Destun, Dual and Velpar - Three New Herbicides for the Sugar Industry

Weed control efficacy of three herbicides recently registered for use in the South African Sugar Industry is discussed and the phytotoxic effects on sugarcane are presented. Destun, with or without atrazine, is a safe pre-emergence treatment which is useful for the control of Cyperus esculentus, grasses and broadleaf weeds, while some activity on Cyperus rotundus has also been recorded. Dual + atrazine is likewise a safe preemergence treatment, similar in effect to alachlor + atrazine for the control of grasses, broadleaf weeds and, under favourable conditions, Cyperus esculentus. Velpar alone or in combination with diuron, is a very effective herbicide for the preor postemergence control of Cyperus esculentus, grasses and broadleaf weeds, having a long residual effect. It is more effective than the currently recommended herbicides for the post-emergence control of Panicum maximum. Velpar treatments may affect cane yields but are generally less severe than the standard postemergence herbicide treatments. I