Weed control in soybean using pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone

Abstract

Pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone are new herbicides currently being evaluated for weed control in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in Ontario, Canada. Seven experiments were conducted over a 3-yr period (2011 to 2013) at Ridgetown and Exeter, Ontario, to evaluate weed management using pyroxasulfone, sulfentrazone and their tank-mixes relative to the industry standard, imazethapyr plus metribuzin. Tank-mixing pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone provided up to 97, 46, 60, 100 and 71% control of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.], Powell amaranth [Amaranthus powellii (S.) Wats.] and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), respectively, at 2 wk after treatment. Control with pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone was improved when tank-mixed, relative to application of each herbicide separately. Although control was variable across weed species, no difference in control was identified between pyroxasulfone plus sulfentrazone and imazethapyr plus metribuzin. Soybean yield was up to 2.7, 2.4 and 2.9 t ha-1 for pyroxasulfone, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone plus sulfentrazone application, yet imazethapyr plus metribuzin provided the highest yield (3.3 t ha-1). This research demonstrates that pyroxasulfone plus sulfentrazone may be used as a valuable weed control option in soybean; however, weed community composition may limit herbicidal utility.