The translocation of 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba-7-14C) in purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) at different stages of development and under various light regimes was studied using autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting techniques. The fate of the herbicide was investigated by means of thin-layer chromatography. Dicamba was slowly but appreciably translocated in purple nutsedge following application to the leaves or roots. Foliarly applied dicamba movement proceeded both acropetally and basipetally, and the herbicide became widely distributed throughout the aerial parts of the plant and accumulated in the regions of meristematic activity. Dicamba was barely detectable in the underground organs, although it was excreted into the culture medium and passed through the rhizomes and tubers into daughter plants. Root-applied dicamba distribution was general throughout the plant except within the tubers and the tips of the leaves. Dicamba was barely detectable within the tubers, although it was present in quantity at or near the surface. Dicamba accumulation was evident at the tips of the leaves. Translocation was enhanced under low light conditions. Distribution of dicamba was profoundly affected by the stage of development of the plant. Greater translocation and broader distribution of the herbicide occurred in the vegetative stage of development. After flowering, movement out of the treated leaf decreased. Studies indicated that the herbicide was not degraded by the plant during the 10 days following treatment.

Thermal time models for predicting phenological development require an estimate of base temperature, an attribute not previously defined for common crupina, a Mediterranean winter annual introduced in western North America. The stage of seed germination was selected for estimating base temperature, because facilities were available for experiments over a range of constant temperatures and base temperature is relatively constant throughout the life cycle in other species. Achenes from three populations of common crupina, including two varieties, typica and brachypappa, were produced under uniform conditions. Cumulative germination was recorded at 12 h intervals for achenes in darkness and optimum moisture at 23 constant temperatures from 4 to 17 C. The time course of germination was best described by a logistic growth curve from which time to 50% germination was estimated. A parabolic model provided the best fit in a regression of germination rate (reciprocal of time to 50%) against the temperature gradient, yielding base and optimum temperatures of 1 and 10.5 C, respectively. Bootstrap confidence intervals indicated no significant difference in base and optimum temperatures in germination between the two varieties nor between two populations of var. typica of common crupina introduced in the northwestern United States.

Ethofumesate, [(+)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate] applied preemergence provided selective control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) overseeded on dormant bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy ‘Tifdwarf’] golf greens. Control in excess of 95% was obtained with single applications at the 2.2 kg/ha rate in 2 of 3 yr, but multiple applications were required when ethofumesate was applied at 1.1 kg/ha or less. Ethofumesate caused temporary cessation of bermudagrass growth when applied in the fall. February applications slowed the spring transition to bermudagrass.

Interactions of water-soluble soil organic matter (WSSOM) with the herbicides bromacil, metribuzin, alachlor, diquat, and paraquat were examined to determine if these interactions can improve predictions of herbicide leaching potential. A high-performance liquid chromatography gel filtration column was used to separate WSSOM extracts from four mineral agricultural soils into fractions with approximate log molecular weights of 4.96 to 6.82. WSSOM fractions were predominantly anionic in nature with some hydrophobic character. The amount of paraquat bound by WSSOM ranged from 1.1 to 2.1 mmol g−1DOC−1 with KDOC (partition coefficient for dissolved organic carbon) values from 0.050 to 0.187 L kg−1. Diquat was bound at 0.9 to 1.5 mmol g−1DOC−1 by the extracts with KDOC values from 0.044 to 0.143 L kg−1. Bromacil, metribuzin, and alachlor did not bind to the extracts tested. WSSOM did not increase paraquat solubility in the presence of soil. Binding of these herbicides to WSSOM in the soils used in this study would not be a significant mechanism for increased mobility and groundwater contamination potential.

