Dicamba, Chlorsulfuron, and Clopyralid as Sprayer Contaminants on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Mustard (Brassica juncea), and Lentil (Lens culinaris), Respectively

Abstract

Simulated sprayer tank residues of the broadleaf weed herbicides dicamba, chlorsulfuron, and clopyralid applied alone and with the grass weed herbicides sethoxydim and diclofop on sunflower, tame mustard, and lentil, respectively, caused visible crop injury and reduced dry weight and yield. Dry weight production in the greenhouse and crop tolerance ratings in the field indicated that the grass weed herbicides enhanced crop injury from dicamba, chlorsulfuron, and clopyralid. Yield reductions in field experiments were also greater when dicamba and clopyralid were mixed with grass weed herbicides and applied on sunflower and lentil, respectively. This did not occur with chlorsulfuron applied to mustard. When mixed with simulated broadleaf weed herbicide residues, diclofop enhanced dry weight reductions and crop injury and reduced yield to a greater extent than sethoxydim. Crop tolerance ratings differentiated treatments and rates but were not a good estimate of the extent of yield loss. When broadleaf weed herbicides were applied at rates simulating sprayer tank residues alone or combined with grass weed herbicides, yield losses ranged up to 40% in sunflower, 70% in mustard, and 95% in lentil, compared to the untreated check.