Soil-surface applications of isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (CIPC), 2-chloroallyl diethyldithiocarbamate (CDEC), ethyl N,N-di-n-propylthiolcarbamate (EPTC), sodium 2,4-dichlorophenoxyethyl sulfate (sesone), and N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) were made on a Willacy fine sandy loam just before and after a 24-to-32 mph windstorm, which moved significant amounts of treated soil. All treatments were overhead-irrigated after the storm. All herbicides performed less efficiently after the wind. CIPC was found below the surface of soil only when applications were undisturbed by the wind.

Bispyribac-sodium selectively controls annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass and perennial ryegrass, which might be attributed to differential metabolism among species. To test this hypothesis, we investigated metabolism of 14C-bispyribac-sodium in annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. Creeping bentgrass and perennial ryegrass metabolized approximately 50% of the 14C-bispyribac-sodium after 1 d, while annual bluegrass metabolized less than 20%. Parent herbicide recovered 7 d after treatment in annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass was 73, 32, and 39% of total radioactivity per species, respectively. Polar metabolites recovered after 7 d in annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass were 24, 59, and 55% of total radioactivity per species, respectively. Half-life of 14C-bispyribac-sodium in annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass was estimated at greater than 7 d, 1 d, and 2 d, respectively. Results support the hypothesis that differential tolerances of these grasses are attributed to herbicide metabolism.

Assessing belowground plant interference in rice has been difficult in the past because intertwined weed and crop roots cannot be readily separated. A 13C discrimination method has been developed to assess distribution of intermixed roots of barnyardgrass and rice in field soils, but the suitability of this approach for other rice weeds is not known. 13C depletion levels in roots and leaves of rice were compared with those of 10 troublesome weed species grown in monoculture in the greenhouse or field. Included were C4 tropical grasses: barnyardgrass, bearded sprangletop, Amazon sprangletop, broadleaf signalgrass, fall panicum, and large crabgrass; C4 sedge, yellow nutsedge; and C3 species: red rice, gooseweed, and redstem. Rice root δ13C levels averaged ∼ −28‰, indicating that these roots are highly 13C-depleted. Root δ13C levels ranged from −12‰ to −17‰ among the tropical grasses, and were −10‰ in yellow nutsedge, indicating that these species were less 13C depleted than rice, and were C4 plants suitable for 13C discrimination studies with rice. Among the C4 species, bearded sprangletop and yellow nutsedge were most and least 13C depleted, respectively. δ13C levels in shoot and root tissue of pot-grown plants averaged 6% greater for C4 plants and 9% greater for rice in the field than in the greenhouse. In pots, shoots of rice typically were slightly more 13C depleted than roots. A reverse trend was seen in most C4 species, particularly for broadleaf signalgrass and plants sampled from field plots. Corrections derived from inputs including the total mass, carbon mass, carbon fraction, and δ13C levels of roots and soil increased greatly the accuracy of root mass estimates and increased slightly the accuracy of root δ13C estimates (∼ 0.6 to 0.9%) in samples containing soil. Similar corrective equations were derived for mixtures of rice and C4 weed roots and soil, and are proposed as a labor-saving option in 13C discrimination root studies.

Tolerance of sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Mono-Hy A1’) to ethofumesate (2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulphonate) was associated with rate of application and soil type. Yield of roots was significantly reduced by preplant-incorporated applications of 3.4, 4.5, or 9.0 kg/ha of ethofumesate to a sandy loam soil, but only the 9.0 kg/ha rate reduced the yield on a loam soil. Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Idaho #111’) yielded normally when planted on a sandy loam soil within 4 to 6 weeks after ethofumesate was incorporated at rates of 2.2 to 9.0 kg/ha. Corn [Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer brand 3773 MFS(N) hybrid’] yields were reduced in proportion to the rate of herbicide applied 3 weeks before planting. In greenhouse studies, barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Moravian’) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Scout’) were about 10 times more susceptible to soil residues of ethofumesate than corn. Concentrations of ethofumesate in the soil as low as 0.1, 0.2, and 1.5 ppmw reduced the height of wheat, barley, and corn, respectively.

