Response of spring planted barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to mesotrione

► Mesotrione applied PRE caused minimal injury at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after emergence (DAE) and had no adverse effect on plant height or yield of barley, oats and wheat. ► Mesotrione applied post caused as much 11% injury and reduced plant height as much as 6% in spring planted cereals. injury was higher in wheat compared to barley or oats. ► Mesotrione applied POST had no adverse effect on the yield of barley or oats but decreased the yield of wheat as much as 14%. ► Mesotrione applied PRE at 50, 100 or 150 g ai ha−1 can be safely used in spring planted barley, oats, and wheat. ► Mesotrione applied POST at the proposed dose of 50, 100 or 150 g ai ha−1 can be safely used in spring planted barley and oats. However, mesotrione applied POST results in unacceptable injury in spring planted wheat.