Postemergence-applied diuron effectively controls yellow woodsorrel in nursery crops grown in pine bark–based container substrate. Whether the phytotoxicity of diuron on yellow woodsorrel is exclusively the result of foliar activity or is partially the result of root-based activity has not been determined. Application in which diuron was allowed to contact both the foliage and the pine bark–based substrate provided 84% control as determined by shoot fresh-weight reduction relative to that of a nontreated control. Foliar-only and root-only applications provided 52 and 12% shoot fresh-weight reduction, respectively. Absorption and translocation of foliar-applied diuron by yellow woodsorrel was evaluated using radiotracer techniques. After 24 h, 86% of the applied diuron had been absorbed, and 76% of the amount applied remained in the treated leaflet, indicating minimal translocation. Diuron sorption by the pine bark–based substrate was evaluated using radiotracer techniques. After 3 h, less than 6% of applied diuron remained in the aqueous phase, indicating 94% sorption. Exposing yellow woodsorrel roots to diuron concentrations as low as 0.50 mg/L resulted in injury, and concentrations equal to or greater than 10 mg/L resulted in death. Calculations described herein indicate the concentration that probably would occur within the aqueous solution held within the substrate following a 1.12-kg ai/ha application is sufficient to be phytotoxic to yellow woodsorrel. Thus, root-based absorption is a contributing factor in the overall efficacy of postemergence-applied diuron in controlling yellow woodsorrel.

Purple nutsedge management with herbicides (halosulfuron, imazaquin, MSMA, S-metolachlor, and sulfentrazone) and mowing was investigated in a bare ground homogenous purple nutsedge field site. Mowing at 5 cm increased control of purple nutsedge by 6% compared to not mowing. Sequential applications of halosulfuron, MSMA, and sulfentrazone provided at least 80% control of purple nutsedge shoots, whereas imazaquin controlled purple nutsedge shoots less than 65%. All herbicide treatments reduced purple nutsedge total and viable tuber densities at least 40%. S-metolachlor PRE reduced total and viable tuber densities 65 and 69%, respectively. Sequential applications of sulfentrazone or MSMA reduced total and viable tubers 80%. Early postemergence (EPOST) or EPOST followed by late-postemergence applications of halosulfuron and imazaquin reduced total and viable tuber densities 52 and 59%, respectively. Data indicate that S-metolachlor PRE and sequential applications of MSMA and sulfentrazone may be viable treatments for control of purple nutsedge shoots and tubers.

Field studies were conducted in 2001 in Lewiston, NC, and in 2002 at Clayton and Lewiston, NC, to investigate the response of nontransgenic cotton to simulated glyphosate drift in a weed-free environment. Nontransgenic cotton variety ‘Fibermax 989’ was planted in a conventional seedbed at all locations. Glyphosate treatments were applied early postemergence (EPOST) at the four-leaf growth stage of cotton at 0, 8.7, 17.5, 35, 70, 140, 280, 560, and 1,120 g ai/ha and represent 0, 0.78, 1.55, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% of the commercial use rate, respectively. Rates as low as 140 g/ha caused lint yield reductions depending on year and location. When averaged over all locations, lint yield reductions of 4, 49, 72, and 87% compared with nontreated cotton were observed with glyphosate rates of 140, 280, 560, and 1,120 g/ha, respectively. Visual injury and shikimic acid accumulation were evident at glyphosate rates greater or equal to 70 g/ha. Collectively, visual injury and shikimic acid accumulation at 7 d after EPOST treatment might be used as a diagnostic indicator to predict potential yield reductions from simulated glyphosate drift.

