Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. ♯3 CASOB) seed were obtained from 10 locations in nine southern states, and plants were grown in a nursery for 3 yr. In field experiments, plant height, seed per pod, number of seed per plant, and number of pods per plant varied among seed sources and years. The vegetative growth phase, as measured from emergence to the initiation of the first floral buds, was approximately 30 days shorter for plants grown from the Tennessee source than for those grown from seed collected in Alachua, FL, in all 3 yr. Hand-harvested seed from plants grown from the 10 seed sources that were planted in 1982 were planted beside the original source sicklepod seed in 1983, and both flowered at approximately the same time, indicating self-fertilization. Percent germination of hand-harvested sicklepod seed from the 10 sources ranged from 2 to 11% for 1981 and 3 to 23% for 1982.

Allelopathic effects of lantana (Lantana camara L. ♯3 LANCA) residues (root, shoot), foliar leachates, and the soil (where lantana was grown) on milkweedvine (Morrenia odorata Lindl. ♯3 MONOD) seed germination and growth over a 30-day period were examined. Foliar leachates or the soil collected from the field where lantana had been growing had no effect on the final germination percentage or the seedling growth of milkweedvine. Incorporation of dried lantana shoot or root material into soil had no effect on the final percentage germination but caused significant reductions in milkweedvine growth over a 30-day test period. Roots were more inhibitory than shoots. Fifty percent of milkweedvine seedlings died within 15 days after germination at 1% (w/w) dried lantana root incorporation into the soil, and higher concentrations increased seedling death. Lantana roots incorporated into the soil produced foliar symptoms such as wilting and desiccation, whereas lantana shoots incorporated into the soil produced yellowing of the foliage of milkweedvine. Allelopathic activity of lantana residues was still strong even after decomposition of lantana residues for 4 weeks prior to the planting of milkweedvine seeds.

Ethofumesate [(±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate] was applied to dry soils (2%, w/w moisture content) that were either wetted immediately or remained dry for 1 to 8 days prior to wetting. Two degradation products were isolated with thin-layer and column chromatography from soils that were kept dry for 4 days before wetting. The major product was identified as 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate which accounted for more than 80% of the degradation products. The products were detected 1 day after application to dry soil (between 1 and 3% moisture content), while at moisture contents greater than 3% (w/w) very little ethofumesate was degraded. Radiolabeled ethofumesate and breakdown products were extracted with methanol from dry and wetted soils, and the soil samples were oxidized to quantify nonextractable radioactivity. The percentage of nonextracted ethofumesate was at least 5% greater in dry soil than in wet soil. Activity loss of ethofumesate applied to dry soil probably is due to both chemical degradation and strong adsorption.

In three field experiments with weed-free plots, delaying the application of bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] reduced toxicity to cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Poinsett 76′). Maximum injury and yield reduction were observed when bentazon was applied at the first leaf stage, whereas injury and yield reduction were slight when bentazon was applied at the fourth leaf stage. Increasing illuminance after application increased injury and tended to override the effect of leaf stage. In greenhouse studies, the slicing variety ‘Poinsett 76’ was more tolerant of bentazon than the pickling variety ‘Calypso’. The insecticide diazinon [O,O-diethyl-O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl)phosphorothioate] increased bentazon toxicity to cucumbers compared to toxicity caused by bentazon alone. Four other insecticides and two fungicides had no effect on phytotoxicity.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was extracted from mature papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds and applied to imbibed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ♯3 ABUTH) seeds. Complete inhibition of germination occurred at a concentration of 6 × 10-4 M BITC, and only 28% (compared to controls) of the seeds germinated after 4 days exposure to the 4 × 10-4 M treatment. Corn (Zea mays L. ‘DeKalb XL-66′) was unaffected even at higher concentrations; however, 72% of imbibed soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Tiger’] germinated in 6 × 10-4 M BITC. When this natural inhibitor was applied to etiolated velvetleaf seedlings at 4 × 10-4 M, 100% died in 2 days.

Tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea} was evaluated on three Wyoming soil types for control of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana Pursh.), and phytotoxic effects on associated vegetation. Big sagebrush was controlled with tebuthiuron at application rates of 0.6 to 1.1 kg ai/ha, whereas silver sagebrush was not completely controlled. Prairie junegrass [Koeleria pyramidata (Cam.) Beauv.], western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb. ♯3 AGRSM), needleandthread (Stipa comata Trin. ♯ STDCO), and green needlegrass (Stipa viritdula Trin. ♯ STOVI) were not significantly reduced with tebuthiuron up to 1.1 kg ai/ha. Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis H.B.K. ♯ BOBGR), downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. ♯ BROTE), plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha Haw. ♯ OPUPO), and broom snakeweed [Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh.) Britt. and Rugsby, ♯ GUESA] were tolerant to tebuthiuron at rates up to 1.1 kg ai/ha.

