Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T01:13:23.701Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

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 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Arnold, W. E. and O'Neal, W. B. 1972. Downy brome control in established alfalfa. North Cent. Weed Control Conf. Res. Rep. 29:19.Google Scholar
2. Dawson, J. H. 1970. Dodder control in alfalfa with dichlobenil. Weed Sci. 18:225230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Dawson, J. H. 1978. Control of dodder (Cuscuta spp.) with pronamide. Weed Sci. 26:660664.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Faivre-Dupaigre, R. and Bouchet, F. 1964. Weed control in lucerne and red clover seed crops. Proc. Brit. Weed Control Conf. 7:372380.Google Scholar
5. Kapusta, G. and Strieker, C. F. 1975. Selective control of downy brome in alfalfa. Weed Sci. 23:202206.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Lescar, L. and Audy, J. M. 1969. Weed control in established crops of alfalfa, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil (in French). C. R. Conf. Com. Franc. mauv. Herbes (COLUMA). 5:686700.Google Scholar
7. May and Baker Ltd. 1971. Technical information on Asulam selective weedkiller. Agric. Res. and Dev. Group., May and Baker Ltd. England. 16 pp.Google Scholar
8. Rowell, J. G. and Walters, D. E. 1976. Analyzing data with repeated observations on each experimental unit. J. Agric. Sci., Camb. 87: 423432.Google Scholar
9. Waddington, J., Gebhardt, J., and Pulkinen, D. A. 1976. Forage yield and quality of alfalfa following late fall applications of 2,4-D and 2,4-DB. Can. J. Plant Sci. 56:929934.CrossRefGoogle Scholar