Application timing for clomazone and oxyfluorfen in transplanted cabbage

Abstract

Field experiments with cabbage cv. Blue Vantage were conducted at Corozal and Juana Díaz Substations (UPR-AES) from 2 November 1994 to 9 February 1995 to evaluate the efficacy of three preplant applications of clomazone (1.12 kg ai/ha) and oxyfluorfen (0.28 kg ai/ha). Both herbicides were applied to the soil surface 5,10, and 15 days before transplanting (DBT). Visual injury three weeks after transplanting at Corozal was greater for clomazone applied at 5 DBT (10%) than at 10 and 15 DBT (0 and 1%, respectively). Weed density at Corozal ranged from 2 to 10 plants/m² and did not interfere with cabbage yield. After six weeks, at Juana Díaz, there were no significant visual injuries in cabbage from the clomazone and oxyfluorfen applications. Also at Juana Diaz, clomazone applied 10 and 15 DBT resulted in lower weed densities (8 and 22 weeds/m², respectively) than the non-treated control (178 weeds/m²) after six weeks. At Juana Diaz, clomazone at the three application times and oxyfluorfen applied at 5 and 10 DBT increased cabbage yield beyond that of the non-treated control.