The effect of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L. # HELTU) density and duration of interference in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hodgson 78’] was investigated in two studies. Jerusalem artichoke densities of 1, 2, and 4 tubers/m of row reduced soybean seed yield by 31, 59, and 71%, respectively. Soybean height, branches/plant, pods/plant, and seed weight were usually reduced by all three weed densities. Soybean leaf area and relative growth rates were reduced by densities of 2 and 4 tubers/m of crop row, and net assimilation rate (NAR) was reduced by 4 tubers/m of crop row. Jerusalem artichoke interference at 4 tubers/m of row for 4, 6, 8, and 20 weeks (full season) reduced soybean yields 9, 10, 38, and 82%, respectively. Branches/plant, pods/plant, and seeds/plant were reduced after 8 weeks of interference. These results suggest that Jerusalem artichoke is highly competitive with soybean and should be controlled within 6 weeks after planting.

Pyrazon (5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone) was absorbed by the roots of both common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.) and translocated in an acropetal direction to all parts of the plant. Common lambsquarters plants accumulated greater amounts of 3H-pyrazon per gram of tissue than did sugar beet plants and this was especially true of leaf tissues. Translocation into the leaves of both species occurred equally into mature and developing leaves. Neither basipetal nor acropetal translocation of pyrazon occurred following leaf applications of 3H-pyrazon. Pyrazon accumulated in the leaves of common lambsquarters, but it was metabolized when absorbed into sugar beets. Roots, petioles, and leaf blades of beets rapidly metabolized pyrazon while only roots metabolized pyrazon in common lambsquarters. Selectivity of pyrazon appeared to be associated with the rate of metabolic breakdown occurring in the leaf. Accumulations occurred in the susceptible common lambsquarters plant while metabolism kept pace with uptake in the leaves of the tolerant sugar beet plant.

Twenty herbicides were tested for activity in a paper disc agar bioassay. The growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick was inhibited by dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol), diquat [6,7-dihydropyrido(1,2-a:2′,1′-c)pyrazinediium ion], paraquat (1,1′-dimetnyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion), 3′,4′-dichloro-2-methylvaleranilide, propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide), and linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea]. The growth of Bacillus subtilis Cohn was inhibited by dinoseb, diquat, paraquat, and 3′,4′-dichloro-2-methylvaleranilide. This assay using C. pyrenoidosa or B. subtilis offers a convenient means for the testing of herbicides.

Smellmelon is becoming a problem weed in southern Texas and Louisiana cotton-producing areas. Experiments evaluating the density and duration of smellmelon competition are necessary for the recommendation of appropriate control practices to minimize yield loss. In 1999 and 2000, field experiments were initiated to determine the density, critical period of competition, and potential control measures for smellmelon in cotton. Although the degree of competition differed between the years, similar trends were observed with respect to smellmelon density. As few as 2 or 3 smellmelon plants 10 m−1 row reduced yield at least 17% each year. When densities were increased to 5 or 10 plants 10 m−1 row, yield reductions increased to at least 34%. Results from the duration of smellmelon competition in 1999 and 2000 indicated that cotton should remain smellmelon free for 1 to 7 wk after planting (WAP) and 2.5 to 6 WAP, respectively. Results from the control studies indicate that smellmelon size at application influences control. Early-season control strategies are necessary to reduce yield losses associated with smellmelon competition.

The effectiveness of several preemergence and postemergence weed control systems for control of common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was determined in field research over a 3-yr period. Sequential applications of metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazine-5(4H)one] at 1.1 kg/ha applied preemergence, and dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) at 1.7 kg/ha, 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid] at 0.2 kg/ha, or bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide] at 1.1 kg/ha applied postemergence, provided at least 90% control of common cocklebur and increased soybean yields. Use of single herbicide applications was less effective than sequential applications, but metribuzin applied preemergence was more effective in controlling common cocklebur and increasing soybean yields than single applications of any herbicide applied postemergence. Effective control of common cocklebur with sequential herbicide treatments increased soybean seed grades by reducing discounts caused by several grade lowering components including moisture content and foreign material in harvested seed. Use of all herbicide practices increased returns above specified costs, but greatest returns followed use of sequential treatments.

