Herbicide Performance in Rainfed Cabbage

Abstract

The effectiveness of butralin (2.0 and 4.0 kg a.i./ha pre-plant, 2.0 and 4.0 kg a.i./ha pre-em), chlorthal-dimethyl (10.0 and 12.0 kg a.i./ha pre-em), trifluralin (0.6 and 1.1 kg a.i./ha pre-plant) chloramben (2.0 kg a.i./ha pre-em) and nitrofen (2.0 kg a.i./ha pre-em) in controlling weeds in transplanted ‘Kono Cross’ cabbage and the influence of these treatments on the yield and quality of marketable heads and on the economics of weed control were evaluated in three replicated field experiments on River Estate loam soil in Trinidad during the wet seasons of 1976 and 1977. While herbicides did not affect the size of the cabbage plant population or the date to maturity of the crops, they reduced the cost of weed control by over 30% and increased the net returns relative to the clean-weeded control by over 9%. Butralin at 4.0 kg a.i./ha pre-plant and pre-em and the trifluralin treatments were superior to nitrofen which gave good weed control up to five weeks and higher yields than the clean-weeded control. Chlorthal-dimethyl gave encouraging results but caused slight, temporary stunting. The application of one of these treatments followed by one hand weeding at about four weeks should give full-season weed control and an acceptable yield of marketable heads with increased financial returns. Chloramben was the least effective herbicide tested and its use may not be justified under similar conditions to those of this study.     

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Oryctes rhinoceros (L)[Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae]

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during two dry seasons in northern Nigeria to identify suitable pre‐transplant herbicides for weed control in irrigated tomatoes. At Samaru in the northern Guinea savanna, diphenamid at 1.5 kg a.i./ha followed by supplementary hoe‐weeding, metribuzin at 0.5 kg a.i./ha, diphenamid at 3.0 kg a.i./ha, metolachlor plus metobromuron at 1.0 + 1.0 kg a.i./ha and two or three hoe‐weedings, resulted in higher tomato yields than the untreated controls, and most of these treatments reduced weed infestations significantly in both years. At Bakura, in the Sudan savanna zone, metribuzin at 0.25 and 0.5 kg a.i./ha, diphenamid at 3.0 g a.i./ha and chloramben at 1.5 kg a.i./ha plus supplementary weeding consistently resulted in yields that were similar to two hoe‐weedings and higher than the untreated controls. Three kg a.i./ha of chloramben depressed yields in all the trials. At both sites hoe‐weeding once six weeks after transplanting gave unacceptably low crop yields, but similar high yields were obtained with two or three hoe‐weedings. Supplementary hoe‐weedings were unnecessary with the application of metribuzin at 0.5 kg and metolachlor plus metobromuron at 1.0 + 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Uncontrolled weed growth resulted in a 53–67% reduction in tomato fruit yield.     

Recent Developments in the Use of Herbicides in Rubber and Oil Palm

Abstract

Recent developments in the use of herbicides during the establishment of leguminous cover crops and the mature phases of rubber and oil palm plantings are discussed. Results of 12 semi-commercial and commercial scale trials showed that chemical weeding using paraquat and diuron post-emergence or oxyfluorfen pre-emergence with supplementary manual or chemical control was considerably cheaper than exclusive manual weeding during the six months following the sowing of legumes. Reductions in weeding costs ranged from 6 to 66%. In the mature phase a wide range of herbicide treatments involving extensively used herbicides such as paraquat, MSMA, 2, 4-D amine and sodium chlorate for the suppression of weed growth along rubber tree rows and in oil palm circles and harvesters' paths were compared. Results indicate that there are several suitable alternatives to sodium arsenite, a formerly widely used herbicide which is now banned for general weed control. In both crops, the most cost effective treatments for controlling mixed vegetation were Ustinex Special (MCPA + diuron + amitrole, 2:3:6) at 1.48 kg a.i.ha + Gramoxone (paraquat) at 0.22 kg a.i./ha and Paracol (paraquat + diuron, 1:1) at 0.56 kg a.i./ha + DMA Amine (2, 4-D) at 0.50 kg a.e./ha.     

