Evaluation of broadcast and spot herbicide applications for spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.) management in lowbush blueberry fields

Abstract Spreading dogbane is a creeping herbaceous perennial weed in lowbush blueberry. Management is limited primarily to spot applications of dicamba, though recent herbicide registrations facilitate the evaluation of new broadcast and spot herbicide applications. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) the effect of sequential postemergence (POST) mesotrione application interval on spreading dogbane, (2) the effect of sequential POST mesotrione and foramsulfuron applications on spreading dogbane, (3) the effect of POST herbicide tank mixtures on spreading dogbane, (4) the effect of summer and fall spot herbicide applications on spreading dogbane, and (5) the effect of spot applications of dicamba tank mixtures with sulfonylurea herbicides on spreading dogbane. Broadcast mesotrione (144 g a.i. ha−1) and foramsulfuron (35 g a.i. ha−1) applications did not control spreading dogbane. Control was not improved by sequential applications of either herbicide. Broadcast mesotrione + foramsulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year density and may be more effective than either herbicide applied alone. Broadcast flazasulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year shoot density and flazasulfuron + foramsulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year and bearing-year shoot densities. Summer spot applications of foramsulfuron and flazasulfuron caused 70% injury to spreading dogbane but did not reduce shoot density, and dicamba continues to be the most effective spot herbicide treatment. Fall spot applications did not control spreading dogbane due to early senescence of spreading dogbane shoots. Spot applications of dicamba at 0.96 or 1.92 g a.e. L water−1 provided equivalent spreading dogbane control and efficacy was not improved by tank mixture with foramsulfuron, flazasulfuron, or nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron.