Florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) management in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) with residual herbicides

Abstract

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the emergence and control of Florida beggarweed in peanut. Diclosulam preemergence (PRE), flumioxazin PRE, and imazapic postemergence (POST) were evaluated at three rates, along with paraquat plus bentazon plus 2,4-DB POST, and a nontreated control. These treatments were applied alone, or followed by chlorimuron applied late postemergence (LPOST). Variable Florida beggarweed control (16 to 90%) was observed when flumioxazin PRE, diclosulam PRE, paraquat plus bentazon plus 2,4-DB EPOST, or imazapic POST were applied alone. The pre-harvest population of Florida beggarweed was significantly reduced by the application of any residual herbicide (flumioxazin, diclosulam, or imazapic) alone at any rate either PRE or POST as compared to the nontreated control. Use of the contact treatment of paraquat plus bentazon plus 2,4-DB EPOST alone did not reduce Florida beggarweed populations as compared to the nontreated control. Adding chlorimuron LPOST to any treatment did not reduce Florida beggarweed populations, but provided suppression and reduced the biomass of existing plants. Consistent Florida beggarweed control (86 to 95%) was achieved with combinations of flumioxazin PRE at 105 g ha−1, diclosulam PRE at 53 g ha−1, and imazapic POST at 71 g ha−1 followed by chlorimuron LPOST at 9 g ha−1. The benefit of chlorimuron LPOST was greatest when early season control was least.