/ 0,0-



 NFREC Research Report 94-14

 Iarst' o! Science
 9/ / 1 PEARL MILLET WEED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR

 GEORGIA AND FLORIDA 0 199
 Clyde C. Dowler, David L. Wright and I.D. Teare i 00frid

 ABSTRACT
 Pearl millet is a potentially-productive, high-quality grain being developed
for the Southeastern United States. Published research on weed management
systems for pearl millet is virtually nonexistent. During the past several
years, field and greenhouse experiments have been conducted by the University of
Florida and USDA-ARS to evaluate herbicide and cultural practices, which would

effectively and economically control weeds, specifically annual grasses, in pearl
millet. Atrazine applied as early post-emergence was the most effective single
herbicide controlling a broad spectrum of weeds in pearl millet. Combinations

of Atrazine with Prowl and Ramrod or Ramrod with 2,4-D generally controlled grass
and broadleaf weeds and did not seriously injure pearl millet. Dual caused
moderate to severe pearl millet injuries and reduced yield. Conventional, no-
till, or stale seedbed preparation generally did not affect level of weed control
or pearl millet production. Cultural practices such as plant population and row
spacing can increase effectiveness of weed control systems in pearl millet.

Presently, there are no federally registered herbicides treatments for pearl
millet grown as grain. Utilizing no-till or stale seedbed techniques that use

Gramoxone Extra to kill existing vegetation before pearl millet emerges is an
effective, economical, and legal procedure.


C.C. Dowler; USDA ARS, Coastal Plain Exp. Stn., Tifton, GA 31793: D.L. Wright and

I.D. Teare. North Fla. Res. and Educ. Ctr., Quincy, FL 32351.