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AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONTROL OF PASPALUM CONJUGATUM WITH AMITROLE-T AND PARAQUAT |
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| Authors: | D W R HEADFORD |
| Institution: | Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, Jealott's Hill Research Station, Bracknell, Berkshire, England |
| Abstract: | Summary. Paraquat, amitrole-T and disodiumn methylarsonate (DMA) were evaluated for the control of the stoloniferous grass Paspalum conjugatum in young rubber plantations in Malaya. The herbicides were tested alone, in mixtures and in split applications. Paraquat at 0–5 lb/ac gave good initial desiccation but regeneration was extremely rapid and repeated sprays of 0–25 lb/ac were required for a long period of suppression. Amitrole-T at 15 lb/ac was very slow to act but gave complete kill after 10 weeks. DMA at 8–12 lb/ac gave marked suppression, but regeneration rapidly developed after 8 weeks. Mixtures of either amitrole-T or DMA with paraquat gave less than the expected additive effects of the components, indicating an antagonistic action. Sub-lethal rates of amitrole-T or DMA applied to regenerating shoots after paraquat treatment gave results inferior to those from higher rates of the herbicides alone. When paraquat was applied 2 weeks after an initial sub-lethal dose (0.375 lb/ac) of amitrole-T, desiccation was rapid and complete eradication was achieved; this did not occur when a low rate of DMA was used as the first spray. In terms of both speed of kill and final effect, a split application of a low rate of amitrole-T followed by paraquat was the most effective treatment. A possible explanation of the apparent synergism between amitrole-T and paraquat applied in this way is advanced and suggestions for further work outlined. Une méthode améliorée pour la lutte centre Paspalum conjugatum avoc l'amitrole-T et le paraquat |
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