Cowpea is a major specialty crop in the southern US. In recent years, no new herbicide programs have been evaluated for cowpea despite additional herbicide registrations. Studies were conducted from 2014 to 2016 at Fayetteville and Kibler, Arkansas to assess new herbicide programs for cowpea production. The herbicide programs included: three commercial standard programs; fomesafen (PPL, 0.21 kgha−1)-, flumioxazin (PPL, 0.21 kgha−1)-, and halosulfuron (PPL, 0.054 kgha−1)-based programs with or without S-metolachlor (1.12 kgha−1) fb imazethapyr (0.07 kgha−1); and two sets of sulfentrazone (PPL/PRE)-based programs applied alone (0.21 kgha−1) or as a pre-mixture with carfentrazone (0.11 kgha−1+0.01 kgha−1) with or without S-metolachlor (1.12 kgha−1). The sulfentrazone-based programs included POST applications of imazethapyr fb sethoxydim (0.32 kgha−1) or fluthiacet-methyl (0.0067 kgha−1) and sethoxydim as necessary. In 2014 and 2015, crop stand loss was minimal and crop injury was generally low (<20%). Weed control from sulfentrazone- and flumioxazin-based programs was excellent (>90%). In 2016, with heavy rainfall around planting time, sulfentrazone-containing programs reduced cowpea yield 45% to 60%. Flumioxazin-based programs caused >85% injury at Kibler early-season, which lasted until harvest. Heavy rainfall also reduced efficacy of residual herbicides. In general, the sulfentrazone- and flumioxazin-based treatments consistently yielded similar to the weed-free controls. The majority of the programs had <60% weed control in Fayetteville early in the season. POST herbicides improved weed control to >90% in most treatments. Palmer amaranth and annual grass control was generally better in Kibler, with >80% control at harvest. Sulfentrazone is registered for cowpea and is effective on Palmer amaranth, but growers need to be careful about where and when to use it. Flumioxazin should be considered for registration in cowpea once its use pattern and location-specific recommendations are well defined.

Tolpyralate is a new 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicide for POST weed management in corn; however, there is limited information regarding its efficacy. Six field studies were conducted in Ontario, Canada, over 3 yr (2015 to 2017) to determine the biologically effective dose of tolpyralate for the control of eight annual weed species. Tolpyralate was applied POST at six doses from 3.75 to 120 g ai ha−1 and tank mixed at a 1:33.3 ratio with atrazine at six doses from 125 to 4,000 g ha−1. Regression analysis was performed to determine the effective dose (ED) of tolpyralate, and tolpyralate+atrazine, required to achieve 50%, 80%, or 90% control of eight weed species at 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk after application (WAA). The ED of tolpyralate for 90% control (ED90) of velvetleaf, common lambsquarters, common ragweed, redroot pigweed or Powell amaranth, and green foxtail at 8 WAA was ≤15.5 g ha−1; however, tolpyralate alone did not provide 90% control of wild mustard, barnyardgrass, or ladysthumb at 8 WAA at any dose evaluated in this study. In contrast, the ED90 for all species in this study with tolpyralate+atrazine was ≤13.1+436 g ha−1, indicating that tolpyralate+atrazine can be highly efficacious at low field doses.

Recent advances in biotechnology have resulted in crops that are tolerant to the synthetic auxin 2,4-D, expanding the weed management versatility of this herbicide. With potential expansions of use, concerns have been raised about the increased risk of herbicide drift, leading to damage to nontarget crops. A field-scale study was conducted with the objective to measure drift deposition and the potential for drift reduction conferred by a proprietary pre-mixture formulation of 2,4-D choline salt plus glyphosate dimethylammonium salt compared to an in-tank mixture of 2,4-D dimethylamine salt plus glyphosate potassium salt. Treatments were made with field-scale spray equipment under typical application conditions in McCook, NE, using three widely used nozzle tips. Deposition was captured in triplicate downwind collector lines and assayed for tracer dye and 2,4-D. In comparison to the in-tank mixture, the pre-mixture formulation exhibited lower downwind depositions when applied through a flat-fan (TeeJet Extended Range; XR) and air induction (TeeJet Air Induction Extended Range; AIXR) nozzles, but not with a pre-orifice (TeeJet TurboTeeJet Induction; TTI) nozzle. Based upon median deposition at 30 m downwind, the pre-mixture formulation reduced drift by 62% and 91%, for the XR and AIXR nozzles, respectively. From a drift reduction perspective, the pre-mixture formulation performance with the AIXR nozzle was equivalent to a much coarser TTI nozzle while still offering sufficient foliar coverage for acceptable weed control.