Postemergence herbicide treatments that were most effective for controlling horsenettle (Solarium carolinense L.) were glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid), silvex [2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid], and picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid). All exhibited good to excellent long term control of the horsenettle plant when applied annually for at least 2 yr. Picloram and glyphosate both provided better control of horsenettle when applied at a postbloom or fruiting stage of growth. Dicamba and picloram also were very effective in controlling horsenettle when used as a subsurface layer (SSL) treatment. However, all of these treatments caused visual injury to peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). Applications of 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichorophenoxy)butyric acid] were effective in causing an 80 to 90% fruiting inhibition of horsenettle plants when applied at a prebloom stage of growth, with no damage to the peanuts. Applications of several dinitroaniline herbicides as SSL treatments exhibited some control of horsenettle with little crop injury. Postemergence treatments which effectively controlled seedling horsenettle plants grown in the greenhouse were glyphosate and dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol).

Dissipation of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) in sprinkler-irrigated fields was faster in a silty clay loam soil of eastern Nebraska than in loam soils of central or western Nebraska. Atrazine dissipated faster under fallow than under corn (Zea mays L.) culture in western Nebraska, but there was no difference in atrazine loss whether in corn or fallow in central or eastern Nebraska. In central and western Nebraska, atrazine persisted in the soil for longer than 1 year. In eastern Nebraska under sprinkler irrigation, most of the atrazine had dissipated before the following growing season. Sprinkler irrigation markedly reduced atrazine longevity in soils studied.

A method is described that provides an accurate and useful assessment of herbicide performance in small plot experiments. This method is an extension of previous rating systems and provides an assessment of the control of individual species through an estimation of the percentage that each contributes to the total broadleaf or grass weed cover on the whole plot area. It permits data collection on individual weed species but is less time-consuming than counting individual plants and it takes into account the size and vigor of individual weed plants as well as their relative abundance. Further, the system allows tabulation of data from across the entire plot rather than from small areas within the plot. The data can be readily entered into various computerized retrieval systems.

One hundred and thirty-three fungal isolates, pathogenic to green foxtail, were evaluated for weed control potential under controlled conditions. To determine weed control efficacy, these pathogens were applied as spore or mycelial suspensions at approximately 105 propagules ml−1 to green foxtail at the three-leaf stage. One week after inoculation, most isolates caused only minor injury to the plants, but 15 isolates caused 50 to 100% disease. Among the most efficacious isolates, only those of Pyricularia setariae exhibited strong host specificity to the target weed, revealing no significant pathogenicity on 28 other plant species tested, including many important crops such as wheat, barley, and oat. On green foxtail leaves, conidia of this fungus germinated readily at 14, 20, and 26 C, but the process of germination and appressorial formation was more rapid at the higher temperatures. The fungus applied at the concentration of 105 spores ml−1 reduced weed fresh weight by 34% 7 d after the treatment when compared with controls, whereas a concentration of 107 spores ml−1 reduced fresh weight by 87%. This efficacy was comparable with that of the herbicide sethoxydim. When applied to the weed at the one- to four-leaf stages, the fungus reduced green foxtail fresh weight by more than 80%. Efficacy was slightly lower on plants at the five-leaf stage or older. On the green foxtail biotype resistant to the herbicide sethoxydim, P. setariae caused 80% fresh weight reduction compared with untreated controls, as opposed to 17% achieved with the herbicide. At 20 C, the fungus required a minimum of 6-h dew period to initiate infection, but a 10-h dew period was needed to cause severe damage to green foxtail.

Quadratic response surface analysis was applied to data of seed germination in relation to temperature. Analysis of these data is the comparing of several levels of quantitative factors. In such situations, multiple-comparison procedures, such as Duncan's multiple range test, are inappropriate. The data were the germination percentages of four species at 55 constant or alternating day and night temperature regimes. A quadratic response surface was developed for each species using multiple-regression techniques. Estimated germination values and their confidence limits were derived from the quadratic response surface of each species for each cold-period temperature through a series of warm-period temperatures. Many parameters were synthesized from the response surfaces to evaluate germination of the four species in relation to temperature. These comparisons form a statistically valid basis from which to select the most adapted plant species and predict the best time for planting or applying weed-control treatments.

