Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Seven substituted dinitrobenzamine herbicides were evaluated at two rates as preplant soil-incorporated treatments for 2 yr. Herbicides were applied broadcast and incorporated 7 cm deep into a sandy loam with a power-driven rototiller before the preplanting irrigation and 3 weeks before crop planting. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Acala SJ-1’) stands were reduced by the higher rate of nitralin [4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline], dinitramine (N4,N4-diethyl-a,a,a-trifluoro-3,5-dinitrotoluene-2,4-diamine), fluchloralin [N-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline], and AN 56477 [N,N-di-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-methylaniline]. Cotton yields were reduced by the higher rate of nitralin, dinitramine, and AN 56477. The poorest weed control was obtained with the lower rate of nitralin, AN 56477, and butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine]. A bioassay with Japanese millet [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. var. frumentacea (Roxb.) Wight] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was used to evaluate herbicides remaining in soil sampled 1, 120, and 240 days after application. Residual herbicide phytotoxicity at 240 days indicated dinitramine < trifluralin (a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) = butralin < profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine] = AN 56477 < nitralin < fluchloralin. In greenhouse experiments, cotton taproot elongation was retarded by both rates of nitralin, dinitramine, and AN 56477 and by the higher rate of fluchloralin. All herbicides inhibited lateral roots of cotton in the herbicide-treated zone of soil, but butralin and profluralin caused the least inhibition.