Annual production of native grasses on the Texas Coastal Prairie was decreased by 90, 66, and 67 kg/ha in 1978, 1979, and 1981, respectively, for each 1% increase in mixed-brush canopy cover in the range, from 12 to 57%. Differences in regression coefficients among years were not significant (P$0.05), although rainfall varied from 84% of the 26-yr average (91.5 cm) in 1978 to 150% of the annual average in 1981. Grass production during the growing season (May through October) only was decreased by 58, 113, and 78 kg/ha in 1978, 1979, and 1981, respectively, for each unit percentage increase in brush canopy cover. A greater proportion of the annual rainfall occurred during the growing season of 1979 than during the drier spring and summer of 1978. Native grasses typical of brush-free Coastal Prairie occupy the interstitial areas among the mixed-brush mottes, but bunch cutgrass (Leersia monandra Swartz) is the only grass that persists from the canopy edge to 1.5 m inward from the brush driplines. Little or no herbaceous vegetation grows in the centers of the mottes.

Interference of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) in sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Mono Hy D2′) was determined in a 2-yr field experiment. Yield of sugarbeet roots and recoverable sucrose/ha decreased as the density of common lambsquarters increased. At densities of 6, 12, 18, and 24 common lambsquarters plants/30 m of row, root yields were reduced 13, 29, 38, and 48%, respectively, and recoverable sucrose yields were reduced 11, 27, 37, and 46%, respectively. The minimum number of common lambsquarters plants required per 30 m of row to reduce sugarbeet root yields was estimated to be six in 1980 and four in 1981.

Detection and degradation of linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) -1 - methoxy -1 - methylurea] in organic soils were studied using biological assays and chromatographic techniques. The level of linuron that caused 50% growth reduction of onion (Allium cepa L.) varied among three soils of greatly differing organic matter contents. Linuron and its metabolites were successfully separated with florisil column chromatography using a five-fraction solvent system; however, only linuron and 3 - (3,4 - dichlorophenyl) -1 -methylurea could be extracted from organic soil samples at satisfactory recovery rates. Soil samples from eight grower fields and from field plots were analyzed to determine the residue level of these two compounds. Quantitative assessment of the compounds was made with high pressure liquid chromatography. Results of the biological assay and chromatographic analysis showed that linuron and its phytotoxic metabolite, 3 - (3,4 - dichlorophenyl) -1 - methylurea, were not accumulating in the organic soils of Ontario and that the levels detected were not phytotoxic to onions when grown in pot bioassays.

Long-term absorption of 14C-atrazine [2-chloro-4 - (ethylamino) - 6 - (isopropylamino) - s - triazine] by excised velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) roots was investigated. A rapid, initial phase of absorption was followed by a long-term, linear phase of absorption, which resulted in atrazine accumulation in the tissue to concentrations above the external solution. This accumulation did not result from metabolism of the atrazine. Aging of the excised tissue appeared to be responsible for the accumulation. Dinitrophenol, but not cyanide, inhibited accumulation. Atrazine accumulation decreased as the temperature during absorption was decreased. The Q10 the absorption rate was ca. 2.5 between 15 and 25 C. Efflux of atrazine from the tissue occurred in two phases. At 25 C, loss of 80% of the atrazine occurred in 20 min. At 4C, the rate of this efflux was slower and the phase lasted longer. At both 4 and 25 C a second, slower phase of efflux occurred through at least 6 h and resulted in loss of equal amounts of atrazine at the two temperatures. These experiments show that, in addition to rapid absorption of atrazine to a passive equilibrium, excised velvetleaf roots accumulate atrazine by a metabolically dependent process over long periods of time.

There was no antagonism between dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) or TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and BAS 9052 {2 - [1 -(ethoxyimino)butyl] - 5 - [2 -(ethylthio) -propyl] -3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} at 0.3 kg/ha for control of volunteer barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Bonanza’) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Neepawa’) in flax (Linum usitatissimum L. ‘Dufferin’). However, MCPA {[(4-chloro-o - tolyl)oxy] acetic acid} amine at 0.2 to 0.6 kg/ha had an antagonistic effect on BAS 9052, especially at 0.1 kg/ha, for control of wild oat (Avena fatua L.). BAS 9052 at 0.3 kg/ha overcame this antagonistic effect of MCPA. Field results confirmed that wild oat control with BAS 9052 at 0.3 kg/ha was not reduced by the mixtures with each of four broadleaf weed herbicides at 0.6 kg/ha. The mixtures gave excellent control of grass and broadleaf weeds. Flax seed yields were five times that of the unsprayed check and were equal to the yield of the handweeded treatment.

