Thifensulfuron is a new herbicide of the sulfonylurea class under development by E. I. Dupont de Nemours Company Inc. for postemergence broadleaf weed control in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. Field studies evaluated the influence of adjuvants and chlorimuron upon the efficacy of thifensulfuron. Thifensulfuron applied alone provided smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L. #AMACH) control at application rates 12% of those of the similar herbicide chlorimuron. Nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate increased soybean sensitivity to thifensulfuron, but an adjuvant was required to obtain consistent seedling common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L. #CHEAL) control. Chlorimuron and thifensulfuron combinations did not control ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. #IPOHE].

Greenhouse studies evaluated soybean cultivar sensitivity to thifensulfuron. Seven popular Virginia soybean varieties and one national variety (Williams 82) were screened for tolerance to thifensulfuron. Differences in varietal sensitivity was verified. Soybean varieties Vance, Essex, Hutcheson, and York proved to be more sensitive to 9.1 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron than FFR 561, Williams 82, or Deltapine 105. No relationship between sensitivity to thifensulfuron and Essex parentage could be drawn.

The selectivity of the sulfonylurea class of herbicides is reportedly based on differential metabolism of the herbicide between sensitive and tolerant weed and crop species. Laboratory studies were conducted utilizing thifensulfuron-sensitive and tolerant weed species, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. #ABUTH) and spurred anoda [Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht #ANVCR], respectively, as well as the relatively tolerant Williams 82 and sensitive Vance soybean. Absorption and distribution studies indicated that all species absorbed and translocated similar amounts of ¹⁴C 1, 3, and 5 days after application of the methyl ester of [¹⁴C-thiophene] thifensulfuron. Metabolism studies indicated that both tolerant spurred anoda and sensitive velvetleaf metabolized thifensulfuron at similar rates 3 days after treatment. Metabolism appears to be the major mechanism for the selectivity of thifensulfuron to soybeans. The mechanism for spurred anoda tolerance to thifensulfuron has yet to be determined.

This research indicates that broadcast foliar applications of 4.5 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron with 0.125% v/v nonionic surfactant or 1% v/v crop oil concentrate can provide selective postemergence smooth pigweed and common lambsquarters control for soybean production in Virginia. Caution should, however, be taken in prescribing greater than 4.5 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron due to the variability in cultivar sensitivity to thifensulfuron.