New Herbicide Strategies for Weed Management in Pumpkin and Soybean and Potato Vine Desiccation

Weed control and desiccation are routinely executed with herbicides. Potato vine desiccation facilitates harvest, improves skin set, and regulates tuber size. Saflufenacil, glufosinate, saflufenacil plus glufosinate, and carfentrazone plus glufosinate were compared to diquat applied at 43, 31, and 17% B potatoes; similar vine desiccation (14 days after treatment), skin set, and yield were noted amongst treatments. Residual herbicides are routinely used for weed control in pumpkin. Fluridone and acetochlor formulations applied preemergence were evaluated in direct-seeded pumpkin compared to other labeled herbicides. Fluridone resulted in total crop loss following heavy rainfall immediately after planting; less rainfall resulted in transient injury. Acetochlor formulations resulted in significant pumpkin injury (34 to 39%) 14 days after planting. S-metolachlor controlled weeds similar to acetochlor without significant injury. Palmer amaranth has developed resistance to six different herbicide modes of action. The weed grows rapidly and is best controlled <10 cm in height. To control glyphosate and ALS- resistant biotypes, fomesafen plus dicamba were applied at first postemergence (POST) to small Palmer amaranth (<5 cm, 0 d) and at simulated delays of 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. All plots received lactofen plus dicamba 14 days after first POST. Palmer amaranth control 14 days after first POST was 100% when delayed 0 or 7 d and 62% at the 28 day delay; control increased to 88% following lactofen plus dicamba applied second POST. Yield was significantly reduced when first POST was delayed 28 days at one location.