Perception of light by phytochrome is a mechanism that triggers weed seed germination in response to soil disturbance. Photoconversion of phytochrome from the red light absorbing form to the active far-red absorbing form depends on hydration of phytochrome. This research was conducted to determine the soil water threshold for the photoinduction of germination by the brief exposure of light that occurs during soil disturbance, and to determine how this threshold is affected by the fluence of the light stimulus and fluence sensitivity of the seed population. Redroot pigweed seedling emergence and germination response to red light (R) was studied for a range of water potentials. Water potential gradients were established by incubating seeds in soils wetted to various water contents, or in polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) solutions. After imposing the light treatments, seeds were returned to a fully hydrated state. Seedling emergence in response to R increased as the volumetric water content (θv) of soils increased. At volumetric water contents of 4.0%, R-induced seedling emergence was inhibited 50% compared to photoinduced seedling emergence at the highest soil water contents tested. Attenuation of photoinduction was more pronounced at low vs. high R fluences in freshly imbibed seeds, but was unaffected in seeds that exhibited enhanced fluence sensitivity. In ecosystems where seasonal soil moisture extremes are prevalent, the photoinduction of seed germination may be limited in dry microsites such as surface crusts or under extreme drought conditions.

Biological fitness and negative cross-resistance to other herbicides may be an important factor in managing triazine-resistant common lambsquarters. Greenhouse experiments examined the sensitivity of a resistant and a susceptible biotype to foliarly-applied bentazon, bromoxynil, dicamba, pyridate, and thifensulfuron. The noncompetitive vigor of triazine-resistant and susceptible common lambsquarters also was compared by growing plants in individual containers and harvesting them periodically throughout their vegetative period and at reproductive maturity. In the herbicide susceptibility study, 11 kg ai ha−1 atrazine had no effect on the growth of the resistant biotype, while it reduced susceptible common lambsquarters’ biomass by up to 68%. Estimated I50 values indicated the resistant biotype exhibited between 36 and 79% greater susceptibility to bentazon, bromoxynil, dicamba, and pyridate than did the susceptible one, while both responded similarly to thifensulfuron. In growth studies, the susceptible biotype achieved greater height, leaf area, and plant dry weight than the resistant population for the majority of harvest dates; however, values equalized between biotypes as the plants reached maturity. These experiments suggest that alternative management programs that exploit reduced fitness and increased herbicide susceptibility in triazine-resistant common lambsquarters could be developed. However, further studies are needed to determine whether these results have application for the management of triazine-resistant weeds in the field.

The concept of interaction arises in the context of continuous functions. Verbally, it is the action of one independent variable on the action of another, and vice versa, on a dependent variable. Quantitatively, it is the second partial derivative of a function with respect to two independent variables. Misconceptions have arisen from attempts to understand action and interaction in discrete terms. The algebraic expressions for the actions of diuron and phorate on the fresh weight of oats and their interaction were determined from the regression polynomial and plotted in three-dimensional graphs. Three other mutually incompatible methods of assessing interaction, namely, the Colby (with its modification, regression estimate), the two-parameter, and the topographical methods were evaluated.

The influence of several environmental and edaphic factors on alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] selectivity in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was examined. Crop safety was consistently improved when alachlor was applied preplant incorporated as compared to surface preemergence treatment. Under field conditions, maximum injury occurred either when temperatures during germination were cool and rainfall was minimal, or when temperatures approached or exceeded 27 C and the soil was saturated. In the growth chamber, more damage occurred under low temperature regimes, although volatilization of alachlor from moist soil also produced injury under higher temperatures. Injury was less severe in soils high in organic matter content. Alachlor injury decreased after 5 cm of simulated rainfall were applied on a loamy sand.

