In strip-tillage peanut production, situations occur when dinitroaniline herbicides are not applied in a timely manner. In these cases, dinitroaniline herbicides would be applied days or weeks after seeding. However, there is no information that documents the effects of delayed applications on weed control. Trials were conducted in 2004, 2005, and 2007 in Georgia to determine the weed control efficacy of delayed applications of pendimethalin in strip-tillage peanut production. Treatments included seven timings of pendimethalin application and three pendimethalin-containing herbicide combinations. Timings of application were immediately after seeding (PRE), vegetative emergence of peanut (VE), 1 wk after VE (VE+1wk), VE+2wk, VE+3wk, VE+4wk, and a nontreated control. Pendimethalin containing herbicide programs included pendimethalin plus paraquat, pendimethalin plus imazapic, and pendimethalin alone. Among the possible treatment combinations was a current producer standard timing for nonpendimethalin weed control programs in peanut, which was either imazapic or paraquat alone applied VE+3wk. Pendimethalin alone did not effectively control Texas millet regardless of time of application (69 to 77%), whereas southern crabgrass was controlled by pendimethalin alone PRE (87%). Delayed applications of pendimethalin controlled Texas millet and southern crabgrass when combined with either paraquat or imazapic, with imazapic being the preferred combination due to better efficacy on southern crabgrass than paraquat at most delayed applications. Peanut yield was improved when any of the herbicide combinations were applied PRE compared to later applications. Across all times of application, pendimethalin plus imazapic effectively maximized peanut yield with interference from annual grasses.

Glyphosate typically controls Palmer amaranth very well. However, glyphosate-resistant (GR) biotypes of this weed are present in several southern states, requiring the development of effective alternatives to glyphosate-only management strategies. Field experiments were conducted in seven North Carolina environments to evaluate control of glyphosate-susceptible (GS) and GR Palmer amaranth in narrow-row soybean by glyphosate and conventional herbicide systems. Conventional systems included either pendimethalin or S-metolachlor applied PRE alone or mixed with flumioxazin, fomesafen, or metribuzin plus chlorimuron followed by fomesafen or no herbicide POST. S-metolachlor was more effective at controlling GR and GS Palmer amaranth than pendimethalin; flumioxazin and fomesafen were generally more effective than metribuzin plus chlorimuron. Fomesafen applied POST following PRE herbicides increased Palmer amaranth control and soybean yield compared with PRE-only herbicide systems. Glyphosate alone applied once POST controlled GS Palmer amaranth 97% late in the season. Glyphosate was more effective than fomesafen plus clethodim applied POST. Control of GS Palmer amaranth when treated with pendimethalin or S-metolachlor plus flumioxazin, fomesafen, or metribuzin plus chlorimuron applied PRE followed by fomesafen POST was equivalent to control achieved by glyphosate applied once POST. In fields with GR Palmer amaranth, greater than 80% late-season control was obtained only with systems of pendimethalin or S-metolachlor plus flumioxazin, fomesafen, or metribuzin plus chlorimuron applied PRE followed by fomesafen POST. Systems of pendimethalin or S-metolachlor plus flumioxazin, fomesafen, or metribuzin plus chlorimuron applied PRE without fomesafen POST controlled GR Palmer amaranth less than 30% late in the season. Systems of pendimethalin or S-metolachlor PRE followed by fomesafen POST controlled GR Palmer amaranth less than 60% late in the season.

Because of the development of glyphosate-resistant weed species, the lack of new herbicide chemistry, and the late-season emergence of annual grass species, efforts are underway to expand the use of currently available herbicides for use in cotton. Field studies were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate the effect of POST-applied pendimethalin formulation and application rate on cotton fruit partitioning. Oil- and water-based pendimethalin formulations as well as S-metolachlor were applied to cotton that had four true leaves. All pendimethalin and S-metolachlor applications included glyphosate for broad-spectrum weed control. Pendimethalin formulation and application rate had no effect on seed-cotton partitioning to horizontal fruiting zones, on second- or third-position horizontal fruiting sites, or on monopodial branches. However, increased seed-cotton partitioned to plants that had lost apical dominance was observed when the water-based pendimethalin formulation was applied at rates of 1.7 kg ai/ha and higher as well as when the oil-based pendimethalin formulation was applied at 3.3 kg ai/ha. Application of water-based pendimethalin at rates of 1.7 and 3.4 kg ai/ha and oil-based pendimethalin at rates of 0.8, 1.7, and 3.3 kg ai/ha resulted in reduced seed-cotton located at position 1 fruiting sites compared with the untreated check. POST application of S-metolachlor had no effect on fruit partitioning to horizontal fruiting positions or vertical fruiting zones. Minor differences in seed-cotton partitioning to cohorts and individual fruiting nodes were observed from application of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and S-metolachlor. However, no differences in seed-cotton yield were observed from application of glyphosate, S-metolachlor, or pendimethalin, regardless of formulation or application rate. POST pendimethalin application at rates less than 1.7 kg ai/ha is relatively safe and should provide cotton producers with an additional tool for herbicide-resistant weeds and late-season annual grasses.

