Injury to weeds from sublethal doses of POST herbicides may reduce the effect of weed interference on crop yield. Information on how herbicide dose influences weed mortality, growth, and seed production is needed to assess the potential benefit of applying reduced herbicide doses. Field experiments were conducted at Mead, NE, in 2001 and 2002 to quantify velvetleaf mortality, growth, and corn–velvetleaf interference in response to varying doses of three POST herbicides. Untreated velvetleaf at six densities (0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 20 plants m−1 corn row) was grown in mixture with corn to establish a baseline corn–velvetleaf interference relationship. Treated velvetleaf at a density of 20 plants m−1 row received one of five doses of dicamba, halosulfuron, or flumiclorac. Untreated velvetleaf height, biomass, and seed capsule production were greater in 2002 than 2001 and declined with increasing velvetleaf density in both years. Corn yield was not affected by untreated velvetleaf in 2001, but yield loss increased with increasing velvetleaf density in 2002. Mortality of herbicide-treated velvetleaf was 56% greater in 2001 than 2002 and increased with increasing herbicide dose. Maximum height of treated velvetleaf was similar for all treatments in 2001 but declined with increasing herbicide dose in 2002. Biomass and seed production of treated velvetleaf varied among herbicides in 2002 and decreased with increasing dose. Corn yield was not influenced by velvetleaf in 2001, but yield loss in response to herbicide-treated velvetleaf declined with increasing herbicide dose in 2002. Results show that the assumption that weeds surviving herbicide application are as competitive as untreated weeds is incorrect. Reduction in growth and resource consumption by herbicide-damaged weeds reduced the negative effects of weeds on corn.

A 3-yr field study was conducted to determine the effect of a biological control agent, Sclerotinia minor Jagger, and a common herbicide, Killex, on the population dynamics of dandelion and other broadleaf species and on the dandelion seed bank. Treatments were applied as one spring, one early autumn, or a spring plus an early autumn treatment per year. The response of the dandelion population to a spring herbicide treatment was similar to two applications per year (spring and early autumn). Significantly less dandelion control occurred after the first early autumn application of the herbicide. Two weeks after application, spring or early autumn treatments with S. minor were equally effective in suppressing dandelions. In the second year of the two applications per year of S. minor treatment, weed control was equivalent to the herbicide. By the third year of the one spring application of S. minor, weed control was equivalent to the herbicide. Generally over the study period, the early autumn application of S. minor was less effective than the spring or the spring and early autumn applications. The S. minor treatments significantly reduced the dandelion seed bank, and this effect was not significantly different from the Killex herbicide treatment. The rate, frequency, and seasonal timing of application had no effect on the dandelion seed-bank size, but terminating the application would gradually replenish the seed bank. Populations of white clover, broadleaf plantain, birdsfoot trefoil, and common ragweed were similarly suppressed by either the S. minor or the herbicide treatments. Yellow woodsorrel significantly increased after 1 yr of herbicide treatment compared with the S. minor and untreated control treatments, indicating a possible weed species shift. Turf quality was improved because of the herbicide and S. minor treatments, but grass injury and smooth crabgrass invasion were recorded in 17% of herbicide-treated plots.

In order to select efficient and competitive glufosinate-degrading bacteria, two soils which had been treated with glufosinate annually for more than 5 yr were screened. Three strains tolerant to this herbicide were identified by 16S rDNA analysis as Burkholderia sacchari, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas psychrotolerans. In addition, a moderately tolerant strain, P. citronellolis, was isolated from a soil which had received glufosinate treatment for only 6 mo. In culture medium containing high concentration of glufosinate, the former three strains showed significant ability to degrade this glutamine synthetase inhibitor, suggesting that glufosinate-degrading bacteria would be readily found in soils after a long-term induction or selection. A subsequent biodegradation experiment showed that 30 and 50% of glufosinate was degraded 7 and 21 d after treatment (DAT), respectively, in sterilized soils inoculated with the above-mentioned three tolerant strains. While more than 30% of the glufosinate in nonsterilized soils was degraded 7 DAT by the indigenous edaphic microbes, inoculation with the three selected strains enhanced glufosinate degradation to nearly 50%. A study on the competition from edaphic microorganisms in soils by polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis revealed that within 21 d after inoculation (DAI), the propagation of B. sacchari and P. psychrotolerans was not affected, whereas that of the less tolerant P. citronellolis was inhibited. This observation suggests that a long-term herbicide exposure is a promotive factor in generating bacterial strains having high degradation efficiency and showing vigorous propagation under the competition pressure arising from indigenous microbes.

