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| Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries |
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Abstract: Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is an annual or short–lived perennial weed. Recently, blueberry
growers are reporting heavier than normal sheep sorrel populations and the weed has moved beyond its typical bare
spot habitat and is being found more often within clones of blueberries. Herbicide options, such as mesotrione and
hexazinone, can be quite variable in their control levels. A trial was established in the spring in a commercial blueberry
field near Aulac, New Brunswick to evaluate pre–emergent and post–emergent sprout year herbicides
options for sheep sorrel control. Aminopyralid, sulfentrazone post–emergence at the high rate and
nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron caused significant crop injury in early season evaluations. The crop recovered and no
significant yield effect was noted, although yield from aminopyralid was the lowest recorded. Sheep sorrel populations
were extremely high in this trial, contributing to increased variability in the control ratings found. Sheep sorrel
regrowth occurred in all treatments in the crop year, where hexazinone, hexazinone/mesotrione tank mix,
hexazinone/mesotrione split application, high rate of sulfentrazone post–emergence and
nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron all consistently suppressed sheep sorrel populations. As no single treatment evaluated
controlled sheep sorrel populations into the crop year, additional evaluations should occur, with a focus on repeated
herbicide applications.