Postemergence herbicides to control grass weeds in grain sorghum are limited. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) –inhibiting herbicides are very effective at controlling many grass species in many crops; unfortunately, use of ALS-inhibiting herbicides is not an option in conventional grain sorghum because of its susceptibility to these herbicides. With the development of ALS-resistant grain sorghum, several POST ALS-inhibiting herbicides can be used to control weeds in grain sorghum. Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the efficacy of tank mixtures of nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron applied alone or in combination with bromoxynil, carfentrazone–ethyl, halosulfuron + dicamba, prosulfuron, 2,4-D, or metsulfuron methyl + 2,4-D. In addition, these treatments were applied with and without atrazine. Nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron controlled barnyardgrass, green foxtail, and giant foxtail 99, 86, and 91% 6 wk after treatment (WAT), respectively. A decrease in annual grass control was observed when nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron was tank mixed with some broadleaf herbicides, although the differences were not always significant. In addition, nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron controlled velvetleaf and ivyleaf moringglory 64 and 78% 6 WAT, respectively. Control of velvetleaf was improved when nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron was tank mixed with all broadleaf herbicides included in this study with the exception of atrazine, bromoxynil, and prosulfuron + atrazine. Control of ivyleaf morningglory was improved when nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron was tank mixed with all of the herbicides included in this study with the exception of metsulfuron methyl + 2,4-D. Weed populations and biomass were lower when nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron were applied with various broadleaf herbicides than when it was applied alone. Grain sorghum yield was greater in all herbicide treatments than in the weedy check, with the highest grain yield from nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron + prosulfuron. This research showed that postemergence application of nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron effectively controls grass weeds, including barnyardgrass, green foxtail, and giant foxtail. The research also showed that velvetleaf and ivyleaf morningglory control was more effective when nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron were applied with other broadleaf herbicides.

Field experiments were conducted at Belleville, Colby, Hays, Hesston, Garden City, and Manhattan, KS, to determine grain sorghum response to POST application of mesotrione at three application timings. Mesotrione was applied at 52, 105, 157, and 210 g ai/ha in combination with 280 g ai/ha atrazine to grain sorghum at heights of 5 to 8, 15 to 20, and 30 cm, which correspond to early POST (EPOST), mid-POST (MPOST), and late POST (LPOST), respectively. All mesotrione rates caused injury at all application timings. Overall, grain sorghum injury from mesotrione was greatest at 1 wk after treatment (WAT); plants partially recovered from injury by 4 WAT. Mesotrione applied EPOST injured grain sorghum more than when applied at MPOST and LPOST timings. The EPOST application injured grain sorghum 19 to 88%, whereas injury from MPOST and LPOST application was 1 to 66% and 0 to 69%, respectively, depending on rate. Mesotrione injury was least at Belleville and most at the Hesston and Garden City (irrigated) sites regardless of growth stage. Correlation coefficient analyses indicated that observed mesotrione injury symptoms were not well correlated with grain sorghum yield; thus, mesotrione injury to grain sorghum did not influence grain yield. However, initial grain sorghum injury was severe, and this will likely be a major concern to producers.

