Turfgrass managers can reduce foliar bleaching of smooth crabgrass from mesotrione by tank-mixing triclopyr ester with applications. These tank mixtures also have potential to enhance smooth crabgrass control compared to mesotrione alone. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the influence of triclopyr on the efficacy, absorption, and translocation of mesotrione in multitiller smooth crabgrass. In field experiments, tank-mixing triclopyr at 560 or 1,120 g ae ha−1 with mesotrione at 140 g ai ha−1 applied sequentially or at 280 g ha−1 applied singly provided excellent control (> 90%) of multitiller smooth crabgrass in tall fescue. These treatments were more effective than mesotrione alone and fenoxaprop at 195 g ai ha−1 that averaged 66 and 81% control after 6 wk, respectively. Mesotrione alone at 280 g ha−1 bleached smooth crabgrass 53% at 2 wk after initial treatment (WAIT), and was 14% greater than the 140 g ha−1 treatment. Sequential treatments of the low mesotrione rate bleached smooth crabgrass 16 to 22% from 3 to 5 WAIT. Triclopyr tank mixtures reduced smooth crabgrass bleaching from mesotrione on all dates to < 5%. Tall fescue injury was not detected at any evaluation date. In laboratory experiments, smooth crabgrass reached peak foliar absorption of 14C-mesotrione at 24 and 168 h after treatment (HAT; 23% and 15%) when mesotrione was applied with triclopyr at 1,120 and 0 g ha−1, respectively. Triclopyr reduced translocation of radioactivity 12% at 72 and 168 HAT, compared to 14C-mesotrione alone. Enhanced foliar uptake of mesotrione from triclopyr tank mixtures might improve control of multitiller smooth crabgrass compared to mesotrione alone. Reduced foliar bleaching from triclopyr is associated with less translocation of mesotrione or derivatives in smooth crabgrass.

The importance of PRE herbicide applications in cotton has increased since the evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth. Cotton producers are relying on residual herbicides for control of Palmer amaranth, as POST options are limited or ineffective. S-Metolachlor, acetochlor, fomesafen, and dicamba all provide PRE control of Palmer amaranth; however, little is known about the effect of irrigation rate on incorporation and herbicidal efficacy. In 2015, an experiment was conducted on fine sand and loamy sand soils to evaluate the influence of irrigation volume (0.0 to 12.7 mm ha−1) on Palmer amaranth control with PRE herbicides. Irrigation volume after herbicide application was significant for both S-metolachlor and acetochlor. Efficacy of S-metolachlor was greatest in plots receiving 6.4 and 12.7 mm of irrigation where Palmer amaranth biomass was reduced to 4 and 2% of a nontreated control (NTC), respectively, compared with 61% in plots with the 0-mm irrigation treatment. Palmer amaranth control by acetochlor incorporated at 3.2- to 12.7-mm irrigation did not differ but did reduce Palmer amaranth biomass compared with the 1.6-mm irrigation rate. Irrigation volume was not significant for the soil incorporation of fomesafen or dicamba. Across all herbicides, fomesafen-treated plots provided the most consistent control of Palmer amaranth, reducing its biomass to < 3% of NTC at all irrigation rates. Dicamba provided the least and most inconsistent control of Palmer amaranth, producing 17 to 51% of NTC biomass.

