Absorption and translocation of 14C-glyphosate was studied in greenhouse-grown Erythroxylum coca and E. novogranatense. Autoradiography indicated that translocation patterns were similar for both species and that E. novogranatense absorbed and translocated more glyphosate than E. coca. In both young and mature plants, absorption of leaf-applied 14C-glyphosate increased with increased exposure time, and 288 h after application, absorption was higher in E. novogranatense (79 and 52% of applied, respectively) compared with E. coca (60 and 14% of applied, respectively). Similarly, translocation of 14C-glyphosate increased with time in both species. In mature plants, after 288 h more 14C-glyphosate translocated in E. novogranatense (6.9% of applied) than E. coca (2.5%), but the opposite occurred in young plants. Most of the radioactivity translocated from the treated leaf accumulated in the main stems and roots of both species with little accumulation in tissues above the treated leaf. However, most of the applied radioactivity remained in the treated leaf regardless of growth stage and species. The absorption of 14C-glyphosate in young and mature plants of E. coca was 1.3 and 3.6 times lower, respectively, than in E. novogranatense 288 h after treatment. Differences in absorption and translocation of glyphosate in E. coca and E. novogranatense may partially explain the reported differential response to glyphosate.

Wild and cultivated proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L. ♯ PANMI) showed increased height and dry mass with increasing photoperiod and flowered under all photoperiods. Increasing planting density decreased height and dry mass and slowed seedhead development in both types. Shading increased plant height and decreased dry mass of both millets and increased germination compared to unshaded treatments. Planting date did not affect germination of freshly collected seed of either millet. Wild proso millet seed had a low germination rate until 8 weeks after panicle emergence, and the rate increased to 22% after 10 weeks. Germination of cultivated proso millet seed was low for 5 weeks after panicle emergence and increased to 92% after 10 weeks.

Wild cane (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) absorbed equal amounts of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) and 2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine). The plants metabolized 70% of the atrazine and 30% of the simazine absorbed and translocated to the shoot during 24 hr. The major metabolites formed were hydroxyderivatives and very hydrophilic metabolites which were chromatographically identical to peptide conjugates of atrazine, e.g., S-(4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazinyl-2)-glutathione and S-γ-L-glutamyl-(4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazinyl-2)-L-cysteine. Wild cane formed peptide conjugates of atrazine more rapidly than of simazine, but hydroxylation of these s-triazines occurred at approximately the same rate.

In a Crowley silt loam, between 30 kPa, continuous flood, and alternate flood laboratory treatments at 25 C, dissipation of incorporated oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] varied little, with an average of 59% remaining after 20 weeks. In the greenhouse, subsurface application of oxadiazon reduced its phytotoxicity but increased its persistence up to four times more than with surface-applied oxadiazon. In the field, 50% of the surface-applied oxadiazon dissipated from the soil within 6 to 11 days when the soil was flush irrigated and then flooded, compared to 15 to 17 days when the soil was irrigated but not flooded in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) management systems. Oxadiazon dissipation in the field was greater during the first 2 or 3 weeks after application than in the laboratory study. This is explained at least partially by the lack of herbicide incorporation in the field.

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of wild oat (Avena fatua L. # AVEFA) interference in lentils (Lens culinaris Medik). An infestation of 32 and 65 wild oats/m2 maintained up to 5 weeks in the field did not reduce lentil grain yield. However, 32 wild oats/m2 reduced yields 32% when allowed to remain for 7 weeks and 49% if they remained until harvest time (11 weeks). Sixty-five wild oats/m2 reduced grain yield 42 and 61% for the same time periods, respectively. In the growth chamber, 69 wild oats/m2 reduced lentil plant dry weight 29% if allowed to remain for 3 weeks, 61% for 5 weeks, and 72% for 7 weeks (harvest time). The field data suggest that wild oat control measures may be delayed for several weeks after lentil emergence without reducing crop yield.

The movement and adsorption of soil-applied 14C-labeled 2,4-bis(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio-s-triazine (prometryne) and 1,1-dimethyl-3-(a,a,a-trifluoro-m-tolyl)urea (fluometuron) in the presence of 0.01 and 0.5 N CaCl2 were studied. The soils were Ca++-saturated Eufaula loamy fine sand and Norge loam. In equilibrium adsorption studies, fluometuron adsorption was decreased and prometryne adsorption was increased by increasing the CaCl2 concentration from 0.01 to 0.5 N. The mobility of prometryne in the two water-saturated soils was decreased by an increase in CaCl2 concentration. Fluometuron mobility was unchanged by the two CaCl2 concentrations in Eufaula, but was greater in Norge at the higher CaCl2 concentration. The adsorption of each herbicide in the flowing system was less than that predicted by the distribution coefficient. Differences in CaCl2 concentration do not appear to influence the mobility of the two herbicides sufficiently at the soil-water flow rate used in this study to require changes in current field application practices.

