Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Control in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Field experiments were conducted at four locations to evaluate the efficacy of metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one], simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine], buthidazole {3[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone} and 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butryic acid] treatments for common dandelion (Taraxacum officinaleWeber) control in established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.). Most herbicides temporarily reduced common dandelion populations at all locations, but by the end of the first year only buthidazole reduced them on fine-textured soils, but buthidazole, metribuzin and fall-applied simazine reduced populations on coarse-textured soils. Only buthidazole controlled common dandelion in the year following application at all locations. Control of common dandelion did not consistently increase total forage yield or quality or increase alfalfa yield and stands compared to the untreated check. Buthidazole reduced alfalfa and total forage yield on coarse-textured soils.