Biological control of parthenium, a major weed in grazing areas in Australia, was initiated in the mid 1970s. Since then, nine species of insects and two rust fungi have been introduced. Evaluation using pesticide exclusion at two sites (Mt. Panorama and Plain Creek) in Queensland, Australia, revealed that classical biological control had a significant negative effect on the target weed, but the impact varied between years. In this study, I quantified the effects of biological control of parthenium on grass production. Grass production declined with the increase in parthenium biomass. Significant increase in grass production due to biological control was observed, but only in 1 of 4 yr at Mt. Panorama and 2 of 4 yr at Plain Creek. At Mt. Panorama, there was a 40% increase in grass biomass in 1997 because of defoliation by Zygogramma bicolorata and galling by Epiblema strenuana. At Plain Creek, grass biomass increased by 52% in 1998 because of E. strenuana and by 45% in 2000 because of combined effects of E. strenuana and the summer rust Puccinia melampodii. This study provides evidence on the beneficial effects of biological control of parthenium in areas under limited grazing.

Quinclorac drift has been speculated as the cause of injury to tomato crops throughout northeast Arkansas. In this study, we set out to determine whether tomato plant injury and yield reduction were correlated with simulated quinclorac drift. Experiments were carried out at Fayetteville, AR, in 1999 and 2000. Maximum plant injury (visual ratings) was about 20% when plants were treated with one, two, or three quinclorac applications (weekly intervals beginning at first flower) at 0.42 g ai ha−1 (0.001 times the normal use rate to simulate drift). Maximum plant injury ranged from 48 to 68% with quinclorac simulated drift treatment of 42 g ha−1. Overall, increasing quinclorac rate and number of applications increased tomato injury. In both years, tomato plant fresh-weight accumulation was not influenced by one, two, or three applications of quinclorac at 0.42 g ha−1 compared with the untreated control. In 1999, increasing the rate of quinclorac from 0.42 to 4.2 g ha−1 reduced plant fresh-weight accumulation. In 2000, there was no significant difference in plant fresh weight when plants were treated with quinclorac at 2.1 to 4.2 g ha−1. Evaluation of the herbicide rate effect indicated that quinclorac at 0.42 g ha−1 did not reduce tomato fruit yield (total weight of edible fruit) compared with the untreated control, but yield decreased as rate increased above 0.42 g ha−1. Increasing the number of applications generally decreased tomato yield, and overall as maximum visual plant injury increased, tomato yield reduction ALSo increased linearly. We conclude that quinclorac at simulated drift rates can adversely affect tomato plant growth and yield.

Field studies were conducted to examine the dissipation of three soil-applied residual herbicides for bare soil compared with soil under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch in 2003 and 2004. Studies indicated that halosulfuron and S-metolachlor dissipation was more rapid for bare soil than soil under LDPE mulch. Sulfentrazone dissipation from bare soil was equal to soil under LDPE mulch in 2003. However, sulfentrazone dissipation in 2004 was more rapid for soil under LDPE mulch than for bare soil. The order for half-life, defined as time for 50% dissipation (DT50), varied by herbicide and soil exposure. Averaged across 2003 and 2004, metolachlor DT50 was 2 d, halosulfuron 7 d, and sulfentrazone 16 d for bare soil. S-metolachlor DT50 was 4 d, halosulfuron 10 d, and sulfentrazone 13 d for soil under LDPE mulch. Correlation between quantified herbicide dissipation and bioassay for bare soil compared with soil under LDPE mulch in 2004 indicated that assay species root dry weights were negatively correlated with herbicide concentration. Data indicated that S-metolachlor and sulfentrazone bioassays, with oat and cotton, respectively, could be used to assess the level of dissipation for each herbicide.