The host specificity of mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci L.) [Lepidoptera: Caradrinidae (Noctuidae)] and its suitability as a biological control agent of the common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) (Scrophulariaceae) were investigated. Thirty-six plant species in 10 families were tested but sustained feeding by the insect and consistent development occurred only on mullein species. Nibbling on plants other than on mulleins did not prolong the life of the insect significantly longer than larvae without food. Thus, the mullein moth is considered to be a safe agent to release against mullein.

Azafenidin (AZ), pendimethalin, simazine, and sulfometuron (SF) were applied alone and in combination to black cherry, black walnut, eastern white pine, flowering dogwood, northern bayberry, northern red oak, Siberian crabapple, white ash, white oak, and yellow poplar seedlings grown for 2 yr in the field. There were significant differences in diameter, height, and stem volume among the treatments for every species after the third growing season. Tillage significantly increased tree growth over controls for most species. No single herbicide treatment ranked best for all tree species but comparison of the mean ranks of the treatments for all species indicated that AZ resulted in the best growth. Post–bud-break applications of SF and AZ were no better than untreated controls for most species. Herbicide treatments did not affect tree survival over years but exhibited potential for better growth in establishment years.

The effectiveness of activated charcoal in protecting seedling cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Stoneville 213’) from diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] at 1.78 and 3.55 kg/ha was investigated under field conditions over a 5-yr period. Charcoal did not provide adequate protection when applied through the seed hopper box or sprayed in the seed furrow over each hill. Charcoal at 83 and 167 kg/ha applied as a spot over each hill of cotton gave adequate protection. Shallow incorporation of the charcoal significantly reduced the degree of protection. The optimum combination, providing maximum weed control and minimum crop injury, was diuron at 3.55 kg/ha applied over non-incorporated charcoal at 83 kg/ha.

Overall efficacy of control practices for Johnsongrass was evaluated in soybean and sunflower cropping systems where timing of cultural and chemical control practices was adjusted to weed phenological stages by using visually estimated indices (stems 15 to 30 cm in height with 4 to 8 leaves) and with a thermal calendar model to forecast the crucial period for Johnsongrass propagation (when the population's rhizome mass is at a minimum). When visually estimated indices were used, weed infestation at the end of one growing season remained constant for the soybean cropping system and was reduced by about 70% in the sunflower crop. With the thermal calendar, weed infestation was reduced in both cropping systems by more than 90% in one growing season, and Johnsongrass was eradicated in two growing seasons. Although timing the control procedures to the crucial period severely hampered persistence of the weed in both cropping systems, the crop yield of sunflower was reduced by 35%. This yield reduction was caused by the delay in sowing date needed in order to adjust control procedures to the crucial period for propagation.

For prompt germination, the achenes of the nodding beggarticks (Bidens cernua L.) required 6 to 12 weeks of afterripening at 2 C and exposure to light. Without cold afterripening, a slow but complete germination was obtained after 2 weeks when the achene and seed inside, or the seed excised from the achene, were clipped at the distal end and germinated in light at 24 C. The embryo behaved like a clipped seed. Complete germination within 7 days, in light or dark, of the clipped seed was obtained by treating with gibberellic acid (GA) or N-6-benzyladenine (BA). The barriers to germination in the non-after-ripened seed appear to be first in the achene, the coverings of the seed itself and in a metabolic factor.

