A herbicide safener, CGA-43089 [α-(cyanomethoximino)-benzacetonitrile], has been discovered which will allow the safe use of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethylacetamide] in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Experiments revealed that sorghum is protected from injury by metolachlor when it is applied at rates as high as 4 kg/ha. Better protection was achieved when sorghum seed were treated directly with the safener than when it was mixed with the herbicide. A CGA-43089 rate of 1.25 to 1.5 g per kg of sorghum seed was adequate for protection. Sorghum tolerance to metolachlor was maintained with CGA-43089 when metolachlor was combined with several s-triazine herbicides. Metolachlor effectively controlled several annual grasses with an increase in sorghum yield.

The chlorophyll levels and growth of oat (Avena sativa L. ‘Elgin’) seedlings were drastically reduced after foliar application of diclofop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoate}. The leaves were chlorotic and necrotic with the newly emerging leaves being most affected. Plants treated with 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] were similar to the controls. When 2,4-D was applied to intact plants in combination with diclofop-methyl the toxicity symptoms produced by diclofop-methyl were reduced. Diclofop-methyl disrupted membrane integrity and inhibited chlorophyll formation in excised leaf segments. Addition of 2,4-D with diclofop-methyl did not change the effects produced by diclofop-methyl alone in excised leaf segments.

Aqueous solutions of buthidazole {3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone}, VEL 3510 {1-β,β-dimethoxyethyl-1-methyl-3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadazol-2-yl] urea}, tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea}, fluridone 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone, metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one], and prometryn [2,4-bis(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine] were spectrophotometrically titrated to obtain pKA values. Ionizing properties of the chemicals were compared with other related compounds reported in the literature. The pKA values for the six herbicides were 0.6 and 11.3, 0.9 and 9.0, 1.2, 1.7, 1.1, and 4.1, respectively.

The uptake, translocation, and metabolism of 14C-alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] by germinating and emerged snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings were monitored under 16-h daylength (21 klux) comparing 16 C night/21 C Day and 27 C night/32 C day temperature regimes. Total uptake of 14C-alachlor by germinating snap beans was greater under the higher temperature, however, the compound was localized primarily in the roots where it was rapidly metabolized. At the lower temperature, the label was located in approximately equal amounts in all plant parts except cotyledons and significantly less of the alachlor was metabolized. Root uptake of 14C-alachlor and translocation of labeled compounds to the shoots were significantly greater under the higher temperatures. Approximately 60% of 14C-alachlor was shown to volatilize from a watchglass after 48 h at 27 C. After volatilization, uptake of 14C-alachlor occurred in adjacent snap bean plants in a closed system.

The feasibility of using the spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae L., Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), as a biological control agent on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) was evaluated. Studies relating adult hawkmoth emergence from the pupal stage and spring growth of leafy spurge plants showed that the plants would provide food and oviposition sites for the insect. Two generations of the insect may occur each year. Winter temperatures at approximately 2.5 cm below the soil surface or in the litter would result in some mortality of hawkmoth pupae. Pupal release programs indicated that protection from insect and rodent predators was necessary for adult emergence to occur. Predator determination using 32P indicated two specimens of Calosoma calidum Fab. and two specimens of Formica subsericea Say as possible predators. Predator determination using pitfall traps showed that several species listed by Canadian researchers as predators were present in leafy spurge stands in Nebraska. At this time it appears the spurge hawkmoth will not become a valuable biological control agent for leafy spurge in Nebraska.

Slow advances were made in weed technology over 10,000 yr as agriculture progressed from hand weeding to the use of hand tools, animal power, cultural practices, mechanical power, biological controls, and most recently to chemical control.

President Hay, distinguished officers of the Society, and learned colleagues. Let me express my deep appreciation for the honor you confer on me.

It was my good fortune to begin a career in weed control at the point of transition between the modern chemical era and what I have chosen to call the cultural-mechanical era of weed control, which just preceded it. It was, therefore, my privilege to have known and worked with some of the handful of scientists who laid the foundation of weed science. Some are yet with us, but most have passed on to a greater glory.

A technique is described for removing seed from soil samples. The soil was poured as a water slurry over 0.841 mm and 0.58 mm sieves. The retained seeds were placed in a laboratory seed blower which was adjusted to remove light debris and seed coats without embryos. The remaining seeds were separated, identified, and counted. The technique was used with a 2-yr study which monitored soil weed seed populations in three vegetable cropping systems.

