There are limited herbicides labeled for use in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the United States. Therefore, the registration of additional herbicides with different modes of action (MOA) would provide growers added weed control options to enhanced crop yield and provide a more sustainable sweetpotato (SP) production system. As herbicide-resistant weed populations continue to emerge and become more prevalent, weed control strategies need to include herbicides with different MOAs for the long-term success of (SP) cultivation. This research will identify herbicides, along with rate and application time that could be registered for use in sweetpotato. Herbicide tolerance of four (SP) varieties (Beauregard, Orleans, Dianne, and Covington) were evaluated in a screening study. These varieties were selected to represent sweetpotato production areas across the United States in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Herbicides evaluated include fluridone, glyphosate, glufosinate, carfentrazone, saflufenacil, acifluorfen, and others. The study involved the foliar application of herbicide treatments at 1X and 0.5X rates, laid out in a completely randomized design, using a spray chamber onto individual (SP) plants cultivated in 4x4 inch containers within the controlled environment of the Dorman Hall Greenhouse at Mississippi State University. Visual assessments of herbicide-induced injury were conducted at regular intervals of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment (DAT), accompanied by measurements of vine length in centimeters. Furthermore, dry root and shoot biomass were quantified at 28 DAT to provide a comprehensive assessment of herbicide impacts on (SP) growth and development. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and means separated by Fisher’s protected LSD (α=0.05). Results indicate varying levels of tolerance among the (SP) varieties to specific herbicides and application rates. Noteworthy trends in visual injury, vine length, and biomass measurements highlight the nuanced responses of the cultivars to different herbicide chemistries.
