Effect of Postemergence Application Rate and Timing of Mesotrione on Corn (Zea mays) Response and Weed Control1

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the influence of mesotrione postemergence application rate, application timing, and addition of atrazine on corn injury, weed control, and corn grain yield. Corn injury in the form of leaf bleaching ranged from 0 to 15% at 7 d after treatment (DAT). In general, most of the bleaching injury rapidly dissipated with slight (≤ 8%) to no corn injury observed at 28 DAT. Control of common cocklebur with mesotrione at 14 DAT ranged from 79 to 98% for all treatments over both years. Applying mesotrione at 140 g/ha, at the early postemergence (EPOST) timing, or in combination with atrazine provided the greatest control of common cocklebur at 14 DAT. Application rate of mesotrione was the only factor that was significant in both years for control of common cocklebur later in the season at 56 DAT. Control of ivyleaf morningglory with mesostrione at 14 DAT ranged from 60 to 90% for all treatments in both years. Control of ivyleaf morningglory at 14 DAT was enhanced by the addition of atrazine to mesotrione. Control of ivyleaf morningglory at 56 DAT was greater with mid-postemergence and late postemergence than with EPOST applications, and was generally enhanced by the addition of atrazine. Yellow nutsedge control with mesotrione was inconsistent, ranging from 40 to 87% at 14 DAT for all treatments over both years. The addition of atrazine to mesotrione increased yellow nutsedge control from 47 to 87% at 14 DAT in 2000. Increasing the rate of mesotrione from 70 to 140 g/ha, as well as the addition of atrazine, improved control of yellow nutsedge at 56 DAT. Corn grain yield was not affected by corn injury or weed control as there were no significant differences in grain yield between herbicide-treated plots and handweeded plots.Nomenclature: Atrazine; mesotrione; common cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium L. #3 XANST; ivyleaf morningglory, Ipomoea hederacea L. Jacq. # IPOHE; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. # CYPES; corn Zea mays L. ‘DK 592SR’, ‘DK 683SR’.Abbreviations: COC, crop-oil concentrate; DAT, days after treatment; EPOST, early postemergence; MPOST, mid-postemergence; LPOST, late postemergence; PRE, preemergence; UAN, 28% urea ammonium nitrate.