Molly E. Marple, Douglas Shoup, Kassim Al-Khatib, and Dallas E. Peterson. Kansas State University, 3706 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506
Hormonal type herbicides are commonly used to control broadleaf weeds in several cropping systems. However, drift from spray of hormonal-type herbicides may injure nearby sensitive crops including cotton. The amount of drift of these herbicides depends on many factors including herbicide formulations, droplet size, height above the ground that the spray is applied and weather conditions. Previous research has shown that downwind drift deposits from a ground sprayer ranged from 1 to 8%. Field study was conducted at Manhattan and Hesston, Kansas in 2004 and Manhattan, Kansas 2005 to determine the level of cotton injury and yield reduction caused by drift from seven hormonal-type herbicides that are commonly used in Kansas. The herbicides evaluated were dicamba (Clarity), 2,4-D amine, 2,4-D ester, clopyralid (Stinger), picloram(Tordon), fluroxypyr (Starane), and triclopyr (Remedy); herbicide rates were 0, 1/100, 1/200, 1/300, 1/400 of the use rate. All treatments included 0.25% nonionic surfactant. Plants were observed throughout the growing season. Injury was rated 7, 14, 28, 56 days after treatment (DAT). The injury ratings were based on 0= no injury and 100=complete kill. At the end of the season, plots were harvested by hand and yield and fiber quality were determined. Injury symptoms was the greatest with 2,4-D and the lowest with clopyralid. Cotton plants treated with 2,4-D showed a leaf rolling and petiole twisting within 24 hours after application. Similar symptoms were observed with picloram, dicamba, and fluroxypyr at 7 DAT. Boll abortion and size reduction was most common in the plants treated with both formulations of 2,4-D and the highest rates of picloram and dicamba. Injury symptoms were correlated with yield reduction which was most prevalent in 2,4-D. Fiber quality was not altered by hormonal-type herbicides except the reduction in fiber elongation with 2,4-D. Triclopyr, clopyralid, and dicamba had the least effect on yield among the seven herbicides. In conclusion cotton is extremely susceptible to simulated drift rates of 2,4-D, thus the use of 2,4-D should be avoided around cotton fields by using an alternative herbicides.
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