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Herbicides are usually applied multiple times by growers for season long weed control in Florida citrus (Citrus sp.). Rimsulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide has been recently registered for control of certain grasses and broadleaf weeds in citrus. To increase the weed control spectrum and reduce application cost, citrus growers often prefer to tank mix herbicides. Field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 in citrus groves in central Florida to evaluate weed control efficacy and crop safety of rimsulfuron applied alone or in tank mixes with flumioxazin, pendimethalin, or oryzalin. Herbicides were applied sequentially in spring and fall in both years on the same experimental plot. Results suggested that rimsulfuron applied alone controlled >80% broadleaf and grass weeds up to 30 days after treatment (DAT) and was comparable to tank mixing rimsulfuron with pendimethalin or oryzalin; however, control was reduced beyond 30 DAT. Rimsulfuron tank mixed with flumioxazin was the most effective treatment at 30 and 60 DAT that provided, respectively, ≥88% and >75%, control of broadleaf weeds including brazil pusley (Richardia brasiliensis), dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), cotton weed (Froelichia floridana), and virginia pepperweed (Virginia virginicum) compared with other treatments. Control of natalgrass (Melinis repens) was higher in all tank mix treatments compared with rimsulfuron applied alone with no difference among tank mix partners. Rimsulfuron tank mixed with pendimethalin or oryzalin had no advantage over rimsulfuron applied alone for control of broadleaf weeds. Among sequential applications, weed control was better after fall herbicide application (August) compared with spring (April) because of residual activity of fall applied herbicides. Rimsulfuron tank mixed with flumioxazin will provide citrus growers with an additional weed control option.

Various combinations of glyphosate and 2,4-D (± surfactant) were evaluated for control of Brazil pusley [Richardia brasiliensis (Moq.) Gomez]. Typical 2,4-D symptoms on plants were manifested within 2 to 3 days after treatment. Application of glyphosate alone had only marginal effects (14%) on Brazil pusley, but the addition of Induce® (nonionic surfactant) significantly increased control to 83% and reduced the fresh weight by 68%. Application of Landmaster®II or a tank-mix of glyphosate + 2,4-D (± surfactants) resulted in 96% to 100% control. Treatment with 2,4-D alone, or with Induce®, or L-77® (organosilicone surfactant) resulted in 84%, 90%, or 100% control, respectively. Very low fresh weights of Brazil pusley were recorded when 2,4-D +Induce® or L-77®, Landmaster®II (± surfactants), or the tank-mix (± surfactants) were applied. In the regrowth studies, shoot weight was greater following application of glyphosate with or without L-77® or Kinetic® (a blend of nonionic and organosilicone) than following other treatments. The fresh weight of the shoots in the regrowth study, recorded following the application of 2,4-D or Landmaster®II (± surfactants), was very low except when Kinetic® was added to Landmaster®II. No regrowth of shoots occurred following the tank-mix treatment. Similar observations were recorded for roots. Plants treated with 2,4-D did not regrow. The presence of 2,4-D in either formulation accelerated synergistic effect of the glyphosate to the target site. Therefore, 2,4-D could be used either as a component of a formulation or in a tank-mix with glyphosate to control Brazil pusley. Chemical names used: N-(phosphonomethyl glycine) (glyphosate); 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).