DEVELOPING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO REDUCE HEXAZINONE IN GROUND WATER IN WILD BLUEBERRY FIELDS

Hexazinone is a preemergence herbicide used in wild blueberry fields since 1983 to suppress weeds and has been a contributing factor in increasing the wild blueberry threefold over the past 12 years. This herbicide is also highly soluble and has been detected in the groundwater in Maine. Best management practices have been developed to minimize the leaching this herbicide into groundwater. Field trials have shown the effectiveness of reducing rates, delaying the timing of application and using a granular formulation in reducing intrusion of hexazinone in the groundwater.