A study was conducted in three locations in Louisiana to evaluate interactions of imazethapyr at 0 and 70 g ai ha−1 mixed with propanil at 0, 1,120, 2,240, 3,360, and 4,480 g ha−1 for the control of red rice, barnyardgrass, and hemp sesbania. According to Blouin’s modified Colby’s, a synergistic response occurred for red rice treated with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 4,480 g ha−1 for all evaluations. Observed control was 93% to 95% compared with expected control of 81% to 87%. An antagonistic response occurred for barnyardgrass control with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 1,120 g ha−1 at 35 and 49 d after treatment (DAT), with control of 75% and 64%, respectively, compared with expected control of 89% and 78%. However, a neutral response occurred for barnyardgrass control when treated with all other imazethapyr plus propanil combinations. An antagonistic interaction occurred for hemp sesbania when treated with imazethapyr plus propanil at 3,360 and 4,480 g ha−1 at 21 DAT with an observed control of 89% compared with an expected control of 96%; however, a neutral response occurred at all other evaluation dates. An increase in rice yield was observed with an imazethapyr plus propanil at 4,480 g ha−1 mixture compared with a single application of imazethapyr or propanil at any rate evaluated.

In a greenhouse experiment, soybean, cotton, corn, grain sorghum, and sunflower were subjected to 1/10 (3 g ai ha-1), 1/100 (0.3 g ai ha-1), or 1/500 (0.06 g ai ha-1) of the 1X rate of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Visible injury 14 days after treatment (DAT) was the greatest with soybean (96%) when exposed to the highest drift rate of 1/10x or 3 g ai/ha-1 of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and was significantly higher than all other crops and drift rates. Cotton and sunflower were also injured 85 and 83%, respectively, by the 1/10x rate but had less injury when a 1/100x or 1/500x rate was applied (injury ranging from 9 to 33%). It was concluded that the negative effects on soybean, cotton, and sunflower primarily resulted from exposure to the highest rate tested (1/10x) and only soybean expressed negative effects even at the lower rate of 1/100x. A field study was also conducted to (1) evaluate the sensitivity of soybean to low concentrations of florpyrauxifen-benzyl during vegetative and reproductive development and (2) compare soybean injury and yield following applications of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and dicamba across various growth stages and concentrations. Soybean plants were treated with 1/10, 1/20, 1/40, 1/80, 1/160, 1/320, or 1/640 of the 1X rate of florpyrauxifen-benzyl (30 g ai/ ha-1) or dicamba (560 g ae ha-1) at the V3 and R1 growth stage. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl applied at a rate of 1/10 to 1/40X caused foliar injury and subsequent height reduction. In comparison, dicamba applied at the same rates caused slightly less injury and growth reductions. As rate of florpyrauxifen-benzyl decreased from 1/10 to 1/640X, the level of soybean injury dissipated rather quickly. However, this was not the case with dicamba, as substantial injury was observed with rates as low as 1/640X.

Common cottonwood-based agroforestry system is widely adopted in Indian Indo-Gangetic plains. The stem cuttings of common cottonwood are raised in a nursery 10 to 12 months in rows spaced 0.5 mx0.5 m, before re-planting in the field. The longer duration of 10 to 12 months and wider spacing of stem cuttings in the nursery makes the entire transplants highly vulnerable to weed competition, especially during early establishment stages. The efficacy of preemergence herbicides and plastic and straw mulches for weed management in common cottonwood nursery was investigated at two sites in years 2014 and 2015. The major weed flora in the experimental field consisted of three grass weeds (crowfootgrass, feather lovegrass, and southern crabgrass), and four broadleaf weeds (scarlet pimpernel, garden spurge, niruri, and lesser swinecress). The integrated use of pendimethalin or alachlor applied PRE with paddy straw mulch significantly reduced density and biomass of both grass and broadleaf weeds compared to herbicide or straw mulch used alone, and provided similar level of weed control to hand weeding at both locations. Spreading of plastic mulch in the whole field after punching holes for common cottonwood stem cuttings, or in row spaces recorded similar weed control to hand-weeding. The integrated use of herbicides with straw mulch, and or plastic mulch alone significantly improved plant height, stem diameter, below- and above-ground biomass of common cottonwood plants compared to unweeded check. The study concluded that integrated use of herbicides plus paddy straw mulch or plastic mulch alone could be adopted for weed management in common cottonwood nursery plantations.

