Three wild oats phenotypes were grown in wheat stands sown at different dates in greenhouse and field trials. Wild oats growth and seed output, and their effects on wheat biomass were not different among phenotypes when wild oats emerged 2 wk after the wheat. In experiments in which wild oats were planted in germinated wheat, one phenotype was shorter, weighed less, and produced fewer seed than the other phenotypes. Another phenotype reduced wheat biomass more than the other phenotypes. Vernalization increased vegetative growth and reduced spikelet production of one phenotype, but had no effect on its competitiveness with wheat.

Herbicides marketed for selected crops were chosen on the basis that major cultivars of the specific crop were tolerant. Our work with soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has demonstrated that variability exists with regard to sensitivity or tolerance to several herbicides. As a part of our breeding program to develop improved soybean cultivars, we have evaluated advanced breeding lines and germplasm for reaction to herbicides on the market as well as experimental herbicides. A breeding line was identified and released for production which showed very little injury from two over-the-top applications of a double rate of 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid]. Other strains showed severe injury and depressed seed yield. Variation in reaction to glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] has been observed. Lines tolerant to 0.56 kg ai/ha in one growing season were severely damaged the following season. When 200 germplasm lines from eastern Asia were treated with glyphosate, 6% showed less than 15% injury while 21% showed over 80% injury. The cultivar ‘Tracy′, selected for tolerance to 2,4-DB and a high level of resistance to the soil-borne disease causing phytophthora rot, was found to be sensitive to metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one]. Tracy has two major genes controlling resistance to phytophthora rot caused by Phytophthora megasperma Drechs. f. sp. glycinea Kuan and Erwin. One of these genes is closely linked with a gene controlling reaction to metribuzin. A crossover type was identified. The cultivar ‘Tracy-M’ retains the high level of resistance to phytophthora rot and is tolerant to metribuzin. A small percentage of germplasm lines evaluated were found to be sensitive to bentazon. Reaction to bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] is simply inherited.

In 1965–66, we observed root development of two plant types of rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea L.). Rosette bud formation on both plant types occurred on the upper 5-cm zone of the taproot after seed dispersal in the fall until flower-stem initiation the following spring. Incubation at various temperatures of lateral root sections from field grown plants showed a cyclic sprouting pattern with the highest percentage during late fall and early spring, and no sprouting during June. Bud production was most frequent at the proximal end of the sections. The earlier-flowering plant type contained an average of 6.7 and 6.0 major roots after 6 and 18 months of growth whereas the late-flowering type contained 10.7 and 16.0 major roots for the same periods of growth. The early-flowering plant roots were larger in diameter than those of the late-flowering plants. Both root types increased in diameter as distance from the point of attachment increased excluding root apex. Unattached secondary plants resulting from vegetative propagation were found of both plant types.

Chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} was evaluated for weed control in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and for residual effect on soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] following wheat. Chlorsulfuron applied at 72 g ai/ha and less did not injure or reduce grain yields of ‘Double-Cropped’ wheat. Postemergence tank mixtures of chlorsulfuron at 36 g/ha with diclofop {(±)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid} at 1 kg/ha were more effective than other treatments for control of wild garlic (Allium vineale L. ♯ ALLVI). ‘Forrest’ soybeans did not show any injury from chlorsulfuron residue even at rates of 72 g/ha when it was no-till seeded following winter wheat.

Oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] applied to dormant bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ‘Tifway’ ♯ CYNDA] retarded early foliar growth more than other herbicides evaluated. When bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] treatments were delayed until after bermudagrass initiated spring growth, foliar growth and quality were generally lower than when the treatments were applied to dormant turf. Retardation of early foliar bermudagrass growth by 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] + mecoprop {2-[(4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] propionic acid} + dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) was generally the same whether applied to dormant or semidormant turf. This combination of herbicides reduced the quality and density of bermudagrass when applied to growing but not to dormant turf. Atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] did not retard bermudagrass growth or affect density whether applied to dormant or semidormant turf, but turf quality was slightly lower when atrazine was applied to semidormant turf.

