Studies were conducted at four sites during a 2-yr period in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas to determine effectiveness and safety of halosulfuron in honeydew crops. Halosulfuron applied postemergence at 26.3 to 78.8 g ai/ha controlled yellow nutsedge 85 to 97%, golden crownbeard 100%, and tumble pigweed 83 to 95%. Control of yellow nutsedge continued to increase for 3 to 6 wk after treatment. Golden crownbeard and tumble pigweed efficacy increased to its highest levels after 4 and 3 wk, respectively. Reduced crop growth and yellowing of foliage did not exceed 13%. No differences were recorded for yield, earliness, or percentage of marketable fruit.
Nomenclature: Halosulfuron; golden crownbeard, Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Gray #3 VEEEN; tumble pigweed, Amaranthus albus L. # AMAAL; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. # CYPES; honeydew, Cucumus melo L. Inodorus group ‘Honeybrew’.
Additional index words: Melon crops, mulch, plasticulture, plastic mulch.
Abbreviations: POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence; WAT, weeks after treatment.