Turf managers combine ethephon with trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on bentgrass greens to suppress annual bluegrass, inhibit turf growth, and enhance turf quality; however, effects of this growth regulator combination have not been reported on bermudagrass greens. Two experiments were conducted at the Clemson University Greenhouse Complex to investigate the response of ‘TifEagle’ bermudagrass to ethephon and TE. TifEagle bermudagrass plugs were placed in pots with 23-cm depths, 324-cm2 total surface areas, and a soil medium of an 85:15 (v/v) sand and peat moss mix. Ethephon was applied at 0, 3.8 (EP1), and 7.6 (EP2) kg ai/ha/3 wk with TE at 0 and 0.04 kg ai/ha/ 3 wk over a 9-wk period. Initial responses of bermudagrass to ethephon included chlorotic leaves and severe thinning. Bermudagrass treated with ethephon had quality reduced as much as 33% from nontreated turf. TE enhanced turf quality 4 to 22% from 4 to 9 wk after initial treatment. TE helped mask ethephon-induced quality decline after the third application. In the presence of TE, bermudagrass clipping yield was reduced from nontreated turf by 57, 70, and 72% when ethephon was applied at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk. Ethephon linearly reduced root mass after 9 wk from nontreated turf by 20 and 33% at 3.8 and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk, respectively. Compared with respective ethephon rates alone, bermudagrass treated with TE and ethephon at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk, averaged 28, 8, and 15% more root mass. Ethephon at 3.8 and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk without TE reduced TifEagle bermudagrass root length 14 and 16%, respectively, compared with untreated turf. Bermudagrass treated with ethephon at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk with TE averaged 3, 11, and 17% higher root length compared with respective ethephon rates after 9 wk. Overall, ethephon may have negative effects on TifEagle root mass, root length, and turf quality. However, combining ethephon with TE may help reduce these deleterious effects.

Turfgrass managers often desire to overseed thin areas during midsummer or late summer, but seeding desirable species too soon after a preemergence herbicide application can interfere with seedling growth. This study was conducted to compare the effects of three herbicides on Kentucky bluegrass seedling growth and to determine whether seeding method affects the interval before seeding can safely occur. Dithiopyr, prodiamine, and pendimethalin were applied to ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue plots in late April at 0.56, 0.84, and 3.36 kg ai/ha, respectively. At 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk after treatment, soil cores were extracted from each plot, the existing turf was killed, and the cores were either broadcast seeded or slit seeded with Kentucky bluegrass. Slit seeding resulted in greater and more extended seedling growth suppression than broadcast seeding for all herbicides. Prodiamine suppressed Kentucky bluegrass seedling growth longer than dithiopyr and pendimethalin. Unacceptable seedling growth suppression occurred unless broadcast seeding was delayed for about 6, 8, and 14 wk after dithiopyr, pendimethalin, and prodiamine application, respectively. The required interval between herbicide application and slit seeding was approximately 11, 10, and 16 wk, respectively. Use of dithiopyr or pendimethalin rather than prodiamine and broadcast seeding instead of slit seeding allows earlier overseeding with Kentucky bluegrass.

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the utility of an in vivo acetolactate synthase (ALS) assay for comparing sensitivity to imazamox among imidazolinone-resistant wheat cultivars/lines. Ten single-gene imidazolinone-resistant winter wheat cultivars/lines, one two-gene and four single-gene imidazolinone-resistant spring wheat cultivars/lines, and three pairs of heterozygous and homozygous imidazolinone-resistant winter wheat lines were evaluated in the assay experiments. Additionally, a dose-response assay was conducted to evaluate the tolerance of several imidazolinone-resistant wheat cultivars to imazamox on a whole plant level. The I50 value (i.e., the imazamox dose that inhibited ALS activity by 50%) of the winter wheat cultivar ‘Above’ was 54 to 84% higher than the I50 values of 99-420, 99-433, and CV-9804. However, based on the results of this study, it is unclear whether genetic background or market class (hard red winter vs. soft white winter) influences the level of ALS inhibition by imazamox. Teal 15A, the two-gene imidazolinone-resistant spring wheat cultivar, had an I50 value that was two to three times greater than the I50 value of the single-gene imidazolinone-resistant spring wheat cultivars/lines. The heterozygous imidazolinone-resistant wheat lines had I50 values that were 69 to 81% less than the I50 values of the homozygous lines. In the whole plant dose response, the R50 values (i.e., the imazamox dose that reduced biomass by 50%) of the susceptible cultivars Brundage 96 and Conan were 15 to 17 times less than the homozygous single-gene imidazolinone-resistant winter and spring cultivars/lines, whose R50 values were about 1.7 times less than the R50 value of the two-gene imidazolinone-resistant spring wheat line, Teal 15A. The results of the in vivo ALS imazamox assays and the whole plant imazamox dose-response assay were similar, indicating that the in vivo assay can be used to accurately and quickly compare resistance between imidazolinone-resistant wheat cultivars/lines.