Evaluation of herbicides for maize production in three ecological zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Maize cultivation in Nigeria has increased rapidly in the last few years as fertilizers have become more readily available to farmers. Without the use of herbicides however, the area of land that can be brought under maize production will be limited. The following herbicides were evaluated in three ecological zones of Nigeria: atrazine and mixtures of atrazine and simazine, atrazine and metolachlor and atrazine and cyanazine. All herbicide treatments were applied at the rate of either 1.0 or 2.0 kg a.i./ha. The plots that received 1.0 kg a.i./ha also received one supplementary hand weeding. All treatments gave yields comparable to the weed free control, with the exception of the unweeded higher rate of the atrazine and cyanazine treatment which gave the lowest grain yield as a result of poor weed control.     

A World-Wide Organization to Promote the Development of Biological Control

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of metribuzin in tea fields. These were a field trial in plots infested with a wide range of weeds, a pot experiment using Paspalum conjugatum and a microplot experiment with 100 Ageratum conyzoides plants/plot. Metribuzin at 0.70, 1.05, 1.40 and 2.10 kg a.i./ha was applied in 450 l water/ha. All rates were satisfactory after 1 week but residual activity increased with application rate; metribuzin at 2.10 kg a.i./ha was significantly superior after 6 weeks. Control after 8 weeks was reduced due to the presence of resistant species. Against Paspalum conjugatum metribuzin at 1.40 kg/ha gave good control for 8 weeks but 2.10 kg/ha was necessary for 12 weeks control. All rates compared favourably with dalapon (4.48 kg a.i./ha). Against Ageratum conyzoides metribuzin at all rates gave good control for up to 12 weeks and significantly better than 2, 4-D at 1.12 kg a.i./ha. Most other grass and broadleaved weeds were satisfactorily controlled at 1.40 kg a.i./ha. Metribuzin with its marked post-emergent effect and prolonged soil residual activity from 6-12 weeks after application, depending on weed species, may become an important tool in pre-monsoon weed control programmes in tea fields. It did not induce any phytotoxic symptoms on mature tea.     

Biological Control of Lantana

Abstract

Experiments conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, showed that all commonly marketed formulations and derivatives of 2,4-D and MCPA were equally effective in controlling barnyard grass [Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.] and other annual weeds in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L). In the Philippines, these phenoxy acid herbicides cost US$2.50/ha as liquid formulations and US$5.50/ha as granular formulations. These low-cost herbicides provide excellent alternatives to hand weeding in transplanted tropical rice. Other herbicides which can control weeds before or after the weeds emerge are more expensive than 2,4-D or MCPA. Some of these selective herbicides, such as butachlor and TCE-styrene + 2,4-D, are in the Philippine market. Their prices vary from US$8 to US$12/ha.

For direct-seeded flooded rice, granular formulations of several new herbicides, such as butachlor, benthio-carb and C-288 (chemistry not yet disclosed), were highly selective in controlling barnyardgrass and other annual weeds under tropical conditions. C-288 controls algae in addition to annual weeds in direct-seeded flooded rice. Of these three promising herbicides, only butachlor is marketed in the Philippines at US$8/ha. For upland rice, the chemicals which look promising are butachlor, benthiocarb and fluorodifen. Butachlor liquid is available to rice farmers in Asia at about US$16/ha. These herbicides provide an excellent alternative to hand weeding. Generally a complete job of weed control in upland rice requires more than one hand weeding.     

Insect Pests of Cotton – Western Herbaceum Region of India

Abstract

Pre-plant and pre-emergence herbicides were tested for effective weed control in a seed crop of okra during 1974–75 and 1975–76. All treatments significantly decreased the weed population and increased the seed yield as compared to the unweeded control. Fluchloralin (0.90 and 1.20 kg a.i./ha pre-plant), alachlor (2.50 kg a.i./ha pre-em) and EPTC plus alachlor (3.75 kg a.i./ha pre-plant and 1.25 kg a.i./ha pre-em) proved to be the most effective and economical treatments. No residual effects were observed with any herbicide on the succeeding crops of radish, carrot, turnips, peas and spinach.     