Silvery threadmoss naturally reproduces through spore and bulbil production, both of which have potential to be controlled prior to establishment. Studies have not evaluated effects of turf protection products on moss protonema or gametophyte growth from spores or bulbils; consequently, most moss is controlled POST on putting greens. Initial studies were performed to determine the optimal growth temperature for spores and bulbils in sterile culture. Protonemata from spores grew optimally at 29.5 C and gametophytes from bulbils grew optimally at 22.5 C. Three subsequent in vitro studies were conducted to evaluate effects of turf protection products on moss development from spores or bulbils in axenic culture at a constant 24 C. Carfentrazone, which effectively controls mature silvery threadmoss gametophytes POST, also reduced green cover of moss protonemata and gametophyte production from spores and bulbils. All combinations with carfentrazone reduced area under the progress curve (AUPC) for green cover of moss for both spores and bulbils by 80% or more by 3 wk after treatment. Sulfentrazone, oxyfluorfen, oxadiazon, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, and pyraflufen-ethyl reduced AUPC of moss equivalent to carfentrazone for both propagule types. The two fosetyl-Al products, phosphite, and mineral oil caused an increase in silvery threadmoss cover between 22 and 113% of the nontreated for spores; however, only methiozolin positively influenced AUPC (90.2%) compared to the nontreated for bulbils. Though silvery threadmoss is typically targeted POST on putting greens, there are products that can provide PRE control, including the industry standard of carfentrazone. These data suggest that differences may occur between turf protection products in their ability to suppress silvery threadmoss establishment from spores or bulbils.

Mesotrione provides PRE and early POST control of annual bluegrass during Kentucky bluegrass establishment from seed, but applications do not effectively control multitiller plants. The physiological effects of growth stage on efficacy and the basis of mesotrione selectivity between species is not well understood. The objectives of this research were to evaluate mesotrione behavior in these species at three growth stages: pretiller (3 to 5 leaves), 1-tiller, and multitiller (5 to 7 tillers). In greenhouse experiments, a single mesotrione application at 280 g ai ha−1 injured pretiller, 1-tiller, and multitiller annual bluegrass 54, 33, and 11% at 4 wk after initial treatment (WAIT), respectively. A sequential application of mesotrione increased injury to pretiller and 1-tiller annual bluegrass by 20 and 17% from a single treatment, respectively. Sequential mesotrione applications caused at least 14% injury to multitiller annual bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass at all growth stages and did not reduce tillering compared to the nontreated. Annual bluegrass absorbed 34% more root-applied 14C-mesotrione than Kentucky bluegrass in hydroponic culture, but relative differences (Bq g−1) among growth stages were not detected for both species. Averaged across growth stages, annual and Kentucky bluegrass absorbed 31 and 35% of the applied radioactivity after foliar treatments, respectively. However, averaged across species, multitiller plants metabolized approximately two times more 14C-mesotrione than pretiller and 1-tiller plants. Overall, the selectivity of mesotrione for annual bluegrass control during Kentucky bluegrass establishment results from differential levels of root absorption. Mesotrione has limited efficacy for controlling multitiller annual bluegrass due to enhanced degradation compared to pretiller and 1-tiller plants.

Honey locust is a deciduous tree that is now present throughout most of the United States. Fire suppression and introduction of honey locust into shelter belts has allowed honey locust to increase in pastures of mixed grass prairie. Because locust trees can produce abundant sprouts, mechanical measures also require herbicides to effectively control trees. Each year for 2 yr, trees were treated with one of five combinations of herbicides and application methods. Treatment combinations, on a v/v basis, included (1) triclopyr 25% + diesel 75% and (2) aminopyralid 5% + bark oil 95%, both applied to the lower 38 cm of basal bark including the root collar area of live trees, as well as (3) triclopyr 25% + diesel 75%, (4) aminopyralid 10% + water 90%, and (5) dicamba 33% + 2,4-D 2% + water 65%, all applied immediately to the outer cambium layer of cut stump surfaces. One year after treatment, aminopyralid applied as a basal bark or as a cut-tump treatment had the best control and averaged over 97% dead trees. The triclopyr + diesel cut-stump treatment had the fewest dead trees (just over 50%) and produced many new sprouts. In grazed pasture, treating cut tree surfaces with dicamba + 2,4-D + water or aminopyralid + water and treating standing live trees with a basal bark application of aminopyralid + oil are three effective control options. Triclopyr + diesel displayed better control on live standing trees with a basal bark treatment rather than as a cut-stump treatment.

