INTERACTIONS OF THE SAFENER FLURAZOLE WITH CHLOROACETANILIDE AND THIOCARBAMATE HERBICIDES ON MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

The efficacy of the safener flurazole as a protectant of maize (Zea mays L. ’Pioneer 3780’) against injury from preplant-incorporated applications of the herbicides alachlor, metolachlor and EPTC was examined under greenhouse conditions. All herbicides were applied preplant-incorporated at rates of 0, 2.24, 4.48, 6.72 and 8.96 kg ha−1. Flurazole was applied also preplant-incorporated at rates of 0, 0.28, 0.56, 0.84, 1.12 or 2.24 kg ha−1. Growth responses of maize seedlings revealed that flurazole at 1.12 or 2.24 kg ha−1 interacted antagonistically with all rates of alachlor, metolachlor and EPTC offering partial to complete protection to maize against injury from these herbicides. At rates lower than 1.12 kg ha−1, flurazole was less effective as a maize protectant against chloroacetanilide or thiocarbamate herbicide injury.Key words: Antagonism, alachlor, metochlor, EPTC, antidote