Picloram Release from Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Roots in the Field

Abstract

Picloram release by leafy spurge roots, as affected by picloram rate, plant growth stage, and time intervals after treatment, was quantified under field conditions. Picloram was pipe-wick applied to leafy spurge in the vegetative, flowering, and seed-filling growth stages. Percent leafy spurge control was evaluated and picloram residues were determined in soil samples from 0- to 13-, 13- to 26-, and 26- to 39-cm depths taken 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment. Leafy spurge was controlled (frequently >85%) by all picloram concentrations applied, although control tended to increase as solution concentration increased. Picloram release from roots was greater from plants treated in the flowering and seed-filling stages than from plants in the vegetative stage. Picloram release from roots generally was correlated with application rate, averaging 490, 820, and 1420 ppbw in soil for the 30, 60, and 120 g ae/L application rates, respectively. Picloram release from roots occurred rapidly with 86% of the picloram detected in the 0- to 13-cm soil depth present by 1 week after treatment. Picloram was detected at all soil depths sampled, but over 84% was in the upper 13 cm and 8% was in both the 13- to 26- and 26- to 39-cm depths. Leafy spurge shoots emerged through a 7.5- and 15-cm depth of picloram-treated soil at concentrations up to 1000 ppbw within 14 to 21 days after the untreated control. Picloram soil residue had little effect on leafy spurge root growth.