Yellow starthistle is an annual that is dependent on achene production, dispersal, and germination for stand renewal. Our purpose in this study was to determine the temperature relations for germination of achenes of this species. Germination temperature profiles were developed for achenes of yellow starthistle collected from 15 sites in California, Nevada, and Oregon. Each profile consisted of achene germination at 55 constant or alternating temperatures from 0 through 40 C. A total of 85 germination temperature profiles were developed by using the germination data to construct quadratic response surfaces through regression analysis. For most profiles, germination occurred at all the temperature regimes except a constant 40 C. This includes a constant 0 C and 0 alternating with 40 C. Rarely, there was no germination at 35 C and 35 C alternating with 40 C. The only evidence of afterripening requirements for achenes of yellow starthistle that we noted occurred at very cold temperature regimes. At those temperatures, the germination of dark-colored achenes without pappus increased 3 mo after harvest, and decreased for light-colored achenes with a pappus. No single temperature regime always supported optimum germination when all the profiles were combined. The most frequent optima was 2/20 C. Comparing all profiles for the Davis, CA, accession, there were 5 regimes (5 and 10 C cold periods alternating with 15 through 25 C warm periods) that always supported optimum germination. Light-colored achenes with pappus tended to have optimal germination at colder temperatures, and the dark-colored achenes at higher temperatures when seeds were tested immediately after harvest.

Field trials were conducted in 2001 at the Tobacco Research Station near Oxford, NC, and in 2002 at the Lower Coastal Plains Research Station near Kinston, NC, to determine tobacco yield, injury, and shikimic acid accumulation in response to simulated glyphosate drift. Glyphosate was applied to 12- to 13-cm-high tobacco ‘K326’ early postemergence at 0, 9, 18, 35, 70, 140, 280, 560, and 1,120 (1×) g ai/ha. Crop injury was rated 7 and 35 d after treatment (DAT) and shikimic acid accumulation in leaves at 7 DAT, tobacco yield, and leaf grade index (whole-plant index of harvest interval leaf value) were also assessed. Shikimic acid accumulation and injury symptoms increased similarly as glyphosate rate increased. Glyphosate rates of 140 g/ha (0.125 of recommended rate) or higher resulted in significant crop injury, reduced tobacco yield, and decreased leaf grade index. Shikimic acid accumulation at 7 DAT was inversely related to tobacco yield. Shikimic acid accumulation was found to be an effective diagnostic tool to determine glyphosate drift in tobacco; however, in-season data are needed to correlate shikimic acid accumulation with yield loss.

Chinese privet is a nonnative shrub that has invaded mesic forests throughout the southeastern United States during the past century. Foliar sprays of glyphosate and triclopyr were tested in three factorial experiments that included wide ranges of application rate, timing, and formulation to refine methods for controlling Chinese privet. For spring (April) and fall (October and December) applications, percentage control of privet cover averaged 93 to 100% and 49 to 70% for glyphosate and triclopyr treatments, respectively, whereas for summer (June and August) applications, control averaged 67 to 69% and 14 to 26%, respectively (study 1). However, privet control was not influenced by variation in herbicide rates of 1.7, 3.4, 5.0, or 6.7 kg ae/ha compared with each of the five application timings. No differences were found in August comparisons of liquid vs. dry glyphosate products or water-soluble vs. oil-soluble triclopyr products for each of the four rates (study 2). In a comparison of low rates of glyphosate applied in August with or without trenching of plot perimeters to isolate privet clumps (study 3), control increased from 12 to 65% as rate increased from 0 to 0.8 kg ae/ha, suggesting that rate responses may occur at lower values than those tested in studies 1 and 2. Isolation of privet clumps by trenching did not have a statistically detectable effect on privet susceptibility to glyphosate. Low rates of glyphosate (1.7 kg ae/ha or possibly lower) will provide effective control of privet when applied in the spring or fall.

