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Chemical Control of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Perennial Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Grown for Seed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

J. Waddington*
Affiliation:
Res. Sci., Agric. Canada, Melfort, Saskatchewan, SOE 1AO, Canada

Abstract

Applications of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 1.1 kg/ha at the start of each growing season severely damaged established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Beaver’) and reduced seed yield 32% over a 4-yr period. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) populations were reduced but perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.) increased in frequency. Dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) applied at 2.1 kg/ha controlled both dandelion and perennial sowthistle. Alfalfa was damaged initially but rapid recovery resulted in an increase in seed yield in 2 yr out of 4. Terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil) applied at 1.1 kg/ha also controlled dandelion and perennial sowthistle. No alfalfa damage was evident and seed yields were increased 34% over a 3-yr period. Seed yield increased 30% where asulam (methyl sulfanilylcarbamate) was applied at 4.5 kg/ha, but there was no visible effect on the growth of either alfalfa or weeds. Simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine], propham (isopropyl carbanilate) + PCMC (p-chlorophenyl-N-methyl carbamate), pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], and diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea], did not affect alfalfa seed production significantly, although simazine and diuron did reduce dandelion populations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1980 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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