Intensive selection pressure from repeated use of propanil and quinclorac led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass biotypes. Twenty-two composite field samples were tested for level of resistance in 2002 and 2003, and field studies were conducted at the Rice Research and Extension Center, Stuttgart, AR, in 2002 and 2003 to evaluate alternative rice herbicides to control propanil-resistant (PR) and quinclorac-resistant (QR) barnyardgrass. Of the 22 composite samples, four were PR (30 to 40% control); four had a mixed population of PR, QR, and susceptible (S) barnyardgrass; and two had multiple resistance to propanil and quinclorac (P/QR), with control from propanil of 15 to 30% and control from quinclorac of 5 to 10%. ‘Wells’ rice was used where conventional herbicide programs were evaluated, and Clearfield rice ‘CL-161’ (imidazolinone-resistant) was used for herbicide programs involving imazethapyr. All PR and QR barnyardgrass were controlled > 90% by alternative herbicides, including all preemergence (PRE) and delayed preemergence (DPRE) treatments. By 56 d after emergence (DAE), cyhalofop or fenoxaprop applied to two- to three-leaf barnyardgrass (early postemergence [EPOST]), followed by (fb) a preflood application, controlled barnyardgrass > 93%. Pendimethalin controlled PR barnyardgrass 21 DAE, but not all season long. In contrast, imazethapyr in Clearfield rice controlled all grass weeds 100% all season long. Midpostemergence (MPOST) bispyribac application at the four- to five-leaf stage also provided season-long control of all barnyardgrass biotypes (> 88%, 56 DAE). Rice yields ranged from 5,300 to 5,700 kg ha−1 in conventional weed-control treatments and from 2,800 to 5,000 kg ha−1 in imazethapyr-treated plots. Nontreated plots yielded 1,500 kg ha−1.

The lack of POST herbicides to control grasses in grain sorghum prompted researchers to develop acetolactate synthase (ALS)–resistant grain sorghum. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the differential response of ALS-resistant grain sorghum to POST application of nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron applied at three growth stages. ALS-resistant grain sorghum was treated with 0, 13 + 7, 26 + 13, 39 + 20, 52 + 26, 65 + 33, 78 + 39, and 91 + 46 g ai ha−1 of nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron when plants were at the three- to five-leaf, seven- to nine-leaf, or 11- to 13-leaf stage. In general, as nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron rates increased, visible injury increased at the three- to five-leaf and seven- to nine-leaf stages. Injury was greatest 1 wk after treatment for the three- to five-leaf and seven- to nine-leaf stages across all ratings, and plants then began to recover. No injury was observed at any rating time for the 11- to 13-leaf stage. Plant height and sorghum grain yield were reduced as nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron rates increased when applied at the three- to five-leaf stage. However, nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron applied at the seven- to nine-leaf and 11- to 13-leaf stages did not decrease sorghum yield. This research indicated that nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron application at the three- to five-leaf stage injured ALS-resistant grain sorghum; however, application at the seven- to nine-leaf or 11- to 13-leaf stages did not result in grain yield reduction.

The present work aimed to evaluate plant injury caused by residues in the soil of the formulated mixture of imazethapyr and imazapic to a nontolerant genotype of rice (IRGA 417) drilled at 371 and 705 d after herbicide application (DAA). Herbicide carryover reduced up to 55% of the grain yield of the IRGA 417 drilled at 371 DAA, and plant injury was still evident at 705 DAA but without grain yield reduction.

Field experiments in winter wheat were initiated at two locations in the fall of 2006 and 2007 to evaluate winter annual broadleaf weeds and winter wheat response to POST applications of two saflufenacil formulations applied alone and in combination with 2,4-D amine. Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and water-dispersible granule (WG) formulations of saflufenacil at 13, 25, and 50 g ai ha−1 were applied with 1.0% (v/v) crop oil concentrate (COC) and mixed with 2,4-D amine at 533 g ae ha−1 without adjuvant. Regardless of rate or formulation, saflufenacil plus COC and saflufenacil plus 2,4-D amine controlled blue mustard ≥ 91% at 17 to 20 d after treatment (DAT) compared with ≤ 50% control with 2,4-D amine alone. At least 25 g ha−1 of saflufenacil EC was necessary to control flixweed > 90%. Excluding COC from saflufenacil plus 2,4-D amine reduced flixweed control from the saflufenacil WG formulation more than the EC formulation. Most saflufenacil treatments did not control henbit satisfactorily (≤ 80%). Wheat foliar necrosis increased with increasing saflufenacil rate to as high as 30% at 3 to 6 DAT, but declined to < 15% at 10 to 20 DAT and was not evident at 30 DAT. Saflufenacil rate, formulation, and mixing with 2,4-D amine also influenced wheat stunting, but to a lesser extent than foliar necrosis. Saflufenacil EC consistently caused greater foliar necrosis and stunting on wheat than saflufenacil WG. Leaf necrosis and stunting were reduced by tank-mixing saflufenacil formulations with 2,4-D amine without COC. Grain yields of most saflufenacil treatments were similar to 2,4-D amine under weedy conditions and herbicide treatments had no effect on grain yield in weed-free experiments. Saflufenacil formulations at 25 to 50 g ha−1 with 2,4-D amine and saflufenacil WG at 25 to 50 g ha−1 with COC can control winter annual broadleaf weeds with minimal injury (< 15%) and no grain yield reductions. The addition of saflufenacil as a POST-applied herbicide would give wheat growers another useful tool to control annual broadleaf weeds, including herbicide-resistant weed species.

Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) is a common weed in no-till crop production systems. It is problematic because of the frequent occurrence of biotypes resistant to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides and its ability to complete its life cycle as a winter or summer annual weed. Tactics to control horseweed while controlling other winter annual weeds routinely fail; herbicide application timing and spring emergence patterns of horseweed may be responsible. The objectives of this experiment were to (1) determine the influence of fall and spring herbicides with and without soil residual horseweed activity on spring-emerging glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed density and (2) evaluate the efficacy and persistence of saflufenacil on GR horseweed. Field studies were conducted in southern Indiana and Illinois from fall 2006 to summer 2007 and repeated in 2007 to 2008. Six preplant herbicide treatments were applied at four application timings: early fall, late fall, early spring, and late spring. Horseweed plants were counted every 2 wk following the first spring application until the first week of July. Horseweed almost exclusively emerged in the spring at both locations. Spring horseweed emergence was higher when 2,4-D + glyphosate was fall-applied and controlled other winter annual weeds. With fall-applied 2,4-D + glyphosate, over 90% of the peak horseweed density was observed before April 25. In contrast, only 25% of the peak horseweed density was observed in the untreated check by April 25. Starting from the initiation of horseweed emergence in late March, chlorimuron + tribenuron applied early fall or early spring, and spring-applied saflufenacil at 100 g ai/ha provided greater than 90% horseweed control for 12 wk. Early spring–applied saflufenacil at 50 g ai/ha provided 8 wk of greater than 90% residual control, and early spring–applied simazine provided 6 wk of greater than 90% control. When applied in late spring, saflufenacil was the only herbicide treatment that reduced horseweed densities by greater than 90% compared to 2,4-D + glyphosate. We concluded from this research that fall applications of nonresidual herbicides can increase the rate and density of spring emerging horseweed. In addition, spring-applied saflufenacil provides no-till producers with a new preplant herbicide for foliar and residual control of glyphosate- and ALS-resistant horseweed.

Deciding on the most efficacious PRE and POST herbicide options and their ideal application timing can be challenging for soybean producers. Climatic events during the 14 d before and after herbicide application can further complicate decisions because of their influence on herbicide effectiveness. Nine field trials were conducted at three locations in southwestern Ontario from 2003 to 2006, to determine the most effective PRE and POST soybean herbicides for control of common lambsquarters, common ragweed, green foxtail, and redroot pigweed. When precipitation was low at least 7 d before and after herbicide application weed control was reduced in treatments that included imazethapyr (PRE or POST) or flumetsulam/S-metolachlor (a premix formulation) (PRE). Cumulative precipitation during the 12 d after PRE application that exceeded the monthly average by at least 60% reduced common lambsquarters control when metribuzin was applied and green foxtail control when imazethapyr was applied. Delaying application of imazethapyr + bentazon to a later soybean growth stage decreased control of common lambsquarters and green foxtail; however, environmental conditions appeared to influence these results. Precipitation on the day of application decreased control of common ragweed and redroot pigweed more with quizalofop-p-ethyl + thifensulfuron-methyl + bentazon compared with imazethapyr + bentazon. Soybean yield varied among POST herbicide treatments because of reduced weed control. This research confirms that environmental conditions pre- and postapplication, as well as application timing, influence herbicide efficacy and should be considered by growers when selecting an herbicide program.

