Mesotrione: a new preemergence herbicide option for wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) control in wheat
Abstract Wild radish is the most problematic broadleaf weed of Australian grain production. The propensity of wild radish to evolve resistance to herbicides has led to high frequencies of multiple herbicide resistant populations present in these grain production regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of mesotrione to selectively control wild radish in wheat. The initial dose response pot trials determined that at the highest mesotrione rate of 50 g ha−1, PRE application was 30% more effective than POST on wild radish. This same rate of mesotrione POST resulted in a 30% reduction in wheat biomass compared to 0% for the PRE application. Subsequent, mesotrione PRE dose response trials identified a wheat selective rate range of >100 and < 300 g ai ha−1 that provided greater than 85% wild radish control with less than 15% reduction in wheat growth. Field evaluations confirmed the efficacy of mesotrione at 100 to 150 g ai ha−1 in reducing wild radish populations by greater than 85% following PRE application and incorporation by wheat planting. Additionally, these field trials demonstrated the opportunity for season-long control of wild radish when mesotrione PRE was followed by bromoxynil POST. The sequential application of mesotrione, an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide, PRE followed by bromoxynil, a PS II-inhibiting herbicide POST has the potential to provide 100% wild radish control with no effect on wheat growth.