benefin (Balan DF)
Rate 1.2 to 1.5 lb ai/A (2 to 2.5 lb/A Balan DF)
Time Apply before planting to a clean, clod-free, soil surface and incorporate 2 to 3 inches deep within 4 hours after application.
Remarks Use 2 lb/A Balan DF on coarse to medium soils and up to 2.5 lb/A Balan DF on fine textured soils. Avoid overlapping spray.
Caution Do not plant wheat, barley, rye, other domestic grasses, or onions for 10 months after application. Do not plant milo (grain sorghum), corn, oats, sugar beets, other root crops, or spinach for 12 months after application.
Site of action Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family Dinitroaniline
EPTC (Eptam 7E)
Rate 2 to 3.9 lb ai/A (2.3 to 4.5 pints/A Eptam 7E)
Time Apply before planting and incorporate immediately and thoroughly into soil.
Remarks Use lower rate on sandy soils, higher rate on silty and clay soils, quackgrass, and nutsedge. Incorporate 2 to 3 inches deep with power-drive rotary tiller for band or broadcast application, or set tandem disk 4 to 6 inches deep and use twice, at right angles for broadcast application.
Caution Crop may be injured temporarily. Do not use if a grass or grain companion crop is to be planted with the alfalfa.
Site of action Group 8: lipid synthesis inhibitor but not an ACCase inhibitor
Chemical family Thiocarbamate
imazamox (Raptor, Vulture)
Rate 0.03125 to 0.047 lb ai/A (4 to 6 oz/A Raptor or Vulture)
Time Apply after seedling alfalfa has at least two fully expanded trifoliate leaves, and when the most weeds are 1 to 3 inches tall or across, and before alfalfa buds form.
Remarks Adding an adjuvant (nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate), and a liquid fertilizer or ammonium sulfate solution enhances weed control. Temporary height reduction or leaf yellowing may occur soon after application. Weeds under stress are harder to control. Apply at least 1 hour before rain or overhead irrigation.
Caution Note recropping restrictions before using. Some crops cannot be planted within 26 months of application.
Site of action Group 2: acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor
Chemical family Imidazolinone
imazethapyr (Pursuit)
Rate 0.047 to 0.094 lb ai/A (3 to 6 oz/A Pursuit)
Time Apply after seedling alfalfa has reached second trifoliate growth stage and when most weeds are actively growing, and 1 to 3 inches tall or wide
Remarks Adding an adjuvant (nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate) and a liquid fertilizer solution is required. Temporary height reduction or slight leaf yellowing may occur soon after application. Weeds under stress are less susceptible to control. Apply at least 1 hour before rain or overhead irrigation.
Caution Do not feed, graze or harvest alfalfa for 30 days after application. Consult recropping restrictions before using. Some rotation crops cannot be planted within 40 months of application. Only rotational crops harvested at maturity may be used for feed or food.
Site of action Group 2: acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor
Chemical family Imidazolinone
pendimethalin (Prowl H2O)
Rate 0.475 to 0.95 lb ai/A (1 to 2 pints/A of Prowl)
Time Apply to alfalfa with two trifoliate leaves, but before it is 6 inches tall, between January 15 and April 30, and before weeds emerge.
Remarks Controls most annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds, in addition to dodder, as they germinate. Processed seed must be labeled "Not for human or animal consumption" at the processing plant, and all seed screenings must be disposed so that they cannot be distributed or used for food or feed. For optimum dodder control, use 3 to 4 quarts/A of Prowl H2O.
Site of action Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family Dinitroaniline
trifluralin (Treflan HFP)
Rate 0.5 to 0.75 lb ai/A (1 to 1.5 pints/A Treflan HFP)
Time Before planting, apply and thoroughly incorporate into the top 2 to 3 inches of soil.
Remarks Use lower rates on coarse and medium soils, higher rates on fine soils.
Caution Some crop stand reduction and stunting may occur with this use. Do not plant sugar beets, red beets, spinach, proso millet, corn, sorghum, oats, or annual or perennial grass crops or grass mixtures for 12 months after a spring application or 14 months after a fall application. Moldboard plowing 12 inches deep before planting reduces the possibility of crop injury. If land has not been irrigated, do not plant these crops for 18 months after a spring application or 20 months after a fall application.
Site of action Group 3: microtubule assembly inhibitor
Chemical family Dinitroaniline