Field experiments were conducted during 1985 and 1986 to determine the response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Coker 156’], pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA), and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] to acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}, fomesafen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide}, and lactofen {(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-dinitrobenzoate}. Acifluorfen and lactofen were more phytotoxic to soybean 15 days after treatment (DAT) than fomesafen. All herbicides at low rates controlled 80% or more pitted morningglory. However, only the high rates (0.6 kg ai/ha) of acifluorfen and fomesafen controlled 80% or more ivyleaf morningglory 90 DAT. Full-season competition from untreated pitted morningglory reduced soybean seed yields 44 and 22% in 1985 and 1986, respectively, compared to 58 and 49% with untreated ivyleaf morningglory. Soybean seed yields were higher in plots receiving acifluorfen or fomesafen applications than lactofen applications.
