Field research was conducted to test a method of herbicide application in which chemical is placed directly onto cut surfaces of plants during a mowing operation. Specially designed mowers equipped with a fluid application system allow for low-volume herbicide application from the cutting blades during the mowing process (wet blade). Two prototype wet-blade machines, including a sickle bar cutter and a Burch Wet-Blade rotary mower, were used to apply triclopyr, clopyralid, and 2,4-D at various rates and combinations using a total carrier volume of 25 L/ha. Weed management studies were conducted on dogfennel, annual lespedeza, and clovers during a 2-yr period. Wet-blade herbicide applications were effective and performed as well as or better than comparative rates applied using a foliar spray technique. Triclopyr at 2.24 kg ae/ha controlled dogfennel when applied with either the rotary mower or the sickle bar cutter (94 and 77%, respectively). Rotary mower applications of 0.20 kg ae triclopyr 0.07 kg ae clopyralid per hectare in rough turf achieved 90% control of annual lespedeza and 95% control of red and white clovers.
Nomenclature: Clopyralid; 2,4-D; triclopyr; annual lespedeza, Lespedeza striata (Thunb.) H. & A.; dogfennel, Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small #3 EUPCP; red clover, Trifolium pratense L. # TRFPR.; white clover, Trifolium repens L. # TRFRE.
Additional index words: Buckhorn plantain, clopyralid, clover, dogfennel, herbicide application technology, low volume, Plantago lanceolata L., triclopyr.
Abbreviations: BWB, Burch Wet Blade; RCBD, randomized complete block design.