The role of weed biomass in the nutrient balance of agro-ecosystems remains poorly understood. To measure the rate of decomposition and nutrient release of common weeds, litterbag methodology was employed using waterhemp and giant foxtail desiccated by glyphosate at heights of 10, 20, 30, and 45 cm in two southern Illinois soybean fields. Losses were then expressed as a decay constant (k) regressed over time according to the single exponential decay model. Concentrations of the recalcitrant cell wall components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) were generally greatest as weed height (maturity) increased in giant foxtail compared with waterhemp. Sixteen weeks after desiccation by glyphosate, 10-cm waterhemp and giant foxtail detritus had lost 10 and 12% more mass, respectively, compared to the 45-cm height of each species. Decomposition rates revealed mass loss was highest for 10-cm waterhemp (kD = 0.022) and lowest for 45-cm giant foxtail (kD = 0.011) and this process was negatively correlated to the overall amount of cell wall constituents (r = −0.73). Nutrient release rates followed a similar trend in that both shorter (younger) weeds and waterhemp liberated nutrients more readily. Across all tested plant material, K was the nutrient most rapidly released, whereas, Ca was the most strongly retained nutrient.

Benoxacor, CGA-185072, and MON-13900 were evaluated in laboratory studies as safeners to reduce injury caused by primisulfuron when corn has been previously treated with terbufos. Without safeners, shoot length was reduced 30% when primisulfuron (78 gm ha-1) followed terbufos (2.6 kg ha-1) applications. Stunting was significantly reduced by preemergence applications of CGA-185072 and MON-13900 at 200 g ai ha-1; however, shoot length was still reduced by 21 and 12%, respectively. Benoxacor did not reduce primisulfuron injury in corn previously treated with terbufos. Safening by CGA-185072 and MON-13900 was not due to reduced primisulfuron uptake or altered translocation. MON-13900 was further evaluated for its effects on primisulfuron metabolism. MON-13900 increased primisulfuron metabolism in terbufos-treated shoots by more than 50%. This increase in metabolism appears to be the mechanism of safening by MON-13900.

Field pea seed from bin cleaning operations stored overwinter on nearby cropland was observed to correlate with weed and crop growth suppression for up to three subsequent years. To explore the phenomenon more explicitly, plant growth suppression trials were undertaken with soil sampled 18 mo apart from two locations that had contained field pea seed residues. Test plant species grown in the residue-affected and nearby residue-free soils were compared in greenhouse experiments. Germination was either fully inhibited or emergence was delayed by more than one week. Dry matter accumulation of test species grown in residue-affected soil was significantly reduced compared to dry matter of these test species grown in residue-free soil (P < 0.0001). Canola and field pea were inhibited more than wheat and green foxtail over both years. Greenhouse trials also revealed that germination of wild oat was inhibited in the residue-affected soils, although wheat and grassy weeds were less suppressed than dicots overall. Significant reductions of weed species diversity and abundance were correlated to residue-affected soils (P < 0.0001) when compared to residue-free soils using multi-response permutations procedures. Germination of wheat and canola seed was inhibited, using aqueous extracts of weathered pea seeds or extracts of the residue-affected soil in bioassays in sterile media. An allelopathic response was proposed to explain the above results, indicating a need for further research on this system. Weed management strategies could be developed with field pea seed residues to provide innovative weed control techniques.

The relative competitive abilities of yellow starthistle accessions that are resistant (R) and susceptible (S) to picloram were compared using a replacement series experiment. With no herbicide treatment, total shoot dry weights at vegetative and early reproductive stages of plant growth were similar for the two accessions, although S plants accumulated more total shoot dry weight by the late reproductive stage, mainly as a result of a greater contribution of vegetative growth. Without herbicide, relative yield of total biomass or reproductive structures did not differ from theoretical competitive equivalence at any accession ratio, thereby indicating that interaccession interference was similar. For picloram-treated plants, R plants accumulated more total, vegetative, and reproductive dry weight than did S plants at the early and late reproductive stages, and there was no difference between S and R plants at the vegetative growth stage. Seed production by R plants was 10-fold greater than that observed in S plants, but seed size remained unchanged, regardless of accession ratio. With herbicide present, the relative yield of S plants differed from theoretical competitive equivalence as S:R accession ratios decreased, but relative yield of R plants did not. Therefore, only in the presence of picloram will R plants have a competitive advantage over S plants. Some of the progeny from mixed populations of S and R plants that were cross-pollinated, even at low R frequency (25%), expressed resistance to picloram.