Russian thistle is the most problematic broadleaf weed for spring-sown crops in the low-precipitation (< 340 mm yr−1) region of the inland Pacific Northwest of the United States. A 6-yr field experiment was conducted at Lind, WA, to evaluate three postharvest control strategies for Russian thistle in continuous annual spring wheat. Postharvest treatments were (1) tillage with low-disturbance overlapping undercutter V-blade sweeps; (2) paraquat + diuron at the labeled rate, which is widely used by farmers; and (3) an untreated check (letting Russian thistle grow unhindered). The undercutter V-sweep consistently killed all Russian thistle with essentially no residue burial, and no seed was produced. In contrast, the paraquat + diuron treatment halted Russian thistle dry biomass production, but plants continued to extract soil water and produce an average of 310 seeds m−2 on the lower branches. In the check, Russian thistle produced an average of 700 kg ha−1 postharvest dry biomass and 5,670 seeds m−2. The undercutter V-sweep treatment had significantly more water in the 180-cm soil profile at time of wheat harvest, after a killing frost in October, and in mid March as well as greater spring wheat grain yield compared with the herbicide and check treatments. Results show that postharvest tillage with an undercutter V-sweep consistently achieved 100% control, retained ample wheat residue on the surface to control erosion, and was by far the most effective treatment in this experiment.

Invasive plant species have adversely affected rangelands throughout the world and continue to invade previously uninfested lands at an alarming rate. Previous efforts have focused on eradication and control; however, recent efforts have recognized that preventing invasive plant species from infesting new areas is more cost-effective and efficient than trying to restore the system after it is infested. One of the major components of prevention is limiting the introduction of the invasive plant to uninfested areas. Guidelines to limit the introduction of invasive plants into new areas are usually general and not developed to address differences in dispersal vectors among invasive plants. To limit the dispersal of invasive plants, land managers need a framework that assists them in identifying major spatial dispersal vectors and management strategies based on those vectors. We propose an initial conceptual framework that integrates the ecology of invasive plant dispersal with prevention management. The framework identifies major potential vectors by incorporating invasive plant seed adaptations for dispersal through space and infestation locations relative to vector pathways. The framework then proposes management strategies designed to limit dispersal by those specific vectors. The framework ALSo identifies areas where research could improve the effectiveness of dispersal-prevention strategies by providing additional management tools.

Bioeconomic models are predicated upon the relationship between weed fecundity and crop yield loss in consecutive growing seasons, yet this phenomenon has received few empirical tests. Residual effects of wild proso millet (WPM) fecundity in sweet corn upon WPM seedling recruitment, weed management efficacy, and crop yield within a subsequent snap bean crop were investigated with field experiments in Urbana, IL, in 2005 and 2006. WPM fecundity in sweet corn showed strong positive associations with WPM seedbank density, seedling recruitment, and demographic transitions within snap bean. A negative exponential relationship between WPM initial seedling density and seedling survival of a single rotary hoe pass indicated that the rotary hoe was ineffective at low weed population densities, but its efficacy increased with increasing weed population density to a maximum of 75% seedling mortality. Efficacy of postemergent chemical control of WPM was unaffected by WPM population density. Path analysis models demonstrated dependence between WPM fecundity in sweet corn, WPM seedling recruitment in snap bean, and reductions in snap bean yield in subsequent growing season, mediated by negative impacts of WPM seedling establishment on snap bean stand. These results underscore the importance of expanding integrated weed management programs to include management of annual weed populations both at the end of their life cycle, by reducing fecundity and seed survival, and at the very beginning of their life cycle, by reducing seedling recruitment and establishment.

