A metabolite of swep [methyl N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-carbamate] was detected in the straw, hulls and bran layer of rice but not in the polished rice grain (endosperm) or bran oil, using microcoulometric gas chromatography (MCGC). This metabolite was identified as a swep-lignin complex which is quite stable and not extractable from plant tissues by common organic solvents. Upon extraction with HCl-dioxane, a portion of this complex is hydrolyzed to swep and soluble products of lignin. The swep was purified by adsorption chromatography and identified by infrared spectroscopy and microcoulometric gas chromatography retention times. The mechanism of swep-lignin complex formation is considered to be an example of a common detoxification mechanism by plants through immobilization.

Bioeconomic sugarbeet weed management models for preplant, postemergence, and layby herbicides, and late-season handweeding decisions are presented. The personal computer/spreadsheet models are based on number of weed seed in soil, field survey of weed populations, growth stages of weeds and sugarbeets, expected yield loss from weeds, herbicide weed control, weed control cost, and sugarbeet price. The models incorporate two producer risk levels. Several weed scenarios were used to verify the models for reasonable recommendations.

Interference from broadleaf signalgrass at a density of 180 plants/m2 reduced rough rice yields of ‘Bond’ a maximum of 48% at 95 days after rice emergence and reduced yields of ‘Mars' a maximum of 21% from season-long interference. Interference durations of 40 days or longer reduced the panicles/m2, culms/m2, and plant height of rice. Straw dry weight of Bond and Mars was reduced 41 and 26%, respectively, from season-long interference. Increased durations of weed interference did not affect the number of spikelets/panicle, percent filled spikelets, rough kernel weight, or head rice yield of either cultivar. Broadleaf signalgrass produced less dry weight and fewer panicles/m2 when grown with Mars than with Bond.

Vapor pressures of technical-grade triallate [S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate] were calculated from the vapor density measurements determined at seven different temperatures, using a gas-saturation technique and solid adsorbent traps. The equation Log10P = 11.05 – (4401/T) delineated the relationship between the apparent vapor pressure and temperature, giving the triallate vapor pressure values from 1.083 × 10−4 to 16.371 × 10−4 mm Hg over the temperature range of 20 to 45 C. The vapor flux of triallate from glass surfaces was of the order of 5.7 μg cm−2 h−1 at 25 C.

Seed germination of Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus L.) and slenderflower thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus Curt.) was rapid and high, with no strong requirements for afterripening. Both species germinated at a wide range of alternating temperatures from −2 to 40 C. Their germination-temperature profiles were similar, with Italian thistle germinating over a slightly wider range of temperatures. The achenes of both species have abundant mucilage. This mucilage, by improving water retention, tended to increase germination on the surface of clay soil.

In 1979 and 1980, ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] seed were planted in field plots at monthly intervals beginning with March and continuing through October. During the first 9 weeks, seedlings from the July plantings grew more rapidly than those from the other monthly plantings and produced the heaviest fresh weights. Vegetative growth slowed after the 9-week harvest and seedlings from June plantings had heavier fresh weights at the 12-week harvest. Plants from the July planting produced the greatest number of seed at both the 9- and 12-week harvests. After scarifying, seed produced by plants from April through August (12-week harvest) germinated best with the 27/32 C night/day air temperature regime, but also germinated at 15/21, 21/27, and 27/32 C regimes. Ivyleaf morningglory seed did not germinate at an air temperature regime of 10/15 C. With an air temperature regime of 32/38 C the germination of some lots began to decrease.

The effects of soil temperature, moisture, and herbicide concentration on the rate of degradation of dinitramine (N4,N4-diethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-3,5-dinitrotoluene-2,4-diamine) were measured in clay loam and sandy loam in the laboratory. In sandy loam, the rate of degradation increased with increasing temperature. In clay loam, the rate of degradation increased from 10 to 30 C and decreased at 40 C. Soil moisture content influenced the rate of degradation in the following order: 22>11>>2.2% (air-dry) for clay loam and 12.0 = 6.0>>0.5% (air-dry) for sandy loam. First-order half-lives ranged from 3.2 at 30 C to 47 weeks at 10 C in clay loam, and 2.3 at 40 C to 31 weeks at 10 C in sandy loam. Applications in 2 yr did not cause buildup of dinitramine in the field. A mathematical model was used in an attempt to correlate laboratory and field data.

