Differential Tolerance of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Clones to Metribuzin

Sweet potato clones were evaluated for metribuzin tolerance in field and greenhouse studies. ‘Tinian’ was the most tolerant and ‘SC-1149-19’ and ‘J-2’ were the most susceptible clones. ‘Jewel’, a clone widely grown commercially, was sensitive to metribuzin in the field and greenhouse. ‘Sumor’ and ‘White Triumph’ exhibited intermediate metribuzin tolerance. All metribuzin application-by-rate treatments reduced plant stands, caused season-long crop injury, and reduced yields. Metribuzin applied 3 wk posttransplant at 1.1 kg ha−1did not reduce total yield of Tinian. Total yield of all the clones except Tinian were reduced by metribuzin regardless of timing or rate.