Sprayable and granular formulations of isoxaben and trifluralin were applied to container plant nursery beds to determine formulation effects on herbicide runoff and weed control. In 1998 herbicide application was followed by 0.8 cm of irrigation delivered in 60 min, and runoff water samples were collected on the day of application (DOA). The highest concentrations of isoxaben and trifluralin detected in runoff water were 0.50 and 0.15 μg ml−1, respectively. Total isoxaben in runoff water was greater from the granular than from the sprayable formulation, but no differences attributable to formulation were detected for trifluralin. In 1999 herbicide application was followed by irrigation applied in three pulse cycles of 30 min each (0.8 cm per cycle). Runoff water samples were collected daily through 2 d after herbicide application (DAA). The highest herbicide concentrations were found in the first runoff sample on the DOA. Isoxaben was detected at 1.6 μg ml−1 from both formulations, and trifluralin concentrations were 0.8 and 0.2 μg ml−1 from the sprayable and granular formulations, respectively. Isoxaben concentrations were similar between formulations on the DOA, higher from the granular formulation 1 DAA, and higher in five of the nine runoff samples 2 DAA. Trifluralin concentrations were higher from the sprayable formulation for the first pulse cycle on the DOA and higher from the granular formulation in three of the nine samples 1 DAA and in four samples 2 DAA. The total amount of isoxaben recovered was 9.1% of applied from the granular formulation and 7.3% of applied from the spray formulation. The total amounts of trifluralin found were similar among formulations (0.5% of applied). Weed control was effective for both formulations in both years.

Japanese foxtail (Alopecurus japonicus Steud.) is an invasive grass weed that severely threatens the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) crops in eastern Asia. Mesosulfuron-methyl is a highly efficient acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide widely used for control of this species in China. However, in recent years, some A. japonicus populations have evolved resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl by different amino acid substitutions (AASs) within the ALS gene. In the current study, 11 populations of A. japonicus were collected from Anhui Province, China, where the wheat fields were severely infested with this weed. Based on single-dose screening, eight of these populations evolved resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl, and gene sequencing revealed three AASs located in codon 197 or 574 of the ALS gene in the different resistant populations. Subsequently, three typical populations, AH-1, AH-4, and AH-10 with Trp-574-Leu, Pro-197-Thr, and Pro-197-Ser mutations, respectively, in ALS genes were selected to characterize their cross-resistance patterns to ALS inhibitors. Compared with the susceptible population AH-S, AH-1 showed broad-spectrum cross-resistance to sulfonylureas (SUs), imidazolinones (IMIs), triazolopyrimidines (TPs), and sulfonyl-aminocarbonyl-triazolinones (SCTs); whereas AH-4 and AH-10 were resistant to SUs, TPs, and SCTs but sensitive to IMIs. Moreover, all three resistant populations were sensitive to both photosystem II inhibitor isoproturon and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor QYM201 (1-(2-chloro-3-(3-cyclopropyl-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-2-one). Based on the current state of knowledge, this study is the first report of A. japonicus evolving cross-resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides due to a Pro-197-Ser mutation in the ALS gene.