Stem flow is the water from precipitation that is intercepted by plant canopies and conveyed down the outside of stems to wet the soil at the base of the plant. For western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) trees, stem flow was only a small fraction of the precipitation intercepted by the canopy. However, this moisture may be important in the nutrient flux of the trees. The first stem flow in the fall after the summer drought was enriched in nitrate-nitrogen although the quantity of nitrogen per unit area was small. The combination of favorable moisture and temperature conditions at the base of the tree leads to litter decay and nitrification. The root system of the trees had many fine roots in the area that received stem flow. Canopy interception and stem flow should be taken into consideration in application of soil active herbicides for control of western juniper.

Six multiple-cropping systems composed of: a) turnip (Brassica campestris spp. rapifera), corn (Zea mays L.), and snapbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); b) turnip, peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and snapbean; c) turnip, corn, and turnip; d) turnip, peanut, and turnip; e) snapbean, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.); and f) turnip, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and turnip were subjected to nematicide and weed control programs of cultivation or herbicides. Herbicide programs were superior to cultivation in control of weeds. Weeds remaining in the row following cultivation competed severely with crops. Weed species remaining were altered depending on the method of control and crop. Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L. ♯3 CYPES) increased rapidly in all herbicide programs but not in cultivated plots. Pigweeds (Amaranthus spp.) were controlled by herbicides but increased in cultivated plots. Corn, peanut, soybean, and spring snapbean yields were higher in herbicide treatments than in cultivated treatments. Cucumber was the only crop that had increased yields for both main effects, herbicide and nematicide. Turnip was consistently injured in herbicide treatments, which was believed to be caused by residues from previous crops interacting with pathogens and possible allelopathic effects of decaying organic matter.

Under irrigated field conditions at Prosser, WA, Russian thistle [Salsola kali (L.) var. tenuifolia Tausch. ♯3 SASKR] began to emerge by mid-March each year and usually had completed its emergence by May 1. Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L. ♯ CHEAL) was the next to appear, usually during the third or fourth week of March. Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. ♯ ECHCG], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE), hairy nightshade (Solarium sarrachoides Sendt. ♯ SOLSA), black nightshade (5. nigrum L. ♯ SOLNI), eastern black nightshade (S. ptycanthum Dun.), and cutleaf nightshade (S. triflorum Nutt. ♯ SOLTR) generally began to emerge during the first 2 weeks of April and emergence generally peaked mid-April to mid-May. Russian thistle and cutleaf nightshade had the most restricted emergence patterns, whereas seedlings of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, hairy nightshade, and black nightshade emerged each month from April through September. Shallow tillage at monthly intervals increased the overall emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, black nightshade, and eastern black nightshade; decreased the emergence of barnyardgrass; and had no effect on the emergence of Russian thistle, cutleaf nightshade, or hairy nightshade.

Biotypes of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L. ♯3 CONAR) identified in Indiana varied widely in susceptibility to glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] but not to 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] or bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] in field tests. Significant differences in injury to two of the biotypes occurred with glyphosate applied at 1.12 to 4.48 kg ai/ha in greenhouse tests. Differences of greater than 70% in injury rating, root and shoot dry weight, and shoot regrowth dry weight occurred between the two biotypes at 2.24 kg/ha glyphosate. The susceptibility of the tolerant biotype at 2.24 kg/ha glyphosate was decreased by 40% as it increased in age, while the susceptible biotype sustained complete foliar necrosis when treated at all plant ages tested. Susceptibility differences between the two biotypes could not be correlated to differences in leaf stomatal or epidermal cell number. These studies suggested that the variable control of field bindweed observed in the field may be due to the occurrence of biotypes within a given population of this weed which differ in their susceptibility to glyphosate.