Herbicides commonly used to control Cyperus spp. are not completely effective against Kyllinga spp. Field trials were conducted on North Carolina golf courses to evaluate green and false-green kyllinga control at fairway and rough golf course mowing heights. Treatments included single and sequential applications of bentazon (1.12 kg ai/ha), halosulfuron (0.07 kg/ha), MSMA (2.24 kg/ ha), and trifloxysulfuron (0.03 kg/ha); imazaquin (0.56 kg/ha) with and without MSMA; and two rates of sulfentrazone (0.42 and 0.56 kg/ha). Green or false-green kyllinga control was equivalent at fairway and rough mowing heights. Halosulfuron applied sequentially, imazaquin with and without MSMA, and trifloxysulfuron applied singly or sequentially, controlled green and false-green kyllinga 89 to 99% 10 wk after initial treatment (WAIT). However, Kyllinga spp. control decreased over the course of the study regardless of herbicide treatment. By one year after treatment (YAIT), bentazon or MSMA alone controlled green or false-green kyllinga 50% or less. No difference was observed in green or false-green kyllinga control between imazaquin vs. imazaquin plus MSMA, sulfentrazone 0.42 vs. 0.56 kg/ha, or trifloxysulfuron one vs. two applications at any rating date. Green kyllinga was seemingly more difficult to control than false-green kyllinga. Sequential applications of bentazon and MSMA, single applications of halosulfuron, sulfentrazone applied at 0.42 and 0.56 kg/ha, and single and sequential applications of trifloxysulfuron controlled false-green kyllinga at least 10% greater than green kyllinga at 1 YAIT. Further research is needed to assess the potential variation among Cyperus and Kyllinga spp. response to herbicides.

Field studies were established in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate Italian ryegrass, wheat, and double-crop soybean response to fall and spring postemergence applications of flucarbazone, sulfosulfuron, clodinafop, diclofop, and tralkoxydim applied alone and in combination with thifensulfuron + tribenuron to winter wheat. Fall-applied herbicides caused 5% or less wheat injury. Spring-applied herbicides caused 3 to 45% wheat injury, and the greatest injury occurred with the combination of flucarbazone with thifensulfuron + tribenuron in the spring of 2001. Spring-applied sulfosulfuron, tralkoxydim, diclofop, and clodinafop caused 3 to 6% and 16 to 26% wheat injury in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Herbicide injury to wheat did not reduce wheat grain yield compared with the hand-weeded treatment. Italian ryegrass competition in the nontreated plots reduced wheat yield by as much as 33% compared with herbicide-treated plots. Italian ryegrass control was 89 to 99% from clodinafop and diclofop and 78 to 97% from flucarbazone, with no differences because of application timing in either year of the study. Italian ryegrass control from sulfosulfuron and tralkoxydim was greater from the spring of 2000 applications (94 to 99%) compared with the fall of 1999 applications (65 to 88%). However, in 2001, application timing (fall vs. spring) for sulfosulfuron and tralkoxydim did not affect Italian ryegrass control. Thifensulfuron + tribenuron combined with tralkoxydim reduced control of Italian ryegrass control compared with tralkoxydim alone in both years of the study. Italian ryegrass control was not reduced when thifensulfuron + tribenuron was combined with sulfosulfuron, flucarbazone, diclofop, or clodinafop. Italian ryegrass was controlled effectively by the acetyl-CoA carboxylase–inhibiting herbicides diclofop, clodinafop, and tralkoxydim. However, control of Italian ryegrass with the acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides flucarbazone and sulfosulfuron was inconsistent. Double-crop soybean after wheat did not have foliar symptoms or yield loss from fall- or spring-applied herbicides.