Experiments were conducted to confirm the bentazon susceptibility of corn inbred GA209 and determine the physiological basis of this susceptibility. Bentazon (1.1 to 4.4 kg ha-1) plus crop oil concentrate (1% by vol) did not cause visible injury or dry weight loss of corn inbred B73 but caused 66 to 89% visual injury and 62 to 70% dry weight reduction of GA209 1 wk after treatment. Bentazon (2.2 kg ha-1) inhibited variable chlorophyll fluorescence decay in GA209 and B73 8 h after treatment. Variable fluorescence decay recovered in B73, but not in GA209, 96 h after treatment. Absorption and translocation of 14C from 14C-bentazon was greater in GA209 than B73 during a 48-h time course. Both inbreds converted bentazon to a polar metabolite which formed 6-hydroxybentazon upon hydrolysis with β-glucosidase. However, 63% of absorbed 14C from 14C-bentazon remained in the parent form in GA209 compared to 25% in B73 over a 72-h time course. A decreased ability of GA209 to metabolize bentazon may explain bentazon sensitivity of this inbred compared to B73.

The ability of honeyvine milkweed [Ampelamus albidus (Nutt.) Britt.] to establish and develop from seed was studied in laboratory and field experiments. Optimum germination temperature was 30 C. Seed incubated at cooler temperatures and then transferred to 30 C germinated equally as well as seed incubated continually at 30 C. Germination was unaffected at moisture stress levels between 0 and −4.6 bars, but was decreased at levels between −4.6 and −12.8 bars. The optimum pH range for germination was between 5 and 7. The greatest emergence of seedlings occurred at a depth of 0.5 cm with no emergence occurring at depths greater than 5 cm. Greater emergence was obtained with a loam than sandy loam at all planting depths except 0.5 cm. Field plots seeded on May 1 gave maximum seed production. Seed production decreased with each 2-week delay in planting. Planting dates of July 10 or later produced no seed. Seed germination was affected little by delayed planting. The following spring, regrowth from plants seeded on June 12 or later was less vigorous than regrowth from plants seeded earlier.

The effects of simulated trampling on shoot morphology and ethylene production of a trampling-tolerant perennial forb asiatic plantain were investigated. Trampling increased the number of leaves or inflorescences per plant, the petiole diameter, and the leaf blade length to width ratio but decreased the leaf blade width to petiole diameter ratio and the inflorescence length. Ramets subjected to trampling produced more ethylene than did nontrampled ramets originating from the same root crown. Moreover, an ethylene releaser ethephon decreased the leaf blade width to petiole diameter ratio and increased the leaf blade length to width ratio, in a manner similar to the changes induced by trampling. These results suggested that trampling-induced ethylene might be closely related to some of the adaptive morphological changes in asiatic plantain in response to trampling.

The absorption and translocation patterns of terbutryn [2-(tert-butylamino)-4-(ethylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine] and propazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] were determined in wheat (Triticum vulgare Vill. ‘Kaw’) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. ‘RS 612’). Bioassay studies showed sorghum to be tolerant and wheat susceptible to terbutryn. Absorption and translocation of uniform 14C-labeled terbutryn from 1 to 24 hr after initial treatment showed the roots of sorghum and the foliage of wheat to be the major sites of radioactivity accumulation. Foliage was the major site for propazine accumulation with both plant species. Thin-layer chromatography of extracts from terbutryn-treated plants showed that sorghum contained a higher percentage of metabolic breakdown products in the foliage than did the root systems, and wheat contained a high percentage of intact terbutryn in the foliage and roots. High temperature (32 C) enhanced translocation of terbutryn and propazine in both sorghum and wheat. The susceptibility of wheat and sorghum to terbutryn appears to be correlated with a combination of the factors of accumulation within the foliage of the plant and the ability to degrade the terbutryn molecule.

Field research was conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the effect of reduced glyphosate rates on growth and yield of nonglyphosate-resistant cotton. Rates of 9, 18, 35, 70, 140, and 280 g ha−1, representing 0.008, 0.016, 0.031 0.063, 0.125, and 0.25, respectively, of the maximum use rate per application (1,120 g ha−1), were applied to cotton at the two-, five-, or nine-node growth stage. On the basis of visual injury estimates, cotton was more tolerant to glyphosate at the nine-node than at earlier growth stages. Plant dry weight was reduced with 70 g ha−1 of glyphosate or higher, when applied at the two- and five-node growth stages in two of three experiments. Dry weight was not affected by glyphosate at the nine-node stage. Plant height also was unaffected by glyphosate rates below 70 g ha−1, but height reduction was noted for all growth stages by experiment combinations, with the exception of the nine-node application for both experiments in 2000, with herbicide rates of 70 g ha−1 or higher. Cotton maturity delay, as noted by an increase in node above white flower number, was observed only at the highest glyphosate rate applied to two- and five-node cotton in one of three experiments. Percent open boll data analysis indicated a decreased opportunity of observing an open boll with increasing glyphosate rate, and this effect was greater at the five-node compared with the two- and nine-node stages in two of three experiments. Seedcotton yield after all glyphosate applications was equivalent to that for the nontreated control.

