WEED CONTROL

Select Fields with Known Herbicide History for Sugarbeet

Sugarbeet is more sensitive than most crops to carryover of
herbicides, such as Accent, Ally, Amber, Assert, Atrazine,
Banvel, Basis, Beacon, Broadstrike, Classic, Exceed, Permit,
Prowl, trifluralin, Sonalan, Pursuit, Sencor/Lexone, and Tordon.
History of herbicide use in the previous year is essential but
herbicides carry over for several years. Long term herbicide
history is needed if very persistent herbicides may have been
used.  

For example, Pursuit applied in 1989 damaged sugarbeet in 1995 on
a pH 5.2 soil. Beacon applied in 1989 injured sugarbeet in 1994
but not in 1995 on a pH 8.0 soil. Classic applied in 1990 injured
sugarbeet in 1994 but not in 1995 on a pH 8.0 soil.  

Sulfonyl urea herbicides, like Classic and Beacon, carry over
more on high pH soils, while imidazolinone herbicides like
Pursuit carry over more on low pH soil. Broadstrike, a
triazolopyrimidine herbicide, also carries over longer in low pH
soils.  

First, find out what herbicides have been used for the previous
five to seven years. Then read the label and, if needed, get
advice on the risk of injury from your sugarbeet agriculturalist,
extension agent/specialist or company representative.

(Submitted by: Alan Dexter, Extension Sugarbeet Specialist).