Weeds and weed management in irrigated lentil in northern Sudan

Weeds are a major constraint to increasing production of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in Sudan, Field studies were conducted to determine the yield loss due to weeds, to identify the critical period of weed interference, to evaluate the activity of different herbicide mixtures in controlting weeds and their selectivity for lentil, and to evaluate different methods of weed control for developing an integrated weed management practice. At Rubatab. unrestricted weed growth accounted for up to 84% loss in yield. The critical period of weed control was between 2 and 4 weeks after sowing. However, a weeding regime experiment at Dongola, a cooler location with a longer growing season, indicated that the critical period was between 4 and 6 weeks after sowing. suggesting that the critical period might vary with the environmental conditions. The herbicides imazethapyr (0.05 kg a.i. ha^-1), terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) and prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1), each in a tank mixture with pendimethalin (1.2 kg a.i. ha^-1), were tolerated by lentil, controlled weeds effectively and significantly increased yields at Wad Hamid. Their efficacy in controlling weeds at Rubatab was low, however, because of the presence of Tephrosia apollinea (Del.) DC. and Melilotus indica (L.) All., which tolerated these herbicides. Efficacy was also reduced in heavier soils. One supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing enhanced the performance of these herbicides under such conditions. A tank mixture of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) with either terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) or prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) also provided good weed control and increased yield of lentil at Wad Hamid. Application of a higher dose (1.5 kg a.i. ha^-1) of terbutryn and prometryn caused phytotoxicity. Irrigation before seed-bed preparation reduced grass and broad-leaved weeds by 58% and 40% respectively, and gave a 30% increase in grain yield over no irrigation. Pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) and a supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing gave excellent control of weeds and increased lentil yield by 57% over the weedy control. Thus, use of presowing irrigation, pre-emergence herbicide and one hand-weeding form an effective integrated package for controiling weeds in northern Sudan.     

Herbicide Research on Groundnut and Sorghum under Farmer Conditions in the Indian Semi-arid Tropics

Abstract

Plots 17 × 5 m were laid out in farmers' fields in three villages. Treatments (replicated thrice) included atrazine (0.5 or 1.0 kg a.i./ha) on sorghum and nitrofen (0.75 and 1.5 kg a.i./ha) on groundnuts with or without hand-weeding or farmers normal weed control. Groundnuts were unfertilized, sorghum received 20 or 80 kg N/ha. Cooperating farmers were allocated plots for traditional weed control, other operations were carried out by research staff. Some plots were discounted because farmers withdrew cooperation or did not participate correctly or because of flooding. In groundnuts nitrofen alone was inferior to nitrofen + one hand-weeding. In sorghum there were no differences between high and low fertilizer regimes. Atrazine gave superior yields to farmers' weed control. All treatments were better than the unweeded control. Generally farmers fields had low weed populations due to good, timely control and low soil fertility. Herbicides are not economic at present. Problems associated with research in farmers fields included: selection of farmers who would participate correctly, variability between different farmers' weeding practices and between different fields due to previous crops and cultural practices; lack of control of farmers weeding operations and the distance of experimental plots from the research station. The authors suggest that small experiments with only 4-6 treatments are easier for participating farmers to comprehend, selecting suitable size and shape of plots is important and that if many farmers are involved the number of replicates can be reduced.     

Plant Diseases

Abstract

Field experiments conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 1972–73 and 1973–74 showed that post-emergence application of oxadiazon at 1 kg a.i./ha in transplanted onion gave remarkable weed control and maximum crop yield. Other treatments which performed well include pre-planting alachlor at 2.5 kg a.i./ha plus post-emergence propanil at 1.8 kg a.i./ha and also pre-planting nitrofen at 1.25 kg a.i./ha plus post-emergence nitrofen at 1.25 kg a.i./ha. Herbicides did not significantly influence the bulb quality, soil microflora or the emergence and yield of following crops of okra, bitter gourd and radish.     

