Carfentrazone-ethyl: a new molecule for the control of hazelnut shoots

Control of the shoots growth is an important practice for the management of hazelnut crop, in order to improve its qualitative and quantitative yield. Bioagritest test facility has set up a trial in order to evaluate the efficacy of the contact herbicide SPOTLIGHT PLUS (carfentrazone 60 g/l) for the control of hazelnut shoots. Experimentation was performed, according to EPPO guidelines and Principles of Good Experimental Practice (GEP), in a family-run hazelnut orchard in Nocera Inferiore (Salerno), southern Italy. Experimental design consisted in random blocks, in 4 repetitions. Two different dosages of SHARK 60EC--0.35 and 0.40 l/hl--were compared with a commercial formulate, Glufosinate-ammonium 2 l/hl (Basta 11.33 SC, BayerCropScience), a non-selective herbicide for use in tree crops, vegetables, non-crop areas and as desiccant of potatoes and other crops. Two applications were realised with an interval of 7 days. 4 scouting's were performed respectively a week, 2 weeks, a month and 2 months after the first application. They consisted in a visual and subjective evaluation on the whole plot of the desiccation of the shoots expressed as a percentage (intensity of necrosis as opposed to any green parts present), according to a scale from 0 to 100. The intensity of desiccation was evaluated together with eventual phytotoxic effects. Statistical analysis was performed by the use of XLSTAT data analysis and statistical software. The chance of an unexpected rain in the hours after the first application produced an interesting result because the two doses of Carfentrazone-ethyl showed a rapid uptake in the tissues of shoots, much higher than that of the standard Glufosinate-ammonium. It is believed that this rapid uptake and, consequently, a fast-desiccation capacity, may represent a value for the use of Carfentrazone-ethyl on hazelnut shoots. Carfentrazone-ethyl provided a good control of hazelnut shoots and, at the highest dose, it induced on all replicates a total dissecation. No effect of phytotoxicity was noticed.