Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Oxyfluorfen Formulations on Broccoli

Abstract

The 4lb/gal (4F) formulation of oxyfluorfen was significantly safer than the 2 lb/gal (2XL) formulation on broccoli when applied at the 2 or 3-leaf stages of growth. At 6 days after treatment of the first application at the cotyledon stage of the broccoli, significant injury to the broccoli ranged from 30 to 66% for all oxyfluorfen treatments. Crop stand reduction did not occur with either formulation. The 4F formulation at 0.25 lb AI/A gave nearly the same weed control as the 2XL formulation at 0.063 lb AI/A. The 4F formulation applied at the broccoli cotyledon stage of growth provided longer effective weed control for more than 3 weeks after applications. Later applications gave effective weed control for a period of time between 1 to 2 weeks.