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

Weed Control and the Use of Herbicides in Sesame Production

“…Table 1 shows the active ingredients of these 16 current herbicides that show the greatest potential for weed control in sesame production. The table does not contain herbicides such as flumioxazin that is used commercially in other parts of the world, but have resulted in considerable sesame injury in the U.S. (Grichar et al, 2001a;. Just as important as knowing the potential use of herbicides, it is important to note herbicides that have resulted in severe sesame injury or have had mixed results.…”

“…Fluchloralin and metobromuron are not available in the U.S. Glyphosate is often applied with the preemergence herbicide to control emerged weeds. Herbicides act differently under certain environmental conditions which include variability in soil texture, organic matter, temperature, pH, humidity, rainfall timing and intensity, and under different methods and timing of application (Grichar et al, 2001a;2001b). Pendimethalin and trifluralin are particularly difficult to use with results ranging from exceptional weed control with no damage to the sesame to little or no sesame stand .…”

“…To date there is no postemergence over-the-top broadleaf herbicide that will control the weeds without damaging the sesame (Grichar et al, 2001b). There are products such as alachlor and metolachlor that cause minimum injury to sesame when applied postemergence, will not control emerged weeds, but will provide some soil residual activity (Grichar et al, 2001a;Grichar et al, 2009). In the case of herbicides such as diuron, sesame will recover, but the farmer will notice stunting and leaf necrosis on sesame leaves for about 10 days after herbicide application (Grichar et al, 2009).…”

“…and smellmelon (Cucumis melo L.) affect sesame growth and development. These weeds come up in flushes after a rainfall or irrigation event and after sesame canopy formation (Grichar et al, 2001a;Grichar et al, 2009). They can continue growing under weak light conditions, climb the sesame plants to the top of the canopy, and when they reach the light, greatly expand their infestation.…”

“…To date, only postemergence applications of glyphosate have consistently controlled sesame from the juvenile stage on through maturity. However, prometryn, flumioxazin, imazapic, trifloxysulfuron, mesotrione, flumetsulam, and foransulam have been effective in controlling sesame in some studies (Grichar et al, 2001a;Grichar et al, 2009). Many postemergence herbicides used in other crops will delay sesame maturity enough for the crop to canopy over-the-top of the sesame.…”