Examination of Hexazinone Alternatives for Wild Blueberry Production and Hexazinone Resistance in Red Sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.)

Abstract

There is little information published on red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.), a perennial weed that is considered a serious problem in wild blueberry production. Hexazinone, a photosystem II inhibitor, has been used in wild blueberry fields for more than 30 years. Hexazinone efficacy on red sorrel has declined over time. Therefore, a two year study was conducted to examine hexazinone alternatives that can be sprayed in wild blueberry fields. Red sorrel ramets from mature blueberry fields were tested to determine whether long-term spraying of hexazinone selected for resistant red sorrel. The results show that hexazinone+rimsulfuron/nicosulfuron may be a alternative for hexazinone. Red sorrel from some blueberry fields is hexazinone-resistant and the resistance is caused by a Phe255 to Val mutation in the psbA gene.