INTRODUCTION

 Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] is a potentially-productive, high-

 quality grain or silage crop (Burton et al., 1986 and Kumar et al., 1983). It

 can be grown under relatively low-input management conditions with reduced

 fertilizer and water application.

 With the development of pearl millet as a potential grain crop for the

 Southeastern U.S. there is an urgent need to develop weed management systems that

 will result in improved quality and quantity of the grain produced. Presently,

 there are only two herbicides, Banvel and 2,4-D, that are registered for use on

 millet. There is no federally approved registration for these herbicides on

 pearl millet as a grain crop. Banvel is registered under a special, local needs

 (24C) permit in several western states for use on millet. The labeling of 2,4-D

 suggest its use for forage crops, which would include millet. Therefore, the

 registered use of these herbicides on pearl millet as a grain crop is unclear.

 Weed pressures and diversity in the southeastern U.S. require development of

 effective and efficient weed management systems for pearl millet. In addition

 to a wide range of broadleaf weeds, annual grasses such as Texas panicum,

 crabgrass, and crowfootgrass present major production problems for pearl millet.

 Published research data on use of herbicides on pearl millet for grain is

virtually non-existent. The herbicides imazethapyr and nicosulfuron reduced

pearl millet grain yield 60 and 100 percent, respectively, compared to an

untreated check (Wright et al., 1993). Specific effects of herbicide stress on

pearl millet have only been reported in relation to head length (Pudelko, et al.,

1993).

 The potential narrow herbicide selectivity range between annual grass weeds

and pearl millet presents a major problem in developing weed management systems.

Research in Florida and Georgia, during the past few years, has emphasized

systems that will selectively control annual grasses in pearl millet. The

objectives of developing weed management systems are to: 1) selectively control

annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in pearl millet; 2) develop low cost weed

control programs; 3) prevent potential injury and yield reduction from weed