Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radican) Control with Triclopyr and Metsulfuron, Applied Alone and in Tank Mixture

Dermatitis from poison ivy is an important health problem, and considerable effort is devoted to the control of this virulent weed. Triclopyr, metsulfuron, and two fixed-ratio tank mixtures of triclopyr and metsulfuron were evaluated across a series of rates for poison ivy control. The objective was to test whether tank mixtures are more effective than triclopyr alone. Triclopyr, metsulfuron, and 9 : 1 and 8 : 2 (by weight) mixtures of these two herbicides, respectively, were applied at eight rates to 1-yr old, pot-grown poison ivy plants. Rates ranged in phytotoxicity from none to death. Percentage of control as determined from plant fresh weight reduction relative to a nontreated control was determined at 1 and 4 mo after treatment (MAT). Data were subjected to ANOVA followed by nonlinear regression. Rates required for 95 % control at 1 MAT, control of regrowth at 4 MAT, and the costs of these treatments were determined for the herbicides applied alone and the mixtures. Tridopyr alone and metsulfuron alone were consistently the least and the most expensive treatments, respectively. The mixtures were intermediate to these extremes.