In greenhouse studies, control of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. ♯ AMBEL) and common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr. ♯ XANPE) was achieved whether or not soybeans [Glycine max L. (Merr.) ‘Ransom’] partially shielded the weeds from foliar applications of acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}. Excellent control (> 90%) of common ragweed was obtained in the greenhouse 2 and 4 weeks after plant emergence. Best control (> 90%) of common cocklebur was obtained 2 weeks after plant emergence. A simulated rainfall of 0.6 cm occurring 1 min after acifluorfen application did not decrease control or fresh weight of common ragweed in greenhouse studies. The weed control efficiency of acifluorfen on common cocklebur was reduced when the herbicide was applied intermittently within 6 h of the 0.6-cm simulated rainfall. The weed control efficiency of acifluorfen on both weed species was also reduced when the herbicide was applied intermittently within 6 to 12 h of a 1.3-cm simulated rainfall in greenhouse studies. In field studies, 2.5 cm of simulated rainfall within 12 to 24 h after acifluorfen application reduced control of common ragweed.

Field research was conducted during the summers of 1981 and 1982 in order to determine relative infection and population increase of lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) on seven weed species that commonly occur in field-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) fields in western Nebraska. Weeds were grown at three densities with and without fieldbeans. A representative sample of the root systems from plants in each plot was removed in August and the nematodes were extracted and counted. No difference in nematode infection rate was found among weed population levels. Nematodes per gram of dry root were not different in weeds grown with or without fieldbeans. Weeds grown with fieldbeans had smaller root systems, and consequently total nematodes per root system were less than in weeds grown in the absence of fieldbeans. There was a significant difference among most weed species when nematodes per gram of dry root were estimated. Hairy nightshade (Solanum sarachoides Sendt. ♯3 SOLSA) and barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) ♯ ECHCG] supported the highest numbers of nematodes per g oven-dry roots, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE) and common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr. ♯ XANPE) had least numbers of nematodes/g oven-dry roots, and infestation levels on other weed species were variable but generally intermediate.

Tolerance of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) seedlings to 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid], 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], and phenoxy-diclofop {2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenoxy] propanoic acid} mixtures was evaluated in greenhouse and field experiments. In the greenhouse, seedlings in the cotyledonary and primary-leaf stages of growth were more susceptible to 2,4-DB alone and to combinations of 2,4-DB plus diclofop than seedlings in the second- through the fifth-leaf stages. All rates of 2,4-D with or without diclofop (1.7 kg ae/ha rate) reduced seedling growth at all stages of development. In the field, 2,4-DB with or without diclofop did not reduce seedling growth. Seedling growth was suppressed by 2,4-D alone at rates of 1.02 and 1.36 kg ae/ha throughout the growing season. All combinations of 2,4-D plus diclofop suppressed seedling growth, but the suppression was particularly apparent at rates of 0.68 kg ae/ha or higher of 2,4-D.

Maximum germination of flodman thistle [Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur ♯3 CIRFL] occurred at alternating temperatures of 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 C. Seeds germinated (20%) in 1.7 M NaCl. Light was important in seed germination; however, its absence could be overcome by adding 8.6 × 10-5 M GA3 (gibberellic acid) to the germination medium. The greatest seedling emergence occurred when seeds were planted on the soil surface and was lower when seeds were buried at any depth in the soil. Osmotic potentials at −0.5 MPa and greater reduced germination, but 3% of the seeds germinated at −1.3 MPa. Flodman thistle seedlings tolerated average plant water potentials of −0.9 and −1.1 MPa, but they died when the water potential was decreased to −1.5 MPa. Flodman thistle seedlings 43 days old and with four true leaves resprouted after topgrowth removal. Regrowth was evident on 75% of the clipped plants 13 days after initial topgrowth removal. Flodman thistle rosettes spread more rapidly and rosette survival was enhanced more in a weed-free nursery than in a weedy pasture.

The interference between dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Red Kidney), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum ♯3 SOLNI), and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli ♯ ECHCR) was examined in replacement series experiments. A modified replacement series experiment also was performed to examine the effects of no interference, and intraspecific and interspecific interference on the height, leaf area, and dry weight of bean, black nightshade, and barnyardgrass. In both types of competition experiments, bean germinated earlier than either weed species and caused significant reductions in weed height, leaf area, and dry weight. The impact of bean upon itself was always greater than the effect of either weed species. In laboratory studies, barnyardgrass and black nightshade seeds were subjected to eight concentrations of trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine). Black nightshade was 100 times more tolerant to trifluralin than barnyardgrass. Field studies, conducted at several locations in the Central Valley of California in which trifluralin-treated plots were compared with nontreated plots, demonstrated that trifluralin favors trifluralin-tolerant weeds (black nightshade), but trifluralin-sensitive weeds (barnyardgrass) have not been eliminated despite 20 yr of trifluralin use.

Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion), 2,4-D [2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid), and 2,4-D plus dicamba were applied as postemergence herbicide treatments in two experiments to weed-free dormant bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) ♯3 CYNDA] turf in the Piedmont region of Georgia. Herbicides were applied as a split application to separate plots on February 2 plus February 16 and February 16 plus March 3 (± 4 days) on four bermudagrass cultivars (‘Tifway’, ‘Tifgreen’, ‘Tifdwarf’, and ‘Ormond’) in one experiment and to Tifway with vertical mowing treatments for thatch removal in a second experiment. In 2 of 3 years, paraquat applied to dormant turf in February delayed growth of bermudagrass in April. The growth of Tifway and Tifdwarf was retarded more from paraquat at 1.2 kg ai/ha in one year than Tifgreen or Ormond. Dicamba applied alone or with 2,4-D delayed turf growth in early spring more than did 2,4-D alone. In thatch-free turf, selected treatments of paraquat, dicamba, and 2,4-D plus dicamba also delayed spring growth of bermudagrass more than did 2,4-D.

The effect of 67 g ai/ha chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} on Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. ♯ CIRAR] root bud growth was examined in a series of greenhouse trials in which potted plants were treated with foliar sprays. Injury to root buds was assayed by determining their ability to form secondary shoots. Added surfactant, 0.2% (v/v) oxysorbic [oxysorbic (20 POE) polyethylene sorbitan monooleate], did not enhance chlorsulfuron-induced inhibition of parent shoot growth, but it increased root bud injury from foliarly applied chlorsulfuron. Cuttings taken from controls formed more secondary shoots than did chlorsulfuron-treated plants 2 weeks following spraying. However, root fresh weight and final secondary shoot growth from cut roots were unchanged 3 weeks after chlorsulfuron treatment compared to the time of spraying. Foliar treatment or a combination of foliar and soil treatment inhibited root fresh weight accumulation and secondary shoot growth equally 1 month following treatment relative to harvest controls. Soil treatment alone did not reduce either root fresh weight gains or secondary shoot outgrowth from root buds. Foliar treatment of vegetative Canada thistle with chlorsulfuron inhibited subsequent secondary shoot outgrowth from root buds more than did treatment at flowering.

The phytotoxicity of postemergence propanil (3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide) to hard red spring (HRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was determined in the field and controlled environmental chamber. HRS wheat tolerance to propanil was influenced by cultivar, crop growth stage at time of application, and posttreatment temperature. Injury to wheat from propanil was greater at the five- than two-leaf stage of application and at 30- than at 10- or 20-C posttreatment temperatures. ‘Butte’ wheat was the most susceptible HRS wheat cultivar to propanil, with yield reductions ranging from 15 to 40% depending upon year and crop growth stage at application.

The growth of green foxtail (Setaria viridis L. Beauv. ♯3 SETVI) and yellow foxtail [S. lutescens (Weigel.) Hubb. ♯ SETLU] in full sunlight, under 55 and 73% shade and within a wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Neepawa’) stand, was compared in field experiments conducted over 3 yr. Shade resulted in a proportionately greater reduction in tiller number of yellow foxtail than of green foxtail. Plants growing in full sunlight produced up to five times more tillers than those growing in the crop. Averaged over the 3 yr, the two shade treatments reduced dry-matter accumulation of both species by 40% or more. The dry weight of plants within the crop was only about one-eighth of that of plants grown in full sunlight. Under both shade treatments and in the crop, yellow foxtail was consistently taller than green foxtail. Nevertheless, no differences in dry weight occurred between species under either shade treatment or in the crop. The results indicate that neither of the two species is distinctly more shade tolerant than the other, nor better adapted to compete with wheat.

False broomweed (Ericameria austrotexana M.C. Johnst.) had lower near-infrared (0.75- to 0.90-μm waveband) reflectance than did six other associated rangeland species and mixed herbaceous vegetation. False broomweed's low near-infrared reflectance was attributed to its erectophile (erect-leaf) canopy structure. Other species had planophile (horizontal-leaf) or intermediate-leaf orientation. False broomweed's low near-infrared reflectance caused its image to be dark reddish-brown on color-infrared (0.50- to 0.90-μm waveband) film, compared with red or magenta images of other rangeland species. Microdensitometric measurements made on the film showed that false broomweed had significantly higher optical counts than those of associated species and mixtures of species.