Cabbage, Brassica Crops Weed Control

Brassicas - General Brassica Disease Control Brassica Insect Control Brassica Physiological Disorders

Stale Seedbed

The following herbicides are nonselective and are used to control weeds that are present in a field prior to planting or before the crop emerges, which is especially useful for the Stale Seedbed Technique (see the Weed Management section for more information).

Preemergent Herbicides (before weeds germinate)

HRAC Group 0:

  • bensulide (Prefar 4E): 5 to 6 qt/A; REI 12h. 1 application per year. Apply before planting or after planting before crop has emerged. Grass control only.
  • napropamide (Devrinol 2-XT): 2 qt/A; REI 24h. 1 application allowed per year. Apply before or after direct-seeding or transplanting.

HRAC Group 3:

  • pendimethalin (Prowl H2O): 1 to 2.1 pt/A; PHI 60d for broccoli, 70d for all others, REI 24h. Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower only. 1 application per year. Apply between rows when crop has 2–4 true leaves and/or 1–3 days after transplanting. Contact with crop will cause damage.
  • trifluralin (Treflan HFP): 1 to 2 pt/A; REI 12h. 1 application per year. Apply and incorporate prior to direct-seeding or transplanting; a second incorporation pass in the opposite direction may be required. Chinese cabbage and kohlrabi are especially sensitive.

HRAC Group 13:

  • clomazone (Command 3ME): 10.7 fl oz/A; REI 12h. Transplanted broccoli only. Other formulations of clomazone are labeled for other brassica head and steam vegetables. 1 application per year. Apply broadcast within 48 hours of transplanting.

HRAC Group 14:

  • oxyfluorfen (Goal 2 XL): 1 to 2 pt/A; REI 24h. Transplanted broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower only. 1 application per year. Apply to the final seedbed before transplanting. Temporary crop injury may occur but should not reduce yield. Applications made to stressed transplants may lead to reduced yields.
  • sulfentrazone (Aquesta 4F): 2.25 to 12 fl oz/A; REI 12h. Do not exceed 12 fl oz/A (head and stem brassicas) or 6.4 fl oz per year. (leafy greens). Apply to stubble or soil surface in the fall or in the spring up to 72 hours before transplanting. For cabbage transplants only: Apply broadcast or banded to stubble or soil surface in the fall, or in the spring when ground has thawed and maximum 60 days before planting; or, apply banded between rows up to 72 hours after transplanting. Do not use on soils that contain less than 1% organic matter.

HRAC Group 15:

  • s-metolachlor (Dual Magnum): PHI 30d for brassica leafy greens, 60d for cabbage and broccoli, REI 24h. MA and NH only: Broccoli, cabbage, and brassica leafy greens only. ME: cabbage only. Restricted label: Make sure the label for your state is available for download before using this product. Full label instructions are supplied to growers who apply through the website www.syngenta-us.com/labels/indemnified-label-login and agree to a waiver of liability. Main target weeds for this registration are galinsoga and yellow nutsedge.

Pre- and Postemergent Herbicides

HRAC Group 27:

  • bicyclopyrone (Optogen): 3.5 fl oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h. Broccoli only. 1 application per year. Apply after crop emergence or transplanting as a post-directed spray or to row middles. Contact with crop will cause damage.

Postemergent Herbicides (after weeds germinate)

HRAC Group 0:

  • pelargonic acid (Scythe): 3% to 10% solution; PHI 1d, REI 12h. Apply as vegetative burndown during site preparation, prior to crop emergence from soil, or as a directed and shielded spray during crop growth. Contact with crop will cause damage.

HRAC Group 1:

  • clethodim (Select Max): 9 to 16 fl oz/A; PHI 30d for head and stem brassicas, 14d for leafy brassicas, REI 24h. Do not exceed 64 fl oz/A per year. Apply to actively growing grasses. 
  • fluazifop (Fusilade DX): 6 to 24 fl oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h. Do not exceed 48 fl oz/A. Apply to actively growing grasses.
  • sethoxydim (Poast): 0.5 to 1.5 pt/A; PHI 30d except 14d for mustard greens, REI 12h. Do not exceed 3 pt/A per year. Apply to actively growing grasses. BASF has stopped production and will discontinue the registration at the end of 2027.

HRAC Group 4:

  • clopyralid (Stinger): 0.25 to 0.5 pt/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h. Do not exceed 0.5 pt/A per year. Broadcast apply over the top of the crop. Spray additives are not recommended.

HRAC Group 9:

  • glyphosate (Roundup Power Max): 10 fl oz to 3.1 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 4h. Do not exceed 5 qt/A per year.  Apply during fallow intervals, prior to planting, at planting, before crop has emerged, or to row middles with a hooded or shielded sprayer or wiper applicator. Spray contact can cause crop death. Spray additive recommendation varies with formulation—see label.

HRAC Group 14:

  • carfentrazone (Aim EC): 0.5 to 2 fl oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h. Do not exceed 6.1 fl oz/A per season. Apply as a preplant burndown no later than 7 days before direct-seeding or 1 day before transplanting, or to row middles of emerged crops with hooded sprayers. Contact with crop will cause damage.

HRAC Group 22:

  • paraquat (Gramoxone SL 3.0*): 1.3 to 2.7 pt/A; REI 48h. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, and collards only. Do not exceed 8 pt/A per year. Apply banded or broadcast, before, during, or after planting but prior to crop emergence. May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. *Restricted use: Applicators must complete an EPA-approved paraquat training every 3 years: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators.
Weed Control