EPTC Plus R-25788 Injury to Corn (Zea Mays) as Affected by Plant Age at Treatment

The susceptibility of corn (Zea maysL. ‘Pioneer 3334A’) at different stages of growth to EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) plus a herbicide-protectant, R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide), was studied in the greenhouse. Corn was treated with either 25 ppm or 12.5 ppm EPTC containing R-25788 at planting and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks thereafter. The herbicide was soil-applied and immediately incorporated by watering. Phytotoxicity and plant height were observed periodically for 56 days after herbicide treatment. Within 21 days after treatment with 25 ppm EPTC containing R-25788, injury and plant height reduction occurred in corn treated at planting, or at 2 and 4 weeks but not at 6 or 8 weeks after planting. At 56 days, however, corn treated at planting or 2 weeks after planting had outgrown all injury symptoms and was as tall as the controls (>84%). Corn treated at 4 weeks after planting, however, still remained injured and was 45% as tall as its respective control. Corn treated at 6 to 8 weeks showed no injury during the entire period of observations. The data indicates that corn is most susceptible to EPTC plus R-25788 at 4 weeks after planting. The results of this greenhouse study are discussed in relation to corn injury as observed in the field.