Studies were conducted in the summer and fall of 2001 in North Brunswick, NJ, and Marion County, Oregon, to evaluate the response of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible creeping bentgrass hybrids, colonial bentgrass, redtop, and dryland bentgrass grown as individual plants to postemergence (POST) herbicides. Glyphosate at 1.7 kg ae/ha, glufosinate at 1.7 kg ai/ha, fluazifop-P at 0.3 and 0.4 kg ai/ha, clethodim at 0.3 kg ai/ha, sethoxydim at 0.5 kg ai/ha, and a combination of glyphosate and fluazifop-P were applied 6 wk after planting. Glyphosate provided almost complete control of all susceptible bentgrass species at 4 weeks after treatment (WAT). Glufosinate provided 95% or greater control of all bentgrass species at 4 WAT, but regrowth was observed on all species in the summer experiment in Oregon. Fluazifop-P, clethodim, and sethoxydim provided slower control of bentgrass species, which ranged from 38 to 94% at 4 WAT, depending on species, herbicide, and experimental location. By 8 WAT, fluazifop-P at 0.4 kg/ha applied alone or in combination with glyphosate showed the highest levels of control (>90%) across all bentgrass species. Studies were also conducted in 2002 in the spring and summer in North Carolina to evaluate the response of a mature stand of glyphosate-susceptible ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass to POST herbicides. Two applications of glyphosate at 1.7 kg/ha were required to achieve 98% bentgrass control at 8 WAT. Fluazifop-P at 0.4 kg/ha, clethodim at 0.3 kg/ha, and sethoxydim at 0.4 kg/ha exhibited herbicidal activity, but two applications were required to reach (>82%) control of bentgrass at 8 WAT. Two sequential applications of clethodim or the combination of glyphosate and fluazifop-P provided 98% control of bentgrass at 8 WAT. Of the other herbicide treatments evaluated, only atrazine and sulfosulfuron provided (>80%) control at 8 WAT. The results of these studies demonstrate that fluazifop-P, clethodim, and sethoxydim have substantial herbicide activity on bentgrass species and may be viable alternatives to glyphosate for control of glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass and related bentgrass species in areas where they are not wanted. Glufosinate, atrazine, and sulfosulfuron also exhibited substantial herbicidal activity on bentgrass, and further research with these herbicides is warranted.

Field studies were conducted to evaluate residual herbicides applied alone and with a contact weed control program in peanut in Georgia and Alabama. Residual herbicide treatments included pendimethalin preemergence (PRE) at 924 g ai/ha, diclosulam PRE at 18 and 26 g ai/ha, flumioxazin PRE at 70 and 104 g ai/ha, sulfentrazone PRE at 168 and 280 g ai/ha, and imazapic postemergence (POST) at 71 g ai/ha. All herbicides were applied alone and in combination with an early postemergence (EPOST) application of paraquat plus bentazon. Peanut injury ranged from 0 to 7% for diclosulam, from 0 to 28% for flumioxazin, from 0 to 59% for sulfentrazone, from 0 to 15% for imazapic, and from 4 to 12% for paraquat plus bentazon. Across locations and years, Florida beggarweed control was 92% or greater with flumioxazin PRE at 104 g/ha, 77% or greater with diclosulam PRE at 26 g/ha, 80% or greater with sulfentrazone PRE at 280 g/ha, ranged from 54 to 86% for imazapic POST, and was 68% or less for paraquat plus bentazon EPOST. For diclosulam, sulfentrazone, and imazapic, including paraquat plus bentazon EPOST improved Florida beggarweed control vs. these treatments alone. However, flumioxazin alone provided consistent and season-long Florida beggarweed control without paraquat plus bentazon EPOST. Sicklepod control with imazapic was consistently greater than 90%, but it was 70% or less with diclosulam, flumioxazin, and sulfentrazone. Paraquat plus bentazon EPOST used with the residual herbicide treatments resulted in variable sicklepod control ranging from 40 to 99%. Yellow nutsedge control was 95% or greater with sulfentrazone, varied from 56 to 93% with diclosulam, and was 87% or greater with imazapic. Tall and smallflower morningglory, wild poinsettia, Palmer amaranth, and bristly starbur control varied by residual herbicide treatment. Yields were similar for diclosulam, flumioxazin, sulfentrazone, and imazapic treated peanut.

Field studies were conducted over 3 yr at two locations to evaluate the effects of glyphosate rate and application timing on barnyardgrass control, seed production, seed viability, and seedbank density the year after herbicide application in glyphosate-resistant corn. Glyphosate was applied at 0, 112, 225, 450, 675, or 900 g ai/ha when barnyardgrass was at the two-, four-, or six-leaf stage of growth. Visual estimates of percent control increased whereas density, dry weight, seed production, and seedbank density the year after treatment decreased as the rate of glyphosate was increased from 0 to 450 g/ha. Increasing the rate of glyphosate from 450 to 900 g/ha (registered rate) had no further effect on any measured parameter. Seed viability was not affected by glyphosate rate nor application timing. Corn yield declined only at a glyphosate rate of 225 g/ha and below. Barnyardgrass control improved as application was delayed to the six-leaf stage because this weed had an extended period of emergence. There was no interaction between glyphosate rate and application timing on any parameter, and yield was not affected by glyphosate-application timing. The use of extremely low glyphosate rates (112 or 225 g/ha) resulted in reduced corn yields, increased barnyardgrass seed production, and seedbank density the year after application.