A mixture of bermudagrass with creeping bentgrass on golf greens results in a poor putting surface. An experiment was conducted to determine the frequency of herbicides applied alone or with flurprimidol on growth suppression of three bermudagrass cultivars and on tolerance of creeping bentgrass. Ethofumesate plus flurprimidol applied initially in mid-March or early April at 1.7 + 0.8 kg ha−1 and followed by four applications of 0.4 + 0.2 kg ha−1 beginning 6 wk later and then at 3-wk intervals, effectively suppressed bermudagrass growth throughout the growing season regardless of cultivar. Creeping bentgrass treated with ethofumesate plus flurprimidol at 1.7 + 0.8 kg ai ha−1 caused > 30% injury for 3 to 4 wk following application in 2 of 3 yr, but the turfgrass fully recovered. Injury was < 30% when ethofumesate plus flurprimidol was applied as repeated applications at 0.4 + 0.2 kg ha−1. Siduron plus flurprimidol applied initially in March or April at 54 + 0.8 kg ai ha−1 and followed by four additional applications at 14 + 0.2 kg ha−1 did not effectively suppress bermudagrass growth. Results with siduron alone at 54 kg ha−1 in March or April and repeated at monthly intervals at the same rate throughout the summer were similar to that obtained with siduron plus flurprimidol. Fenoxaprop applied at 0.07 kg ai ha−1 in early April and repeated at monthly intervals through August at the same rate effectively suppressed growth of common bermudagrass but did not suppress growth of Tifway or Tifgreen bermudagrasses. Creeping bentgrass was severely injured following fenoxaprop treatments.

Using starch gel electrophoresis, we examined the genetic variability of kikuyugrass collected from three golf course sites within its geographical range in California. These experiments were conducted to determine the method of spread of kikuyugrass in areas where it is considered invasive. Samples from roughs and fairways of each of these locations were compared. of the 354 plants examined, 12 different genotypes were identified by isozyme analysis, and only three of the nine putative loci varied among the genotypes. Two genotypes, representing 73% of the plants examined, were found at all three geographic locations. Our results imply that under common golf course practices, kikuyugrass is maintained by clonal reproduction. We conclude that low genetic variation does not preclude a plant species from being an aggressive invader.

Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of soil organic matter on the synergistic interaction between nicosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, and the insecticide terbufos in corn. Terbufos was applied infurrow at planting to soils containing 1, 3, and 5% organic matter and nicosulfuron was applied POST to corn at the three-leaf growth stage. The combination of terbufos and nicosulfuron reduced corn fresh weight 75, 45, and 41 % in soils containing 1, 3, and 5% organic matter, respectively. Terbufos increased [14C]nicosulfuron uptake into corn grown in both 1 and 5% organic matter soils. Terbufos decreased epicuticular leaf wax deposition on corn leaves by 35 and 18% in 1 and 5% organic matter soils, respectively. [14C]Nicosulfuron was completely metabolized after 24 h in the absence of terbufos. In the presence of terbufos, 19 and 11% of intact [14C]nicosulfuron remained 24 h after treatment while 11 and 6% remained after 48 h in the 1 and 5% organic matter soils, respectively. In vivo acetolactate synthase activity was reduced to 3 and 20% of control by nicosulfuron at 24 h and to 6 and 38% of control at 48 h, respectively, in the 1 and 5% organic matter soils that contained terbufos. These experiments indicated that soil organic matter is an important factor in determining the level of injury expected from the synergistic interaction between nicosulfuron and terbufos in corn.

Water from several bodies of surface water and sections from several plants were collected from eastern North Carolina and bioassayed for stimulation of witchweed (Striga lutea Lour.) seed germination. Stimulatory activity was detected in water from 22 of 29 different ponds, streams, and lakes and in sections from 118 (57 families) of 163 plant species. Witchweed germination stimulants evidently occur widely in nature.