Weed interference and control in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir)

The climbing growth habit of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) coupled with its inability to shade the ground completely at any stage of its growth and development makes it very susceptible to weed interference. The critical period of weed interference in white yam was between the 8th and 16th week after planting (w.a.p.) for yam planted at the onset of rains. Keeping yam plants weedy for 16 w.a.p. or beyond significantly reduced tuber yield; keeping them weed-free for the same period resulted in a significant increase in tuber yield. A minimum of three weedings within 16 w.a.p. are necessary to minimize yield reduction caused by weeds. The lowest weed weight and highest crop yield from herbicide treatments were obtained where a mixture of fluometuron and metolachlor each at 2.0 kg a.i./ha was used for pre-emergence weed control.     

The Institute of Phytopathological Research

Abstract

Further work with the herbicide C 19490 (S-(2-methyl-1-piperidyl-carbonylmethyl)-O,O-di-N-propyl dithiophosphate) in the mixture C 288 with the triazine C 18898 in the ratio 4:1, and with 2,4-D isopropyl ester (2,4-D IPE) in the ratios 2:1 and 3:2 have been completed. New toxicological data show that the risk of toxicity hazards to the user or to other mammals by contamination is low. Residue work shows that C 19490 leaves very low or undetectable residues in rice grain and soil, though C 18898 was detected in both, but never at more than 0.28 ppm in soil or more than 0.04 ppm in grain. There was no interaction between either C 19490 or C 288 and commonly used insecticides. Uptake of the products by plants was shown to be preferentially through emerging shoots, and less through roots.

Field trials resulted in recommendations for around 2 kg C 288 total a.i./ha in Japan, optimum timing depending on the prevailing temperature. Successful control was achieved in Taiwan with C 288 at 1 kg a.i./ha in both the cool and warm season crops, applied 7–12 days after transplanting. In equatorial Asia, mixtures worked well: C 288 at 0.75–1.25 kg a.i./ha, C 19490 at 0.75–1.0 + 2,4-D IPE at 0.5 kg a.i./ha and the 3:2 mixture at 0.75 + 0.5 kg a.i./ha (granular), applied four DAT on dense weed stands, but up to ten DAT on stands comprising predominantly moderate infestations of Echinochloa crusgalli, Monochoria vaginalis and annual Cyperus spp. These recommendations resulted in yields which were never significantly different from those of hand-weeded areas. On light, permeable soils, e.g. in Pakistan, C 288 at 1.0–1.25 kg a.i./ha, 8–10 DAT was less harmful to the crop than lower rates applied earlier, and was better than the 2,4-D IPE mixture for weed control. In Egypt, C 19490 + 2,4-D IPE at only 0.375 + 0.25 kg a.i./ha was successful, because of the susceptible weed flora.     

Weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp)

Abstract: Field investigations were carried out during 1999 and 2000 to identify effective chemical/ cultural methods of weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp). The treatments comprised pre-emergence applications of oxyfluorfen (0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50, 0.75 and 1.00kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand weeding, hoeing and mulching using spent of lemon grass (at 5 tonnes ha(-1)) 45 days after planting (DAP), three hand-weedings 30, 60 and 90 DAP, weed-free (frequent manual weeding) and weedy control. Broad-leaf weeds were more predominant than grass and sedge weeds, accounting for 85.8% weed density and 93.0% weed dry weight in 1999 and 77.2% weed density and 93.9% weed dry weight in 2000. Unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced geranium oil yield, by 61.6% and 70.6% in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin (0.75-1.00 kgAI ha(-1)) or oxyfluorfen (0.25 kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand-weeding, hoeing and mulching and three hand-weedings were highly effective in reducing weed density and dry weight and gave oil yield comparable to the weed-free check. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.15 or 0.20 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50 kg AI ha(-1)) were less effective in controlling the weed species in geranium. None of the herbicides impaired the quality of rose-scented geranium oil measured in terms of citronellol and geraniol content.     

