Optimizing weed and sucker control in hazelnut orchards with tiafenacil

Hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.) plays a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of Oregon's Willamette Valley, where weed and sucker management are labor-intensive and time-consuming endeavors. Current control strategies are either costly but effective, ineffective, or environmentally unfriendly. Tiafenacil, a relatively new herbicide, could be an effective solution. Field studies were conducted in commercial hazelnut orchards across the Willamette Valley to evaluate the efficacy of tiafenacil for weed and hazelnut sucker control. The results confirmed that tiafenacil applied three times per season up to 200 g ai ha -1 did not injure tree trunk or canopy and had no adverse effects on growth parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, or yield. Tiafenacil at 50 g ai ha -1 outperformed carfentrazone 35 g ai ha -1 in controlling prostrate knotweed ( Polygonum aviculare L.), wild carrot ( Daucus carota L.), and Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense L. Scop). However, tiafenacil up to 50 g ai ha -1 was less effective than glufosinate 1,050 g ai ha -1 for weed control. Tiafenacil at 50 g ai ha -1 effectively managed suckers comparable to manual removal and with superior efficacy to carfentrazone. Tiafenacil at 50 g ai ha -1 combined with glufosinate or 2,4-D 1,060 g ai ha -1 improved sucker and weed control compared with tiafenacil alone at the same rate, suggesting that its efficacy is enhanced in mixtures. Importantly, tiafenacil exhibited excellent compatibility with 2,4-D and glufosinate, making it a practical option for improving weed and sucker control strategies. For growers, incorporating tiafenacil into their management programs—either as a standalone treatment or in combination with glufosinate or 2,4-D—offers an effective alternative to manual sucker removal while maintaining strong weed control. These findings support tiafenacil as a valuable addition to hazelnut management programs, especially when used in combination with other herbicides for enhanced sucker and weed control without compromising tree health. While no antagonistic effects were observed when tiafenacil was mixed with glufosinate or 2,4-D, further research is necessary to explore potential interactions with other herbicides. Additionally, the economic viability of herbicide combinations should be evaluated before broad adoption.