Research was conducted to determine effects of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] on the chlorophyll and carotenoid and on the catalase specific activity in purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). The isopropylamine salt of glyphosate caused chlorosis to appear on the center leaves of plants maintained under lighted conditions after treatment. Glyphosate-induced chlorosis was delayed by darkness but occurred when treated plants were placed in the light. Glyphosate caused significant reducations in the chlorophyll and carotenoids content of purple nutsedge leaves. Based on levels in untreated plants, carotenoid content was reduced more rapidly than chlorophyll in glyphosate-treated plants. The catalase specific activity was reduced by glyphosate to about 70% of the level in untreated plants. Interrelationships among the effects of glyphosate on the carotenoid and chlorophyll content and catalase activity were not determined but possible interactions are discussed.

Norflurazon applied for weed control in cotton, as well as some other herbicides, sometimes persists in soil from one growing season to the next at levels phytotoxic to the following crop. Dissipation modes of norflurazon were characterized by using 14C-labeled herbicides for adsorption, mobility, photolysis, and volatility studies to aid in the prediction of conditions influencing herbicide carryover problems. A direct soil-counting technique modified for use in these studies yielded a norflurazon recovery as high as 83% of the applied radioactivity. Relative mobility of the herbicides on soil thin-layer chromatography plates was fluometuron ≥ atrazine > norflurazon. Norflurazon adsorption increased and mobility decreased as soil organic matter and clay content increased. Considerable upward movement of norflurazon and atrazine occurred in subirrigated columns containing herbicide-treated Hebert silt loam. Upward movement in excess of 5 cm occurred in 10 days and 8 weeks for atrazine and norflurazon, respectively. Photolysis and volatilization studies with norflurazon and atrazine revealed low volatilization but significant photolytic losses for norflurazon when herbicide-treated soil-coated slides were exposed to ultraviolet or sunlight. After 98 h atrazine volatilization was greater and photolysis in sunlight less than that observed for norflurazon. Laboratory studies showing upward movement of norflurazon and atrazine, in conjunction with dissipation losses occurring at the soil surface, suggested that losses of norflurazon and atrazine are facilitated by movement in capillary water referred to as the “wick” effect.

Asulam (methyl sulfanilylcarbamate) at 3.3 or 4.5 kg/ha gave 54% and 61% control, respectively, when applied only to the initial infestation of rhizomatous johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] in sugarcane (Saccharum interspecific hybrids). When applied both to the initial infestation and to the regrowth, 81% and 88% control, respectively, were obtained. Both the single and dual asulam treatments produced yields of sugar that were about double the yield of an untreated check and about 90% of the yield of a hand-weeded check. Sugarcane cultivars ‘CP 52-68′, ‘CP 65-357′, ‘CP 61-37′, and ‘L 62-96’ were highly tolerant to single applications of asulam at 4.5 and 6.7 kg/ha and to dual applications of asulam at 3.4 kg/ha. Some cultivars were moderately injured by dual applications of asulam at 4.5 kg/ha.

To study rainfall effects, simulated rainfall was applied to velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC.) L. C. Wheeler var. pinnatifida (Stokes) L. C. Wheeler], soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hodgson’], and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) in greenhouse and field studies following foliar applications of the alkanolamine (AKA) salt or the butoxyethanol (BE) ester of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at rates that induced equivalent levels of phytotoxicity. Simulated rainfall less than 1 min after herbicide treatment reduced the phytotoxicity of the AKA salt of 2,4-D to a much greater extent than that of the BE ester with effects ranging from elimination of all injury from the AKA salt to soybeans to no reduction in phytotoxicity of the BE ester to common lambsquarters. The quantity of simulated rainfall required to induce maximum reductions in phytotoxicity of the BE ester ranged from 1 mm on common lambsquarters to 15 mm on velvetleaf. The time interval from 2,4-D treatment until rainfall required to achieve a phytotoxic response level of 80% of that attained without rainfall varied greatly among plant species and herbicide formulations; ranging from less than 1 min for the BE ester on common lambsquarters to more than 24 h for the AKA salt on velvetleaf. The addition of an alkylarylpolyoxyethylene glycol surfactant to 2,4-D spray solutions reduced herbicide rates required to induce equivalent levels of phytotoxicity, increased losses in phytotoxicity of the BE ester caused by rainfall, and reduced the time interval from treatment to rainfall required to attain an equivalent level of phytotoxicity with the AKA salt.

