Evaluating tiafenacil and tolpyralate for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops

In an effort to find alternatives to paraquat for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops (Hummus lupulus L.), due to regulatory and safety concerns, a study was conducted across Oregon and Washington in 2020 and 2021. The study compared the efficacy of tiafenacil and tolpyralate against a nontreated control and carfentrazone. Applications were made early when hops were 2‐ to 3‐m tall (early), and at over 4 m (late). Tiafenacil showed 55%–85% effectiveness in basal foliage control, slightly higher than carfentrazone, and did not cause crop injury. Tiafenacil at 50 and 100 g a.i. ha−1 controlled Lolium multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot (63%). The mixture of tiafenacil and tolpyralate controlled 80% of L. multiflorum, Cirsium arvense L., and Bassia Scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott. In all cases, control was followed by weed regrowth. No signs of crop injury were observed in any of the studies with tiafenacil. Early applications of tiafenacil reduced yield between 0% and 40% relative to the nontreated control. Late applications of tolpyralate and tiafenacil did not significantly reduce yield. Tolpyralate was as effective as carfentrazone for weed control and basal foliage removal. Early applications of tolpyralate reduced plant height and yield relative to the nontreated control and consistently induced phytochemical injury. Tolpyralate yield reductions ranged from 0% to 84% relative to the nontreated control, depending on the trial. A mixture of tolpyralate and tiafenacil was the most effective treatment tested. We conclude that both tiafenacil and tolpyralate are safe for sucker applications in hops, but careful timing is needed to reduce the risk of injury with tolpyralate. The mixture of tiafenacil and tolpyralate can improve weed control comparable to available options.