Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) tolerance and weed control with soil-applied herbicides

Field studies were conducted in south Texas from 1994 through 1997 to evalu ate soil-applied herbicides for weed control, sesame tolerance, and yield. Ethalfluralin at 1.26 kg/ha, imazethapyr at 0.04 and 0.07 kg/ha, and pendim ethalin at 1.12 kg/ha reduced sesame plant height up to 66% when compared w ith the untreated check while pendimethalin, trifluralin, ethalfluralin, an d imazethapyr reduced sesame plant stands 8-98% when compared with the untr eated check. Trifluralin, ethalfluralin at 0.63 kg/ha, and metolachlor at 3 .36 kg/ha increased yield up to 80% over the untreated check. Imazethapyr a nd metolachlor provided the most consistent Need control ( > 80%), while me tolachlor provided the best weed control and least sesame injury. The dinit roaniline herbicides are options for weed control but crop safety is a conc ern if these herbicides are incorporated too deep in a shallow planted crop . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.