Influence of Environment on Corn (Zea mays) Tolerance to Sethoxydim

Abstract

Corn (Zea maysL. ‘Pioneer 3732′) showed little to no injury following the postemergence-directed application of sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio) propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} plus crop oil concentrate (COC) at 56 g/ha plus 1.25% (v/v) at nine locations across Midwestern U.S. in 1984 and 1985. Little corn injury also occurred for the postemergence-directed application of sethoxydim plus COC at 110 g/ha plus 1.25% (v/v) at most locations in both years. Considerable variation in tolerance was seen across locations for over-the-top applications of sethoxydim at all rates tested and for the directed application at 220 g/ha. Although corn at most locations showed no yield reduction with the over-the-top application of sethoxydim plus COC at 56 g/ha plus 1.25% (v/v), a 70% yield reduction occurred in one location in one year. For an over-the-top application of sethoxydim plus COC at 110 g/ha plus 1.25% (v/v), yields ranged from 3 to 95% of the untreated check in 1984, and from 3 to 88% in 1985. Stand reductions from an over-the-top application of sethoxydim plus COC at 220 g/ha plus 1.25% (v/v) ranged from 0 to 99%. A significant negative correlation was found between yield of corn treated over the top with sethoxydim and precipitation on the day of application and in the week following application. Air temperature on the day of application was positively correlated with corn injury from over-the-top and directed sethoxydim applications, but no correlation existed between percent relative humidity and corn injury. Open pan evaporation and solar radiation before and after application were not correlated with corn injury from sethoxydim.