Influence of environmental factors on the performance of sethoxydim against Elymus repens (L.)

Abstract

SummaryThe performance of sethoxydim on Elymus repens (L.) Gould was studied under contrasting levels of humidity, light intensity, temperature, soil moisture and simulated rainfall using controlled environment chambers. Over a 24‐h post‐spraying period, increases in humidity and temperature markedly enhanced herbicide performance, while effects of light intensity were less pronounced. Soil moisture deficit significantly reduced herbicide performance, but there were no adverse effects of wet soil conditions (twice field capacity) on activity. The effects of simulated rain depended upon herbicide dosage, time interval between spraying and the onset of rain, and rain intensity. A low rain intensity of 0.5 mm h−1 did not reduce herbicide performance even when applied 10 min after spraying. The longer term studies, over 4 weeks, showed increases in herbicide activity with higher temperatures but lower light intensities.