Field studies were conducted to determine if POST applications of the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors mesotrione (105 g ai/ha), topramezone (18 g ai/ha), and tembotrione (92 g ai/ha) applied alone and in mixtures with the photosystem-II (PSII) inhibitors atrazine (560 g ai/ha), bentazon (560 g ai/ha), or bromoxynil (280 g ai/ha) would control volunteer potato. Mesotrione alone controlled potato 62%, but topramezone and tembotrione only provided 10 to 22% control by 6 wk after treatment (WAT). All PSII inhibitors applied alone provided less than 36% control of potato. Overall, mixtures of PSII inhibitors plus mesotrione improved initial potato control by 2 WAT; however, by 6 WAT, few differences were observed between mesotrione applied alone or in mixtures with PSII inhibitors. PSII inhibitors did not always improve activity of topramezone or tembotrione on potato, and in some instances appeared to antagonize control. HPPD inhibitors applied alone or in combinations with PSII inhibitors reduced potato yields in comparison to the untreated check.

The growth regulator herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba are used to control glyphosate-resistant horseweed before crops are planted. With the impending release of 2,4-D–resistant and dicamba-resistant crops, use of these growth regulator herbicides postemergence will likely increase. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of various growth regulators on Indiana horseweed populations. A greenhouse dose–response study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of 2,4-D ester, diglycolamine salt of dicamba, and dimethylamine salt of dicamba on control of four populations of horseweed in the greenhouse. Population 66 expressed twofold levels of tolerance to 2,4-D ester and diglycolamine salt of dicamba. Population 43 expressed an enhanced level of tolerance to diglycolamine salt of dicamba but not to the other herbicides. Diglycolamine salt of dicamba provided the best overall control of populations 3 and 34. Additionally, a field study was conducted to evaluate standard use rates of 2,4-D amine, 2,4-D ester, diglycolamine salt of dicamba, and dimethylamine salt of dicamba on control of various sized glyphosate-resistant horseweed plants. Control of plants 30 cm or less in height was 90% or greater for all four herbicides. On plants greater than 30 cm tall, diglycolamine salt of dicamba provided 97% control while 2,4-D amine provided 81% control. Diglycolamine salt of dicamba provided the highest level of control of glyphosate-resistant horseweed, followed by dimethylamine salt of dicamba, 2,4-D ester and 2,4-D amine, respectively. This research demonstrates that horseweed populations respond differently to the various salts of 2,4-D and dicamba, and it will be important to determine the appropriate use rates of each salt to control glyphosate-resistant horseweed.

Sulfentrazone is commonly used for weed control in soybeans and tobacco, and vegetable crops and cotton are often rotated with soybeans and tobacco. Studies were conducted to evaluate the potential for sulfentrazone to carryover and injure several vegetable crops and cotton. Sulfentrazone was applied PRE to soybean at 0, 210, 420, and 840 g ai/ha before planting bell pepper, cabbage, cotton, cucumber, onion, snap bean, squash, sweet potato, tomato, and watermelon. Cotton, known to be susceptible to sulfentrazone carryover, was included as an indicator species. Cotton injury ranged from 14 to 18% with a 32% loss of yield in 1 of 2 yr when the labeled use rate of sulfentrazone (210 g/ha) was applied to the preceding crop. High use rates of sulfentrazone caused at least 50% injury with yield loss ranging from 36 to 100%. Bell pepper, snap bean, onion, tomato, and watermelon were injured < 18% by sulfentrazone at 840 g/ha. Squash was injured < 3% and < 36% by sulfentrazone at 210 and 840 g/ha, respectively. Yield of these crops was not affected regardless of sulfentrazone rate. Cabbage and cucumber were injured < 13% by sulfentrazone at 210 and 420 g/ha, and yields were not affected. Sulfentrazone at 840 g/ha injured cabbage up to 46% and reduced yield in 1 of 2 yr. Sulfentrazone injured cucumber up to 63% and reduced yield of No. 2 grade fruits. Sulfentrazone at 210 and 420 g/ha injured sweet potato < 6% and did not affect yield. Sulfentrazone at 840 g/ha injured sweet potato 14% and reduced total yield 26%. Our results suggest little to no adverse effect on bell pepper, cabbage, cucumber, onion, snap bean, squash, sweet potato, tomato, or watermelon from sulfentrazone applied at registered use rates during the preceding year.