Weed Control in Berseem using Stale Seed-bed,EPTC, and MCPB

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 1973 and 1974 at Udaipur, India to evaluate the selective weed control efficacy of stale seed-bed prepared with paraquat (1 kg/ha) or by cultivation, pre-planting incorporation of EPTC (1.5 kg/ha), and post-emergent application of MCPB (0.5 kg/ha). Two crop protectants, NA and activated carbon, were also field tested as seed treatments against injury by EPTC. It was found that stale seed-bed prepared by desiccation of weed seedlings with paraquat a day before planting berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and pre-planting incorporation of EPTC were both effective in significantly reducing weed growth and boosting yields of berseem. Berseem seeds coated with activated carbon before planting provided appreciable protection to the crop against EPTC, but NA stunted berseem growth. A combination of stale seed-bed and EPTC caused maximum reduction in weed growth. Post-emergent MCPB, though efficient in controlling weeds, was highly phytotoxic to the crop. Chenopodium spp. and Phalaris minor were lower in net energy content than berseem.     

Response of transplanted rice to nitrogen fertilization under different weed management practices

Abstract

Rice yield increased significantly and consistently up to 120 kg N/ha when weeds were not controlled. But when weeds were effectively controlled by two hand weedings (20 and 40 days after transplanting) or by use of thiobencarb at 1–0 kg a.i./ha rice yield increased significantly up to 80 kg N/ha. The optimum dose of N for transplanted rice under mid‐hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh (Palampur) was 82 kg/ha when two hand weedings were done and 86 kg/ha when weeds were managed using thiobencarb. The yield response per kg of N in the respective treatments was 20 and 24 kg of grain. The weed dry weight was significantly lower in thiobencarb and hand weeded plots compared with unweeded check though the difference in weed dry weight due to the former two treatments was not significant.     

Correspondence

Abstract

Twenty-seven different herbicides were tested at the AUB Agricultural Research and Education Center in the Beqa'a, Lebanon, to determine their effects on weeds in wheat, barley, maize, onion and sugar beet. Each herbicide was tested at three different rates as pre-emergence and post-emergence applications. Unweeded and hand-weeded check plots were included. Data on yield, quality and other agronomic characteristics of the crops tested were recorded.

Concentrations of 1,000 and 10,000 ppm of 2, 4–D caused a significant decrease in the height and grain yield of wheat and barley when sprayed at the 3-leaf stage. At the 5-leaf stage, injury to wheat and barley occurred only when sprayed at 10,000 ppm, whereas an increase in the grain yield was obtained at 1,000 ppm of 2, 4–D acid equivalent (1 kg a.i./ha).

Pre-emergence treatments of atrazine and simazine at 2.5 kg a.i./ha caused a significant increase in the forage and grain yields of maize as compared to unweeded check plots. Wheat, oats, vetch and sugar beet were injured when planted after triazine-treated maize, whereas onions and soyabeans were tolerant. Other promising herbicides tested on maize were C 3095 (N–3–trifluoromethylphenyl–N'–methyl–N'–methoxyurea) and BV– 201 (1–(3′, 4′–dichlorophenyl)–3–methylpyrrolidin–2–one) applied as a pre-emergence spray at 1 and 2 kg/ha respectively.

Pre-planting treatment of EPTC and pre-emergence treatment of pebulate at 2 kg/ha gave a slight increase in the yield of roots of sugar beet. BV–201 and BV–207 (1–(3–chloro–4–methylphenyl)–3–methylpyrrolidin–2–one) were phytotoxic to beet.

In onions, nitrofen, BV–201 and BV–207 at 1–2 kg/ha were promising as pre-emergence and post-emergence sprays. DNOC and dinoseb at 1.5 kg/ha and ioxynil at 0.5 kg/ha sprayed post-emergence increased the yield of onions significantly over the check. No significant effects of these herbicides were observed on the bulb index, moisture content and total soluble solids of onions.     

Effects of Herbicides on Horticultural Characteristics,Yield and Quality of Onions

Abstract

Seven different herbicides were tested in 1967, and two of these chemicals were further evaluated in 1969 for their efficacy in onions grown in Lebanon. Chloroxuron at 6 kg a.i./ha and Sindone at 1.5 kg/ha gave a significant increase in the bulb weight and yield of onions over unweeded plots. Significant reductions in yield were observed from pre-em. applications of chlorbromuron at 3 kg/ha, propachlor at 6 kg/ha, Sindone at 0.5 kg/ha, and prometryne at 1 and 1.5 kg/ha. Good weed control was obtained as a result of pre-em. application of all herbicides tested.