When trifluralin [α,α,α - trifluoro - 2,6 - dinitro -N,N-dipropyl-p -toluidine] was manually incorporated in small field plots to a depth of 10 cm, ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq.] was controlled more effectively than when incorporation was only 5 cm deep. No significant differences in ivyleaf morningglory control were observed between different incorporation depths when trifluralin was mechanically incorporated in large field plots. Ivyleaf morningglory emerging from 10 cm deep was controlled to a greater degree than that emerging from 5 cm deep. Preplant incorporated (PPI) trifluralin plus alachlor [2 - chloro – 2′, 6’ - diethyl - N- (methoxymethyl)acetanilide ] applied preemergence (PE) controlled up to 92% of the ivyleaf morningglory compared to 33 and 15% respectively, when these herbicides were applied alone at equal rates. This indicates a synergistic interaction between these two compounds. Trifluralin PPI plus RH 8817 [5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl phenoxy) - 2 - nitrobenzoic acid ethyl ester] and alachlor applied PE controlled ivyleaf morningglory more effectively (88 to 94%) than all other treatments. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] injury and stand reduction were less than 5% in all studies.

The major reserve lipid of yellow foxtail [Setaria lutescens (Weigel) Hubb.] caryopses is triacylglyceride stored in lipid bodies. Lipid bodies are heavily concentrated in the cells of the embryo axis, scutellum, and aleurone layer and are roughly spherical (average diam 0.5 μm). Percentage lipid (hot isopropanol extract) on a fresh-weight basis of mature, unimbibed seed and caryopses collected locally was about 6.4 and 11%, respectively. About 95% of the total (0.23 mg/caryopsis) was saponifiable and distributed among fatty acid classes as follows: 16:0, 5.8%; 18:0, 1.5%; 18:1, 16.2%; 18:2, 73.7%; and 18:3, 2.8%. In nondormant caryopses, saponifiable lipid content declined (18:1 and 18:2 only) about 23% during the first 6 days after imbibition in the dark at 25 C. This modest decline was preceded by the appearance of an alkaline lipase at about 24 h after the onset of imbibition. Free fatty acids accumulated during these early stages of germination and accounted for about 22% of the total saponifiable lipid remaining (0.17 mg/caryopsis) 6 days after the onset of imbibition. Lipid content and lipase activity did not change in dormant caryopses treated similarly. The delayed initiation of lipid mobilization in germinating caryopses suggests that triacylglyceride degradation is not a pivotal metabolic pathway controlling dormancy.

Laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies were conducted to determine the allelopathic potential of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars to suppress weed germination and growth. Germination of wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC.) L.C. Wheeler var. pinnatifida (Stokes) L.C. Wheeler] seeds at 25 C in undiluted aqueous extracts of sunflower leaf tissue was inhibited 75%, but was stimulated by up to 150% at 10- and 100-fold dilutions. Stem-tissue extracts at all concentrations stimulated wild mustard seed germination. The germination response of other weed species varied with the sunflower cultivar and concentration of tissue extract. In sand culture, leachates of dried sunflower leaf and stem tissue inhibited broadleaf - weed seedling growth, but had little or no effect on the growth of grass weeds. Sunflower root exudates inhibited seedling growth, but were less effective than leaf and stem tissue leachates. Germination of weed seeds was unaffected by root exudates. Over a 5 -yr period, weed density and percent ground cover increased less in field plots of sunflower than in control plots.

Napropamide [2 - (α - naphthoxy) -N,N- diethylpropionamide] influx was studied using excised root segments of corn (Zea mays L.). An initial rapid influx was followed by a slower, steady influx rate. Total influx was separated into a component that eluted from the tissue (exchangeable fraction) and a nonexchangeable fraction (residual fraction). After 5 min the residual fraction was responsible for the continued influx. In further studies with root segments this fraction was nonsaturating, increased with increased temperature, and was reduced by anaerobic conditions. The exchangeable fraction was controlled by diffusional processes. The overall influx process was attributed to an initial passive diffusion supplemented with time by a binding of napropamide into the residual fraction.

