Importance of halauxifen-methyl for integrated weed management in sunflower, with special emphasis on the control of resistant common ragweed to ALS inhibitors

Abstract

Halauxifen-methyl is a new herbicide and the only member of synthetic auxins that can be used in all sunflower hybrids. The most important sunflower weeds in Europe include members of the same family as sunflower, with typical representative such as di cult to control common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Relying mostly on ALS inhibitors in the last two decades, some weeds (including recently A. artemisiifolia) developed resistance to these herbicides and have a negative impact on the sustainability of the existing strategies in weed management. Due to its unique properties, such as exceptional effi cacy against some di cult to control weeds, halauxifen-methyl has potential to occupy a significant place in integrated weed management. During 2017-2019 in field trials in northern Serbia, the halauxifen-methyl based product Viballa was tested in conventional and tolerant sunflower to imidazolinones and tribenuron-methyl in order to examine the possibilities for control some economically important weeds, with special emphasis on A. artemisiifolia. Viballa (1 L·ha-1) was applied post-emergence in growth stages of 4-8 leaves of crop and weeds.