Reducing herbicide rates can reduce production costs and the potential for carryover injury in subsequent crops, but may also compromise residual weed control. When used at the highest recommended rates (0.35 kg ai/ha), fomesafen may cause carryover injury on sweet corn. One of the most valuable attributes of fomesafen use in snap and dry beans is control of common ragweed. Field experiments were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2002 to investigate both the residual ragweed control from fomesafen at 0.09, 0.18, and 0.36 kg ai/ha and the potential for a second application to extend the duration of residual control, while reducing the total amount applied per season. Results were significantly affected by weather conditions. In a very wet year (2000), with the greatest ragweed pressure, a single application of fomesafen at 0.20 kg/ha was predicted to provide at least 90% control of ragweed throughout snap and dry bean seasons. In the driest year (1999), 0.09 kg ai/ha provided greater than 90% control for the same period. Regardless of whether a single or double application was made, the total amount of fomesafen required per season was less than the manufacturer's recommended rate. Compared with making a single application, two low-rate applications did not reduce the total fomesafen rate required per season. To help insure at least 90% control of ragweed throughout the snap and dry bean seasons a grower should apply 0.20 kg ai/ha early in the season. Lower rates may be used, but in wet seasons, a second application may be needed to prevent yield loss or interference of ragweed with mechanical harvesting.

Nomenclature: Fomesafen, common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. AMBEL, bean (snap or dry), Phaseolus vulgaris L, sweet corn, Zea mays