Field studies were conducted from 1998 through 2000 to compare weed population shifts in soybean and cotton using a total glyphosate system, preemergence (PRE) herbicides followed by glyphosate, and a conventional herbicide program. In the first year of the soybean study, populations of hemp sesbania were highest for treatments of PRE herbicides followed by either glyphosate or the conventional herbicide program because of better control from the total glyphosate system. Barnyardgrass populations in the first year of the study for the nontreated plots were 0 plants/m2 but increased in the third year to 61 plants/m2. Flumetsulam plus metolachlor followed by glyphosate at the lower rates and the nontreated check were the only treatments in which there was an increase in barnyardgrass over the 3-yr study. Broadleaf signalgrass populations increased in the third year with 0.1 kg ai/ha flumetsulam plus 2.1 kg ai/ha metolachlor followed by 0.84 kg ae/ha glyphosate, primarily because of reduced competition from lower populations of other weeds such as hemp sesbania. Pitted morningglory populations for all treatments decreased in the third year because of good control of this species and the high level of interference from other weed species in the first 2 yr. Johnsongrass populations decreased in the third year with 0.4 kg ai/ha flumetsulam plus 1.1 kg ai/ha metolachlor followed by 0.84 kg/ha glyphosate. Johnsongrass populations decreased with timely glyphosate sequential applications, with 5 plants/m2 in 1998 and 0 plants/m2 in 2000. Yields increased from the first year to the second year, corresponding to reduced weed pressure, and yields varied from 710 to 1,420 kg/ha. Because of weed pressure, soybean yields were not different in any of the treatments, including the nontreated, although treatments changed the species present. In the cotton study, weed populations over the 3 yr decreased, with the most significant reductions from the treatments of fluometuron plus prometryn plus metolachlor followed by either pyrithiobac or glyphosate. Weeds that showed the most significant decline were barnyardgrass and hemp sesbania, whereas johnsongrass increased, with 27 plants/m2 in treatments of 0.6 kg ai/ha fluometuron plus 0.3 kg ai/ha prometryn plus 0.7 kg ai/ha metolachlor followed by 0.84 kg/ha glyphosate. Lint cotton yields varied from 0 to 128 kg/ha. Because of the weed pressure, cotton yields were not different in any of the treatments, although treatments changed the species present. This research has shown that weed species can decrease over time with the continued use of any of these herbicide programs.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the effect of glyphosate on reproductive development in sicklepod. Glyphosate was applied postemergence over the top at 112 and 280 g ai/ha to sicklepod at 4-leaf stage (L), 8-L, 4-L followed by 8-L, and 12-L. A nontreated control was included. Immediately after the 12-L application, number of flowers was recorded for all treatments twice per week for 8 wk. Pollen viability was measured on 1 open flower/plant/sampling time using Alexander stain. The number of pods, pod length, seeds per plant, 50-seed weight, total seed weight, seed germination, seed viability, and dry weight of aboveground biomass were also recorded. No significant differences among the treatments were found for average pod length, 50-seed weight, seed germination, seed viability, and aboveground biomass. The nontreated had 18 flowers counted over 8 wk. Glyphosate applied at 12-L and sequentially at 4-L and 8-L, averaged over glyphosate rates, reduced cumulative flower production after 8 wk by 65 and 54%, respectively, compared with the nontreated. Similarly, glyphosate at 280 g/ha, averaged over treatment timings, reduced flower production by 58% compared with the nontreated. Because the number of flowers produced was limited by glyphosate treatment due to flower abscission, pollen viability measurements could not be analyzed because of large numbers of missing data points. The number of pods, seeds, and total seed weight were reduced by 79, 80, and 81%, respectively, with 280 g/ha of glyphosate compared with the nontreated.