Horseweed is an increasingly problematic weed in soybean because of the frequent occurrence of glyphosate-resistant (GR) biotypes. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of crop rotation, winter wheat cover crops (WWCC), residual nonglyphosate herbicides, and preplant herbicide application timing on the population dynamics of GR horseweed and crop yield. A field study was conducted at a site with a moderate infestation of GR horseweed (approximately 1 plant m−2) with crop rotation (soybean–corn or soybean–soybean) as main plots and management systems as subplots. Management systems were evaluated by quantifying horseweed plant density, seedbank density, and crop yield. Crop rotation did not influence in-field horseweed or seedbank densities at any data census timing. Preplant herbicides applied in the spring were more effective at reducing horseweed plant densities than when applied in the previous fall. Spring-applied, residual herbicide systems were the most effective at reducing season long horseweed densities and protecting crop yield because horseweed in this region behaves primarily as a summer annual weed. Horseweed seedbank densities declined rapidly in the soil by an average of 76% for all systems over the first 10 mo before new seed rain. Despite rapid decline in total seedbank density, seed for GR biotypes remained in the seedbank for at least 2 yr. Therefore, to reduce the presence of GR horseweed biotypes in a local no-till weed flora, integrated weed management (IWM) systems should be developed to reduce total horseweed populations based on the knowledge that seed for GR biotypes are as persistent in the seed bank as glyphosate-sensitive (GS) biotypes.

A recent paper (Shields et al. 2006) reports trapping seed of horseweed in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) of the lower atmosphere at heights up to 140 m above ground level. While it claims that seeds have not been trapped from the PBL before, it is shown here that seeds of other weedy composites were trapped at altitudes up to 610 m above ground level in southern Australia more than 40 yr ago.

Because weed eradication programs commonly take 10 or more years to complete, there is a need to evaluate progress toward the eradication objective. We present a simple model, based on information that is readily obtainable, that assesses conformity to the delimitation and extirpation criteria for eradication. It is applied to the program currently targeting the annual parasitic weed, branched broomrape, in South Australia. The model consists of delimitation and extirpation (E) measures plotted against each other to form an ‘eradograph.’ Deviations from the ‘ideal’ eradograph plot can inform tactical responses, e.g., increases in survey and/or control effort. Infestations progress from the active phase to the monitoring phase when no plants have been detected for at least 12 mo. They revert to the active phase upon further detection of plants. We summarize this process for the invasion as a whole in a state-and-transition model. Using this model we demonstrate that the invasion is unlikely to be delimited unless the amount of newly detected infested area decreases, on average, by at least 50% per annum. As a result of control activities implemented, on average approximately 70% (range, 44 to 86%) of active infestations progressed to the monitoring phase in the year following their detection. Simulations suggest that increasing this rate of transition will not increase E to a significant extent. The rate of reversion of infestations from the monitoring phase to the active phase decreased logarithmically with time since last detection, but it is likely that lower rates of reversion would accelerate the trend toward extirpation. Program performance with respect to the delimitation criterion has been variable; performance with respect to the extirpation criterion would be improved considerably by the development and application of cost-effective methods for eliminating branched broomrape soil seed populations.