Four days after treatment of corn (Zea mays L. 'SX111′) seedlings with BAS 9052 OH {2 - [1-(ethoxyimino) butyl] - 5 - [2 - (ethylthio) - propyl] - 3 - hydroxy - 2 - cyclohexene-1 - one} growth was inhibited and a purple color developed in the leaves. Low dosages (0.02 and 0.04 kg/ha) caused bleaching of the newly expanding leaves. Dosages higher than 0.04 kg/ha caused significant reductions in length and fresh and dry weights of both shoots and roots. Anthocyanin and total - sugar content increased, whereas chlorophyll accumulation and respiratory activity were reduced by herbicide treatment. BAS 9052 OH did not alter the mitotic index of corn root tips, but induced binucleate cells by preventing cell-plate and -wall formation. In some cells, the daughter nuclei were reoriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cells, and in others, the nuclei failed to migrate to the poles. These physiological and cytological effects of BAS 9052 OH on corn seedlings may be responsible for the phytotoxic action of the herbicide on grasses.

Terbacil (3 - tert - butyl - 5 - chloro - 6 - methyluracil) uptake by roots and translocation were evaluated as possible bases of tolerance in two species, strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne 'Sunrise’ and ‘Guardian’) and goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa Miller). Tolerance of goldenrod to terbacil was at least five-fold that of strawberry. Strawberry was at least four - fold more tolerant than highly terbacil - sensitive cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Chipper’). Guardian, a reported susceptible strawberry cultivar, was as tolerant to terbacil as the tolerant cultivar, Sunrise. Distribution of 14C within the plant, but not uptake of label through roots, was found to be correlated to relative tolerance to terbacil when the roots of intact plants of all species were exposed for various time periods to a nutrient solution containing 2 -14C terbacil. The observed distribution patterns suggest that tolerance to terbacil in strawberry and goldenrod is at least partially attributable to the restricted translocation of root - absorbed herbicide. The greater tolerance of goldenrod than strawberry to terbacil was apparently unrelated to the restriction of herbicide to root tissue.

Six cropping/weed control systems were evaluated from 1978 to 1980 for the control of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). Supplementing cultivation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Acala SJ-2′) with either preplant applications of fluridone {1 - methyl - 3 - phenyl - 5 - [3 - (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] -4(1H-pyridinone} or two hoeings for 2 yr preceding cotton treated with DSMA (disodium methanearsonate) and MSMA (monosodium methanearsonate) reduced populations of viable yellow nutsedge tubers 98 to 99% within 3 yr. Dry- or wet - fallowing plus tillage after barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Kombyne’), and double cropping potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. ‘White Rose’) treated with EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) with soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Williams’] treated with alachlor [2-chloro - 2′, 6’ - diethyl - N - (methoxymethyl)acetanilide] for 2 yr preceding cotton, reduced populations of tubers 98 to 99% within 3 yr. A similar reduction of tubers (97%) was obtained by double cropping potatoes with milo [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. ‘NK- 265′] for 2 yr preceding cotton.

A sequential extraction procedure was developed to study the fate of pendimethalin [N- (1 -ethylpropyl) -3,4- dimethyl - 2,6 - dinitrobenzenamine], trifluralin (α,α,α -trifluoro - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - dipropyl - p - toluidine), and oryzalin (3,5 -dinitro-N4,N4 -dipropylsulfanilamide) in soil over a 6 - month laboratory incubation period. The distinction of non - bound residues was based on an acidic - methanol extraction followed by an extraction with an acetone :H2O : HCl (95:4:1, v/v/v) solution and then extraction with 0.5 N NaOH with further fractionation of the NaOH extract by partial precipitation. After 6 months, soil - bound 14C-residues of pendimethalin, trifluralin, and oryzalin contained 15, 14, and 23%, respectively, of the radioactivity applied to non - sterilized soil. The proportion of bound radioactivity associated with each organic fraction was nearly identical for each herbicide; 46, 12, 12, and 30% was associated with the acetone:H2O:HCl-soluble, fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin organic fractions, respectively. Soil sterilization reduced herbicide degradation by 31% and radioactivity in the fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin organic fractions by approximately 50% during the 6-month period. Radioactivity in the acetone:H2O:HC1-soluble fraction was reduced less than 10% by soil sterilization.

Common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) root tissue was used to investigate the mechanism of action of glyphosate [N - (phosphonomethyl)glycine]. Arrival of glyphosate in the root-tip was followed closely by a rise in ATP levels to 136% of control levels by 2 h after treatment. Incorporation, but not uptake, of 14C-leucine was significantly decreased within 2 h after treatment. Incorporation declined steadily over a 32 -h time course. Uptake of 33P by the roots was temporarily stimulated by glyphosate, and as a percent of the total 33P taken up, there was decreased incorporation into RNA and DNA fractions by 8 h. Our results indicate that glyphosate may cause the rapid rise in ATP level primarily by inhibiting protein synthesis.

