Chemical control of Crotalaria goreensis and other weeds in Macroptilium atropurpureum

Summary: The effects of several selective herbicides, combinations of diuron with activated carbon, slashing and stale seed bed treatments were tested in five field experiments conducted at Walkamin, Queensland, Australia to determine the best methods of controlling weeds, particularly the legume Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr., in crops of Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb. cv. Siratro, grown for seed. Alachlor alone and combinations of trifluralin with either alachlor or propachlor were effective in preventing weeds causing a yield reduction in one experiment but not in a second. Trifluralin plus propachlor was more effective in controlling broad‐leaved weeds while trifluralin plus alachlor was more effective in controlling grasses. Activated carbon effectively protected M. atropurpureum from diuron damage but the control of weeds, particularly grasses, was not effective. Stale seed bed treatments involving three sequential applications of diquat prior to planting the crop was the most effective method of controlling C. goreensis .