ARS | Publication request: WEED RESEARCH IN MINT

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2005
Publication Date: December 5, 2005
Citation: Boydston, R.A., Baker, R. 2005. Weed research in mint. Proceedings of the Washington Mint Growers Winter Conference. December 2005. Pg. 17-37.

Technical Abstract: Uncontrolled weeds in peppermint and spearmint reduce mint oil yield and quality. Several weed species have developed resistance to, or are poorly controlled by herbicides labeled for mint production. Flucarbazone, and propoxycarbazone applied to dormant native spearmint caused little or no crop injury. Low rates of mesotrione and sulfentrazone applied postemergence were tested for mint tolerance in field trials and controlled pigweed and caused transient peppermint injury. Auxin inhibitor herbicides MCPB, clopyralid, fluroxypyr, dicamba, triclopyr, and dicamba plus diflufenzopyr applied at three rates injured mint to some degree and reduced oil yield in some circumstances depending on mint type and herbicide rate in both field and green house trials. Flumioxazin impregnated on ammonium sulfate or urea fertilizer did not injure peppermint or reduce oil yields applied after the first cutting and reduced pigweed incidence.