Clomazone for Weed Control in Transplanted Cole Crops (Brassica oleracea)

Experiments were conducted at Lexington and Quicksand, KY, in 1989 and 1990 to determine the effect of preplant incorporated clomazone on weed control, crop injury, and yield of broccoli, cauliflower, green cabbage, red cabbage, and pak choi. Oxyfluorfen and trifluralin were included as standard treatments. Greater than 80% weed control was observed at both locations with 0.8 kg ai ha−1clomazone, with the exception of smooth pigweed at Lexington. All clomazone treatments caused crop injury 2 WAT. Injury was still evident 8 WAT at clomazone rates of 1.7 and 3.4 kg ha−1, but was minor with rates of 0.8 kg ha−1or less on broccoli, cauliflower, and red cabbage. Injury was less at Quicksand in both years and seasons over all clomazone rates, most likely due to higher soil organic matter content Yields of broccoli and cauliflower treated with 0.8 kg ha−1clomazone were similar to yields with oxyfluorfen on a 3% organic matter soil at Lexington in 1989. However, clomazone at 0.8 kg ha−1at Lexington reduced 1989 spring yields of green cabbage, red cabbage, and pak choi and 1990 spring yields of all cole crops as compared to oxyfluorfen. Clomazone at 0.8 kg ha−1at Quicksand reduced yield of green cabbage and pak choi in spring 1990 only on a 5.2% organic matter soil. Fall yields of broccoli and cauliflower in both years were not reduced by clomazone at 0.8 kg ha−1or less at either location. Our studies indicated potential for utilization of clomazone on cole crops in higher organic matter soils, especially if some early season crop injury and occasional yield loss can be tolerated.