Flax is in the process of development as a crop for bio-industrial and nutraceutical products predicated on the use of genetic modification. Before genetically modified (GM) flax is commercially released, effective management practices should be developed to minimize adventitious presence (AP) of GM volunteer flax in subsequent crops. Field research was conducted at four locations during 2007 and 2008 in central Alberta to quantify and mitigate AP of volunteer flax in glufosinate-resistant (GR) and imidazolinone-resistant (IR) canola. A single preplant application of glyphosate at 1,250 g ae ha−1 in GR canola reduced volunteer flax density from 54 to 3 plants m−2 and seed production from 5,963 to 233 seeds m−2. Similarly, the recommended rate of POST glufosinate (600 g ai ha−1) alone effectively controlled volunteer flax and reduced flax seed viability to < 8% and AP to 0.2%. A combination of preplant (glyphosate) and POST (glufosinate) at recommended rates reduced volunteer flax seed production, yield, and AP to near zero in GR canola. Glyphosate applied preplant was equally effective in IR canola, reducing volunteer flax density from 56 to 2 plants m−2, and seed production from 5,571 to 472 seeds m−2. Imazamox + imazethapyr applied POST at all the rates poorly controlled volunteer flax and, even in combination with preplant glyphosate, cannot be recommended for control of flax volunteers in IR canola.

A 2-yr field study was conducted during 2007 and 2008 at Stoneville, MS, to determine the effect of twin-row (two rows 38 cm apart on 102-cm beds) and single-row (on 102-cm beds) patterns and glyphosate POST applications with and without fluometuron + S-metolachlor PRE on cotton canopy closure, weed control, and lint yield in two cultivars (‘DP117B2RF’, early maturity, hairy leaf; ‘DP164B2RF’, mid to full maturity, smooth leaf) under an irrigated environment. The experiment was conducted in a split–split plot arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design with row pattern as the main plot, cultivars as the subplot, and herbicide programs as the subsubplot. Cotton canopy closed 2 wk earlier in the twin-row pattern compared to the single-row pattern. Canopy closure was unaffected by cultivars and herbicide programs. Control of nine predominant weeds was sufficient (≥ 95%) to support cotton production. Total weed dry biomass was reduced by 35% in twin rows compared to the single-row pattern, 15% in DP117B2RF compared to DP164B2RF cultivar, and ≥ 97% with glyphosate early POST (EPOST), EPOST followed by (fb) mid-season POST (MPOST), EPOST fb MPOST fb late POST (LPOST) following PRE herbicides or three applications of glyphosate POST only without PRE herbicides compared to no herbicide. Cotton grown in twin-row pattern produced 6% higher lint yield than single-row cotton. Cultivar DP117B2RF produced 23% higher lint yield than cultivar DP164B2RF. Lint yields were higher with glyphosate EPOST fb MPOST, EPOST fb MPOST fb LPOST following PRE herbicides or three applications of glyphosate POST only without PRE herbicides (1,210 to 1,230 kg/ha) compared to glyphosate EPOST following PRE herbicides (1,130 kg/ha). These results demonstrated that cotton grown in twin-rows closed canopy early and produced higher lint yields than cotton grown in single-rows.

In the southeastern United States, Florida betony continues to be a problem weed in both turfgrass and ornamentals. Several herbicides including atrazine, dichlobenil, and glyphosate can provide good control (greater than 70%) of Florida betony, but their uses are limited. Over the past several years, many additional herbicides have been added to the turf market. New herbicides evaluated in this study included the sulfonylurea herbicides foramsulfuron, metsulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron; the picolinic acids clopyralid and fluroxypyr; and the aryl triazinone herbicide carfentrazone in combination with 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop. In both the 2004 and 2005 trials, all sulfonylurea herbicides provided greater than 83% control of Florida betony at 10 wk after treatment. Other herbicides that provided less than 80% control of Florida betony in 2004 and 2005 included clopyralid, fluroxypyr, and the carfentrazone combination treatment. Selective control of Florida betony in ornamentals, however, still remains a challenge, as none of these herbicides are labeled for ornamentals.

