ARS | Publication request: Weed control efficacy with Racer (ammonium nonanoate)

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2010
Publication Date: August 25, 2011
Citation: Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W., Brandenberger, L.P., Taylor, M.J., Carrier, L.K., Shannon, D.K. 2011. Weed control efficacy with Racer (ammonium nonanoate) [abstract]. Society for Range Management and Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts, February 7-11, 2010, Denver, Colorado. P A-38.

Technical Abstract: Weed control is a major challenge in conventional and organic production systems. Agricultural weed control costs the U.S. economy more than the cost of insect and disease control combined. Organic vegetable producers have many challenges since their weed control tools are mostly limited to cultural methods, with a strong dependence on excessive tillage, cultivation, and hand-hoeing for weed control. Precision application of herbicides is important to vegetable producers because of the limited number of herbicides available and the potential for crop injury. Racer (registered trademark) (ammonium nonanoate) is a contact herbicide with potential as a bio-herbicide for organically grown food crops. As a contact herbicide, precise chemical application will increase weed control efficacy while reducing crop injury. The objective of this study was to investigate weed control efficacy of Racer® applied at different rates and application volumes on endemic weed populations. This research was conducted prior to labeling of Racer as an organically approved herbicide. The factorial experiment included 2 herbicide rates (7.2, 10.8 kg ai ha**-1) applied at 4 application volumes (164, 327, 654, 981 L ha**-1). Racer weed control was greater for broadleaf than grass weeds. The lowest Racer rate provided unsatisfactory control for all weed species.