Ducksalad, an annual broadleaf weed in rice, was infested by waterlily aphid which destroyed much of the above-water vegetation. Field experiments showed aphids reduced total weed biomass by 58 and 87% in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Biomass of seed pods was reduced by more than 82% in both years.

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) was sprayed with a mixture of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram). A mixture of picloram and 2,4-D each at 0.01 lb and 0.001 lb/A killed tops of plants faster than 2,4-D alone or picloram alone at the same rates. Higher rates of 1 lb/A picloram plus 1 lb/A 2,4-D and 0.1 lb/A picloram plus 0.1 lb/A 2,4-D were not consistently synergistic or antagonistic. The percent of plants which produced new growth were 0 for picloram alone at 1 lb/A, 20 for a mixture of 2,4-D and picloram each at 1 lb/A, and 40 for 2,4-D alone at 1 lb/A. Other rates of 0.1 lb/A, 0.01 lb/A, and 0.001 lb/A did not control regrowth of field bindweed. Application of unlabeled picloram simultaneously with 14C-2,4-D increased translocation of 14C-2,4-D, but the reverse was not true.

The antidotes dichlormid, MON-4660, CGA-154281, R-29148, and MON-13900 were tested in the greenhouse to protect Zea mays L. (corn) against RPA 201772 injury. High rates of RPA 201772 injured four Z. mays hybrids > 30%. R-29148 and MON-13900 were the most effective of the five antidotes evaluated. R-29148 applied at rates ⩾ 45 g ha−1 provided excellent protection against RPA 201772 injury and also prevented injury to Z. mays from diketonitrile, the active metabolite of RPA 201772. In laboratory studies, R-29148 did not alter absorption of 14C-RPA 201772 from soil; however, R-29148 significantly enhanced the rate of RPA 201772 metabolism and inactivation in Z. mays. The mixed function oxidase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO) increased RPA 201772 injury on all hybrids. These results demonstrate that Z. mays tolerance to RPA 201772 can be enhanced with the use of antidotes such as R-29148 and MON-13900, that R-29148 protects Z. mays from RPA 201772 and diketonitrile by the enhancement of metabolism, and that oxidative reactions may be involved in the metabolism of RPA 201772 in Z. mays.

Soil applications of α,α,α,-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin), O,O-diethyl S-((ethylthio)methyl)-phosphorodithioate (phorate) and their combinations did not affect cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germination. Plants grown on soil treated with trifluralin were shorter than plants on soil treated with phorate. High rates of phorate reduced shoot weights. Root weights of phorate-treated plants were higher than those of trifluralin-treated plants but lower than those of the controls. In culture solution and soil, trifluralin inhibited lateral roots of cotton. In the presence of phorate, trifluralin-treated plants produced more lateral roots than plants treated with trifluralin alone. Other organophosphorus compounds, when used in combination with trifluralin, did not increase the number of lateral roots.

The competitiveness of 10 sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids to weeds and their tolerances to commonly used sorghum herbicides were studied across Nebraska. The three best weed competitors in this study were sorghum hybrids ‘RS 671′, ‘RS 690′, and ‘AKS 663′; whereas the three poorest weed competitors were ‘AKS 614′, ‘NB 505′, and ‘RS 633′. Sorghum hybrids showing a significant yield reduction from a 2× rate of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) were ‘SD 441′, ‘SD 451′, and ‘NB 505′. ‘SD 441 also suffered a significant yield reduction from a normal rate of 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide (propachlor) applied preemergence plus a 4× rate of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) applied postemergence. With the above exceptions, sorghum hybrids generally showed considerable tolerance to 2× rates of herbicides commonly used on sorghum.

Freshly harvested Drummond rattlebox [Sesbania drummondii (Rydb.) Cory ♯3 SEBDR] seed germinated best after 2.5- to 4-h acid scarification in concentrated sulfuric acid. Optimum temperature for germination was 30 to 35 C. At 10 and 45 C no germination occurred for up to 7 days. Six days after planting in a silt loam soil there was 95 and 80% emergence of Drummond rattlebox from depths of 0.5 and 1 cm, respectively. No emergence was observed from depths of 11 cm or greater 12 days after planting.

