MSMA for Johnsongrass Control in Sugarcane

Abstract

Two overhead applications of monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) at either 4 + 4 or 4 + 2.5 lb/A were required for effective postemergence control of rhizome johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.) in ratoon sugarcane (hybrids of the genusSaccharum). Two applications of MSMA in the spring controlled 95% of the johnsongrass, whereas two applications of 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) at 4.5 lb/A, the standard treatment, controlled only 70%. In heavily infested fields, sugarcane treated with MSMA also outyielded sugarcane treated with dalapon. Sugarcane tolerated MSMA applied before June; the yield of weed-free sugarcane treated with MSMA was not significantly less than that of the untreated control. However, most MSMA treatments, particularly those applied in late spring, caused temporary leaf chlorosis and stunting. Sugarcane sprayed with MSMA before June generally contained no more arsenic in the juice and bagasse at harvest than untreated sugarcane. Application of MSMA in June or August increased the arsenic content, and resulted in concentrations up to 0.45 ppm in juice, and up to 1.68 ppm in bagasse.