Simazine is an important management tool for weed control in vineyards because of its relatively low price, reliable control of several problem weeds, and long residual activity. After repeated and extensive use of simazine, several growers in the Central Valley of California expressed concerns about reduced, residual weed control with this herbicide. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the rate of simazine dissipation in soils with differing simazine-use histories and to determine whether residual weed control differed among sites. Two raisin vineyards were used in all studies, one with extensive simazine-use history (adapted) and one with no recent simazine-use history (nonadapted). Results indicated that simazine dissipation from biotic processes was fourfold greater in soil with a long simazine-use history relative to soil with no recent simazine applications. In the field, simazine persisted longer at the nonadapted site, and weed-control duration was affected by dissipation rate. Central Valley vineyard soils that have had repeated simazine applications can develop enhanced, microbial degradation, and reduced, residual weed control is possible; however, weed control is also affected by environmental conditions and other crop management practices.

Native to temperate South America, deeproot sedge has naturalized throughout the southeastern United States. Often forming dense, homogenous stands, deeproot sedge has become widespread, invasive, and potentially harmful ecologically throughout the coastal prairie ecoregion of Texas. Possessing characteristics (rapid growth, generalized habitat requirements) of other weedy congeners (purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge), its relatively recent expansion highlights the critical need to develop effective control techniques and strategies for this species throughout this endangered ecoregion. Research was performed to delineate total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) trends in deeproot sedge rhizomes for development of a phenologically based schedule for herbicide applications and mechanical treatments. Overall, TNC levels were greatest in May to August and lowest from October to January, regardless of study area. Apparently, deeproot sedge exerts little energy into seed production because TNC levels were continually replenished throughout the growing season. As such, foliar-herbicide application throughout the growing season should achieve total plant kill. Conversely, deeproot sedge rhizome TNC levels never fell below 30%, even during winter, which indicates that winter mechanical treatments or winter prescribed fires will not be effective because substantial rhizome reserves are present to support resprouting during the next growing season. Beyond a priori prevention, sequential herbicide applications combined with integrated, sequential, prescribed fire and herbicide treatments will be needed for long-term deeproot sedge control throughout its geographic range.

The semiarid Espinal in central Argentina, being recently transformed from natural semiarid grasslands into agriculture, represents an interesting scenario to understand the early stages of weed community assembly and its relationship with crop identity and management. Our aim was to characterize the weed communities in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], the main crops of the Espinal region, under the dominant rainfed conditions. Weed surveys were carried out in 53 fields, and farmers were interviewed to collect information about crop management. Floristic composition was compared within and between crops by calculating the additive partition of the abundance-based Bray-Curtis dissimilarity. We compared the frequency and mean cover of functional groups between crops through generalized linear models. Finally, canonical correspondence analysis was carried out to analyze the associations between floristic composition and agronomic variables. Mean alpha and gamma diversity was greater in corn (10.0 and 80 species, respectively) than in soybean (7.6 and 46 species, respectively). Furthermore, species composition of weed communities was more similar among soybean fields than among either cornfields or fields of both crops. Hence, floristic differences between crops are potentially the result of different microenvironmental heterogeneity above- and belowground, with corn likely to be more permissive to weed establishment compared with soybean. The higher frequency of annual, dicotyledonous, and native species, and the high proportion of rare species, mostly native, suggest a strong legacy of the original vegetation that thrived in these recently cultivated systems. The functional composition was also affected by agronomic management, with sulfur, nitrogen, and grass herbicide application being the most important factors related to the floristic composition of weed communities. This early description can be used as a starting point for studies concerning trajectories, mechanisms, and processes of weed communities related to environment and management.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of three commonly applied soybean (Glycine max) herbicides (glyphosate, imazethapyr, and pendimethalin) on the mycelial growth, sclerotial production, and viability of Rhizoctonia solani isolates [anastomosis groups AG-1, AG-2-2, and AG-4] under controlled conditions. Pendimethalin significantly reduced mycelial growth of all three R. solani isolates investigated, whereas effects of the herbicides imazethapyr and glyphosate were not significant. Sclerotial production was affected differently by the three herbicides. Isolates AG-1 and AG-2-2 produced sclerotia both in vitro and in vivo, whereas isolate AG-4 did not produce sclerotia in vitro. In vitro AG-1 isolate showed a decrease, and AG-2-2 isolate showed an increase in sclerotial production in the presence of herbicide. In contrast, both AG-1 and AG-2-2 isolates showed reduction in sclerotial production in vivo compared to AG-4 isolate, which showed an increase in sclerotial production in the presence of herbicides. Sclerotial production was generally higher in vivo than in vitro. The number of sclerotia produced per unit sclerotial weight was often higher in the presence of herbicides. Viability of sclerotia produced in the presence of herbicides was not significantly different from the no-herbicide control.

