NOTE: Pre-emergent herbicides usually work across a broad spectrum of weeds. Be sure the product you select controls the weeds you have in your planting. If no singular product controls all your target weed species, consider tank-mixing two products to expand the range of species. For general broad-spectrum pre-emergence weed control, consider applying one of the “grass” herbicides (napropamide, oryzalin, or norflurazon) in addition to one of the “broadleaf” herbicides (simazine, flumioxazin, terbacil, dichlobenil, or mesotrione).
| Herbicides labeled for use in brambles usually applied pre-emergence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Name(s)† | HRAC Group | Active Ingredient | Rate/Acre | Application Notes | Selected Weeds Controlled‡ |
| Alion | 29 | Indaziflam | 3.5 - 10 oz | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Do not use on sandy soil or in soils with 20% or more gravel. Use only in plantings that exhibit good vigor and where soil has completely settled around the bushes, without any exposed roots, open channels, or depressions. Apply as a dormant application in the late fall through early spring before bud swell as a spray directed toward the base of the bush. Avoid contact with green stems, foliage, flowers, or berries or unacceptable crop injury may occur. A dry soil surface at application and 48 hours after will improve binding of product and control. After 48 hours, moisture is needed to activate Alion. | Many common annual broadleaves including horseweed, kochia, velvetleaf, red sorrel, and partial control of common ragweed, red sorrel, and wild buckwheat. Control of some annual grasses including goosegrass and wild oat at a high rate. |
| Callisto | 27 | Mesotrione | 3 - 6 oz | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Apply in the late fall after leaf drop and/or in early spring before bud break as a spray directed toward the base of the bush. Add a crop oil concentrate at 1% v/v of spray. Do not apply more than 6 oz per acre per year. | Many common annual broadleaves including galinsoga, horseweed, velvetleaf, and partical control of horsenettle and kochia. |
| Casoron 4G | 29 | Dichlobenil | 100 lb | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Do not allow granules to lodge in the foliage or be in contact with the crop trunk. Do not apply during new shoot emergence. Effective on many perennial weed species. May reduce/delay new shoot emergence in plantings that are young or lacking vigor. | Many common annual broadleaves including common ragweed, horseweed, and partial control of yellow nutsedge. |
| Chateau EZ | 14 | Flumioxazin | 6 oz | Apply as a directed spray to the base of the crop, do not apply more than 12 oz per acre per year. Do not allow spray to contact foliage or new green bark. If plants are established less than 2 years, protected from spray contact by nonporous wrap, grow tubes, or waxed containers. Also has post-emergent activity. Add crop oil concentrate at 1% v/v of spray to improve efficacy. Use the lower rate where the soil contains more than 80% sand until the plants have been in the field for more than 3 years. Irrigate with a minimum of 0.25 inch of water after application. Dust from treated soil can cause serious off-target damage. Do not apply to farm alleys or roads where dust may fall onto desirable vegetation or within 300 yards of non-dormant Pears. Raise mower height near treated areas to reduce dust, and do not mow treated areas between bud break and final harvest. Follow instructions on label for tank clean-out if any part of the sprayer will be used to spray other crops; otherwise, crop injury may occur. See label for other cautions and restrictions, as even contact with treated residue can cause phytotoxicity. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including horseweed, fall panicum, and goosegrass. |
Devrinol 2-XT Devrinol DF-XT | 15 | Napropamide | 2 gal 8 lb | Apply to weed free soil to a newly planted or established crop. Devrinol must be incorporated to a depth of 2-4 inches within 24-72 hrs by cultivation or enough water through irrigation or rainfall. | Many common annual grasses including fall panicum, goosegrass, witchgrass, and johnsongrass seedlings. |
Gallery 75DF Gallery SC | 29 | Isoxaben | 0.66 - 1.33 lb 16 - 31 oz | NON-BEARING USE ONLY. Do not apply within 1 year of the first harvest. Apply as a directed spray to the base of plants after the soil had settled, do not apply over the top of plants. | Many common annual broadleaves including common ragweed, horseweed, red sorrel, and kochia at a high rate. |
| Matrix SG | 2 | Rimsulfuron | 2 - 4 oz | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Apply either as a directed spray to the base of the crop prior to bud break in the spring, before primocanes emerge in the spring, or after primocanes are at least 3 feet tall, directed at the lower 12 inches of the crop. Applications should be made either pre-emergence or early post-emergence to weeds. May be applied twice per year with at least 30 days between applications. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including horseweed, kochia, quackgrass, and Canada thistle and fall panicum when applied post-emergence. |
