Increased Absorption and Translocation Contribute to Improved Efficacy of Dicamba to Control Early Growth Stage Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

Abstract

Abstract Rapid growth of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) poses a challenge for timely management of this weed. Dose response studies were conducted in 2017 and 2018 under field and greenhouse conditions near Garden City and Manhattan, KS, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy of dicamba to control ≤10 cm, 15 cm, and 30 cm tall-Palmer amaranth that mimics three herbicide application timing: on time application (Day 0), and 1 (Day 1) and 4 days (Day 4) delay. Visual injury rating and reduction in shoot biomass (% of non-treated), and mortality were assessed at four weeks after treatment using a three- and four-parameter log-logistic model, in R software program. Increasing dicamba doses increased A. palmeri control regardless of plant height both in the field and greenhouse studies. The results suggest that delaying application one (15 cm) and four days (30 cm), resulted in a two- and 27-fold increase in the effective dose of dicamba on A. palmeri, respectively, under field conditions. However, in the greenhouse, for the same level of A. palmeri control, more than one- and two-fold increase in dicamba dose, respectively was required. Similarly, the effective dose of dicamba required for 50% reduction in A. palmeri shoot biomass (GR50) increased more than four- and eight-fold or more than one- and two-fold when dicamba application was delayed by one (15 cm) and four days (30 cm), in the field or in the greenhouse, respectively. To understand the basis of increased efficacy of dicamba in controlling early growth stage of A. palmeri, dicamba absorption and translocation studies were conducted. Results indicate a significant reduction in dicamba absorption (7%) and translocation (15%) with increase in A. palmeri height. Therefore, increased absorption and translocation of dicamba results in increased efficacy in improving A. palmeri control at early growth stage.