Preemergence and Postemergence Control of Artilleryweed (Pilea microphylla) in Container Nurseries and Landscapes

Abstract

Artilleryweed is an annual or short-lived perennial weed that is becoming increasingly problematic in nurseries and landscapes in tropical and subtropical environments. Currently, no herbicide recommendations exist for management of artilleryweed. Objectives of this trial were to evaluate PRE and POST herbicides for efficacy on artilleryweed. All studies were conducted in Apopka, FL in a shaded greenhouse. Herbicides evaluated for POST control included diquat, dimethenamid-P, flumioxazin, glufosinate, glyphosate, indaziflam, oxadiazon, pelargonic acid, sulfentrazone and sulfosulfuron applied at their highest labelled rates to mature (10 to 12 cm height) artilleryweed. For PRE experiments, pots were overseeded with artilleryweed seed and treated with dimethenamid-P, indaziflam, isoxaben, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen+prodiamine, oxyfluorfen+pendimethalin, pendimethalin, pendimethalin+dimethenamid-P, prodiamine, prodiamine+isoxaben, S-metolachlor, or trifluralin+isoxaben. When assessing both initial fresh weight and regrowth, flumioxazin and glufosinate provided the most consistent POST control when applied at the highest labelled rate, although regrowth did occur following application with glufosinate. All PRE herbicides evaluated provided over 90% control of artilleryweed with the exception of isoxaben and trifluralin+isoxaben. Results indicate that several effective options exist for artilleryweed management, but more effective control will likely be achieved when herbicides are applied PRE.