In 1994, the National Jointed Goatgrass Research Program was initiated with funding from a special USDA grant. The 15-yr program provided $4.1 million to support jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host.) research and technology transfer projects in 10 western states. These projects resulted in approximately 80 refereed manuscripts, including journal articles and extension publications. The research covered various topics related to the biology and ecology of jointed goatgrass as well as its management and control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems. This review summarizes the research on jointed goatgrass published after Donald and Ogg’s 1991 review, most of which was conducted as part of the USDA-funded National Jointed Goatgrass Research Program. Specific topics that were studied and reviewed here include A. cylindrica genetics, especially as it relates to gene flow and hybridization rates with wheat and fertility of the resulting hybrids; vernalization requirements; seed dormancy, longevity, and germination requirements; competitiveness with wheat; and herbicide resistance acquired through evolution or gene flow from wheat. With respect to management, a wide variety of practices were evaluated, including various tillage types and frequencies; crop rotations, especially diversified wheat production systems that include spring-seeded annual crops; competitive wheat cultivars, seeding dates, seeding density, and row spacing; fertility management, including nitrogen application timing and placement; and field burning. Finally, many studies evaluated the use of herbicides, especially the introduction of imazamox in imidazolinone-resistant wheat cultivars, as well as comparison of adjuvant systems and application timings. In addition to the many management practices that were studied individually, several integrated management systems were evaluated that combined crop rotations, tillage, and herbicide programs. Between 1993 and 2013, weed scientists in 14 western states estimated that jointed goatgrass infestations decreased by 45% to 55% and attributed the reduction to the implementation of more diverse crop rotations, improved cultural practices, and use of imazamox-resistant wheat technology. This is evidence that the practical implications of the National Jointed Goatgrass Research Program have been successfully implemented by growers throughout the western United States.

An annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) biotype with limited susceptibility to POST flumioxazin applications was identified in Georgia. The objectives of this research were to quantify tolerance levels of this biotype (R-biotype) to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors and characterize physiological responses to flumioxazin. In dose–response experiments on 3- to 5-tiller plants, flumioxazin and sulfentrazone rates required to reduce dry-shoot biomass 50% from the nontreated were >14.5 and 10.4 times greater for the R-biotype, as compared with a susceptible (S)-biotype, respectively. Establishment of the R-biotype from seed was completely controlled by PRE applications of flumioxazin and oxadiazon, similar to the S-biotype. Tank mixtures of chlorpyrifos with flumioxazin did not enhance biomass reductions of the R-biotype, suggesting that tolerance levels may not be related to cytochrome P450–associated metabolism. In laboratory experiments, the R-biotype averaged 27% less electrolyte leakage, as compared with the S-biotype, after flumioxazin treatments. Lipid peroxidation in the R-biotype, as measured by malondialdehyde levels, averaged 25% less than the S-biotype at 72 h after broadcast flumioxazin treatments at 280 and 560 g ha−1. The tolerance to POST applications of PPO inhibitors in this P. annua biotype is associated with less lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage as compared with the S-biotype. These biochemical differences in biotypes may contribute to erratic levels of POST control from flumioxazin and could contribute to PPO-inhibitor resistance.

