Tolerance of Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) to Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors and Very Long Chain Fatty Acid Synthesis Inhibitors Applied Preemergence

Abstract

Nine field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 at various locations in southern Ontario, Canada to determine the tolerance of soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) to herbicides inhibiting protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) and very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis applied alone and in combination. Preemergence applications were evaluated for soybean injury, plant height, shoot dry weight, and yield in the absence of weed competition. Early-season soybean in jury from the Protox inhibitors persisted 4 weeks after soybean emergence (WAE) with 3%, 5%, and 18% injury for flumioxazin, saflufenacil, and sulfentrazone, respectively. When Protox inhi bitors were tank mixed with VLCFA inhibitors ( i.e ., dimethenamid-P, S -metolachlor, and pyrox asulfone), additive interactions were observed for injury with saflufenacil and sulfentrazone; whereas synergistic interactions were observed with flumioxazin. However, injury subsided over time decreasing from as much as 34% injury 1 WAE for the flumioxazin + S -metolachlor tank mix down to 9% injury 4 WAE. In general, when saflufenacil or flumioxazin were tank mixed with VLCFA inhibitors, greater than expected reductions in height and dry weight were observed indi cating synergistic responses; while no interactive effects were detected with sulfentrazone and VLCFA inhibitor tank mixes. For the flumioxazin tank mixes that contained dimethenamid-P or S -metolachlor, the reduction in yield was greater than expected indicating synergistic interactive effects. Yet, all the demonstrated impacts were transient as the yield for soybean treated with any of the Protox inhibitor and VLCFA inhibitor tank mixes tested were similar to the untreated con trol. Therefore, usage restriction on these mixtures, based on perceived negative yield impact, should be lifted so the herbicides could be combined to expand weed control options.