Oxyfluorfen For Weed Control In Coffee And Plantain

Two field experiments in private farms near the Adjuntas Substation and one field experiment at the Gurabo Agricultural Substation were conducted to evaluate Oxyfliiorfen /2-chloro-l-(3 ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4- trifluoromethyl) benzene/ either alone or in combination with other herbicides for weed control in coffee and plantain. All the experiments were carried out on small plots arranged either in a partially balanced incomplete block design or in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Weed control ratings and phytotoxicity evaluations were made periodically. The number and weight of fruits of plantain were recorded at the harvest and yield data analyzed statistically. In coffee, Oxyfluorfen (Goal) alone at 2.0 and 4.0 1/ha or mixed with Paraquat at 2.0 1/ha and Glyphosate at 4.7 1/ha gave excellent control of weeds in two established coffee plantains. Similar results were obtained with a newly transplanted coffee plantation. In plantain, Oxyfluorfen alone at 9.35 and 18.70 1/ha provided excellent pre-emergence control of weeds in plantain. No crop injury was noted at these higher rates of Oxyfluorfen application. Oxyfluorfen at 3.5 1/ha rate in combination with Paraquat at 2.34 1/ha or Glyphosate at 1% concentration gave excellent post-emergent control of weeds with minimum crop injury. Plots treated with Oxyfluorfen at 18.70 1/ha outyielded all other herbicide treated plots including the weeded check.