The effect of herbicides and weeds on the yield and composition of dill ( Anethum graveolens L.) oil

Abstract

Field experiments conducted over a 5-year period have demonstrated the effectiveness and selectivity of several herbicides for the control of annual weeds in dill ( Anethum graveolens L.). Pre-planting soil-incorporated applications of trifluralin, ethalfluralin, EPTC and post-emergence applications of sethoxydim gave effective control of Avena fatua L. and Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. Soil-incorporated applications of chloramben, trifluralin, ethalfluralin and EPTC effectively controlled Chenopodium album L. and Amaranthus retroflexus L. Post-emergence applications of linuron controlled several broad-leaved weed species but resulted in severe crop injury in some years. Dill fresh-weight yields and dill oil yields closely followed the degree of weed control obtained by the herbicide treatments. Carvone content decreased and alpha-phellandrene content increased at high levels of weed competition in some years.