CGA-43089 [α-(cyanomethoximino)-benzacetonitrile] applied as a seed treatment enables sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] to tolerate metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide]. Improved tolerance of alexandergrass [Brachiaria plantaginea, (Link) A. Hitchc.] Eleusine spp., proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) to metolachlor also was demonstrated. Seven sorghum cultivars, representing widely divergent types of germplasm, responded similarly to the safening effect of CGA-43089 when the cultivars were exposed to metolachlor. Treated sorghum seed may be stored more than 1 yr without a loss of safening activity. In these growth chamber experiments, neither extremes of soil moisture nor temperature reduced the effectiveness of the safener. The predominant site of uptake of CGA-43089 is the coleoptile of sorghum seedlings.

Leaching of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) plus R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide) through columns of four soils resulted in the separation of R-25788. Separation of R-25788 from EPTC was greater in coarser than in finer textured soils. When soil columns were placed under drying conditions for 6 days after leaching, R-25788 moved upward in the columns faster than EPTC.

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of soil moisture, seedling age, and exposure of plant parts on control of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.] with diclofop {2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid}, formulated as the methyl ester. In a Warden silt loam, moisture content of 10% or more was needed for satisfactory diclofop control of slow-growing barnyardgrass under cool, early-season conditions. Soil moisture was less critical when temperatures were higher and barnyardgrass was growing rapidly. Roots and emerging shoots both absorbed diclofop from the soil, but both plant parts were inhibited more when diclofop was applied to the roots than to the shoots. Barnyardgrass was injured from diclofop applied postemergence to either roots or shoots separately, but phytotoxicity was greatest when the whole plant was exposed. When the soil was treated, control increased with increasing amounts of post-treatment overhead irrigation. Two-leaf and four-leaf barnyardgrass plants were equally susceptible to diclofop applied postemergence, but resistance increased with age in plants with more than four leaves.

Retention, absorption, translocation, and volatility of foliarly applied diclofop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy] propanoate} were compared in barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.], a susceptible grass; proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), a moderately susceptible grass; longspine sandbur [Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern.], a tolerant grass; and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hark’] and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Green Star’), both tolerant broadleaf plants. On a jug/plant basis, the order of diclofop-methyl spray retention was cucumber > soybean > proso millet > longspine sandbur = barnyardgrass. On a μg/mg dry weight basis, proso millet retained 3 to 10 times more diclofop-methyl than all other species. One day after treatment (DAT), absorption of 14C-diclofopmethyl was 14 to 18% less in longspine sandbur than in the other species, 3 DAT absorption in cucumber was 8 to 14% greater than in the other species, and 5 DAT absorption in soybean was 3 to 12% less than in other species. Translocation of 14C-diclofop-methyl did not differ among species, with 98% of the applied radioactivity located in the treated leaf. An average of 11% of radioactivity applied to the surface of intact, living plants and excised, dried leaves of cucumber, soybean, and barnyardgrass, as well as glass cover slips, was lost by evaporation. None of the parameters measured showed differences large enough to be implicated as primary selectivity mechanisms.

Field studies were conducted in 1977 and 1978 to compare the efficacy of the starch xanthate and activated-sludge polymer controlled-release herbicide formulations with the emulsifiable-concentrate formulations. As incorporation was delayed from immediately to never incorporated, starch xanthate and sludge polymer thiocarbamate herbicide formulations had activity equal to that of the emulsifiable concentrates at our initial and final rating dates. Trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine)-starch xanthate in 1977 had increased activity over that of the emulsifiable concentrate as incorporation was delayed, as indicated by initial and final visual rating. Starch xanthate did not greatly increase the residual activity of alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide], metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide], or several thiocarbamate herbicides. Starch xanthate formulations of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) and vernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate) provided significantly less protection to corn than did addition of the protectant R-29148 [3-(dichloroacetyl)-2,2,5-trimethyloxazolidine]. The sludge polymer formulation had no controlled-release properties.

The interaction between diclofop-methyl {2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] methyl propanoate} and 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] was evaluated. Foliar applications of the two herbicides in a tank mixture were antagonistic with respect to wild oat (Avena fatua L.) control. Application of mixtures of the two herbicides to wild oat roots resulted in an additive herbicidal effect. The acid form of 2,4-D was determined to be the component of the 2,4-D formulation that reduced the toxicity of foliar-applied diclofop-methyl to wild oat. Analysis of diclofop-methyl solutions with and without added 2,4-D revealed no degradation products of dichlofop-methyl, nor any evidence of complexing between diclofop-methyl and 2,4-D. Addition of 2,4-D to the diclofop-methyl spray solution did not affect diclofop-methyl spray retention by, or penetration into, wild oat leaves. Movement of radioactivity to roots and to shoot apices following application of 14C-diclofop-methyl to wild oat leaves was reduced by addition of 2,4-D to the treatment solution. Deesterification of diclofop-methyl was inhibited by 2,4-D. The accumulation of diclofop-methyl in these wild oat leaves resulted in membrane damage and leaf necrosis. Symplastic movement of the des-methyl acid, diclofop, to sensitive meristematic areas was reduced. As insufficient toxicant reached meristematic areas to permanently interrupt meristematic activity, the wild oat plants were able to outgrow the contact damage to their leaves.