The effect of environmental conditions on horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum L. # TRTPO) emergence, growth, and reproduction was studied by sowing seeds on June 10, June 30, July 20, August 10, and August 30, 1984. The first three seeding dates resulted in significantly higher seedling emergence than the August 30 date. Leaf number, leaf area, dry matter, and number of branches per plant at the peak growth stages of this weed were significantly higher for the July 20 sowing than for the other sowing dates, followed closely by the June 30 sowing. Similarly, number of nodes per plant, seeds per plant, and seed weight per plant were also significantly higher for the July 20 sowing, followed closely by the June 30 sowing. Phenological behavior of the plants indicate that: a) maximum seedling emergence takes place during June and July, b) rapid and vigorous growth occurs during July and August (rainy season) when conditions for growth are optimum, and c) production of flowers and seeds starts 20 to 30 days after sowing.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Stoneville 213’) was grown on Lucedale fine sandy loam with sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. ♯ CASOB) and a complex of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE) and smooth pigweed (A. hybridus L. ♯ AMACH) in all possible combinations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeds of each species per 7.5 m of row. Seed cotton yields decreased as a quadratic function of increasing weed density. One pigweed and one sicklepod plant per 7.5 m of row reduced yields by 9 and 9.7% in 1979 and 1980, respectively. At low levels of infestation (≤4 weeds/7.5 m of row), the competitive effect of pigweed and sicklepod was additive; however, at the high densities, the competitive effect was not additive. Mechanical harvesting efficiency and cotton maturity were not decreased by any weed density. Sicklepod was more competitive than pigweed in both years.

Horseweed is a surface-germinating ruderal facultative winter annual. The ruderal nature is a key adaptive characteristic that implicates emergence timing as an important recruitment factor. Experiments were established at three sites in southern Ontario, Canada, from 2009 to 2012 to determine the possible effect of emergence timing of horseweed on plant number, fecundity, and flowering timing. Emerged seedlings were tagged in 0.25-m2 plots in five 2-wk cohorts in the fall and spring of each experimental season. Each plot was followed though until the plants contained within each plot completed their life cycle. Generally, spring-emerging plants were found to flower earlier than fall-emerging plants, but with fall emergence there were higher plant densities in August each season compared with spring emergence. Overall, there was no difference in fecundity between spring- or fall-emerging cohorts, but when cohorts were parsed beyond just spring or fall emergence, we found that plants emerging in early fall and early spring were more fecund and flowered earlier than plants emerging in late fall and late spring. Disturbance (tilled versus not-tilled) significantly affected emergence levels but not emergence timing. The differences in performance among emergence cohorts are likely due to spatial or temporal density-dependent growth advantages. These results show that spring-emerging cohorts of horseweed, especially early spring–emerging cohorts, should not be discounted when considering the weediness of this species, and this may hold true for other facultative winter annual weeds as well.

Soluble phosphate availability is a major limiting factor for plant growth, development, and yield. To assure a constant phosphorous supply, plants employ both high- and low-affinity phosphate acquisition mechanisms. Glyphosate is an herbicide widely used throughout the world, and previous studies have suggested that it can be transported across the plasma membrane via phosphate transporters in herbaceous species. The effects of phosphate status on glyphosate uptake were investigated in the tree grand eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex. Maid.). Eucalyptus grandis’s putative phosphate transporters showed differential gene expression in leaves and roots in response to phosphate limitation. Overall, the expression of high-affinity phosphate transporters increased in phosphate-limiting treatments, particularly in roots. More [14C]glyphosate was absorbed and translocated in phosphate-limiting plants compared with control plants grown in phosphate-replete treatments. In leaf mesophyll protoplast assays, rapid uptake of [14C]glyphosate into protoplasts was observed, and addition of phosphate to the assays competed with [14C]glyphosate uptake. These data indicate that phosphate transporters represent one mechanism of glyphosate uptake in E. grandis. These results have implications for best management practices for weed control and glyphosate application under phosphate application regimes.

Knowledge of the germination requirements of wild radish will help in determining the favorable conditions for germination and emergence and allow better management of this weed. Experiments were conducted during 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007 to evaluate wild radish temperature and light requirements over a 12-mo period beginning in July on seeds placed on the soil surface and at a 10-cm depth. Germination response was influenced by temperature, light, duration of burial, and burial depth. Freshly harvested seeds (July) had no more than 18% germination whereas seeds allowed to after-ripen in the field for 3 to 6 mo (October to January) had up to 40% germination. The germination of wild radish retrieved from the soil surface was 1.2 to 1.5 times greater at alternating temperatures (2.5/17.5, 7.5/22.5, and 12.5/27.5 C) than at constant temperatures (10, 15, and 20 C) at 0, 3, and 6 mo after maturation. The light requirement for germination varied by time of year with no differences in germination between light and dark conditions for freshly harvested seeds. Far-red light inhibited germination of wild radish, indicating that wild radish may become sensitive to light following an after-ripening period.