A 2-yr experiment evaluated the effect of spring soil disturbance on the periodicity of weed emergence. At four locations across the northeastern United States, emerged weeds, by species, were monitored every 2 wk in both undisturbed plots and plots tilled in the spring with a rotary cultivator. Eight weed species including large crabgrass, giant and yellow foxtail, common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, eastern black nightshade, common ragweed, and velvetleaf occurred at three or more site-years. Spring soil disturbance either had no effect or reduced total seedling emergence compared with undisturbed soils. Total seedling emergence for large crabgrass, giant foxtail, smooth pigweed, and common ragweed were on average, 1.4 to 2.6 times less with spring soil disturbance, whereas eastern black nightshade and velvetleaf were mostly unaffected by the soil disturbance. The influence of soil disturbance on yellow foxtail and common lambsquarters emergence varied between seasons and locations. Although the total number of emerged seedlings was often affected by the soil disturbance, with the exception of yellow foxtail and common ragweed, the periodicity of emergence was similar across disturbed and undisturbed treatments.

Sustainable invasive weed management must address treatment effects on desired vegetation. Our objective was to determine the influence of clopyralid plus 2,4-D, glyphosate, and fosamine, at various application rates and timing, on the density and biomass of Russian knapweed and desired plant groups growing in association with this invasive weed. In a randomized complete block design with four replications, three herbicides by three herbicide rates by three herbicide application timings and a nontreated control were factorially applied to two sites located along the Missouri River riparian corridor in Montana. Clopyralid plus 2,4-D, glyphosate, and fosamine were applied during the spring rosette stage of Russian knapweed (June), the bud to bloom stage of Russian knapweed (July), or the flowering stage of Russian knapweed (August). Herbicide rates were considered low, medium, and high based on label rates of clopyralid plus 2,4-D, glyphosate, or fosamine. Density and biomass of all species were sampled 3 yr after treatment. Russian knapweed biomass decreased from 125 to about 25 g/m2 using clopyralid plus 2,4-D, irrespective of rate or timing of application. Russian knapweed density was reduced by about half by this mixture of herbicides. Nonnative grass density and biomass were maintained, whereas native grasses increased using clopyralid plus 2,4-D at medium or high rates. Neither glyphosate nor fosamine provided substantial Russian knapweed control or increases in grasses. Too few forbs were present to analyze their response to the treatments. We believe that herbicides must be combined with revegetation in areas lacking a diverse mixture of desired species capable of capturing resources made available by controlling Russian knapweed.

A population of common waterhemp in northeast Kansas was confirmed resistant to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox)-inhibiting herbicides in 2001. In 2002, seeds were collected from 28 sites in a 16-km radius surrounding the site where resistance was confirmed to determine the extent of protox resistance in common waterhemp populations throughout the area. In addition, common waterhemp response to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides and glyphosate was determined. At least one common waterhemp plant among the 48 plants tested from each of 10 sites was acifluorfen-resistant. These sites were randomly scattered throughout the sampling area, and resistance may have resulted from seed or pollen movement or independent development. Acifluorfen-resistant common waterhemp plants were initially injured by acifluorfen, but plants began recovering from injury within 14 days after treatment (DAT). All sites contained at least two common waterhemp plants with imazethapyr resistance, whereas plants from all sites were susceptible to glyphosate. Because acifluorfen- and imazethapyr-resistant common waterhemp populations are found in northeastern Kansas, protox-inhibiting and ALS-inhibiting herbicides may not provide common waterhemp control.

Cogongrass continues to be one of the most invasive weeds in the subhumid savanna. Herbicide application expenses depend on equipment costs, costs of water transport for spraying, and chemical costs. In three on-farm experiments on land heavily infested with cogongrass, the effectiveness of a knapsack sprayer (KS), a very low volume sprayer (VLV), and a rope wick (RW) applicator was tested at Ijaye, Nigeria, from 2000 to 2001. The sprayers differed in application method, price, and carrier volume required. The dose–response curves for the three applicators were identical in all parameters except at very high doses for the RW. Consequently, there were no apparent differences in glyphosate effectiveness, even when it was applied with different equipment and different carrier volumes. However, even at very high doses, the RW was not as efficient as was the KS and VLV. Actual biomass reduction of cogongrass was greater with the KS and VLV. Even though the KS and VLV generally gave better control levels than the RW, the latter is more user-friendly because it does not require protective masks, which are often unavailable in sub-Saharan Africa. In a situation with labor scarcity, weeding with the RW was cheaper than hand weeding with hoes. The VLV was more economical when used on areas larger than 10 ha than was the RW. The KS was more economical than all other methods when used on areas larger than 2 ha.