Tolpyralate is a new Group 27 pyrazolone herbicide that inhibits the 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase enzyme. In a study of the biologically effective dose of tolpyralate from 2015 to 2017 in Ontario, Canada, tolpyralate exhibited efficacy on a broader range of species when co-applied with atrazine; however, there is limited published information on the efficacy of tolpyralate and tolpyralate+atrazine relative to mesotrione and topramezone, applied POST with atrazine at label rates, for control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds. In this study, tolpyralate applied alone at 30 g ai ha−1 provided >90% control of common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, common ragweed, Powell amaranth/redroot pigweed, and green foxtail at 8 weeks after application (WAA). Addition of atrazine was required to achieve >90% control of wild mustard, ladysthumb, and barnyardgrass at 8 WAA. Tolpyralate+atrazine (30+1,000 g ai ha−1) and topramezone+atrazine (12.5+500 g ai ha−1) provided similar control at 8 WAA of the eight weed species in this study; however, tolpyralate+atrazine provided >90% control of green foxtail by 1 WAA. Tolpyralate+atrazine provided 18, 68, and 67 percentage points better control of common ragweed, green foxtail, and barnyardgrass, respectively, than mesotrione+atrazine (100+280 g ai ha−1) at 8 WAA. Overall, tolpyralate+atrazine applied POST provided equivalent or improved control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds compared with mesotrione+atrazine and topramezone+atrazine.

Giant ragweed is one of the most competitive annual broadleaf weeds in corn and soybean crop production systems in the United States and eastern Canada. Management of giant ragweed has become difficult due to the evolution of resistance to glyphosate and/or acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor herbicides and giant ragweed’s ability to emerge late in the season, specifically in the eastern Corn Belt. Late-season herbicide application may reduce seed production of weed species; however, information is not available about late-season herbicide applications on giant ragweed seed production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of single or sequential late-season applications of 2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate on inflorescence injury and seed production of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed under greenhouse and field conditions (bare ground study). Single and sequential applications of glufosinate resulted in as much as 59 and 60% injury to giant ragweed inflorescence and as much as 78 and 75% reduction in seed production, respectively, under field and greenhouse conditions. In contrast, single or sequential applications of 2,4-D or dicamba resulted in ≥ 96% inflorescence injury and reduction in seed production in the field as well as in greenhouse studies. The results indicated that 2,4-D or dicamba are effective options for reducing seed production of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed even if applied late in the season. Targeting weed seed production to decrease the soil seedbank will potentially be an effective strategy for an integrated management of GR giant ragweed.

PRE and POST herbicide options were evaluated to control perilla mint, a potentially deadly plant for livestock. The germination requirements of seed from weedy populations were also investigated to better understand and predict emergence timing. POST applications of aminocyclopyrachlor blends, glyphosate, picloram+2,4-D, aminopyralid+2,4-D, and 2,4-D alone provided superior control of perilla mint when applied in the early reproductive growth stage. Picloram+2,4-D and aminocyclopyrachlor+chlorsulfuron also provided soil residual activity and the most effective PRE control followed by pendimethalin and aminopyralid+2,4-D. Seed from weedy populations tend to germinate in a range of night/day soil temperatures from 10–15 C to 25–30 C. Therefore, application and activation of the most effective PRE treatments should be made before these temperatures occur in areas where weedy perilla mint populations are found.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide that will provide a novel site of action in rice production. In many areas of the United States it is common practice to plant soybeans in rotation with rice, thereby introducing the potential for herbicide carryover. Multiple field experiments were conducted in 2014 and repeated in 2015 to evaluate potential plant-back restrictions for soybean and other row crops following an application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. In the first experiment, treatments comprised florpyrauxifen-benzyl applied at 40 followed by 40 g ai ha–1, 80 fb 80 g ai ha–1, and a nontreated check. In 2014, herbicides were applied to a silt loam soil near Stuttgart and Colt, AR, and fields remained fallow following application. The following year, corn, cotton, soybean, grain sorghum, and sunflower were planted within the previously treated area. Stand counts, crop heights, and visual injury assessments were done for each crop following planting, and aboveground biomass data were collected 28 d after planting. No significant differences were observed among the treatments for any of the parameters assessed, highlighting the rotational flexibility of common row crops 1 yr following a florpyrauxifen-benzyl application. In the second experiment, florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied at 30 and 60 g ai ha–1 at 56, 28, 14, and 0 d before planting soybean. Injury assessments corresponded to the highest concentration of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and its metabolites recovered from soil at the time of planting. Conversely, soybean injury was reduced when florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied at increasing intervals before planting. At the end of each season, soybean yield was similar to the nontreated control when florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 30 or 60 g ai ha–1 was applied 56 d before planting, whereas all other treatments reduced yield. These results support a relatively short replant interval for soybean after florpyrauxifen-benzyl application to rice.