The application of 2,4–dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4–D) in herbicidal concentrations to plants has resulted in a number of correlations with post-treatment physiological and biochemical changes. Whether these changes are of a secondary nature or actually involved in the basic mechanism of herbicidal action cannot always be determined at the present time. One such case is the influence of 2,4–D on the uptake of minerals from the soil. Wolf et al. demonstrated that the content of potassium was considerably lower and calcium was higher in leaves of 2,4–D treated plants than in controls, but when the analyses from the leaves were combined with those of the stems, these differences largely disappeared. They also noted that chlorine and sulfur were higher in treated plants than in controls, while phosphorus was lower in treated plants than in controls. Fang and Butts showed that the amount of phosphorus in the leaves from 2,4–D treated plants was much less than that found in the leaves of control plants, while the amount in either the stem or root from these two groups of plants showed no significant differences. These results have been confirmed by Rebstock et al. who have shown that the total amount of phosphorus in treated plants was lower than that in the control plants, while at the same time the total phosphorus content of the stem tissue from 2,4–D treated plants was higher than that of the non-treated plants. The phosphorus content of the roots was not appreciably changed from that of the non-treated plants. Rhodes et al. noted that treatment with 2–methyl–4–chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) greatly lowered the potassium content of tomato and rape plants and suggested that the possible mechanism of MCPA action might be by interference with potassium metabolism. However, in a later publication Rhodes reported no effect of MCPA on the uptake of potassium, calcium or magnesium. With the possibility existing that 2,4–D exerts its action through interference with potassium or phosphorus metabolism, the present study was undertaken to examine more closely the influence of 2,4–D on mineral uptake from the soil.

The basis for chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] caronyl] benzenesulfonamide} antagonism of diclofop {(±)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid} was investigated in Italian ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (Lam.) # LOLMU] and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘McNair 1813′). Chlorsulfuron did not affect the chemical stability or volatility of diclofop in spray mixtures over the time and concentration ranges evaluated. Addition of chlorsulfuron (0.11 μg/μl) to a diclofop (2.0 μg/μl) foliar-applied spotting solution did not affect the absorption, translocation, or metabolism of diclofop in 17-day-old Italian ryegrass or wheat. Italian ryegrass and wheat responded differentially to diclofop alone. At 72 h after treatment, 69 and 40% of labeled diclofop penetrated into Italian ryegrass and wheat leaves, respectively. Although little movement of labeled diclofop occurred in either species, more translocated from the treated zone of Italian ryegrass. At 72 h after treatment, the percentages of 14C recovered as parent methyl ester, diclofop (free acid), and conjugates in treated leaf extracts were 9, 62, and 25%, respectively, for Italian ryegrass, and 50, 20, and 29%, respectively, for wheat. Differential penetration and metabolism of diclofop are the probable bases for selectivity between wheat and Italian ryegrass. The antagonism of diclofop caused by chlorsulfuron does not appear to be due to an alteration of the molecular fate of diclofop in Italian ryegrass.

We studied the uptake and transport of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) alone and in combination and in the presence of 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt (paraquat) by honey mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. var. glandulosa (Torr.) Cockerell), huisache (Acacia farnesiana L. Willd., yaupon (Ilex vomitoria Ait.), and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Paraquat reduced transport of picloram by mesquite, huisache, and bean. Paraquat increased uptake of picloram by yaupon but did not affect transport. The uptake and transport of 2,4,5-T by mesquite decreased in the presence of picloram, but the uptake and transport of picloram increased in the presence of 2,4,5-T. Increasing ratios of 2,4,5-T:picloram up to 16:1 continued to increased uptake and transport of picloram; the inverse effect occurred for 2,4,5-T when picloram:2,4,5-T ratios were increased.

