Phytotoxic effects of salinity, imazethapyr, and chlorimuron on selected weed species

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effect of salinity, imazethapyr, and chlorimuron on weed growth. Five species, barnyardgrass, common cocklebur, ivyleaf morningglory, common purslane, and yellow nutsedge, were grown in potting soil and irrigated with nonsaline (EC ∼ 2 dS m−1) or sulfate-dominated saline (EC ∼ 7 dS m−1) nutrient solution. Plants were treated after emergence with imazethapyr (Pursuit formulation) at 70 g ae ha−1 or chlorimuron ethyl (Classic formulation) at 8.8 g ai ha−1. Results indicated that irrigation with saline water had no overall effect on the growth or survival of most tested weed species. Growth of yellow nutsedge (maximum height and stem diameter) was reduced for plants irrigated with saline water. Observed growth and survival trends in saline and nonsaline treatments were consistent with information on the herbicide label. Complete control of common purslane was not achieved by either chlorimuron or imazethapyr. Growth and survival of ivyleaf morni...