A 50-yr study at Fairbanks, AK, was started in 1984 to determine soil seed longevity of 17 weed species. Seeds were buried in mesh bags 2- and 15-cm deep and were recovered 0.7, 1.7, 2.7, 3.7, 4.7, 6.7, 9.7, 19.7, and 24.7 yr later. Viability was determined using germination and tetrazolium tests. By 24.7 yr after burial (YAB), no viable seeds were found for common hempnettle, flixweed, foxtail barley, quackgrass, and wild oat. Bluejoint reedgrass, which had no live seed 19.7 YAB, again had viability (1% at 15 cm) 24.7 YAB. Seeds of 11 other species were still viable: American dragonhead (52%), marsh yellowcress (11 and 3.0% at 2 and 15 cm respectively), common lambsquarters (2.8%), prostrate knotweed (2.8% at 15 cm), shepherd's-purse (2.8%), pineapple-weed (2.6%), rough cinquefoil (2.3%), Pennsylvania smartweed (1.1%), common chickweed (0.4%), wild buckwheat (0.3%), and corn spurry (0.1%). Seed dormancy 24.7 YAB was very low (< 10%) for all species except American dragonhead (99%), shepherd's-purse (40%), marsh yellowcress (23% at 2 cm), Pennsylvania smartweed (18%), and rough cinquefoil (14%). At the beginning of the study, declines in seed longevity were uniform between replicates, but variability between replicates increased over time for all species except American dragonhead, suggesting that some soil microsites are more favorable for seed survival and may be seedbank “safe sites.” Results of this study demonstrate that nonrandom seed mortality contributes to the spatial heterogeneity of seed populations in the soil seedbank.

The sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] cultivars ‘Jewel’, ‘Centennial’, ‘Caromex’, and breeding lines ‘W-70’, ‘W-152’, and ‘Tinian’ (PI 153655) were evaluated for metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as–triazin5(4H)-one] tolerance in greenhouse and field studies. Tinian was the most tolerant line. Its yields were not reduced by 2.2 kg/ha metribuzin in the field. Jewel, Centennial and W-152 were intermediate in response to metribuzin, and W-70 and Caromex were most susceptible. Regression analyses indicated a high correlation between the response of sweet potato cultivars to 0.5 ppm metribuzin incorporated in a potting mix in the greenhouse and their response to 1.1 kg/ha metribuzin applied after transplanting in the field.

Chess, Bromus secalinus L., and downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., are two of the more common and troublesome weedy grasses in the midwest and western states. Downy bromegrass is widely dispersed in Michigan in pastures, meadows, cultivated fields, and roadsides. Chess occurs frequently in grain fields, particularly in the southern part of the state. These two species have been variously described as annual, winter annual, and either annual or winter annual plants.

Transgenic volunteer corn is a competitive weed in soybean that decreases soybean yield at densities as low as 0.5 plants m−2, yet the competitive effects of volunteer corn in corn have yet to be quantified in the peer-reviewed literature. In order to quantify competition between volunteer corn and hybrid corn, seed was harvested from transgenic hybrid corn. The seed was then hand-planted at two locations (Lafayette, IN and Wanatah, IN) into 3 by 9 m plots of hybrid corn at five densities: 0 (control), 0.5, 2, 4, and 8 plants m−2. Volunteer corn competition reduced leaf area and biomass of hybrid corn plants. Hybrid corn grain yield at Lafayette, IN, was reduced by 23 and 22% due to competition with volunteer corn growing in densities of 8 plants m−2 in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but when volunteer corn grain yield was combined with the hybrid corn grain yield, there was no reduction in total grain yield. This study demonstrates that the competitive effects on the grain yield of the hybrid corn will be offset by the grain yield of the volunteer plants. However, because the unpredictable locations and densities of volunteer corn plants present challenges to machine harvesting, future studies should examine what proportion of the volunteer crop is actually harvestable.