A population of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) from a field on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, was suspected of resistance to thiocarbamate herbicides. Dose–response studies were conducted on this population (EP162) and two susceptible populations (SLR4 and VLR1). The resistant population exhibited cross-resistance to triallate, prosulfocarb, EPTC, and thiobencarb with higher LD50 to triallate (14.9-fold), prosulfocarb (9.4-fold), EPTC (9.7-fold), and thiobencarb (13.6-fold) compared with the susceptible populations SLR4 and VLR1. The resistant population also displayed resistance to trifluralin, pyroxasulfone, and propyzamide. The LD50 of the resistant population was higher for trifluralin (13.8-fold), pyroxasulfone (8.1-fold), and propyzamide (2.7-fold) compared with the susceptible populations. This study documents the first case of field-evolved resistance to thiocarbamate herbicides in L. rigidum.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to quantify resistance levels to the 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicides mesotrione (MES) and isoxaflutole (IFT) in NEB (Nebraska HPPD- and atrazine-resistant) and SIR (Stanford, IL, HPPD- and atrazine-resistant) waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer] populations. These populations differ in their field-use histories and resistance levels to MES. Foliar growth responses were compared with ACR (HPPD sensitive; metabolic atrazine-resistant) and SEN (sensitive to HPPD and photosystem II [PSII] inhibitors). A greenhouse dose–response study was conducted with each herbicide at two POST timings: early (EPOST) (5 cm; 4 to 5 true leaves) and POST (10 cm; 8 to 9 true leaves). At the EPOST timing, SIR was 10-fold resistant to IFT and 32-fold resistant to MES, while NEB was 4-fold resistant to IFT and 7-fold resistant to MES when compared with ACR. At the POST timing, SIR was 17-fold resistant to IFT and 21-fold resistant to MES, while NEB was 3-fold resistant to IFT and 7-fold resistant to MES when compared with ACR. Results overall indicated greater fold-resistance levels to MES relative to IFT at each timing. However, POST treatments to SIR showed contrasting effects on resistance levels relative to EPOST. To investigate potential management strategies for resistant A. tuberculatus populations, a POST interaction study was conducted using combinations of metribuzin and either IFT or MES. A metribuzin rate (191 g ai ha−1) causing an approximately 20% biomass reduction was chosen for interaction studies and combined with varying rates of either IFT or MES. Results indicated 52.5 g ai ha−1 of MES combined with metribuzin displayed a synergistic effect on biomass reduction in SIR. However, other combinations of either MES or IFT and metribuzin resulted in additive effects on biomass reduction in both HPPD-resistant populations. These results provide insights into the joint activity between HPPD and PSII inhibitors for controlling metabolism-based, multiple herbicide–resistant A. tuberculatus.

Resistance to atrazine (a photosystem II [PSII] inhibitor) is prevalent in waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer] across the U.S. Midwest. Previous research suggests that target-site mutation or rapid metabolism of atrazine mediated by glutathione S-transferase (GST) conjugation confers resistance in A. tuberculatus from Illinois. The distribution and mechanism of resistance to atrazine in A. tuberculatus populations from Nebraska (NE) are unknown. In this research we (1) evaluated the response and frequency of resistance in NE A. tuberculatus to soil-applied PSII (metribuzin and atrazine) and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (sulfentrazone) inhibitors, as well as POST-applied atrazine; and (2) determined the mechanism of atrazine resistance in NE A. tuberculatus. The chloroplastic psbA gene, coding for a D1 protein (the target site of atrazine) was sequenced in 85 plants representing 27 populations of A. tuberculatus. Furthermore, 24 plants selected randomly from four atrazine-resistant (AR) populations were used to determine the metabolism of atrazine via GST conjugation. Results from the soil-applied herbicide evaluation suggest that metribuzin (0.56 kg ai ha−1) and sulfentrazone (0.28 kg ai ha−1) were effective on A. tuberculatus management. PRE and POST screenings against atrazine in the greenhouse indicate that atrazine (1.345 kg ai ha−1) was not effective on 39% and 73% of the A. tuberculatus populations evaluated (total of 109 and 85 populations, respectively), suggesting the prevalence of atrazine resistance in A. tuberculatus in NE. Sequence analysis of the psbA gene found no known point mutations conferring atrazine resistance. However, the AR plants conjugated atrazine via GST activity faster than the known atrazine-susceptible A. tuberculatus. Overall, the outcome of this study demonstrates the predominance of metabolism-based resistance to atrazine in A. tuberculatus from NE, which may predispose this species to evolve resistance to other herbicides. The use of integrated management strategies for A. tuberculatus is crucial for the control of this troublesome species.

