The list of broccoli herbicides is limited. Like most vegetable crops, the acreage is relatively limited and the liability is high. Unlike most vegetable crops, it is possible to obtain good weed control in most cases with the available products. The graph below summarizes the results of three trials comparing the herbicides used on broccoli. Dacthal or Prowl used preemergence to the weeds followed by GoalTender early postemergence produced 90 to 100 percent control of most broadleaf weeds and 70 to 90 percent control of many annual grasses. If grasses are a problem , an application of Select, Poast or a generic of these will be effective on most species. This three-pronged approach can eliminate the need for cultivation and hand weeding in many cases. Many vegetable crops require expensive hand weeding in addition to cultivation but broccoli and cauliflower can be kept clean with herbicides alone in many cases.

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To contact Barry Tickes go to: btickes@ag.arizona.edu.

For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.