Multiple applications of several preemergence herbicides were evaluated for weed control and for phytotoxicity to gladiolus (Gladiolus X hortulanus L.) grown from cormels in 1984 and 1985. Oryzalin [4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide] consistently provided acceptable control of southern crabgrass [Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel. # DIGSP], goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. # ELEIN], and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L. # AMACH) and had minimal effect on gladiolus plant growth even after four applications. Pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide], and metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] provided erratic weed control and reduced yields of gladiolus corms.
