Greenhouse and field experiments, at two locations in Georgia, evaluated the tolerance of several soft red winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) to postemergence applications of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one]. In the greenhouse, none of the cultivars growing in pots tolerated a 0.6 kg ai/ha treatment of metribuzin applied at the two-to three-tiller, six- to nine-tiller, or early-stem elongation growth stages. In nutrient culture, ‘McNair 1003’ was more tolerant to a 0.15 μg/ml concentration of metribuzin than other cultivars. Significant injury and yield reductions of wheat cultivars treated in the field with 0.6 and 1.1 kg/ha of metribuzin occurred. Differences between the cultivars were not uniform over all experiments. Increased injury was accompanied by higher rainfall and low temperatures subsequent to application. None of the wheat cultivars evaluated in the field experiments was injured by the 0.3 kg/ha rate of metribuzin. Acceptable selective weed control was obtained with this rate, indicating that metribuzin could be used in these soft red winter wheat cultivars.

Twenty field experiments were conducted in Oklahoma from 1983 through 1986 to evaluate the ethylthio analog of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(ethylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] for selective control of cheat (Bromus secalinus L. #3 BROSE), downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE), and rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus Vahl. # BROCA) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The ethylthio analog of metribuzin applied postemergence at 1.1 kg ai/ha before the weeds tillered controlled 91 to 100% of these Bromus spp. in winter wheat. Control of tillered Bromus spp. was less consistent. As Bromus spp. control increased, wheat yields increased, and dockage decreased. The herbicide was selective on wheat over a wide range of soils, including sands. Adding surfactant to very early postemergence applications of 0.6 kg ai/ha increased cheat control but injured wheat slightly. Surfactant use had little or no effect on dockage reduction and yields.