Variation in primary dormancy among populations of black nightshade and hairy nightshade collected on two dates was investigated. In addition, emergence characteristics of both species were studied during 2 yr with several populations and soil disturbance regimes. Results revealed a variation in the level of primary dormancy among populations and collection dates in black nightshade. However, fresh seeds of hairy nightshade showed no or negligible germinability, indicating a deeper level of dormancy. Emergence was higher in black nightshade than in hairy nightshade in both years, but with significant differences among populations. In addition, various categories regarding the soil temperature requirements for seedling emergence were found within seed batches. This enables the species to extend their emergence timing and therefore escape from climatic extremes or weed control operations. This information can be used to improve weed management strategies by timing weed control measures to larger seedling flushes.

Drift of sulfonylurea and phenoxy herbicides from spring cereal fields to nearby spring pea and lentil crops was simulated by spraying pea and lentil with 2,4-D or the 2:1 commercial mixture of thifensulfuron and tribenuron at rates of 0, 0.33, 1, 3.3, or 10% of the use rates (X) for spring cereal crops approximately 3 and 5 wk after planting pea and lentil. 2,4-D had minimal inhibitory effects on both crops at all rates tested. Lentil was slightly more sensitive than pea to 10% X 2,4-D. Thifensulfuron:tribenuron had no effect on either crop at rates less than 3.3% X. Two weeks after application of thifensulfuron:tribenuron, 10% X, and to a lesser degree 3.3% X rates, caused newly emerged leaves to become chlorotic, reducing chlorophyll content 25 to 50%. These treatments also reduced net photosynthesis by 37% and reduced or halted growth of the main stem. Early formation of leaves was reduced, thus tripling light penetration through the canopy. Five to six weeks after application, 10% X thifensulfuron:tribenuron had, in some treatments, more than tripled branching in pea, more than quadrupled branching in lentil, and reduced biomass as much as 42%. Flowering and maturity were delayed. Plants recovered from stunting by thifensulfuron:tribenuron to varying degrees depending on environmental conditions, and final seed yield generally was reduced less than 25%. In controlled greenhouse experiments, rate response to thifensulfuron generally was similar to that observed in field experiments. Pea was stunted less at 30 C than at 10 C, whereas lentil was affected similarly at these temperatures. Overall, visual symptoms from thifensulfuron:tribenuron exposure were more pronounced in pea than in lentil and were detectable at levels substantially lower than those that affected final seed yields.

Triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid}, 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], and 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid were applied to the foliage of juvenile crop plants at 0.002, 0.009, 0.03, 0.14, and 0.56 kg/ha. Corn (Zea mays L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) were generally more tolerant to the herbicides than were peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). Triclopyr was usually more phytotoxic to corn, oat, grain sorghum, and kleingrass than either 2,4,5-T or 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid at 0.14 and 0.56 kg/ha, but few differences occurred among herbicides at lower rates. Kleingrass was not affected at any rate of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid. Wheat tolerated most rates of all three herbicides. At 0.56 kg/ha, triclopyr and 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid caused greater injury to peanuts than did 2,4,5-T; whereas, 2,4,5-T and triclopyr were more damaging to cotton and cucumber than 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid. The three herbicides at 0.14 and 0.56 kg/ha killed soybeans. Soybean injury varied from none to severe at 0.002 to 0.03 kg/ha, depending upon species investigated, but many plants showed morphological symptoms typical of the auxin-type herbicides.

Wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.), yellow foxtail [Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.], and wild oat (Avena fatua L.) hydroxylated, in a 7-day period, 2 to 7% of the (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid-1-14C (2,4-D-1-14C) absorbed. Only a trace of hydroxylation products was detected in wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC.) L. C. Wheeler var. pinnatifida (Stokes) L. C. Wheeler], perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.), and kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Roth]. The investigation was limited to hydroxylation on the para-position of the herbicide. The predominant product, 2,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid, was detected in all weed species studied. Also found in measurable amounts in some species were 2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid and 2-chloro-4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid. The hydroxylation rate on the number four carbon of the ring did not account for the variation in susceptibility exhibited by these plants.