Recently, several incidents of glyphosate failure on junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] have been reported in the midsouthern United States, specifically in Mississippi and Tennessee. Research was conducted to measure the magnitude of glyphosate resistance and to determine the mechanism(s) of resistance to glyphosate in E. colona populations from Mississippi and Tennessee. ED50 (dose required to reduce plant growth by 50%) values for a resistant MSGR4 biotype, a resistant TNGR population, and a known susceptible MSGS population were 0.8, 1.62, and 0.23 kg ae ha−1 of glyphosate, respectively. The resistance index calculated from the these ED50 values indicated that the MSGR4 biotype and TNGR population were 4- and 7-fold, respectively, resistant to glyphosate relative to the MSGS population. The absorption patterns of [14C]glyphosate in the TNGR and MSGS populations were similar. However, the MSGS population translocated 13% more [14C]glyphosate out of the treated leaf compared with the TNGR population at 48 h after treatment. EPSPS gene sequence analyses of TNGR E. colona indicated no evidence of any point mutations, but several resistant biotypes, including MSGR4, possessed a single-nucleotide substitution of T for C at codon 106 position, resulting in a proline-to-serine substitution (CCA to TCA). Results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses suggested that there was no amplification of the EPSPS gene in the resistant populations and biotypes. Thus, the mechanism of resistance in the MSGR population (and associated biotypes) is, in part, due to a target-site mutation at the 106 loci of the EPSPS gene, while reduced translocation of glyphosate was found to confer glyphosate resistance in the TNGR population.

Most previous research on changes in weed abundance and community composition in cropping systems has focused on field crops. The study presented here examined changes in the weed seedbank and aboveground biomass in four organic vegetable cropping systems over a 10-yr period. The systems included an Intensive system with six crops per 4-yr rotation, an Intermediate system with one cash crop per year, a Bio-extensive system with alternating cash crop and tilled fallow years plus prevention of seed rain, and a Ridge-tillage system with one cash crop per year. Systems also differed in the types and number of cover crops between cash crops. During the course of the experiment, the weed community shifted from one dominated by summer annual broadleaf species that reproduce at the end of their lives to a community dominated by summer and winter annuals that mature rapidly. This shift in community composition can be attributed to the change in land use from conventionally managed corn (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to organic vegetable production. In particular, crop rotations with diverse preplantings and postharvest tillage dates interrupted the life cycle of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and pigweed species (Amaranthus spp.: mostly Powell amaranth [Amaranthus powellii S. Watson], with small numbers of redroot pigweed [Amaranthus retroflexus L.] and smooth pigweed [Amaranthus hybridus L.]), while favoring a diverse assemblage of quickly maturing species. The study thus demonstrates that an appropriate crop rotation can control the seedbank of weeds like C. album that potentially persist well in the soil. The Ridge-tillage system greatly reduced the frequency and depth of tillage relative to other systems while effectively suppressing perennial weeds. The early-reproducing annuals, however, became more abundant in the Ridge-tillage system than in the other systems, primarily due to escapes along the edge of the scraped ridges. The tilled fallow periods coupled with prevention of seed rain in the Bio-extensive system substantially reduced weed abundance through time and relative to the other systems.

Harvest weed seed control (HWSC) is an Australian innovation, developed to target high proportions of weed seed retained at crop maturity by many major weed species. There is the potential, however, that a reduction in the average height of retained seed is an adaptation to the long-term use of HWSC practices. With the aim of examining the distribution of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) seed through crop canopies, a survey of Australian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields was conducted at crop maturity. Nine sites with medium to long-term HWSC use were specifically included to examine the influence of HWSC use on seed retention height. During the 2013 wheat harvest, L. rigidum and wheat plant samples were collected at five heights downward through the crop canopy (40, 30, 20, 10, and 0 cm above ground level) in 71 wheat fields. Increased crop competition resulted in higher proportions of L. rigidum seed in the upper crop canopy (>40 cm). The increase in plant height is likely a shade-intolerance response of L. rigidum plants attempting to capture more light. This plant attribute creates the opportunity to use crop competition to improve HWSC efficacy by increasing the average height of seed retention. Crop competition can, therefore, have a double impact by reducing overall L. rigidum seed production and increasing seed retention height. Examining the distribution of wheat biomass and L. rigidum seed through the crop canopy, we determined that reducing harvest height for HWSC considerably increased the collection of L. rigidum seed (25%) but to a lesser extent wheat crop biomass (14%). Comparison of + and − HWSC use at nine locations found no evidence of adaptation to this form of weed control following 5 to 10 yr of use. Although the potential for resistance to HWSC remains, these results indicate that this will not readily occur in the field.

