ARS | Publication request: HERBICIDES AND DESICCANTS FOR MANAGING CUPHEA: A NEW OILSEED CROP

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 12, 2004
Publication Date: February 12, 2004
Citation: FORCELLA, F., GESCH, R.W. HERBICIDES AND DESICCANTS FOR MANAGING CUPHEA: A NEW OILSEED CROP. CD-ROM. MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS: WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ABSTRACTS. 2004.

Technical Abstract: Cuphea is a partially domesticated potential new crop that produces seeds with high levels of medium chain fatty acids (primarily capric acid, but also lauric acid). The variety currently available, PSR-23, is a cross between two annual species: Cuphea viscosissima and C. lanceolata. The plant grows best in Minnesota and adjacent states under conditions roughly analogous to those of soybean. At this stage of domestication, cuphea produces up to 1000 kg/ha of seeds. Very slow growth in spring and indeterminate growth in late summer necessitates the use of herbicides for weed control and desiccants for harvest aids. However, no chemicals have been labeled for use in cuphea at this time. Consequently, we undertook basic agronomic research to find herbicides that cuphea tolerates and desiccants that facilitate harvesting of this shatter-prone crop. Cuphea adequately tolerates the following soil-applied herbicides: ethalfluralin, isoxaflutole, mesotrione and trifluralin. It also has some tolerance to postemergence applications of imazethapyr, imazamox and mesotrione. Useful harvest aids include paraquat, sodium chlorate and tank mixes of both. Swathing and windrowing also are useful for harvesting cuphea. Up to 40 ha of cuphea will be grown in 2004 to increase seed stores, and much greater acreage in 2005, under the sponsorship of large international companies.