Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop. ‘Melrose’) seedlings tolerated at 15:1 commercial formulation of the sodium salts of MCPB {4-[(4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] butyric acid} and MCPA {[(4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] acetic acid} applied at rates up to 2.2 kg/ha in the greenhouse and 3.4 kg/ha in the field. Broadleaf weed control was only fair. Applications of 1.1 kg/ha, 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid] ester caused moderate damage to sainfoin initially, but no reduction in yield. Weed control was fair to good. Higher rates of 2,4-DB caused excessive injury unless a heavy growth of weeds protected the sainfoin from contact with the spray. The use of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] amine damaged sainfoin severely, although weed control was fair. Nitrofen (2,4-dichlorophenyl-p-nitrophenyl ether) at 3.4 kg/ha caused spotting on sainfoin leaves with no reduction in growth. Initial weed control was good, but sainfoin seedlings did not suppress new weed growth. Herbicide applications made when sainfoin had 1 to 3 leaves provided the best combination of crop tolerance and weed control.