Princep 4L Princep Caliber 90 | 5 | Simazine | 2 - 4 qt 2.2 - 4.4 lb | Apply in the spring or fall as a directed spray to the orchard floor, avoiding contact with the crop. Do not make more than 2 applications per year and do not apply when fruit is present. Use ½ rates on plantings less than 6 months old. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including common ragweed, fall panicum, goosegrass, wild oat, and witchgrass. |
| Quinstar 4L | 4 | Quinclorac | 12.6 oz | Apply at the end of dormancy, prior to budbreak. Can make a second, post-emergent application up to 30 days prior to harvest (has both pre- and post-emergent activity on weeds). Apply as a banded spray to the soil on either side of the bushes and include a crop oil concentrate of 2 pints per acre. | Some common annual broadleaves and grasses and some established perennials including Canada thistle and hedge bindweed. |
| Sinbar WDG | 5 | Terbacil | 1 - 2 lb | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Apply in the early spring or in the fall as a directed spray to the base of the plants. Will also control small, emerged weeds. Do not contact new shoots and avoid contact with bramble foliage. Spring application must be made before fruit set. Avoid application on plantings low in vigor. Planting must be at least 1 year old before application. Do not apply within 70 days before harvest. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including horseweed and fall panicum and partical control of some perennials such as horsenettle, red sorrel, yellow nutsedge, perennial ryegrass, and quackgrass. |
| Solicam DF | 12 | Norflurazon | 2.5 - 5 lb | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. CT only. Apply in early spring when crop is dormant to clean and weed-free soil. May result in temporary bleaching or chlorosis of leaves from which the plant will recover. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including kochia, velvetleaf, wild buckwheat, fall panicum, goosegrass, Johnsongrass seedlings, and witchgrass. Partial control of common ragweed, horseweed, yellow nutsedge, and quackgrass. |
Surflan AS Surflan Flex | 3 | Oryzalin | 2 - 6 qt 2 - 7.75 qt | The registration for Surflan is still active, however no product has been produced since 2021 due to unacceptable manufacturing price increases. If you have supplies, the label is still valid and the product can be used. Do not apply until soil has settled around the plants and no cracks are present. Irrigation or 1 inch of rain is needed within 21 days of application. Shallow cultivation will improve control. May injure newly planted tissue culture plants. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including fall panicum, goosegrass, Johnsongrass seedlings, wild oat, witchgrass, and partial control of common ragweed, horseweed, and velvetleaf. |
Zeus XC Spartan 4F | 14 | Sulfentrazone | 8 - 12 oz 4 - 12 oz | ESTABLISHED PLANTINGS ONLY. Planting must be established at least 3 years and in good condition. Apply to a weed-free soil surface at the base of the crop. Avoid contact with green bark, fruit, or foliage or crop damage may occur. May be applied twice per year. Do not apply more than 12 oz per acre per year. Incorporate with 0.5-1 inch of rainfall or irrigation within 7 to 10 days after treatment, or a shallow incorporation may be needed. To target nutsedge, preemergent or postemergent applications can be made; use a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v of solution when applying postemergent. Zeus Prime is a premix of carfentrazone-ethyl and sulfentrazone. | Many common annual broadleaves and grasses including galinsoga, yellow nutsedge, fall panicum, goosegrass, Johnsongrass, and witchgrass. |
Please consult pesticide product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks. †Where brand names for chemicals are used, it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against products with similar ingredients. ‡Only a subset of weeds controlled are listed here, please see the label for a full list. Species listed are common across farms but controlled by fewer of the other herbicide options. | |||||
| Herbicides labeled for use in brambles usually applied post-emergence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Name(s)† | HRAC Group | Active Ingredient | Rate/Acre | Application Notes | Selected Weeds Controlled‡ |
| Aim EC | 14 | Carfentrazone | 1 - 6.4 oz | Apply as a directed spray to the base of the crop to burn down emerged weeds. For best control, apply 2 oz when weeds are up to 3-4 inches tall. Can apply up to 6.4 oz per acre when weeds and primocanes are 6 inches tall. Do not use more than 25.6 oz per acre per year. Contact with green stems, desirable fruit, blooms, or foliage may result in significant crop injury. Requires a non-ionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate. Zeus Prime is a premix of carfentrazone-ethyl and sulfentrazone. | Burn-down of emerged weeds, leading to control of small annuals or temporary suppression of established perennials. |
Arrow 2EC Select Max | 1 | Clethodim | 4 - 8 oz 9 - 16 oz | Use the lower rate to control annual grasses and higher rates to control perennial grasses. Repeat the application if regrowth occurs. Do not apply more than 32 oz per acre per year of Arrow 2EC or 64 oz per acre per year of Select Max. Add crop oil concentrate (1% v/v spray solution, or a minimum of 1 pt/A). For Select Max a nonionic surfactant (0.25% v/v spray solution) may be added instead. Do not tank-mix with any other pesticide unless labeled. Do not apply within 1 hour of rainfall. Do not apply to grasses in drought, heat, cold, or any other stress condition. | Emerged grass control. |