Fall applications of pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] control or suppress quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.] in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Studies were initiated to evaluate benefits of pronamide usage in areas where quackgrass is a problem. Alfalfa swards severely infested with quackgrass were treated with pronamide. Forage quality of first cutting alfalfa was significantly improved with pronamide usage, but second and third cutting forage quality was not greatly affected. First cutting hay from pronamide-treated and untreated areas was fed to goats and dairy cows in feeding trials. Animal intake of total forage dry matter, digestible dry matter, and digestible crude protein was increased with pronamide usage. A reduction in need for supplemental protein, an increase in efficiency in dry matter conversion into milk, and a 20% increase in milk production resulted from controlling quackgrass in alfalfa with pronamide.

In the greenhouse, 20% granular isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC) at 6 lb/A provided 100% dodder control for 3 to 6 weeks. In the field, 95 to 100% control persisted beyond the expected soil life of CIPC because shade from the crop plants inhibited dodder development and dry soil reduced dodder germination. Effective control required uniform distribution on the soil before the dodder was wrapped on the host plant. CIPC was most effective when applied on the soil surface; incorporation ½, 1½, or 3 in deep reduced its effectiveness. It controlled dodder well if applied to moist soil but was less effective when the soil surface was dry. Partial shade from the crop at the time of application increased the effectiveness of CIPC. Under certain undefined conditions, CIPC applied to the soil injured attached dodder. However, it was consistently effective only on dodder seedlings before attachment.

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.

Betacyanin efflux from “aged” red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) root tissue, measured spectrophotometrically, was increased as temperature and EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) concentration increased. Acetate-2-14C (∗Ac) incorporation into the total fatty acid content was inhibited by EPTC. EPTC inhibited the incorporation of ∗Ac into the dienoic fatty acids and NA (1,8-naphthalic anhydride) reversed the EPTC induced inhibition of the incorporation of ∗Ac into dienoic fatty acids.

In previous research conducted on nonweed species, the efficacy of glyphosate was shown to be greater in unsterile soils compared to sterile soils and soil microorganisms were found to play an important role in glyphosate efficacy. Conducting greenhouse studies in microbe-free soil may therefore produce unreliable data, leading to erroneous conclusions. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soil microorganisms on the response of glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible biotypes of three problematic weeds of the midwestern United States: giant ragweed, horseweed, and common lambsquarters. A greenhouse dose–response study was conducted on each of the three weed species grown in sterile and unsterile field soil, and the dry weight response of roots and shoots was measured. The three weed species responded differently to glyphosate when grown in the sterile and unsterile soil; that is, in the presence and absence of soil microbes. Soil microbes influenced the response of the susceptible and resistant giant ragweed biotypes and the susceptible common lambsquarters, but not the tolerant common lambsquarters or either horseweed biotype. The different responses of the three species to glyphosate in the presence and absence of soil microbes demonstrates that rhizosphere interactions are fundamental to the mode of action of glyphosate. These findings suggest that the range of tolerance to glyphosate observed in weeds and the evolution of resistance in weed biotypes may also be influenced by rhizosphere interactions. The soil media used in dose–response screenings to identify susceptible and resistant weed biotypes is very important. Unsterile field soil should be incorporated into growth media when conducting dose–response screenings to avoid false-positive results. In addition, researchers performing glyphosate dose–response assays should be aware of these findings.

Shortawn foxtail is a competitive annual grass weed widely spread in east, south-central, and southwest China and parts of the Yellow River basin. One shortawn foxtail population (JSQT-1) resistant to fenoxaprop was identified in Jiangyan, Jiangsu province. Whole-plant experiments determined that the resistant population conferred high-level resistance to fenoxaprop (93-fold), clodinafop (21-fold), sethoxydim (107-fold), mesosulfuron (41-fold), and pyroxsulam (12-fold); moderate-level resistance to haloxyfop (8-fold), clethodim (9-fold), and pinoxaden (8-fold), and no resistance to isoproturon. Molecular analyses confirmed that the Ile-1781-Leu mutation was present in the resistant population. A dCAPS marker was used to detect the Ile-1781-Leu mutation. All 97 plants of the resistant population analyzed were homozygous mutants at the 1781 position. Our study established the first case of fenoxaprop resistance in shortawn foxtail, determined cross resistance to other herbicides, and elucidated that the molecular basis of resistance resulted from, at least partly, an Ile to Leu mutation at amino acid position 1781 in the plastid ACCase.