With post-em. application, weed control was not effective. With the exception of prometryne at 1.5 kg/ha which injured the onions and reduced the yield, the post-em. applications of herbicides tested gave no significant effect on onion yield.

None of the treatments, in both pre-em. and post-em. applications, had any significant effect on leaf length, bulb index, bolting and splitting percentages, dry matter content, total soluble solids, or pungency of onions.     

Study on the effect of four herbicides with and without applied phosphorus on weed control and seed yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Jobner (Rajasthan) during the winter seasons of 1982 and 1983 to evaluate certain physical and chemical weed control systems in fenugreek at two levels of applied phosphorus. The experiments comprised four herbicides (fluchloralin, pendimethalin, thiobencarb, and chloramben) at two levels each, manual weeding at three levels; and an unweeded check. The second factor, namely, application of phosphorus was evaluated at 0 and 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. The soil of the experiment site was loamy sand, containing 0.16% organic carbon. The results showed that amongst the herbicides, preemergent pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha controlled the weeds most effectively and gave 8.91 q/ha fenugreek seed yield, which was more than twice the seed yield obtained from the unweeded check plots. The twice hoed plots were found to give 1.32 q/ha higher seed yield than the pendimethalin herbicide treatment, but the benefit‐cost ratio was found higher for the herbicidal treatment. Application of phosphorus at 40 kg P₂O₅/ha was found to bring about significant increase in the seed yield of fenugreek by 59 kg/ha over control, without any interaction with the weed control treatments.     

Seventh British Insecticide and Fungicide Conference,Brighton, November 1973

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the wet seasons of 1980 and 1981 to find out the relative influence of weed control and applied nitrogen on performance of transplanted rice and nutrients uptake by rice and weeds. Propanil and thiobencarb, each at 2.0 kg a.i/ha, were found comparable to two hand weedings in increasing grain yield of rice and minimizing dry matter of weeds. The mean grain yield was increased by 28.06% while dry matter of weeds reduced by 84.04% over unweeded control. Application of nitrogen from 0 to 75 kg N/ha increased grain yield to the tune of 1631 kg/ha. Remarkable increase in grain yield was noticed when weed control treatments were associated with application of nitrogen. Higher uptake of N, P and K by crop and lower removal of same nutrients by weeds were observed in herbicides and hand weedings than unweeded control. N, P and K in the order of 11.49, 1.71 and 12.40 kg/ha respectively could be saved through weed control in transplanted rice.     

Weed Control in Rainfed Cotton in Northern Ghana

Abstract

In field experiments conducted at the Nyankpala Agricultural Station, Ghana, during 1976–77, soil moisture conditions appeared to be the deciding factor in determining the frequency of handweeding needed to obtain maximum seed cotton yields. In 1976, when planting was early and the late, heavy rains in October prolonged weed growth, two handweedings at 4 and 8 weeks after seeding (w.a.s.) gave comparable yields to continuous weeding and significantly better yields than an alachlor + fluometuron herbicide mixture. Supplementary weeding did not enhance the mixture's performance.

In 1977, planting was relatively late and in the peak of the rainy season and so late weed growth was reduced. A single handweeding at 4 w.a.s. gave as good a yield as repeated handweeding treatments under these conditions. The alachlor + fluometuron mixture also gave adequate weed control and again supplementary weeding did not improve it significantly.

In herbicide evaluation experiments, the safety and performance of pendimethalin and dinitramine herbicides were much influenced by the rainfall pattern immediately following application. With a relatively drier period following application in 1976, the higher rate of these herbicides depressed yields. This rate produced optimum yields in 1977, however, when a very wet period followed application.

Prodiamine and the alachlor + fluometuron mixture were the herbicides least affected by soil moisture and they consistently produced good yields.