Although sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] is the fifth most important grain crop in terms of global production, no commercial hybrids carry genetically engineered (GE) traits for resistance to insect pests or herbicides due to regulatory concerns about gene flow to weedy relatives. However, non-GE herbicide resistance currently is being developed in grain sorghum and will likely transfer to related weeds. Monitoring the impact of this new nuclear technology on the evolution and invasiveness of related weeds requires a baseline understanding of the population biology of grain sorghum genes once they transfer to in situ weed populations. We previously characterized the rate of gene flow from grain sorghum to shattercane [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench nothosubsp. drummondii (Steud.) de Wet ex. Davidse], a conspecific weed relatively common in North America; as well as the ecological fitness of an F1 population when S. bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii was the maternal parent. Here we report the ecological fitness of a S. bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii × S. bicolor ssp. bicolor F2 population relative to its crop and weed parents. Parental and F2 populations were grown in two Nebraska environments in 2012 and 2013. Traits evaluated included overwinter survival, field emergence, biomass production and partitioning at anthesis, total seed production, and 100-seed weight. Results indicated that F2 traits were generally intermediate between the parents, but more similar to S. bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii than to grain sorghum. The one exception was overwinter survival, which was nearly 0% for both the F2 and the grain sorghum parent in these northern environments. Thus, the frequency of crop alleles stably introgressed into S. bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii populations appears to primarily depend on overwinter survival of the F2 and which selective pressures are imposed upon it by the cropping system. These data provide needed baseline information about the environmental fate of nuclear genetic technologies deployed in this important global crop.

Silvery-Thread Moss (Bryum argenteum Hedw.) is an undesirable invader of golf course putting greens across North America, establishing colonies and proliferating despite practices to suppress it. The goal was to grow genotypes of green (growing in putting greens) and native (growing in habitats outside of putting greens) B. argenteum in a common garden experiment, allowing an experimental test of life-history traits between genotypes from these two habitats. Seventeen collections of green and 17 collections of native B. argenteum were cloned to single genotypes and raised through a minimum of two asexual generations in the lab. A culture of each genotype was initiated using a single detached shoot apex and was allowed to grow for 6 mo under conditions of inorganic nutrients present and absent. Compared with genotypes from native habitats, genotypes of B. argenteum from putting greens exhibited earlier shoot regeneration and shoot induction, faster protonemal extension, longer (higher) shoots, lower production of gemmae and bulbils, and greater aerial rhizoid cover, and showed similar tendencies of chlorophyll fluorescence properties and chlorophyll content. Cultures receiving no inorganic nutrients produced less chlorophyll content, greatly reduced growth, and bleaching of shoots. Mosses from putting greens establish more quickly, grow faster, produce more abundant rhizoids, and yet do not produce as many specialized asexual propagules compared with mosses of the same species from native habitats. The highly managed putting green environment has either selected for a suite of traits that allow the moss to effectively compete with grasses, or genotypic diversity is very high in this species, allowing a set of specialized genotypes to colonize the putting green from native habitats. Successful golf course weeds have been able to adapt to this highly competitive environment by selection acting on traits or genotypes to produce plants more successful in competing with golf course grasses.