Cover crop management with a roller/crimper might reduce the need for herbicide. Weed suppression from a rolled cereal rye cover crop was compared to no cover crop with and without postemergence herbicide application in no-till soybean. The experiment was designed as a two-way factorial with rye termination and soybean planting date as the first factor and weed control treatment as the second. Cereal rye was drill-seeded in late September and managed using glyphosate followed by a roller/crimper in the spring. Soybean was no-till seeded after rolling and glyphosate was applied postemergence about 6 wk after planting to half the plots. Rye biomass doubled when delaying rye kill by 10 to 20 d. Weed density and biomass were reduced by the rye cover crop in all site–location combinations except one, but delaying rye kill and soybean planting date only reduced both weed density and biomass at a single location. The cover crop mulch provided weed control similar to the postemergence herbicide in two of four locations. Treatments did not affect soybean grain yield in 2007. In 2008, yield at Landisville with rye alone was equal to those yields receiving the postemergence herbicide, whereas at Rock Springs, it was equivalent or less. The net added cost of a rye cover crop was $123 ha−1 with or $68.50 ha−1 without a postemergence herbicide application. A rolled-rye cover crop sometimes provided acceptable weed control, but weed control alone did not justify the use of the cover crop. The potential for reduced herbicide use and other ecosystem services provided by a cover crop justify further refinement and research in this area.

Flaxleaf fleabane is a difficult-to-control weed in dryland minimum tillage farming systems in the northeast grains region of Australia. Experiments were conducted between 2003 and 2005 to identify effective control strategies on flaxleaf fleabane in wheat and sorghum. A preplant application of chlorsulfuron at 15 g ai/ha in wheat controlled flaxleaf fleabane ≥ 90%. The efficacy of early postemergent applications of metsulfuron–methyl at 4.2 g ai/ha varied between years. However, the flaxleaf fleabane was controlled > 85% with metsulfuron–methyl at 4.2 g ai/ha plus MCPA at 420 g ae/ha plus picloram at 26 g ae/ha, or metsulfuron–methyl followed by late postemergent 2,4-D amine at 300 g ae/ha. In sorghum, a preplant application of glyphosate at 900 g ae/ha plus 2,4-D amine at 900 g ae/ha or dicamba at 500 g ae/ha at 1 mo before sorghum planting provided ≥ 95% control. Preplant atrazine at 2,000 g ai/ha controlled flaxleaf fleabane 83 to 100% in sorghum. At-planting atrazine at 2,000 or 1,000 g ai/ha can be applied to control new emergence of flaxleaf fleabane and grasses, depending on the weed pressure and spectrum. Flaxleaf fleabane reduced sorghum yield 65 to 98% if not controlled.

Jointed goatgrass is an invasive winter annual grass weed that is a particular problem in the low to intermediate rainfall zones of the Pacific Northwest (PNW). For the most part, single-component research has been the focus of previous jointed goatgrass studies. In 1996, an integrated cropping systems study for the management of jointed goatgrass was initiated in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon in the traditional winter wheat (WW)–fallow (F) region of the PNW. The study evaluated eight integrated weed management (IWM) systems that included combinations of either a one-time stubble burn (B) or a no-burn (NB) treatment, a rotation of either WW–F–WW or spring wheat (SW)–F–WW, and either a standard (S) or an integrated (I) practice of planting winter wheat. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to evaluate and identify complete IWM systems for jointed goatgrass control in winter wheat. At the Idaho location, in a very low weed density, no IWM system was identified that consistently had the highest yield, reduced grain dockage, and reduced weed densities. However, successful IWM systems for jointed goatgrass management were identified as weed populations increased. At the Washington location, in a moderate population of jointed goatgrass, the best IWM system based on the above responses was the B:SW–F–WW:S system. At the Washington site, this system was better than the integrated planting system because the competitive winter wheat variety did not perform well in drought conditions during the second year of winter wheat. At the Oregon site, a location with a high weed density, the system B:SW–F–WW:I produced consistently higher grain yields, reduced grain dockage, and reduced jointed goatgrass densities. These integrated systems, if adopted by PNW growers in the wheat–fallow area, would increase farm profits by decreasing dockage, decreasing farm inputs, and reducing herbicide resistance in jointed goatgrass.