Mayweed (Anthemis cotula L. # ANTCO) achenes and seed were germinated in the laboratory at constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 C. Maximum percent germination occurred at 20 C for both achenes and seed. Under all conditions tested, achene germination was less than seed germination. Both acid scarification for 15 min and soaking in 14 mM gibberellic acid (GA3) more than doubled achene germination. Pericarp leachate inhibited achene and seed germination only at high concentrations, indicating that inhibitors in the pericarp are not a primary cause of low germination in achenes. Optimum germination of achenes and seed occurred at pH 4.5 and over a range from pH 3 to pH 6. Achene germination was inhibited to a greater degree by moisture stress than was seed germination. It appears that structural integrity of the pericarp is the predominant factor affecting mayweed germination.

The growth habits of the crop and competing weed species are important determinants of crop–weed competition. Three cowpea genotypes with similar vegetative vigor but different growth habit were assessed for their relative competitiveness with two weed species. ‘Iron-Clay’ (IC) grows erect, ‘IT89KD-288’ (288) is semierect, and ‘UCR 779’ (779) is prostrate. Common purslane, a short-statured weed, and common sunflower, a tall species, were planted within the cowpea rows. Cowpea canopy height and width, leaf area, dry weight, and light intensity above and below sunflower and cowpea canopies were measured weekly from 21 d after planting. Sunflower reduced the leaf area, amount of light received, and biomass of all cowpea genotypes. Purslane reduced the leaf area of 779 and the biomass of 288 and 779, but the biomass and leaf area of IC were not affected. The presence of sunflower increased the height of IC and 288, but the presence of purslane decreased the canopy height of 779. IC reduced sunflower biomass, whereas IC and 779 reduced purslane biomass. IC and 288 reduced sunflower leaf area, whereas IC and 779 reduced purslane leaf area. The growth analysis of biomass, leaf area, and canopy height of cowpeas and weeds showed similar results. The experiments indicate that cowpea genotypes differ in their ability to compete with purslane and sunflower. IC was the most competitive genotype, suggesting that an erect growth habit may be more effective in suppressing weeds than semierect or prostrate growth habits.

The photodynamic herbicidal performance of δ-aminolevulinic acid in combination with four chlorophyll biosynthesis modulators was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, using corn, soybean, and ten weed species. Treatments resulted in accumulation of various amounts of protoporphyrin IX and of monovinyl and divinyl Mg-protoporphyrin IX and protochlorophyllide. Accumulation of these tetrapyrroles was accompanied by various degrees of photodynamic injury, depending on treatment, plant species, and somewhat the modulator. The lower photodynamic susceptibility of dark monovinyl/light monovinyl and dark divinyl/light divinyl plants toward the accumulation of monovinyl and divinyl protochlotophyllide, respectively, was attributed to their greater abilities to metabolize these protochlorophyllides in the light. On the other hand, the higher photodynamic susceptibility of the dark monovinyl/light divinyl weed species toward the accumulation of monovinyl protochlorophyllide was attributed to their lower ability to metabolize the accumulated monovinyl protochlorophyllide in the light.

Several experiments were conducted to determine the influence of temperature, relative humidity, leaf age, and additives on 14C-bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide] uptake and translocation by redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC.) L.C. Wheeler var. pinnatifida (Stokes) L.C. Wheeler] and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr. ‘Corsoy’). A water soluble linseed oil formulation enhanced absorption and translocation of the 14C-label by redroot pigweed more than did emulsifiable linseed oil, petroleum oil, or a surfactant. The oil additives reduced the 14C-label washed from the treated area of a leaf and increased absorption and translocation compared to bentazon applied alone. Low relative humidity and older leaves of redroot pigweed resulted in less 14C-bentazon absorption than with high relative humidity or younger leaves. The addition of emulsifiable linseed oil reduced the influence of low relative humidity and leaf age upon 14C-bentazon absorption. Comparative absorption and translocation of 14C-bentazon was wild mustard > redroot pigweed > soybeans. Uptake and translocation of 14C-bentazon by redroot pigweed was greater at 30 C than at 10 C.