Previous research has shown that strip-tillage (ST) systems conserve soil, reduce production costs, and save time for growers compared with intensive-tillage systems. In contrast to these well-documented benefits, we have limited information on weed community dynamics and management risks in ST corn (Zea mays L.) production systems in the northern Corn Belt. Therefore, we conducted research in 2015 and 2016 to characterize weed community composition, emergence patterns, and aboveground productivity in an ST corn/no-tillage (NT) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation that was established in 2007 compared with a long-term intensive-tillage chisel-plow (CP) continuous-corn system. Fifteen or more weed species were identified in nontreated quadrats in each cropping system in each year. Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) was the most abundant weed species across systems and years. Chenopodium album densities were similar between CP and ST corn phases and were approximately 2-fold greater compared with the NT soybean phase. Other abundant weed species occurred at much lower densities than C. album. In each year, cumulative emergence of nontreated weed communities was described best by a logistic function in each cropping system. Maximum weed community emergence was greater in CP corn than ST corn phases in 2015, but did not differ in 2016. In the ST corn phase, most (about 75%) weed community emergence occurred in the in-row (tilled) zone compared with the between-row (nondisturbed) zone. Total late-season weed shoot biomass did not differ between nontreated CP and ST corn phases in either year, with C. album accounting for >85% of total weed biomass in these phases. These results suggest that weed community composition, total emergence, and productivity were similar between CP and ST corn phases after 10 yr. Our findings, coupled with previous research that showed favorable agronomic performance and greater soil conservation associated with the long-term ST corn/NT soybean system, suggest that production risks are no greater than a CP corn system, while processes that underpin ecosystem services are enhanced. These results provide strong evidence to support grower adoption of ST practices as an alternative to intensive tillage.

The development of early-maturing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties has led to an increase in soybean production in canola (Brassica napus L.)-dominant crop rotations in western Canada. Herbicide-resistant (HR) volunteer B. napus can be difficult to manage in HR soybean using herbicides alone. In 2013 and 2014, four field experiments were conducted in Manitoba, Canada, to evaluate soybean row spacing, seeding density, nitrogen supply, and interrow tillage as candidate nonchemical weed management tools for an integrated program to manage volunteer B. napus in soybean. Among treatments and sites, volunteer B. napus produced about 830 seeds plant−1 and resulted in large seedbank inputs (averaging about 20,300 seeds m−2). Volunteer B. napus seedling recruitment differed among sites, and resulted in two distinct classes of sites based on average seedling densities of 39 and 89 plants m−2. Weed management tools were more effective at the sites with higher volunteer B. napus densities. At these sites, soybean yield was greater when using an increased soybean-seeding density (44% greater yield using a seeding density of 682,500 vs. 455,000 seeds ha−1) or interrow tillage (36% greater yield with vs. without using interrow tillage). Soybean row spacing (19 vs. 38 vs. 76 cm) did not affect soybean yield, unless the reduction in row spacing was combined with an increased seeding density (65% greater yield with narrow-row soybean seeded at 682,500 vs. wide-row soybean seeded at 455,000 seeds ha−1). At the sites with higher volunteer B. napus densities, seed production of canola volunteer B. napus was greater when nitrogen fertilizer was applied to simulate an environment with greater nitrogen supply (77% greater number of volunteer B. napus seeds produced with vs. without broadcast application of 23 kg N ha−1 urea). In northern climates, seeding soybean at increased densities using narrow-row spacing in fields with limited soil inorganic nitrogen and using interrow tillage in wide-row production systems are effective strategies that could augment chemical weed management in an integrated program for management of volunteer B. napus, and perhaps also other competitive early-season weeds.

The triazines are one of the most widely used herbicide classes ever developed and are critical for managing weed populations that have developed herbicide resistance. These herbicides are traditionally valued for their residual weed control in more than 50 crops. Scientific literature suggests that atrazine, and perhaps other s-triazines, may no longer remain persistent in soils due to enhanced microbial degradation. Experiments examined the rate of degradation of atrazine and two other triazine herbicides, simazine and metribuzin, in both atrazine-adapted and non-history Corn Belt soils, with similar soils being used from each state as a comparison of potential triazine degradation. In three soils with no history of atrazine use, the t1/2 of atrazine was at least four times greater than in three soils with a history of atrazine use. Simazine degradation in the same three sets of soils was 2.4 to 15 times more rapid in history soils than non-history soils. Metribuzin in history soils degraded at 0.6, 0.9, and 1.9 times the rate seen in the same three non-history soils. These results indicate enhanced degradation of the symmetrical triazine simazine, but not of the asymmetrical triazine metribuzin.