Tomato rootstocks have been successfully used for eggplant production. However, the safety of herbicides registered in tomato has not been tested on grafted eggplant, which is a combination of tomato rootstock and eggplant scion. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to determine response of grafted eggplant on tomato rootstock to napropamide, metribuzin, halosulfuron, trifluralin, S-metolachlor, and fomesafen herbicides. In greenhouse experiments, herbicide treatments included pretransplant S-metolachlor (400 and 800 g ai ha−1), pre- or posttransplant metribuzin (140 and 280 g ai ha−1), and posttransplant halosulfuron (18 and 36 g ai ha−1). In field experiments, herbicide treatments included pretransplant fomesafen (280 and 420 g ai ha−1), halosulfuron (39 and 52 g ha−1), metribuzin (280 and 550 g ha−1), napropamide (1,120 and 2,240 g ai ha−1), S-metolachlor (800 and 1,060 g ha−1), and trifluralin (560 and 840 g ai ha−1). The eggplant cultivar ‘Santana' was used as the scion and nongrafted control, and two hybrid tomatoes ‘RST-04−106-T' and ‘Maxifort' were used as rootstocks for grafted plants. In both greenhouse and field experiments, there was no difference between grafted and nongrafted eggplant in terms of injury caused by herbicides. Metribuzin posttransplant at 140 and 280 g ha−1 caused 94 and 100% injury to grafted and nongrafted eggplant 4 wk after treatment. In field experiments, pretransplant fomesafen, napropamide, S-metolachlor, and trifluralin caused less than 10% injury and no yield reduction in grafted and nongrafted eggplant. However, metribuzin caused injury and yield reduction in both grafted and nongrafted eggplant. Metribuzin at 550 g ha−1 caused 60 and 81% plant stand loss in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Halosulfuron reduced yield 24% in both grafted and nongrafted eggplant compared to nontreated control in 2013 but did not reduce yield in 2014. The pretransplant S-metolachlor, napropamide, fomesafen, and trifluralin are safe to use on eggplant grafted onto tomato rootstock, and will be a valuable addition to the toolkit of eggplant growers.

Asia minor bluegrass (AmB) is a major weed impacting rapeseed production in Dongting Lake District, China. Growth chamber experiments were conducted to determine the influence of environmental factors on germination and emergence of AmB. The optimum constant temperature for germination was around 20 C. Seeds showed germination percentages above 60% under 22/15 and 24/19 C day/night temperature regimes. Seeds could germinate in the dark, but light exposure significantly enhanced the germination percentage. More than 50% of seeds germinated over a pH range between 4 and 10. Seeds were highly sensitive to osmotic stress, and germination was completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −0.4 MPa, indicating that it was favored by a moist environment. Increasing salinity reduced germination of AmB seeds from 58% at 0 mM to 13% at 80 mM NaCl. The highest seedling emergence (62%) was observed when seeds were placed on the soil surface, and no seedlings emerged from seeds placed at a depth of 5 cm. This work shows that the climate and soil conditions in Dongting Lake District are suitable for AmB seed germination and that no-till fields, where seeds remain on the soil surface, promote the successful establishment of the weed.

Methods were developed and tested for mapping the distribution of Scotch broom, an invasive shrub species expanding its range and disrupting native species and habitats in several parts of the world. During spring, the Scotch broom produces yellow flowers. Landsat imagery during the flower bloom period and during summer was acquired for several years for a study area on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Ground-based reflectance measurements plus statistical separability tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness for identifying Scotch broom with Landsat spectral bands, band ratios, vegetation indices, and combinations of bloom and nonbloom imagery. Maximum likelihood classifications of three Scotch broom density classes (dense, ≥ 75% cover; moderate, 25 to 75%; low, 10 to 25%) and other land covers were run with various image and band sets and tested against independent reference sites. Accuracies of classifications using the better band combinations for moderate and dense Scotch broom patches combined were on the order of 80%, with unreliable results for sites of low Scotch broom density. Scotch broom patches less than 0.5 ha were often missed. Some commission error occurred (areas erroneously classified as Scotch broom). Suggested improvements are the use of time series of classifications over multiple years, incorporating knowledge of Scotch broom spread mechanisms or temperature and elevation limitations, and use of higher resolution satellites if the expense warrants it. Despite some limitations, a satellite-based remote sensing approach may be useful for aspects of Scotch broom management.

