While herbicide development in vegetable crops has been limited in recent years, a few products have been registered on several minor crops, including halosulfuron (Sandea®) and sulfentrazone (Spartan®). Research is underway to further expand the use of these herbicides in additional crops.

Halosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide that controls weeds by inhibiting the acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for the production of essential amino acids. Other common ALS-inhibitor herbicides include Accent®, Matrix®, Classic®, Beacon®, Raptor®, and Pursuit®. Recent registrations on the Federal Section 3 label include asparagus, cucumbers and melons, pumpkins and squash, dry and snap beans, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. Halosulfuron controls weeds when applied prior to emergence or early-postemergence, depending on the target species. The weed control spectrum is rather broad, and includes common broadleaf weeds such as cocklebur, galinsoga, common groundsel, marestail, jimsonweed, kochia, ladysthumb smartweed, common lambsquarters, and wild mustard. In recent research, common ragweed control has been good when halosulfuron was applied early postemergence. Halosulfuron is also one of the only herbicides that will suppress horsetail (Equisetum spp.) when applied postemergence.