Sensitivity of Southcentral U.S. Johnsongrass Accessions to Selected Herbicides

Abstract

New technologies in grain sorghum allow for the use of multiple acetyl CoA carboxylase- (ACCase) or acetolactate synthase- (ALS) inhibiting herbicides for johnsongrass control. With the growing issue of herbicide resistance, producers need to understand which herbicides will successfully control johnsongrass accessions. To determine the efficacy of herbicides recently registered or ones with potential to become available for use in grain sorghum, johnsongrass seeds were collected from 2017 to 2021 in Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma and were screened for sensitivity to fluazifop, quizalofop, nicosulfuron, and imazamox. Additionally, glyphosate sensitivity was evaluated because of its use before planting or postharvest. Quizalofop resulted in 100% mortality of all johnsongrass accessions. Of the johnsongrass accessions evaluated, 89% were completely controlled with glyphosate. The ALS inhibitors nicosulfuron and imazamox resulted in 100% mortality of all Oklahoma accessions, but failures occurred on samples from other states. One accession from Kansas, 12 from Texas, and eight from Arkansas were found to have reduced sensitivity to nicosulfuron and imazamox. If producers plan to plant grain sorghum in areas with johnsongrass populations, an ACCase-inhibitor herbicide will most likely provide effective control. Imazamox and nicosulfuron, in conjunction with the appropriate trait, can be utilized in areas with sensitive johnsongrass populations or where other sensitive grass species are present.