As dicamba resistance traits become more common in agronomic crops, the potential for off-site movement also increases. Little is known of how common vegetable crops will respond to dicamba drift. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dicamba and glyphosate drift on bell pepper and squash growth as a function of application timing. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design with two timings by three rates and a nontreated check. The two timings were early bloom and midbloom (during bloom when fruit were present). The three rates were glyphosate at 21 + dicamba at 14 g ha−1, glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1, and glyphosate at 7 + dicamba 5 at g ha−1. Herbicides were applied with a controlled droplet applicator calibrated to deliver 2.34 L ha−1. In squash, crop injury was 26 to 31% at 3 DAT and 48 to 65% at 17 DAT. However, no differences were measured among application timings or rates for fruit weight or number at individual harvest or season total. Bell pepper injury ranged between 0 and 8% from 3 to 17 DAT and was not significantly different than the nontreated. However, large, Fancy, marketable, and total bell pepper fruit number were greater in the nontreated than glyphosate at 21 + dicamba 14 at g ha−1 and glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1 both years. The three rates of dicamba + glyphosate had a greater number and weight of cull fruit compared to the number of fruit in the nontreated plots. The cull fruit were shorter with a flattened appearance. Leaving bell pepper fruit on the plants longer may result in small and medium fruit becoming large or Fancy grade bell pepper fruit.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted at Wooster, OH, during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons to evaluate the responses of five wine grape cultivars to sublethal doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, and glyphosate, and the ‘Riesling’ grape to mixtures of 2,4-D plus glyphosate and dicamba plus glyphosate. Treatments were made using a spray system calibrated to deliver 0.757 L min−1 at 276 kPa and 4.8 km h−1. Herbicides were delivered through 8002 flat spray nozzles and applied at 1/30, 1/100, and 1/300 of the recommended field rate of 840, 560, and 840 g ae ha−1 for 2,4-D, dicamba, and glyphosate, respectively. Injury was observed in all treatments 7 d after treatment (DAT). However, injury symptoms greater than 10% were observed 42 DAT in plants treated with 2,4-D at all rates and plants treated with dicamba at the two highest rates. Injury (35%) at 357 DAT was noted only in plants treated with the highest rate of 2,4-D. French hybrids showed slightly less injury symptoms compared with wine grapes at 7 and 42 DAT. Shoot length reduction in plants treated with 2,4-D at the highest rate was 43, 84, and 16% at 7, 42, and 357 DAT, respectively. Glyphosate caused the fewest injury symptoms in Riesling compared with 2,4-D and dicamba when applied separately or tank mixed with glyphosate. Shoot length reduction in Riesling was observed 42 DAT with all rates of 2,4-D, with and without glyphosate and dicamba, and dicamba plus glyphosate at the highest rate; however, at 357 DAT, no effect was observed in shoot length. Spray drift of 2,4-D and dicamba can severely injure grapes, with injury increasing with increased exposure. The combination of 2,4-D plus glyphosate caused greater injury and shoot length reduction in grapes than glyphosate applied alone.

Tropical signalgrass (TSG) has become a serious weed problem in tropical and subtropical regions such as Florida in recent years in association with the ban of organic arsenical herbicide use in turf. The purpose of this research was to identify alternative POST herbicides that control TSG. Two field experiments were conducted in bermudagrass golf course fairways in south and central Florida in 2014 and 2015. Several nonorganic arsenical herbicide treatments controlled TSG. In the first experiment, treatments containing amicarbazone alone and in combination with other herbicides provided > 97% TSG control 12 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) in 2014 and 2015. These included a single application of amicarbazone at 0.49 kg ai ha−1, or sequential applications of amicarbazone at 0.25 kg ha−1 in combination with foramsulfuron at 0.04 kg ai ha−1, sulfentrazone + imazethapyr at 0.25 kg ai ha−1, thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron at 0.14 kg ai ha−1, and thiencarbazone + iodosulfuron + dicamba at 0.18 kg ai/ae ha−1. In the second experiment, sequential applications of thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron at 0.14 kg ha−1 in combination with either quinclorac at 0.84 kg ai ha−1 or metribuzin at 0.28 kg ai ha−1 provided ≥ 85% TSG control 12 WAIT in both years.

