After harvest, peppermint is vulnerable to weed interference due to the loss of crop canopy. However, few herbicides are registered for use during this critical time in the production cycle. In response to this, we conducted research trials in 2023 at two commercial peppermint production fields in Indiana (North Judson and Fair Oaks) to determine peppermint response to preemergence and postemergence herbicides. Preemergence herbicide treatments included Zidua (1.84 fl oz/a), Optogen (3 fl oz/a), Spartan (4 fl oz/a), Chateau EZ (4 fl oz/a), Dual Magnum (1 pt/a), Fierce EZ (10 fl oz/a), and Tenacity (3 fl oz/a). Postemergence herbicide treatments included Basagran (2 pt/a), Reviton (2 fl oz/a), Tough (24 fl oz/a), Sharpen (2 fl oz/a), Anthem Flex (4.5 fl oz/a), Aim (1 fl oz/a), and Tough (24 fl oz/a) plus either Optogen (1.5 fl oz/a), Tenacity (1.5 fl oz/a), or Basagran (2 pt/a). Visible crop injury on a scale of 0 (no injury) to 100% (crop death), as well as crop height, was recorded every other week after treatment. Eight weeks after treatment, the greatest injury was observed was from the Group 14 herbicides: Reviton (81-84%), Sharpen (81-88%), and Aim (33-54%). Injury from Group 27 herbicides, Optogen and Tenacity, was more severe at Fair Oaks (63% and 64%, respectively) than at North Judson (28% and 12%, respectively). However, combining a half rate of these herbicides with Tough greatly increased crop injury at both locations (>73%). Injury from Chateau EZ and Fierce EZ differed by location; injury was lower at North Judson (13% and 7%, respectively) than at Fair Oaks (42% and 55%, respectively). Crop injury from Zidua, Dual Magnum, Spartan, Basagran, and Tough plus Basagran were similar to, or less than, Tough applied alone (the registered grower standard). Peppermint height and end-of-season aboveground biomass followed similar trends.
