Acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid} applied 7 days after cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] emergence (unifoliolate leaf stage) gave better control than later applications. Cowpea control was obtained with one acifluorfen application at 7 days after cowpea emergence in 1981, but in 1980 and 1982, applications at 7 and 14 days were necessary for acceptable control (> 80%). Acifluorfen reduced cowpea plant dry weights relative to the weedy control. A single application 7 days after emergence reduced cowpea plant growth more than one at 21 days after emergence. Of all times of application, the greatest soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] injury occurred when acifluorfen was applied at 7, 14, and 21 days after emergence, but seed yields were not reduced relative to the untreated weed-free control. There was no difference in response among three weedy cowpea cultivars to acifluorfen.