A field study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to compare particle drift of glyphosate using a fluorescent tracer dye applied with hooded and open sprayers at four spray qualities (Fine [F], Medium [M], Very-Coarse [VC], and Ultra-Coarse [UC]). F and M spray qualities exhibited up to 86% and 56% less drift, respectively, out to 31 m downwind with the hooded sprayer than with the open sprayer. Conversely, VC and UC spray qualities were not affected by sprayer type out to 31 m downwind. From 43 to 104 m downwind, hooded sprayer applications exhibited approximately 50% less drift than open sprayer applications, regardless of spray quality. From 43 to 89 m downwind, F spray qualities, regardless of sprayer type, exhibited higher drift than all other spray qualities. These data indicate that hooded sprayers considerably reduce drift of all spray qualities at short distances downwind. Additionally, at longer distances downwind, both larger spray qualities and sprayer hoods reduced drift independently.

Research was conducted from 2011 to 2015 to determine the effect of herbicide strategy on efficacy and evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds in a continuous glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant (GDr) soybean system. The nine herbicide strategies included sequential applications of glyphosate only, glyphosate plus dicamba with or without acetochlor, PRE application of residual herbicides with POST glyphosate or non-glyphosate herbicides, and their biennial rotation with one another. Giant foxtail and horseweed were the least problematic during all growing seasons. An increase in horseweed was observed by the end of the experiment especially in the plots where POST glyphosate was not used with PRE application of residual herbicides. Giant ragweed evolved resistance to glyphosate over a 4-yr period of selection with strategies that predominantly included PRE and POST glyphosate. Herbicide use strategies that included glyphosate-only and PRE application of residual herbicides fb POST glyphosate annually or in a biennial rotation were ineffective in controlling giant ragweed and glyphosate-resistant (GR) common waterhemp. Over the years, application of PRE herbicide mixtures before POST glyphosate application improved weed control and soybean yields compared with the glyphosate-only strategy. During all growing seasons, the greatest yield and reduction in total weed density before harvest was provided by herbicide use strategies that included glyphosate plus dicamba annually or in a biennial rotation regardless of the inclusion of acetochlor POST. Dicamba proved to be a valuable addition to improve the control of GR weeds. GDr soybean will provide growers with a new option for managing resistant weeds, but it needs to be used with caution, as multiple resistance in weeds, including waterhemp and giant ragweed, is already widespread.

Glyphosate application to the rapid-response (RR) biotype of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed ensues in loss of foliage via rapid tissue death, thereby reducing glyphosate translocation. Experiments were performed to determine if this GR response, in contrast to a non-rapid response (NRR) GR biotype, results in antagonism of the selective herbicides atrazine, cloransulam, dicamba, lactofen, and topramezone. Application of glyphosate at 1,680 g ae ha–1 in the greenhouse resulted in antagonism between all five selective herbicides for the RR biotype, whereas glyphosate applied at 420 g ha–1 was antagonistic only for cloransulam. Application of selective herbicides 2 d prior to glyphosate treatment avoided the antagonism observed in the RR biotype. In the field, glyphosate mixtures with dicamba and topramezone were antagonistic on the RR biotype across both 2015 and 2016 field seasons. Thus, the RR effectively reduces glyphosate efficacy but also has potential to diminish the activity of glyphosate mixtures with selective herbicides, and the degree of antagonism between these mixtures escalates at increasing glyphosate rates.

