Mixtures of picloram and 2,4,5-T for the control of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.)

The effectiveness of‘Tordon 50-d’(5% a.i. picloram plus 20% a.i. 2,4-D both as the triisopropanolamine salts) and various mixtures of 2,4,5-T and picloram were tested for the control of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) in Victoria, Australia. A high correlation was obtained between the % reduction in live canes and the % kill of crowns 13 months after Rubus procerus P.J. Muell. thickets were sprayed with 2,4,5-T or‘Tordon 50-d'. Counting the number of live canes is, therefore, a convenient method of comparing the efficacy of these herbicides for the control of blackberry. ‘Tordon 50-d’was generally more effective than 2,4,5-T but stimulation of suckering from roots was recorded at one site when low rates of‘Tordon 50-d’were used. It was necessary to add high dose rates of‘Tordon 50-d’to 2,4,5-T before there were worthwhile improvements in weed control.‘Tordon 5–20’(5% a.i. picloram as triisopropanolamine salt plus 20% 2,4,5-T as the ethyl hexyl ester) was only slightly more effective in controlling blackberry than‘Tordon 50-d'. The cost and soil residue problems associated with picloram should limit its use as an additive to 2,4,5-T for the control of blackberry in Australia.