Tolerance of bean genotypes to the herbicide sulfentrazone

Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vigna spp.) exhibit low competitiveness against weeds, making herbicides the primary tool for weed control. Sulfentrazone has shown promising potential for pre-emergence application in these crops. However, studies on genotype-specific tolerance and dose–response relationships remain limited. This study evaluated the selectivity of sulfentrazone in eight bean genotypes (IPR Tangará, Pérola, BRS Esteio, IPR Uirapuru, IAC Esperança, IAC Harmonia, Bico de Ouro, and Moyashi) through greenhouse dose–response trials and two field experiments using a fixed dose. Results revealed substantial variability in sulfentrazone tolerance among genotypes. In the greenhouse, Bico de Ouro and Pérola demonstrated the highest relative tolerance, leaf area, and shoot dry mass, whereas IPR Uirapuru, IPR Tangará, and Moyashi were the most sensitive. In the field, sulfentrazone significantly reduced final plant stand in sensitive genotypes (IPR Uirapuru, IPR Tangará, and BRS Esteio); however, it did not affect plant stand in tolerant genotypes (Bico de Ouro, Pérola, Moyashi, and IAC Harmonia). The use of sulfentrazone interfered with crop development, especially in more sensitive genotypes. However, no differences in grain yield were detected between plants treated with sulfentrazone and untreated controls, indicating that the genotypes recovered from the herbicide's initial phytotoxicity. These findings suggest that sulfentrazone can be applied safely to tolerant genotypes in clay soils at doses of up to 400 g a.i. ha −1 . Genotypic selection is essential for the strategic integration of sulfentrazone into chemical weed management programs for bean cultivation.