2,4-dimethylamine salt (2,4-D) is a synthetic auxin herbicide used extensively in turfgrass for selective broadleaf weed control. Previous research has shown that 2,4-D can dislodge from treated turf, notably in the presence of canopy moisture. Practitioners commonly apply 2,4-D in combination with various commercially available surfactants to increase efficacy. Field research was completed to evaluate the effect of surfactant inclusion and sample collection time within a day on dislodgeable 2,4-D residue from perennial ryegrass. Research was initiated May 24, 2016 in Raleigh, NC and repeated in time to quantify dislodgeable 2,4-D following application (2.1 kg ae ha–1) either alone or with a nonionic surfactant (0.5% vol/vol). Sample collection occurred 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 or 24 d after treatment (DAT) at AM [7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)] and PM (2:00 PM EST) sample timings within a day. 2,4-D applied with surfactant (0.4% to 25.4% of applied) reduced dislodgeable foliar residue compared to 2,4-D applied alone (0.5% to 31.2%) from 1 through 6 DAT, whereas dislodgeable 2,4-D was not detected at 12 and 24 DAT. Regardless of surfactant inclusion or absence, samples collected in the AM resulted in a 5- to 10-fold increase in dislodgeable 2,4-D compared to samples collected in the PM from 1 through 6 DAT, suggesting that 2,4-D dislodgeability may be influenced by conditions favoring canopy moisture development. This research will improve turfgrass management practices and research designed to minimize human 2,4-D exposure.

A field study was established to study symptoms, growth and yield of 2-year-old walnut trees exposure to simulated drift of several herbicides commonly used in rice production. Bispyribac-sodium, bensulfuron-methyl, and propanil were applied at four rates representing 0.5%, 1%, 3% and 10% of the normal use rate in rice (45, 70, and 6725 g ai ha−1, for the three herbicides respectively). Symptoms started to appear approximately 7 days after application (DAT) and peaked 28 DAT. At that time, bispyribac-sodium caused greater injury at low drift rates (6% and 15% visual injury for 0.5% and 1% rate, respectively) compared to bensulfuron-methyl and propanil. Bispyribac-sodium also appeared to slow walnut shoot elongation compared to nontreated trees; however, no yield reductions were observed either in the year after drift exposure. The effect of bispyribac-sodium simulated drift on the yield and nut quality in the year of drift exposure was evaluated in a separate study on 3-year-old walnut trees. While no yield or nut quality reductions were observed, a linear correlation between rate of bispyribac-sodium and color, an important quality factor, was found: higher herbicide rates tended to be associated with darker kernel color. Bispyribac-sodium may damage nearby walnut orchards if drifted at significant amounts. However, it is unlikely that in a field situation bispyribac-sodium would drift at high enough levels to cause the symptoms observed from the 10% use rates in this study.

Field bindweed, a member of the Convolvulaceae family, is a problematic perennial weed in cotton fields and orchards in northwest China. The species exhibits strong seed dormancy, causing delayed germination. A clear understanding of the mechanisms involved in alleviating seed dormancy is important for effective plant propagation and successful management of field bindweed. Experiments were conducted to investigate seed germination and radicle growth of field bindweed by breaking seed dormancy using mechanical scarification, sulfuric acid, hot-water scarification, cold stratification, and chemical treatment. Chemical treatments (gibberellic acid or potassium nitrate) had no effect on breaking seed dormancy, whereas mechanical scarification (sandpaper and blade) resulted in 92% to 98% seed germination, indicating that seed dormancy of field bindweed was mainly due to the presence of a hard seed coat. Seeds pretreated with 80% sulfuric acid for 15 to 60 min or 98% sulfuric acid for 15 to 30 min had germination rates above 80%, and soaking seeds in 70 C water for 4 to 16 min or in boiling water for 5 to 20s were effective in breaking seed dormancy but had no effect on the radicle growth of field bindweed. Cold stratification at 5 C for 2 to 8wk partially accelerated seed dormancy release, resulting in 53% to 67% seed germination. Results indicated that field bindweed could potentially form a persistent soil seed bank with physically dormant seed; therefore, strategies for eliminating seed production should be adopted.

A field study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station (RRS) to evaluate antagonistic, synergistic, or neutral interactions of quizalofop when mixed with ALS-inhibiting herbicides labeled in rice production. Quizalofop was applied at 120 g ai ha−1. Mixture herbicides included penoxsulam at 40 g ai ha−1, penoxsulam+triclopyr at 352 g ai ha−1, halosulfuron at 53 g ai ha−1, bispyribac at 34 g ai ha−1, orthosulfamuron+halosulfuron at 94 g ai ha−1, orthosulfamuron+quinclorac at 491 g ai ha−1, imazosulfuron at 211 g ai ha−1, and bensulfuron at 43 g ai ha−1. All ALS herbicides mixed with quizalofop indicated antagonistic responses for red rice, CL-111, CLXL 745, or barnyardgrass control at either 14 or 28 days after treatment (DAT). At 28 DAT, quizalofop mixed with penoxsulam or bispyribac controlled barnyardgrass 34 to 38%, compared with an expected control of 97%. In addition, these same mixtures controlled red rice, CL-111, and CLXL-745 61 to 67% at 28 DAT compared with an expected control of 96 to 97%. A second application of quizalofop at 120 g ha−1 was applied at 28 DAT. At 42 DAT, neutral responses were indicated for all mixtures except with quizalofop mixed with penoxsulam containing products.