| Axxe | Ammonium nonanoate fatty acid | 6 - 13% | Broad spectrum non-selective for control and burndown suppression of annual and perennial broadleaf and grass weeds. Also controls "spore" producing plants such as moss and liverworts. Use as a vegetative burndown during site preparation, a spot treatment during the cropping season, as a directed and shielded spray, prior to perennial crop growth, or to control excessive cane growth. Do not contact desirable vegetation or crop damage could occur. | Burn-down of emerged weeds, leading to control of small annuals or temporary suppression of established perennials. | |
| Fusilade DX | 1 | Fluazifop | 16 - 24 oz | Apply as a directed spray, avoiding contact with the crop. Do not apply more than 48 oz per acre per year. Do not apply if rainfall is expected within 1 hour or if grasses are under drought stress. Must be used with a crop oil concentrate or non-ionic surfactant. | Emerged grass control. |
| *Gramoxone SL 3.0 | 22 | Paraquat | 1.3 - 2.7 pt | Apply as a directed spray before emergence of new canes or shoots. Do not allow spray or drift to contact green bark, leaves, or fruit. Crop damage may result. The use of shields, such as grow tubes or paper milk cartons, greatly reduces the risk of injury in young plantings. DANGER! Restricted-use herbicide. May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled! Pesticide applicators license required. Applicators must complete an EPA-approved paraquat training found on the following website: https://www.epa/gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paratquat-dichloride-traini…. The training must be completed a minimum of every 3 years. | Non-selective burn-down of emerged weeds, leading to control of small annuals or temporary suppression of established perennials. |
| Poast | 1 | Sethoxydim | 1 - 2.5 pt | BASF is exiting the Poast business but is looking for divesture and current registrations will be active until the end of 2027. Do not apply to grasses under stress (e.g., drought). Crop oil concentrate must be added to the spray tank. Do not cultivate 5 days before or 7 days after application. Do not apply more than 5 pt per acre per season. | Emerged grass control. |
Roundup PowerMax 3, Touchdown | 9 | Glyphosate | Large range, see label | Apply to actively growing weeds. Do not allow the spray, spray drift, or mist to contact green foliage, suckers, open wound, or other green parts of the plant or serious crop damage or death may occur. Consult the label for rates for specific uses, weeds, and other precautions. Use with a surfactant or wetting agent. | Systemic control of most plants, including established perennials. |
| Scythe | 0 | Pelargonic acid | 1 - 10% | Contact material for burn down only. Use as a vegetative burndown during site preparation, a spot treatment during the cropping season, as a directed and shielded spray, prior to perennial crop growth, or to control excessive cane growth. Do not contact desirable vegetation or crop damage could occur. | Burn-down of emerged weeds, leading to control of small annuals or temporary suppression of established perennials. |
| Suppress EC | Caprylic acid and capric acid | 3 - 9% | Most effective against newly emerged weeds. Do not allow the spray, spray drift, or mist to contact green foliage, fruit, or other green parts of the plant or serious crop damage may occur. Use of a shield is recommended. Reapply as necessary. | Burn-down of emerged weeds, leading to control of small annuals or temporary suppression of established perennials. | |
Please consult pesticide product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks. †Where brand names for chemicals are used, it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against products with similar ingredients. ‡Only a subset of weeds controlled are listed here, please see the label for a full list. Species listed are common across farms but controlled by fewer of the other herbicide options. *Restricted-use pesticide. OMRI listed for organic production. | |||||
| Month | Herbicide Options |
|---|---|
| PLANTING YEAR | |
| Fall prior to planting | Glyphosate for emerged perennial weeds. |
| April-early May | Surflan or Devrinol before weed seedlings emerge. Till or water in within 24 hours |
| Mid-June after planting | Fusilade, Poast, Select or Arrow for perennial grasses before 6” of growth |
| Mid-July | Glyphosate spot treatments |
| October | Princep at low rate |
| Late November | Casoron for grasses and broadleaf weeds. Read label carefully for specific application requirements |
| FRUITING YEARS | |
| March-April | Princep or Sinbar for broadleaf weeds. Devrinol, Surflan or Solicam for annual grasses. Poast or Select for perennial grasses. Poast or Select may need to be reapplied in 14 days or can be substituted with a cultivation if possible. |
| Early May | Aim, Gramoxone or Scythe before new cane emergence. |
| Mid-Summer | Poast or Select on actively growing grasses |
| September to October | Sinbar, Devrinol, Solicam, Surflan, Princep. See labels for restrictions. |
| November | Casoron if needed for grasses and broadleaves. See labels for restrictions. |