Factors Affecting Chloroacetanilide Injury to Corn (Zea mays)

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of herbicide, herbicide rate, genetic variability, and soil moisture content on the tolerance of corn seedlings to two chloroacetanilide herbicides. Alachlor and metolachlor were applied preemergence at 2.2, 3.4, 4.5, and 6.7 kg ha-1to 10 Great Lakes corn hybrids. Metolachlor appeared to be less injurious at the low rate and more injurious at the high rate than alachlor. Injury among the 10 hybrids tested varied significantly. Some of the hybrids appeared to tolerate alachlor more, while others tolerated metolachlor more indicating that even in a limited number of hybrids there was a spectrum of response. Six levels ranging from 8% to 22% soil moisture were evaluated for their effect on alachlor and metolachlor injury to corn seedlings. The herbicide injury ranged from no injury at the lowest soil moisture level to about 70% at the highest soil moisture level with 4.5 kg ha-1application rate of alachlor or metolachlor.