Round-leaved mallow interference in spring wheat and flax was investigated under field conditions in southern Manitoba. Additionally, the growth of mallow alone and in a wheat crop was compared. In six of seven trials, wheat yield losses due to mallow interference were not significant. In a seventh trial, where mallow densities of up to 237 plants m−2 were recorded, wheat yields were reduced up to 15%. In contrast, significant flax yield losses occurred in each of three trials where maximum mallow densities ranged from 21 to 52 plants m−2. From the regression equations it was calculated that 20 mallow plants m−2 caused flax yield losses of 33, 9, and 10% in 1987, 1988, and 1989, respectively. Periodic sampling of mallow plants growing alone and in wheat, and regression analysis of these data using a logistic function as a biological model of plant growth indicated that mallow growth was severely suppressed by wheat By the eighth week after emergence, the lamina area and shoot dry matter of mallow plants growing in wheat was less than 3% of plants growing alone. Similarly, in wheat, mallow produced less than 1% of the seed produced by plants growing alone. This extreme suppression of mallow growth corresponded with an 80 to 90% decrease in photosynthetically active radiation penetrating the wheat canopy for approximately six continuous weeks, beginning 4 wk after crop emergence.

Artificial shading studies indicated that competition for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) will limit tuber production in purple nutsedge. There were no data available to test whether there is a relationship between incident PAR underneath crop canopies and tuber production of this weed. In this study, the effect of crop competition on net reproductive rates of purple nutsedge tubers was measured under field conditions. Purple nutsedge plants were grown in association with bush beans, maize, maize and beans intercropped, sweet potato, pole beans, and bell pepper in a 2-yr field study in Costa Rica. Measurements were taken on the number of tubers produced during the growing season of each crop, and PAR transmittance was monitored weekly for the duration of the respective cropping cycles. Data on transmittance and incident solar radiation were used to calculate the daily average amount of PAR, available 15 cm above the soil surface. Regressions indicated that average incident PAR accounted for 95% of the variation in net reproductive rates. Average incident PAR also allowed a more precise competitive ranking of crops than either average or minimum transmittance. Bush beans had consistently the lowest average incident PAR values and therefore ranked as the most competitive crop in both years. Our data suggest that no net increase in tuber populations occurs if average incident PAR is below 2.7 MJ m−2 d−1. Differences in the duration of the cropping cycle accounted only for a small proportion of the overall variation in net reproductive rates of purple nutsedge tubers. Information on the competitive ranking of different crops can be used to design crop rotations that could reduce reliance on herbicides on small farms in Costa Rica.

The effect of spray carrier volume on the antagonism of sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} by bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] was investigated under greenhouse and field conditions. In the laboratory, the spray droplet overlap between components of a sequential spray application increased from 17 to 50% as carrier volume was increased from 94 to 374 L/ha, respectively. Carrier volume had a significant influence on treatments of sethoxydim alone and sethoxydim sequentially applied with bentazon, but not on the tank mixture of the two herbicides. Carrier volumes of 94 and 187 L/ha used to deliver sethoxydim alone and the sethoxydim/bentazon sequential treatment were superior to the use of 374 L/ha for the control of large crabgrass [Digitaria sanquinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA], fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. # PANDI), and goosegrass (Eleusine indica Gaertn. # ELEIN). There was no difference in grass control between sethoxydim alone and the sequential treatment except at carrier volumes of 187 L/ha or more with which the sequential treatment was less effective. Rates of 0.06 and 0.11 kg ai/ha of sethoxydim were influenced more by changes in carrier volume than 0.22 kg/ha in both the alone and sequential treatments.

Weed management systems in carrot are limited in part by a lack of fundamental understanding of crop–weed interactions. Irrigated field studies were conducted to quantify the effect of volunteer potato density and duration of interference on carrot yield and to determine relationships among weed density, duration of weed growth, and volunteer potato tuber production. A season-long volunteer potato density of 0.06 plants m−2 produced from 150 to 230 g tubers m−2 and resulted in an estimated 5% crop yield loss. At two volunteer potato plants m−2, the same level of crop loss was estimated with a duration of interference of 430 growing degree days (GDD), a time at which the weed had already produced 130 g tubers m−2. Volunteer potato height at the time of weed removal predicted carrot yield loss (R 2 = 0.77) and may be useful for timing of management strategies such as hand weeding. Functional relationships describing carrot–volunteer potato interactions provide simple information that is useful for developing weed management recommendations for carrot, a crop that relies on multiple tactics for managing weeds, and rotational crops that are negatively affected by persistence of volunteer potato.