Weed Management and Peanut Response from Applications of Saflufenacil

Saflufenacil is a new protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting herbicide registered for use before establishment of field corn and soybean. Generally, peanut plants are tolerant to other herbicides in this class, and no reports document the utility of saflufenacil for in-season weed control. Experiments were conducted to determine whether saflufenacil applied at 12,25, and 50 g ha(-1) could effectively control Benghal dayflower and Palmer amaranth. It was observed that saflufenacil, applied either PRE or POST, was ineffective for Benghal dayflower. The maximum control at 28 d after treatment (DAT) was 79% when 50 g ha(-1) was applied to 5- to 10-cm plants. Control of Palmer amaranth from PRE applications was less effective than flumioxazin at 28 DAT. However, POST applications provided > 87% control at 28 DAT when applied to plants 5 to 10 cm in height. For plants 10 to 15 cm in height, > 90% Palmer amaranth control was only achieved by the 50 g ha(-1) application rate. For plants 15 to 20 cm in height, no POST application provided > 70% control. Peanut response, in a weed-free environment, to saflufenacil rate and application timing were also evaluated. Peanut stunting ranged from 0 to 36%, relative to application timing. Applications made at 0 d after emergence (DAE) were least injurious, whereas those made at 15 DAE were most injurious. Application of 50 g ha(-1) provided the greatest amount of stunting and foliar injury. However, stunting and saflufenacil application rate did not correspond to yield reduction. Saflufenacil application timing did influence peanut yield. Applications made between 0 and 30 DAE did not result in yield loss, whereas applications made at 45 and 60 DAE resulted in a 5 and 19% reduction, respectively. Though saflufenacil has many positive characteristics, higher application rates are required for optimum weed control. However, these higher use rates also resulted in unacceptable levels of injury.