Rimsulfuron Controls Hairy Nightshade, but not Eastern Black Nightshade, in Tomato

Abstract

<jats:p>Nightshade species are difficult to control in tomato production and their interference reduces both tomato yield and quality. Rimsulfuron can be used to control nightshades, but species and biotypes vary in their response to rimsulfuron. The objectives of this study were to evaluate control of hairy nightshade (<jats:italic>Solanum sarrachoides</jats:italic> Sendt.) and eastern black nightshade (<jats:italic>Solanum ptycanthum</jats:italic> Dun.) by rimsulfuron and compare North Dakota eastern black nightshade accession response to three acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor herbicides. In field studies conducted at Oakes, N. Dak., rimsulfuron at rates of 26 or 53 g·ha<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup> a.i. was applied within 1 week after transplanting tomato (EPOST) or 2 to 4 weeks after transplanting (POST). Rimsulfuron gave excellent control of hairy nightshade when applied POST, and poor to excellent control when applied EPOST, with control being much better when hairy nightshade had emerged before the EPOST application. Rimsulfuron at 53 g·ha<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup> provided greater control than at 26 g·ha<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup> only for the EPOST applications. Rimsulfuron controlled hairy nightshade which allowed eastern black nightshade (which was not controlled by rimsulfuron) to dominate tomato. Tomato yield was lower when dominated by hairy nightshade than by eastern black nightshade. This was due to the earlier emergence and faster growth of hairy nightshade compared to eastern black nightshade. Tomato yield was higher in the hand-weeded check than for all other treatments in 1999, the only year the hand-weeded check was included in the study. Greenhouse studies on plants grown from seed collected at the experimental site verified that eastern black nightshade was tolerant to rimsulfuron but was controlled by tribenuron and imazethapyr. Rimsulfuron can be used in tomato production to control hairy nightshade, but not the accession of eastern black nightshade found in this study. Chemical names used: N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide (rimsulfuron); (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-<jats:italic>N,N</jats:italic> dipropyl-<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>-toluidine) (trifluralin); methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl–1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)methylamino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (tribenuron methyl); (±)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo–1<jats:italic>H</jats:italic>-imidazol-2-yl]-5-ethyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (imazethapyr).</jats:p>

Potato and Weed Response to Postemergence-applied Halosulfuron, Rimsulfuron, and Eptc

“…When rimsulfuron at 18 or 26 g/ha was included in the tank mixture, hairy nightshade control improved and ranged from 98 to 100% regardless of the halosulfuron rate (Table 1). The excellent hairy nightshade control provided by rimsulfuron in our study is similar to the control by rimsulfuron applied early POST in tomato trials conducted by Greenland and Howatt (2005) and in potato trials conducted by Hutchinson et al (2004).…”

“…However, halosulfuron does not control Eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum Dun.) or hairy nightshade, common weeds in many potato-growing regions (Greenland and Howatt 2005). Halosulfuron applied PRE at 0.066 kg/ha or POST at 0.033 to 0.066 injured 'Atlantic' potatoes and reduced tuber yield (Grichar et al 2003).…”

“…Rimsulfuron applied POST controls hairy nightshade and a number of other problem weeds in potato and may provide broad-spectrum weed control when applied with halosulfuron (Ackley et al 1999;Blackshaw et al 1995;Eberlein et al 1994;Greenland and Howatt 2005;Hutchinson et al 2004;Ivany 2002;Renner and Powell 1998;Tonks and Eberlein 2001). Rimsulfuron applied POST causes only temporary minor chlorosis on potato and is safe on numerous potato varieties (Ackley et al 1996a;Blackshaw et al 1995;Eberlein et al 1994;Robinson et al 1996).…”

“…Hairy nightshade and large crabgrass control in potato 9 d after treatment with halosulfuron and rimsulfuron combinations nearPaterson, WA in 2004 and2005. …”

Long‐term effect of fumigation and a sorghum cover crop on broadleaf and grass weeds in plastic‐mulched tomato

“…13,14 Certain broadleaf weeds, such as nightshade species, are particularly difficult to control in tomato using herbicides because of the similarity in plant physiology and growth habit. 15 Tomato growers in the southeast rely on preplant soil fumigation for control of soilborne pests including weeds. Since the phaseout of methyl bromide, numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate alternative soil fumigants for weed control.…”