Effect of Four Foliage-Applied Herbicides on Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Abstract

Amitrole (3-amino-s-triazole), asulam (methyl sulfanilylcarbamate), glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], and fosamine [ethyl hydrogen (aminocarbonyl)phosphonate] were effective in reducing the amount of shoot regrowth from field horsetail (Equisetum arvenseL.) 3 months after treatment. The order of effectiveness was amitrole > glyphosate > asulam > fosamine. The advantage of adding surfactant to the spray formulation or applying herbicides to wet foliage was rate dependent for all herbicides except fosamine. Spray retention was increased by application to wet foliage and by the inclusion of surfactant in the formulation. Spray retention increased as spray volume and plant size increased and as plant growth became prostrate. A scanning electron microscope study of the shoot surfaces showed an abundance of silica-containing structures and the presence of epicuticular wax. Certain surfaces of the scale leaves did not have these characteristics, indicating that redistribution of spray to these areas may result in greater penetration with subsequent increases in herbicide performance.