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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291299
Title: Evaluation of Reflex (fomesafen) herbicide for watermelon in Oklahoma

Author
item SHREFLER, JAMES - Oklahoma State University
item TAYLOR, MERRITT - Oklahoma State University
item BRANDENBERGER, LYNN - Oklahoma State University
item Webber Iii, Charles

Submitted to: Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2013
Publication Date: 5/1/2013
Citation: Shrefler, J., Taylor, M., Brandenberger, L., Webber III, C.L. 2013. Evaluation of Reflex (fomesafen) herbicide for watermelon in Oklahoma. Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science, February 1-5, 2013, Orlando, Florida. p. 12.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Effective preemergence herbicides are needed for weed control in watermelon grown from transplants. Reflex (fomesafen) was found to be effective and to exhibit crop safety in southeast USA. Trials were conducted during 2011 and 2012 in southeast Oklahoma to determine if this product would be useful in this geographic location. Watermelon “Delta” transplants were planted into a fine sandy loam soil 10 days after surface application of herbicides that included Reflex at 0.1875, 0.25, 0.375 and 0.5 lb active ingredient (ai)/acre, Sandea (halosulfuron-methyl) at 0.024 lb ai + Reflex at 0.1875 lb ai, Sandea at 0.024 lb ai + Reflex at 0.25 lb ai and Lorox (linuron) at 0.05 lb ai lb/acre. Lorox was not injurious in 2011 but killed watermelon plants in 2012. In both years, all rates of Reflex provided 90% or greater control of spiny amaranth, Amaranthus spinosus, and carpetweed, Mollugo verticillata. Sandea and Reflex at 0.25 lb ai/acre or greater gave 90% or better control of yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus. No detrimental effects on vine growth were found in 2011. In 2012, crop stunting was observed 2 weeks after transplanting in all Sandea treatments and Reflex at the 0.0375 rate and greater. Vine length at 1 month after planting was reduced as much as 30% in all Sandea treatments and in the Reflex 0.5 rate. Watermelon yields ranged from 68,970 to 79,161 lb/acre in 2011 and 41,231 to 76,572 lb/acre in 2012. No yield differences were detected among treatments in either year. Differences in crop effects may be explained by greater rainfall in 2012 following herbicide application. These studies show that Reflex should be a useful herbicide for transplanted watermelon in this area.