Antagonistic Effect of MCPA on Fenoxaprop Activity

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine the effect of the isooctyl ester of MCPA on the activity of the ethyl ester of fenoxaprop in four grass species. In the greenhouse, wheat tolerated fenoxaprop better than barley, oat, and wild oat. Among wild oat populations, SH 430 was the most tolerant to fenoxaprop followed by MON 73, CS 40, the natural population, and AN 51. MCPA reduced fenoxaprop activity in wheat and barley, protecting the crops from herbicide injury. However, MCPA did not reduce the activity of fenoxaprop in most wild oat lines. In field studies, wheat and barley treated with fenoxaprop at 150 g/ha plus MCPA at 300 g/ha were not appreciably different from weed-free controls while fenoxaprop applied alone at 150 g/ha damaged the crops. Fenoxaprop applied at 150 g/ha in combination with 300 g/ha MCPA resulted in at least 78% wild oat control.