Differential sensitivity of locally naturalized Panicum species to HPPD- and ALS-inhibiting herbicides

Panicum schinzii (Transvaal millet), P. dichotomiflorum (Fall panicum) and P. capillare (Witchgrass) are alien panicoid grasses that have gradually spread and are now locally naturalized in corn fields in Belgium. One of the possible reasons for their expansion in corn fields might be a lower sensitivity to post-emergence herbicides acting against panicoid grasses, in particular those inhibiting 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and acetolactate synthase (ALS). Dose-response pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to evaluate the effectiveness of five HP-PD-inhibiting herbicides (sulcotrione, mesotrione, isoxaflutole, topramezone, tembotrione) and two AILS-inhibiting herbicides (nicosulfuron, foramsulfuron) for controlling populations of P. schinzii, P. dichotomiflorum and P. capillare (all naturalized Belgian populations except for P. capillare). In another dose-response pot experiment, sensitivity of five local P. dichotomiflorum populations to HPPD-inhibitors and nicosulfuron was investigated. Finally, the influence of growth stage at time of herbicide application on efficacy of topramezone and nicosulfuron for Panicum control was evaluated. Large interspecific differences in sensitivity to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides were observed. Panicum schinzii was sensitive to tembotrione but moderately sensitive to topramezone and poorly sensitive to mesotrione and sulcotrione. However, P. dichotomiflorum was sensitive to mesotrione and topramezone but moderately sensitive to tembotrione. All Panicum species were sensitive to low doses of nicosulfuron and foramsulfuron. Naturalized P. dichotomiflorum populations exhibited differential herbicide sensitivity profiles. All species tested showed a progressive decrease in sensitivity to topramezone and nicosulfuron with seedling age. A satisfactory post-emergence control of Panicum species in the field will require appropriate choice of herbicide and dose, as well as a more timely application (i.e. before weeds reach the four leaves stage).