Benfluralin (Benefin) Use in California

Date: May 27, 2004

To: Harold D. Coble
Agronomist
USDA/ARS/OA
Office of Pest Management Policy
202 Frostwood Drive
Cary, NC 27511
Voice (919) 851-2621

From: Rick Melnicoe
Director, Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center

Subject: Benfluralin (Benefin)

Harold,

Attached is the pesticide use report for benefin in California for 2002 (Excel chart). A relatively small amount was used on alfalfa. However, it is an important herbicide for lettuce. The following is quoted from the Iceberg Lettuce Crop Profile for California:

"Benefin - PHI is restricted by use as a preplant incorporated treatment. Typical PHI ranges from 60 to 110 days (4). Benefin is applied as a preplant incorporated treatment at a typical rate of 0.9 lb. a.i. per acre (6). The loss of this product would have serious economic impacts on the production of lettuce in the San Joaquin Valley and desert areas."

The Lettuce PMSP for Arizona and California has this to say about benefin:

"The effective and economical control of annual weeds in lettuce requires an integrated approach that includes cultural and mechanical methods, and the use of selective herbicides. Pronamide/propyzamide (Kerb) is the predominant herbicide used on lettuce along with benefin (Balan) and bensulide (Prefar)."

A regulatory priority from the Lettuce PMSP is, "Retain the registrations for pronamide/propyzamide (Kerb), benefin (Balan) and bensulide (Prefar)."

Rick Melnicoe
Director, Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center
Director, Office of Pesticide Information and Coordination (UC Statewide
Pesticide Coordinator) One Shields Avenue
4249 Meyer Hall (FedEx Deliveries only)
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-8588
Telephone: (530) 754-8378
FAX: (530) 754-8379