Five field experiments were conducted with snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) row spacings of 15, 25, 36, 46, and 91 cm, all of which were seeded at a constant density of 43 plants/m2. When weeds were allowed to emerge with the crop, row spacings of 15 to 36 cm suppressed weed growth by 18% compared to the conventional 91-cm row spacing. When weeds were controlled for the first half of the season, row spacings of 15 to 36 cm suppressed weed growth by 82% compared to the 91-cm row spacing. The effect of the 46-cm row spacing on weed growth was variable. Weed suppression by narrow rows was explained by a higher rate of snap bean canopy closure in narrow rows. Snap beans in row spacings of 15 to 46 cm produced similar yields and were higher by an average of 23% than yields produced by snap beans in 91 - cm rows.

In 1979 and 1980, isolates of Alternaria were obtained from diseased leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) plants. The pathogenicity of an Alternaria sp. towards leafy spurge was demonstrated in glasshouse and limited field studies, and the Alternaria is considered to be a potential biological - control agent for leafy spurge. The pathogenicity and cultural characteristics of the fungus suggest its classification as A. tenuissima f. sp. euphorbiae, with isolate Krupinsky 80-3547ss4 (= E. G. Simmons 35-079) as a representative strain.

‘Wilmington’ and ‘Pensacola’ cultivars of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) were found to exhibit a differential level of tolerance to certain triazine herbicides. Pensacola was more susceptible to postemergence treatments of atrazine [2 - chloro - 4 - (ethylamino) - 6 - (isopropylamino) -s - triazine], simazine [2 - chloro - 4,6 - bis (ethylamino) - s-triazine], and cyanazine {2 - [ [4 - chloro - 6 - (ethylamino) -s - triazin - 2 - yl] amino] - 2 - methylpropionitrile} than Wilmington. Injury to Pensacola was noted as early as 2 weeks after the application of 2.4 kg/ha atrazine and cyanazine, whereas similar injury to Wilmington was not observed until later than 4 weeks after the treatment date. Results of 14C-atrazine treatments indicated that Wilmington bahiagrass accumulated approximately twice as much 14C-atrazine: peptide conjugate as the Pensacola cultivar.

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were planted in an untilled, stale seedbed and conventionally tilled seedbed of Sharkey clay (Vertic Haplaquept) at Stoneville, Mississippi, in 1979 and 1980 to determine the feasibility of the stale -seedbed approach for soybean production in the Mississippi River Delta. Chemical weed control included applications of preplant, preemergence, and postemergence herbicides. Prickly sida (Sida spinosa L.) was the dominant weed in all tillage and weed-control systems. Perennial species were observed at harvest mostly in the stale - seedbed plots. Preemergence herbicides reduced the total weight of weeds per plot. Conventional seedbed preparation caused delays in planting of 3 weeks or more. In the presence of adequate soil moisture, yields of ‘Bedford,’ ‘Tracy’, and ‘Bragg’ cultivars from the stale - seedbed planting and areas that had been treated preemergence were always equal to or greater than yields from the tilled - seedbed plantings and areas that had been treated postemergence. In 1980, the hot, dry conditions of the growing season apparently negated any effect from either earlier planting or preemergence vs. post-emergence weed control.

Three field experiments, each for a 2-yr duration, were initiated to evaluate the efficacy of TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and dalapon (2,2 - dichloropropionic acid), alone or in combination, for the selective control of alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) and red clover (T. pratense L.) during the establishment of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). TCA at 6.7 kg/ha gave 95% control of alsike control. TCA at 13.5 kg/ha gave 92% control of red clover and the combination treatment of 6.7 kg/ha of TCA plus 9.0 kg/ha of dalapon gave 95% control of red clover. Birdsfoot trefoil tolerated TCA and dalapon alone or in combination.

EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) did not reduce emergence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Vernal’) seedlings at 3 to 81 kg/ha in the greenhouse nor at 3 to 243 kg/ha in the field. No rate injured roots, but temporary foliar symptoms were present at all rates. Soaking seeds for 40 days in technical grade EPTC or for 8 days in water saturated with EPTC before seeding in untreated soil did not reduce emergence or injure the seedlings. Seedlings from seeds germinated in paper towels moistened with water saturated with EPTC grew normally when transferred to untreated soil. Alfalfa was injured if seedlings were exposed to EPTC after emergence, but it tolerated exposure to high concentrations during imbibition and germination of the seeds and elongation of the seedlings before they emerged from the soil. EPTC delayed seedling emergence by about 1 day. This effect was separate from that causing typical foliar symptoms.