Because of the large number of potentially invasive species, and the time required to complete weed risk assessments (WRAs) with the use of the current, mandated system in the United States, species need to be prioritized for assessment and possible listing as Federal Noxious Weeds. Our objective was to rank the potential invasiveness of weedy or pest plant species not yet naturalized in the United States. We created a new model of invasiveness (hereafter the U.S. weed-ranking model) based on scoring factors within four elements: (1) invasiveness potential, or likelihood to exhibit invasive behavior; (2) geographic potential, or habitat suitability; (3) damage potential, or likely impact; and (4) entry potential, or likelihood to be introduced. The ranking score was the product of the four elements. We scored 250 species satisfactorily, from a list of 700 +. We analyzed model sensitivity to scoring factors, and compared results to those from a WRA model for Hawaii. For species not in cultivation in the United States, the top 25 species included a mix of annuals, perennials, sedges, shrubs, and trees. Most had exhibited invasive behavior in at least several other countries. Because of greater entry potential scores, the highest-scoring species were weeds in cultivation. Twenty-nine such species, out of 44 total, had scores greater than the highest scoring species not in cultivation. In comparison to the Hawaii WRA model, correlation and regression analyses indicated that the U.S. weed-ranking model produced similar, but not exact, results. The ranking model differs from other WRAs in the inclusion of entry potential and the use of a multiplicative approach, which better suited our objectives and United States regulations. Two highly ranked species have recently been listed as Federal Noxious Weeds, and we expect most top-tier species to be similarly assessed.

Small broomrape is a parasite of several broadleaf plant species. Consequences of small broomrape infestation in host cropping systems include seed contamination, reduction in crop seed yield, and host plant death. The effect of small broomrape parasitism on the biomass partitioning of its primary host, red clover, has not been documented. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between small broomrape and red clover biomass accumulation. Total biomass of parasitized red clover plants was 15 to 51% less than nonparasitized red clover plants. Small broomrape parasitism reduced the amount of dry matter allocated to red clover inflorescences by 50 to 80%. Small broomrape dry matter accumulation was strongly related to total red clover–small broomrape dry matter accumulation. Small broomrape attachment number per red clover plant was a poor indicator of relative small broomrape dry weight accumulation. The results of this study indicated that small broomrape accumulated resources from red clover at the greatest expense to the economically important reproductive tissues.

To develop a more complete understanding of the ecological factors that regulate crop productivity, we tested the relative predictive power of yield models driven by five predictor variables: wheat and wild oat density, nitrogen and herbicide rate, and growing-season precipitation. Existing data sets were collected and used in a meta-analysis of the ability of at least two predictor variables to explain variations in wheat yield. Yield responses were asymptotic with increasing crop and weed density; however, asymptotic trends were lacking as herbicide and fertilizer levels were increased. Based on the independent field data, the three best-fitting models (in order) from the candidate set of models were a multiple regression equation that included all five predictor variables (R2 = 0.71), a double-hyperbolic equation including three input predictor variables (R2 = 0.63), and a nonlinear model including all five predictor variables (R2 = 0.56). The double-hyperbolic, three-predictor model, which did not include herbicide and fertilizer influence on yield, performed slightly better than the five-variable nonlinear model including these predictors, illustrating the large amount of variation in wheat yield and the lack of concrete knowledge upon which farmers base their fertilizer and herbicide management decisions, especially when weed infestation causes competition for limited nitrogen and water. It was difficult to elucidate the ecological first principles in the noisy field data and to build effective models based on disjointed data sets, where none of the studies measured all five variables. To address this disparity, we conducted a five-variable full-factorial greenhouse experiment. Based on our five-variable greenhouse experiment, the best-fitting model was a new nonlinear equation including all five predictor variables and was shown to fit the greenhouse data better than four previously developed agronomic models with an R2 of 0.66. Development of this mathematical model, through model selection and parameterization with field and greenhouse data, represents the initial step in building a decision support system for site-specific and variable-rate management of herbicide, fertilizer, and crop seeding rate that considers varying levels of available water and weed infestation.