Several chemicals were evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to inhibit growth of hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle] from tubers. Fenac [(2,3,6-trichlorophenyl)acetic acid] and dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) were effective in controlling regrowth in outdoor aquaria. In field tests, hydrilla regrowth was controlled for over 13 months by single applications of 34 kg/ha rates of fenac and over 48 months in one of three replicates treated with 11 kg/ha dichlobenil. Regrowth occurred in controls within 2 to 6 months. There were no differences in the number of viable propagules found in hydrosoil before and 13 months after treatments. Regrowth occurred from root-stocks and from tubers. Regrowth was associated with disappearance of the herbicides from water.

Adsorption isotherms were obtained for buthidazole {3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone}, VEL 3510 {1-β,β-dimethoxy-1-methyl-3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]urea}, tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea}, and fluridone {1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4 (1H)-pyridinone} on soil organic matter (H- and Ca-saturated), Ca-montmorillonite, and Cape Fear sandy loam soil. Prometryn [2,4-bis (isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine] was included as a reference. The order of adsorption on all adsorbents was fluridone ≥ prometryn > > tebuthiuron ≥ VEL 3510 > buthidazole. Fluridone adsorption on the various adsorbents was: H-organic matter > Ca-montmorillonite > Ca-organic matter > > Cape Fear sandy loam. Tebuthiuron, VEL 3510, and buthidazole adsorption on the various adsorbents was in the order: H-organic matter > Ca-organic matter = Ca-montmorillonite > Cape Fear sandy loam. Adsorption of all herbicides increased with decreasing pH, suggesting that the adsorption mechanism was molecular under neutral pH conditions and ionic under acidic conditions. All of the herbicides were adsorbed in high amounts as protonated species on IR-120-H cation exchange resin and in low amounts as molecular species on IR-400-Cl anion exchange resin. Buthidazole and VEL 3510 were adsorbed in high amounts as anionic species by the IR-400-Cl exchange resin at high pH levels.

Fluridone {1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4 (1H)-pyridinone} and R-4-0244 [1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-chloro-4-chloromethyl-2-pyrrolidone], herbicides that block carotenoid synthesis, increase the sensitivity of corn (Zea mays L. ‘Merit’) to exogenously-applied gibberellic acid (GA). Increase in shoot length due to the application of GA to imbibing corn seeds was considerably enhanced by simultaneously applying either fluridone or R-40244. Fluridone was more active in this respect than R-40244.

Morphological and chemical characteristics of 11 warm season pasture weed species were defined. Goldenrod (Solidago altissima L.) was significantly taller and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) had the largest canopy diameter of the 11 species studied. Species ranged from 14 to 134 cm in height with canopy diameters of 25 to 70 cm. No direct correlation was found between individual leaf size and total leaf area. Macro- and micromineral content varied widely among species but all values obtained were considered high enough to meet the requirements of ruminant animals. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.) contained potentially toxic levels of nitrate. Five of the 11 species contained sufficient crude protein for ruminants and six of the 11 species were more than 50% digestible. Digestible energy values averaged 1.9 Mcal/kg for the 11 weeds evaluated.

The plant pathogenic fungus Albugo tragopogi (Pers.) S. F. Gray (“white rust”), isolated from a local population of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) and inoculated into ragweed seedlings at the two-leaf stage, reduced pollen production by 99%, seed production by 98%, and top weight by 79% of plants that developed systemic disease symptoms while growing in a controlled environment. However, only 14% of the inoculated plants developed systemic symptoms. A convenient method of inoculating leaves of seedling plants with zoospores of a fungus is described.

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) accession PI 390244 tolerated up to 0.56 kg/ha atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] whereas most cultivars and accessions were killed by 0.14 kg/ha. The possible mechanisms for tolerance were investigated by comparing growth rates, effects on photosystem II in isolated chloroplasts, and differences in uptake and translocation of 14C-atrazine between tolerant PI 390244 and the susceptible cultivar Marketmore 70. PI 390244 had significantly more leaf area than Marketmore 70, but less root biomass. Isolated chloroplast preparations from both cultivars were equally susceptible to the herbicide. Although PI 390244 absorbed more total 14C-atrazine, it translocated less radioactivity from the roots. While the concentration of 14C found in the PI 390244 roots was 10 to 30% greater than in Marketmore 70, the amount of radioactivity in the cotyledons, and first and second true leaves of Marketmore 70 were 53, 34, and 55% higher, respectively, after 48 h.