Results from greenhouse and growth chamber studies indicated that alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl) acetanilide] injury to ‘Superior’ potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) was related to time of herbicide application and temperature. Injury to the ‘Superior’ cultivar was observed when alachlor was applied just before potato emergence. Necrosis of shoots near the soil surface, shoot dieback, stem swelling, leaf crinkle, and plant stunting were characteristic symptoms of alachlor injury. Cool temperatures appeared to intensify the injury. ‘Superior’ potatoes outgrew injury within 41 days after treatment. Herbicide placement studies in the growth chamber suggested that alachlor or its metabolites were absorbed by the shoots of emerging ‘Superior’ potatoes. Under growth chamber conditions the ‘Katahdin’ cultivar was injured by preemergence applications of alachlor when the herbicide was applied just before plant emergence. Injury symptoms were similar to those observed on the ‘Superior’ cultivar. ‘Pungo’ and ‘Norchip’ potatoes were tolerant to preemergence applications of the herbicide regardless of time of application.

The degradation and leaching of methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] and metabolites in Elmwood sandy loam soil over time in response to average spring environmental conditions was studied by using soil columns placed on a rainfall simulator in an environmental growth chamber. Methazole was degraded to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea (DCPMU) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea (DCPU) over a 6-week period following methazole application, during which the soil columns received simulated rainfall of 1.27 cm every fourth day. Methazole level decreased to 27% of the original amount while DCPMU and DCPU levels increased to 53% and 1%, respectively. Of the total radioactivity remaining in the soil columns after 44 days and after 14 cm rainfall, approximately 80% remained above a depth of 6.35 mm.

This research investigated the temperature and light requirements for seed germination and emergence patterns of pinnate poppy, violet horned-poppy, and nodding hypecoum, three annual Papaveraceae species found in arable lands in the Mediterranean region. Two experiments performed in growth chambers (1) analyzed light (complete darkness or 12 h light) and temperature (10/5, 15/5, and 20/10 C day/night temperatures) requirements for germination, and (2) determined base temperature (Tb) for germination. An outdoor pot trial was also set up to study emergence patterns. All species showed higher germination in complete darkness than they did with a light regime, irrespective of dormancy level, time of the year, and temperature regime under which germination was tested, illustrating better germination when seeds are buried. Tb ranged from −2.6 to 0 C, depending on the species, indicating low temperature requirements for germination. Given their higher germination in daily fluctuating, rather than constant temperatures, the three Papaveraceae species should have the capacity to form persistent seed banks. These species behaved as winter annuals (from November to February) in the pot experiment and had difficulties to emerge in spring. Given that they cannot avoid autumn–winter chemical treatments, this could partially explain their regression in arable fields. These results bring new information to develop management strategies for these Papaveraceae species in agroecosystems.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of hyperspectral reflectance data collected with a hand-held spectroradiometer to discriminate soybean intermixed with pitted morningglory and weed-free soybean in conventional till and no-till plots containing rye, hairy vetch, or no cover crop residue. Pitted morningglory was in the cotyledon to six-leaf growth stage. Seven 50-nm spectral bands (one ultraviolet, two visible, four near-infrared) derived from each hyperspectral reflectance measurement were used as discrimination variables. Pitted morningglory plant size had more influence on discriminant capabilities than tillage or cover crop residue systems. Across all tillage and residue systems, discrimination accuracy was 71 to 95%, depending on the size of pitted morningglory plants at the time of data acquisition. The versatility of the seven 50-nm bands was tested by using a discriminant model developed for one experiment location to test discriminant capabilities for the other experiment, with discrimination accuracy across all tillage and residue systems of 55 to 73%, depending on pitted morningglory plant size.

Timing and application rates of herbicides were evaluated for control of duncecap and tall larkspur on mountain rangelands. Picloram, triclopyr, glyphosate, and metsulfuron were applied at three rates during three growth stages (vegetative, bud, and flower) to evaluate the rate by growth stage interaction. Picloram was equally effective over all growth stages when applied at 1.1 or 2.2 kg ae ha−1. Metsulfuron was most effective when applied in the vegetative stage; 0.035 kg ai ha−1 killed 95% of duncecap larkspur, but 0.14 kg ha−1 was required to kill the same percentage of tall larkspur. Glyphosate at ≤ 2.2 kg ai ha−1 was least effective when applied in the flower stage compared to earlier growth stages. Triclopyr showed variable control at rates from 1.1 to 4.5 kg ae ha−1.

