Control of Morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

Abstract Morningglories are summer annual or perennial dicots, and are troublesome weeds in sugarcane cultivated in northern India. If not controlled, they may compete with sugarcane, interfere in the harvest operation, and reduce yields. Managing morningglories in sugarcane continues to be a serious challenge for sugarcane growers. Field experiments were conducted during the 3-yr period from 2007 to 2009 to evaluate herbicides applied PRE and POST for control of morningglories in sugarcane. The herbicides applied PRE included diuron, metribuzin, and atrazine at 1.6, 1.4, and 1.0 kg ai ha−1, respectively, applied alone or followed by 2,4-D amine salt (0.58 or 1.16 kg ae ha−1) or 2,4-D sodium salt (0.8 or 1.6 kg ae ha−1) applied POST. Herbicides applied PRE controlled morningglories ≤ 87% at 15 d after treatment (DAT); however, control reduced to ≤ 56% at 90 DAT. Control improved when herbicides applied PRE were followed by POST application of 2,4-D amine or sodium salt. For example, diuron applied PRE followed by 2,4-D amine salt applied POST at any rate provided 100% control of morningglories at 15 and 30 DAT. At 90 d after POST application, control ranged from 68 to 82% with the PRE followed by POST herbicides, compared to 0% control when metribuzin or atrazine were applied PRE alone. The density and biomass of morningglories was also reduced to zero in treatments that included 2,4-D amine salt. The number of millable canes, cane height, and single cane weight was superior in PRE followed by POST herbicide treatments compared to herbicides applied PRE alone. Maximum cane yield was recorded for the treatments that included 2,4-D amine or sodium salt compared to only PRE treatments, and it was usually comparable with the nontreated weed-free control. It is concluded that a combination of PRE and POST herbicides were effective for control of morningglories; however, more research is required to evaluate other herbicides and their tank mix partners for control of morningglories in sugarcane. Nomenclature: Japanese morningglory, Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth.; obscure morningglory, Ipomoea obscura L. Ker Gawl.; sugarcane, Saccharum spp.

[1]  C. Jones,et al.  Red morningglory (Ipomoea coccinea) control and competition in sugarcane. , 2009 .

[2]  J. L. Griffin,et al.  Winter weed control in sugarcane. , 2009 .

[3]  G. Kathiresan,et al.  Controlling twining weed (Ipomoea sepiaria) in sugarcane , 2004, Sugar Tech.

[4]  Avtar Singh,et al.  Efficacy of a new herbicide for the control of weeds in sugarcane , 2001, Sugar Tech.

[5]  C. Dalley,et al.  Sugarcane Response to Flumioxazin1 , 2006, Weed Technology.

[6]  C. Jones,et al.  Residual Effect of 2,4-D on Whole-Stalk– and Billet-Planted Sugarcane1 , 2004 .

[7]  J. M. Ellis,et al.  Red Morningglory (Ipomoea coccinea) Control with Sulfentrazone and Azafeniden Applied at Layby in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)1 , 2002, Weed Technology.

[8]  R. Marimuthu,et al.  Control of ipomea in sugarcane , 2002 .

[9]  G. Soulas,et al.  Microbial aspects of atrazine biodegradation in relation to history of soil treatment , 1999 .

[10]  Comfort M. Ateh,et al.  Annual Weed Control by Glyphosate in Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean (Glycine max) , 1999, Weed Technology.

[11]  David L. Jordan,et al.  Influence of Application Variables on Efficacy of Glyphosate , 1997, Weed Technology.

[12]  S. Traina,et al.  Variation in Atrazine Mineralization Rates in Relation to Agricultural Management Practice , 1997 .

[13]  D. Jordan,et al.  Broadleaf Weed Control with Trifluralin Plus Flumetsulam in Soybean (Glycine max) , 1995, Weed Technology.

[14]  C. Monks,et al.  Efficacy and Economy of Weed Management Systems for Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) and Morningglory (Ipomoea spp.) Control in Soybean (Glycine max) , 1995, Weed Technology.

[15]  A. C. York,et al.  Soybean (Glycine max) Response to Postemergence Herbicide Mixtures Containing 2,4-DB , 1991, Weed Technology.

[16]  G. H. Egley.  High-Temperature Effects on Germination and Survival of Weed Seeds in Soil , 1990, Weed Science.

[17]  K. L. Rao,et al.  Weed management in sugarcane. , 1990 .

[18]  D. Austin,et al.  Biology and control of morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) , 1990 .

[19]  R. P. Patterson,et al.  Effect of 2,4-DB on Soybeans (Glycine max) , 1984, Weed Science.

[20]  C. E. Vaughan,et al.  Aspects of Germination, Emergence, and Seed Production of Three Ipomoea Taxa , 1978, Weed Science.

[21]  G. Webster.  Herbicides: Chemistry, Degradation and Mode of Action. , 1977 .

[22]  J. Willis.  A dictionary of the flowering plants and ferns , 1967 .