Height growth response in Christmas trees to sulfometuron and other herbicides

Abstract

Abies procera, A. grandis and Pseudotsuga menziesii cv. Menziesii were evaluated for tolerance to sulfometuron (0.05-0.21 kg/ha), atrazine (4.5 kg/ha) and hexazinone (2.2 kg/ha). Herbicides were applied pre-budbreak and sulfometuron was also applied post-budbreak. Weeds were suppressed equally effectively by all rates and herbicides pre-em. Low rates of sulfometuron were less effective post-em. There was no significant damage to A. procera seedlings, although the highest rate of sulfometuron slowed growth significantly. A. grandis was not affected by any treatment. All treatments caused injury to 1-year-old P. menziesii, primarily needle chlorosis and slight stunting. Growth was best in atrazine-treated plots. For 3-year-old P. menziesii, injury was not significant but high rates of sulfometuron caused cosmetic damage. Best growth was observed with hexazinone and worst with sulfometuron. Post-budbreak applications and high rates of sulfometuron reduced growth more than pre-budbreak application and low rates.