Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Weed and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Poinsett’) growth was studied where herbicides were soil-applied or applied to emerged weeds in the established crop. Cucumber yields were decreased at least 36% in 2 of 5 yr when weeds interfered for 4 weeks after emergence. Sequential applications of bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] applied preplant and incorporated (PPI) + trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) applied postemergence and incorporated (POI) were outstanding and controlled Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli Link. var. frumentacea), Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.), and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) without affecting the growth or yield of cucumber. Compared with bensulide, the selectivity of soil-incorporated butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] with cucumber was limited. Laboratory bioassays showed that under warm field soil conditions, PPI applications of 1.7 kg/ha of butralin persisted more than 2 months, but were dissipated after 4 months. Ethalfluralin [N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] reduced cucumber yields only when it was soil-incorporated to the crop-seed depth at planting. Applications to soil of bensulide + DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) stunted cucumber plants, reduced leaf area, increased leaf thickness, and caused higher near-infrared (0.75 to 1.34 μm) leaf reflectance.