effectively removed weedyBromusspecies from established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) and increased yields of alfalfa forage. Diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea], terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil), and hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine- 2,4(1H,3H)-dione] had no adverse effects on yields of alfalfa when applied in late March. Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) was somewhat less effective for controlling weeds when applied in late March than when applied in February. When applied to weed-free stands of alfalfa after dormancy was broken, metribuzin, terbacil, hexazinone, and simazine, but not pronamide, significantly reduced yields of alfalfa. Terbacil applied immediately after the first cutting did not significantly reduce yields of the second cutting. Terbacil and bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] applied when alfalfa had 5 cm of regrowth significantly reduced yields.