Field studies were conducted from 1984 to 1986 to assess cabbage injury and yield response to several acetanilide herbicides. When incorporated, metolachlor significantly injured cabbage and reduced yields while post-transplant applications caused foliar flecking but did not reduce yields. Crop injury from pretransplant applications of 4.4 kg ai/ha was significant for all herbicides in both 1985 and 1986. Although total yields in 1985 and 1986 were comparable, maturity was delayed in 1986. With few exceptions, the acetanilides did not differ in either injury or yield-reducing potential. However, compared to trifluralin, metolachlor reduced yields in both years and at both rates.