Dicamba-resistant soybean technology provides an additional site of action for POST control of herbicide-resistant broadleaf weeds in soybean but also raises concern of off-site movement and damage to sensitive crops in adjacent fields. Dicamba formulations approved for use on dicamba-resistant soybean require applicators to use nozzles producing large droplets to reduce the risk of spray-particle drift. The use of nozzles with relatively larger droplet spectra can reduce herbicide deposition on target weeds, especially if a filtering effect from the crop canopy occurs. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of broadcast nozzle design on the deposition and efficacy of 280 g ha−1 glyphosate plus 140 g ha−1 dicamba applied POST to four herbicide-resistant weed species. The TTI11004 nozzle, the original nozzle labeled for dicamba applications on dicamba-resistant soybean, reduced deposition coverage and density on spray cards compared with the TT11004 and XR11004 nozzle. The AIXR11004 nozzle produces a very coarse droplet spectrum and did not reduce coverage on spray cards, though it did reduce deposition density. Herbicide solution deposition onto Palmer amaranth, tall waterhemp, giant ragweed, and horseweed ranged from 0.41 to 0.52, 0.55 to 0.87, 0.49 to 0.58, and 0.38 to 0.41 µl cm−2, respectively. Nozzle design and droplet spectrum did not influence the deposition of herbicide solution onto the target weed, as all nozzles were equivalent for all species and site-years. Herbicide efficacy was not influenced by nozzle design, as weed control and plant height reduction were similar for all species. The results of this experiment show that the use of the TTI11004 nozzle for dicamba applications to dicamba-resistant soybean will provide acceptable herbicide deposition and efficacy when applied under the label requirements of weed height and carrier volume.

The investigation of potential herbicides for weed control in sweetpotato is critical due to the limited number of registered herbicides and the development of populations of herbicide- resistant weeds. Therefore, field studies were conducted at the Horticultural Crops Research Station, Clinton, NC and the Pontotoc Ridge–Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station, Pontotoc, MS to determine the effect of oryzalin application rate and timing on sweetpotato tolerance. Oryzalin at 0.6, 1.1, 2.2, 3.4, and 4.5 kg ai ha–1 was applied immediately after transplanting or 14 d after sweetpotato transplanting (DAP). At Clinton, oryzalin applied immediately after transplanting resulted in ≤1% leaf distortion 4 and 6 wk after transplanting (WAP) regardless of application rate. However, when oryzalin was applied 14 DAP, greater sweetpotato leaf distortion was observed from 2.2, 3.4, and 4.5 kg ha–1 (≤8%) than 0.6 and 1.1 kg ha–1 (≤4%). At Pontotoc, oryzalin applied immediately after transplanting resulted in ≤6% leaf distortion 4 WAP regardless of application rate. However, when oryzalin was applied at 14 DAP, greater leaf distortion was reported from 3.4 and 4.5 kg ha–1 (11 to 13%) than 0.6, 1.1, and 2.2 kg ha–1 (4 to 6%). Oryzalin application rate and timing did not affect yield of no.1, jumbo, or marketable sweetpotato. Based on these results, oryzalin herbicide has potential for registration in sweetpotato.

With the recent confirmation of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-resistant Palmer amaranth in the US South, concern is increasing about the sustainability of weed management in cotton production systems. Cover crops can help to alleviate this problem, as they can suppress weed emergence via allelochemicals and/or a physical residue barrier. Field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center to evaluate various cover crops for suppressing weed emergence and protecting cotton yield. In both years, cereal rye and wheat had the highest biomass production, whereas the amount of biomass present in spring did not differ among the remaining cover crops. All cover crops initially diminished Palmer amaranth emergence. However, cereal rye provided the greatest suppression, with 83% less emergence than in no cover crop plots. Physical suppression of Palmer amaranth and other weeds with cereal residues is probably the greatest contributor to reducing weed emergence. Seed cotton yield in the legume and rapeseed cover crop plots were similar when compared with the no cover crop treatment. The seed cotton yield collected from cereal cover crop plots was lower than from other treatments due to decreased cotton stand.