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effect of henbit and purple deadnettle density on weed biomass accumulation and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) reproduction. SCN did not impact shoot or root dry weight of purple deadnettle, henbit, or soybean. Foliar and root biomass of henbit and purple deadnettle were comparable but the biomass per stem was higher for purple deadnettle. Shoot and root biomass per pot of henbit and purple deadnettle at corresponding plant densities were statistically similar and were generally higher with increasing plant density. Henbit produced a greater number of stems than purple deadnettle and the least number of stems for both species existed at low densities. Purple deadnettle allowed for more SCN reproduction than did henbit. Weed densities also influenced SCN cyst and egg production but the results were species dependent. The highest SCN reproduction per pot was supported at low to moderate densities of purple deadnettle but at moderate to high densities of henbit. These results suggest that purple deadnettle should be more aggressively managed than henbit in management programs for SCN, but that henbit, especially at high densities, can support SCN reproduction at levels near those of purple deadnettle.

Field trials were conducted to determine potato response to parts per trillion (ppt) per weight concentrations of sulfometuron in soil. The herbicide was applied to achieve targeted, 0-d soil concentrations of 0, 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, and 960 ppt. Russet Burbank potatoes were planted immediately after application using standard agronomic practices. Based on midseason visual evaluations, root and tuber injury occurred with 0-d concentrations of only 7.5 ppt. Concentrations at or above 120 ppt caused a significant increase in number of tubers with deformities compared with the control. By the end of the growing season, 0-d concentrations between 120 and 240 ppt resulted in higher percentages of tubers with deformities, such as cracks, knobs, or folds. Using logistic models fit to U.S. No. 1 tuber yield and net return data, doses of 74, 156, and 324 ppt are predicted to result in 5, 10, and 20% U.S. No. 1 yield reductions, respectively. The model predicted a 20% net return loss, approximately $160/ha, occurring at 262 ppt, which is near the 240 ppt concentration determined by standard ANOVAs and means comparisons with single degree of freedom contrasts causing significant tuber quality and yield reductions in our study. Growers using the 240 ppt concentration as an indicator of a no-effect level would encounter actual losses too great to withstand. This modeling approach provides an initial attempt at giving growers the tools necessary for assessing potential losses.

Hyperspectral remote-sensed data were obtained via a Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager-II (CASI-II) and used to estimate leaf-area index (LAI) and aboveground biomass of a highly invasive weed species, yellow starthistle (YST). In parallel, 34 ground-based field plots were used to measure aboveground biomass and LAI to develop and validate hyperspectral-based models for estimating these measures remotely. Derivatives of individual hyperspectral bands improved the correlations between imaged data and actual on-site measurements. Six derivative-based normalized difference vegetation indices (DNDVI) were developed; three of them were superior to the commonly used normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in estimating aboveground biomass of YST, but did not improve estimates of LAI. The locally integrated derivatives-based vegetation indices (LDVI) from adjacent bands within three different spectral regions (the blue, red, and green reflectance ranges) were used to enhance absorption characteristics. Three LDVIs outperformed NDVI in estimating LAI, but not biomass. Multiple regression models were developed to improve the estimation of LAI and aboveground biomass of YST, and explained 75% and 53% of the variance in biomass and LAI, respectively, based on validation assessments with actual ground measurements.

Atrazine is widely used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses in corn, sorghum, and sugarcane. Field persistence data published before 1995 showed that the average half-life of atrazine in soil was 66 d, and farmers expect to achieve weed control with a single application for the full season. However, reports of enhanced atrazine degradation in soil from fields that have a history of atrazine applications are increasing. A rapid laboratory assay was developed to screen soils for enhanced atrazine degradation. Soil (50 g) was placed in a 250 ml glass jar and treated with 7.5 ml of water containing atrazine (5 µg ai ml−1) and capped with a Teflon-lined lid. The assay was conducted at room temperature (25 C). Soil subsamples (1.5 to 3 g) were removed at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 d after treatment and extracted with an equal weight of water (wt/vol). The atrazine in the water extract was assayed with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The half-life of atrazine in soils with a history of use was ≤ 1.5 d, whereas the half-life in soils with no history of atrazine use was > 8 d. The advantages of this assay are (1) the ease of set up; (2) the rapidity of extraction, and (3) the simplicity of the quantification of the atrazine.