We developed two tractor-mounted spraying systems which utilize compressed air for dispensing the spray. The nursery sprayer consists of a spraying platform, two windshields, and two hand booms, and was developed to spray brush up to 6 ft tall. A field sprayer was developed to spray brush up to 15 ft tall. This sprayer has two 20-ft booms, mounted on a modified front end loader which could be rotated hydraulically to either side of the tractor.

Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if the synergistic injury to sulfonylurea-tolerant soybean (STS soybean) caused by applications of thifensulfuron plus imazethapyr involves an interaction between the herbicides at the ALS enzyme. In vitro ALS from STS soybean (Asgrow 3200) was 10 times more tolerant to thifensulfuron than ALS from non-STS soybean (Williams 82). In vivo ALS was 30% of maximum activity 6 HAT in STS soybean treated with 4.4 g ha−1 thifensulfuron, but 0% of maximum in similarly treated non-STS soybean. Increasing thifensulfuron from 4.4 to 141 g ha−1 did not increase in vivo ALS inhibition in STS soybean, indicating a highly resistant ALS isozyme. Both cultivars responded similarly to imazethapyr in terms of visual injury, in vitro ALS inhibition, and in vivo ALS inhibition. Soybean injury and in vivo ALS inhibition increased with imazethapyr rate in both cultivars. The relationship between imazethapyr inhibition of ALS in vivo and soybean injury was curvilinear. In vitro ALS assays revealed no synergistic interaction between thifensulfuron and imazethapyr at the enzyme level. In vivo ALS activity was reduced to 7 and 10% of controls 24 and 48 HAT by the tank mixture compared to 56 and 84% for thifensulfuron alone and 20 and 28% for imazethapyr alone. These data show that the synergistic increase in soybean injury caused by tank mixing thifensulfuron with imazethapyr results from the cumulative inhibition of ALS, not a synergistic inhibition of the enzyme.

The root fresh weight of intact Canada thistle plants was greater than that of decapitated plants 2 months following soil surface treatment with clopyralid at 140 g ai/ha. Nevertheless, secondary shoot regrowth potential was reduced to the same extent for both intact and decapitated plants after clopyralid treatment. Soil-applied clopyralid did not reduce root biomass as much as it reduced secondary shoot regrowth potential from adventitious root buds. Increasing the clopyralid rate from 11 to 1120 g/ha progressively reduced the total number of emerged shoots more than root fresh weight 2 months after treatment of decapitated Canada thistle. Increasing the clopyralid rate also reduced the regrowth potential of secondary shoots from root buds proportionately more than it reduced root biomass. Secondary shoots emerging through a surface layer of soil treated with clopyralid at 140 g/ha absorbed phytotoxic amounts of clopyralid. Secondary shoot numbers were not reduced after emerging through an activated charcoal layer into herbicide-treated soil, but they were deformed and their dry weight was reduced as was later secondary shoot regrowth potential.

An experiment was conducted in growth chambers to determine the influence of cold temperature regimes, designed to simulate winter temperature conditions and spring recovery, on the interaction between purple deadnettle and soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The study was a factorial arrangement of treatments with five levels of temperature (20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 C), two levels of exposure time to the temperature (10 or 20 d), and two levels of recovery time at 20 C following exposure (0 or 20 d). In general, purple deadnettle shoot and root growth increased with temperature and time. The ability of purple deadnettle to recover from cold temperatures declined as the length of time that the plant was subjected to the cold temperature increased. SCN juveniles per gram of root at the conclusion of the temperature treatment declined as the temperature increased from 0 to 15 C, likely a result of continued purple deadnettle root growth and the inhibition of SCN hatch, growth, or development at those temperatures. SCN female, cyst, and egg production per gram of root generally increased with temperature and occurred under all temperature regimes. The results of this research indicate that, after hatching, SCN juveniles can survive a period of cold temperature inside the roots of a winter annual and continue development when transferred to warmer temperatures. Therefore, in a field environment, where fall or spring alone may not be sufficient for SCN to complete a reproductive cycle on a winter annual weed, the nematode may be able to reproduce by combining the fall and spring developmental periods.