Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Screening studies initiated in 1969 to determine the effectiveness and selectivity of herbicides for herbaceous weed control during the first growing season in American sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis L.) plantations indicated that simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine], atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6- (isopropylamino)-s-triazine], and dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) had the desired properties at economically feasible use rates. To further evaluate these herbicides and ametryne [2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine], permanent plots were established in a sycamore plantation in 1970. Weed control obtained from a single herbicide application in the spring after planting seedlings in the winter has resulted in increased height, diameter, and volume growth of the sycamore for at least three growing seasons. No serious phytotoxicity on the crop species was noted with application rates from 4.5 to 9.0 kg/ha of the s-triazines alone or from 5.6 kg/ha of dalapon in combination with the lower rate of simazine and atrazine.