In the Grande Ronde Valley of eastern Oregon, two perennial grass species in the genus Puccinellia, weeping alkaligrass and Nuttall's alkaligrass, are weeds of Kentucky bluegrass grass-seed production fields. Weeping alkaligrass is introduced from Eurasia, whereas Nuttall's alkaligrass is native to the region. These two species were studied to determine dormancy attributes and optimal temperature conditions for seed germination. Results from the current studies indicate that both species have a high level of embryonic dormancy immediately following seed harvest, which is primarily eliminated through dry storage (afterripening) and an incubation temperature of 20 C. Following adequate afterripening, a prechill treatment of 5 d at 5 C had an inconsistent effect on germination of weeping alkaligrass (P = 0.012 in 2002, 0.156 in 2003) and improved germination of Nuttall's alkaligrass over both years (P < 0.0001). The afterripening requirement for weeping alkaligrass was more than 90 d, whereas Nuttall's alkaligrass required more than 180 d. Following adequate afterripening, both species had rapid and well-synchronized germination at fluctuating day/night temperatures of 30/10 C given unlimited moisture conditions. Given these results, it is unlikely that seeds of either species would germinate in eastern Oregon during the summer months. The data predict a long viability period under dry storage for both species. Weeping alkaligrass and Nuttall's alkaligrass should exhibit a rapid, well-synchronized germination in the spring as observed in the field.

Two field experiments were conducted to determine the soil persistence, crop toxicity, and effectiveness of four herbicides in controlling purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). Excellent control of purple nutsedge was obtained with 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil) and good control was obtained with N-hydroxy-methyl-2,6-dichlorothiobenzamide. Both 3-iert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil (terbacil) and 5-bromo-3-teri-butyl-6-methyluracil were effective in controlling purple nutsedge, but maximum control was not obtained until 9 to 12 months after these chemicals were incorporated in the soil. Toxicity of all chemicals to beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, var. humilis L., Blue Lake), corn (Zea mays var. rugosa L., Golden Security), summer squash (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, var. Yellow Crookneck), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., var. Flora-del), and gladiolus (Gladiolus hortulanus Bailey, var. Friendship) increased as the rates were increased and decreased with time after treatment. Infestation of purple nutsedge from escaping tubers increased as the herbicidal persistence decreased.

Echinochloa phyllopogon is a serious weed of California rice that has evolved resistance to most grass herbicides. We assessed differences in growth, interference, and fecundity between multiple resistant (R) and susceptible (S) E. phyllopogon. Interference with rice by R and S plants was similar, although R plants were shorter and had less leaf area and shoot biomass than S plants. Interference by one S or R E. phyllopogon plant with rice was 2.31 or 2.45 times greater than intraspecific interference by one rice plant, respectively. Interference was mostly driven by root interactions and E. phyllopogon on average produced seven times more root dry weight than rice. Deeper E. phyllopogon root placement compared with rice may explain niche differentiation between the two species. On average, R plants produced 55% less seeds than S plants. Lower fecundity could compromise fitness of R plants in the absence of herbicide selection, but partial avoidance of seed removal during rice harvest through earlier seed shattering may allow greater soil seed bank replenishment by R plants compared with S plants. E. phyllopogon control is needed to prevent high rice yield losses, and suppressing survivors of initial herbicide treatments is essential to limit seed bank replenishment by R plants. The potential benefits of taller rice varieties with enhanced root competitiveness, and that may be harvested earlier, should be considered.