Multiple resistance to glyphosate, sethoxydim, and paraquat was previously confirmed in two Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] populations, MR1 and MR2, in northern California. Preliminary greenhouse studies revealed that both populations were also resistant to imazamox and mesosulfuron, both of which are acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. In this study, three subpopulations, MR1-A (from seed of MR1 plants that survived a 16X rate of sethoxydim), MR1-P (from seed of MR1 plants that survived a 2X rate of paraquat), and MR2 (from seed of MR2 plants that survived a 16X rate of sethoxydim), were investigated to determine the resistance level to imazamox and mesosulfuron, evaluate other herbicide options for the control of these multiple resistant L. perenne ssp. multiflorum, and characterize the underlying ALS-inhibitor resistance mechanism(s). Based on LD50 values, the MR1-A, MR1-P, and MR2 subpopulations were 38-, 29-, 8-fold and 36-, 64-, and 3-fold less sensitive to imazamox and mesosulfuron, respectively, relative to the susceptible (Sus) population. Only MR1-P and MR2 plants were cross-resistant to rimsulfuron, whereas both MR1 subpopulations were cross-resistant to imazethapyr. Pinoxaden (ACCase inhibitor [phenylpyrazoline 'DEN']) only controlled MR2 and Sus plants at the labeled field rate. However, all plants were effectively controlled (>99%) with the labeled field rate of glufosinate. Based on I50 values, MR1-A, MR-P, and MR2 plants were 712-, 1,104-, and 3-fold and 10-, 18-, and 5-fold less responsive to mesosulfuron and imazamox, respectively, than the Sus plants. Sequence alignment of the ALS gene of resistant plants revealed a missense single-nucleotide polymorphism resulting in a Trp-574-Leu substitution in MR1-A and MR1-P plants, heterozygous in both, but not in the MR2 plants. An additional homozygous substitution, Asp-376-Glu, was identified in the MR1-A plants. Addition of malathion or piperonyl butoxide did not alter the efficacy of mesosulfuron on MR2 plants. In addition, the presence of 2,4-D had no effect on the response of mesosulfuron on the MR2 and Sus. These results suggest an altered target site is the mechanism of resistance to ALS inhibitors in MR1-A and MR1-P plants, whereas a non–target site based resistance apparatus is present in the MR2 plants.

The efficacy of WSSA Group 4 herbicides has been reported to vary with dependence on the time of day the application is made, which may affect the value of this mechanism of action as a control option and resistance management tool for Palmer amaranth. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of time of day for application on 2,4-D and dicamba translocation and whether or not altering translocation affected any existing variation in phytotoxicity seen across application time of day. Maximum translocation (Tmax) of [14C]2,4-D and [14C]dicamba out of the treated leaf was significantly increased 52% and 29% to 34% in one of two repeated experiments for each herbicide, respectively, with application at 7:00 AM compared with applications at 2:00 PM and/or 12:00 AM. Applications at 7:00 AM increased [14C]2,4-D distribution to roots and increased [14C]dicamba distribution above the treated leaf compared with other application timings. In phytotoxicity experiments, dicamba application at 8 h after exposure to darkness (HAED) resulted in significantly lower dry root biomass than dicamba application at 8 h after exposure to light (HAEL). Contrasts indicated that injury resulting from dicamba application at 8 HAEL, corresponding to midday, was significantly reduced with a root treatment of 5-[N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethyl)methylamino]-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropylvaleronitrile hydrochloride (verapamil) compared with injury observed with dicamba application and a root treatment of verapamil at 8 HAED, which corresponded to dawn. Overall, time of application appears to potentially influence translocation of 2,4-D and dicamba. Furthermore, inhibition of translocation appears to somewhat influence variation in phytotoxicity across times of application. Therefore, translocation may be involved in the varying efficacy of WSSA Group 4 herbicides due to application time of day, which has implications for the use of this mechanism of action for effective control and resistance management of Palmer amaranth.

Legume green manures have been used for millennia as sources of N for succeeding crops, but they are also sources of phytotoxic compounds that may selectively influence the performance of crop and weed species. To determine whether substitution of legume green manure for synthetic N fertilizer could enhance crop yield while suppressing weed growth, we conducted a field experiment in which common bean and wild mustard were sown in monocultures and mixtures. Three soil management treatments were employed: red clover residue, ammonium nitrate fertilizer (84 kg N ha−1), and a control that received neither red clover nor ammonium nitrate. In the absence of wild mustard, bean seed yield was equivalent in the red clover and ammonium nitrate treatments, where yields were 11 to 26% greater, respectively, than in the control. When bean grew in competition with wild mustard, its seed yield was as high (1995 and 1996) or higher (1994) with red clover residue than with ammonium nitrate. Averaged over bean competition treatments, wild mustard biomass production was 37% lower with red clover residue than with ammonium nitrate in 1994, 53% lower in 1995, and equivalent in these two treatments in 1996. Bean seed yield and wild mustard biomass production were strongly correlated with whole-plant N content and more weakly correlated with leaf area duration. Of the variation observed in wild mustard seed production, 89 to 93% was predicted by the variation in wild mustard biomass. The results of this study indicate that substitution of red clover green manure for ammonium nitrate fertilizer can be compatible with bean production goals and can contribute to the management of wild mustard.

The phytotoxicity of 3-[p-(p-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea (chloroxuron) usually decreased as the stage of growth of five weed species at treatment increased. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), and the cotyledonary stage of cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) were most resistant to the herbicide. Ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq.) and jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) were more susceptible to chloroxuron. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seemed less susceptible at the cotyledonary stage than at later stages. Phytotoxicity on both weeds and soybeans was increased by increased temperature and relative humidity following chloroxuron application. The phytotoxicity of chloroxuron also was increased by simulated rainfall in greenhouse studies.