Field experiments were conducted at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, OH, in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to evaluate the tolerance of eight tomato varieties to thifensulfuron-methyl and POST control of broadleaf weeds. Herbicide treatments included thifensulfuron-methyl at 0, 6, and 12 g ai ha−1. In 2005, significant injury was observed in variety TR122244 at 1 and 3 wk after treatment (WAT). The highest crop injury in 2005 was 38% at 1 WAT for variety TR122244. However, this variety experienced a conflicting effect on crop marketable yield when treated with the low and high rates of thifensulfuron-methyl in 2005. Variety TR122244 had the highest crop injury, yet produced the highest marketable yield when treated with either rate of thifensulfuron-methyl. At 3 WAT in 2005, significant injury occurred in variety 11111120, with 13% injury recorded for both the high and low rates of thifensulfuron-methyl. No significant injury resulted from either rate of thifensulfuron-methyl at 1, 3, or 6 WAT in 2006 or 2007. However, in 2006 a significant marketable yield reduction was observed for variety 97045116 when treated with the high rate of thifensulfuron-methyl. No varieties experienced significant marketable yield effects or injury when treated with either rate of thifensulfuron-methyl in 2007. Registration of thifensulfuron-methyl herbicide is not recommended at this time because of the potential for crop stunting and yield reduction in certain tomato varieties.

Weeds often limit productivity of organic cropping systems. Radish is a fast-growing, potentially allelopathic cover crop that has the potential to improve weed management in organic systems. To evaluate the effect of radish on density, cover, and biomass of weeds in organically managed corn, 2-yr field experiments were conducted over 4 site years. Four cover-crop planting treatments (fall-only, spring-only, fall + spring, and no cover) were tested in factorial with three cultivation treatments (standard [three to four passes], false seedbed [standard with a false seedbed], and reduced [two passes]). All plots were tilled before planting. Shoot biomass averaged 3,057 kg ha−1 for fall-seeded radish and 385 kg ha−1 for spring-seeded radish. Radish cover crops generally did not improve management of weeds during the corn growing season. However, in the absence of a false seedbed, fall-seeded radish reduced field pennycress density from 9 to < 1 plant m−2 and horseweed density from 6 to 2 plants m−2 in spring in site years where these weeds were present. Fall-seeded radish also reduced cover of summer annual weeds during the fall cover-crop growing season from 4 to 0% in 1 site year, preventing these weeds from setting seed. Radish cover crops did not affect corn grain yield.

Amicarbazone and indaziflam are relatively new herbicides that provide effective control of important weed species in turfgrass. A concern for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers is the lack of information about runoff risk of these two herbicides, which is a limitation to their proper and safe use. The objectives of this research were (1) to compare lateral movement in surface soil of amicarbazone and indaziflam to other commonly used PRE herbicides in turfgrass (i.e., dithiopyr, prodiamine, pronamide, simazine) and (2) to determine whether incorporating the herbicide with irrigation before a simulated storm event reduces lateral movement. Herbicides were applied at full label rates in two locations (Jay and Milton, FL) with 14% slope, and lateral movement was evaluated using perennial ryegrass and annual bluegrass as bioindicators. Incorporating PRE herbicides with irrigation a few hours before a major simulated storm event did not reduce lateral movement of any of the herbicides evaluated. All herbicides moved outside the treated area regardless of the presence of a simulated storm event. Herbicide lateral movement varied from 61 to 153 cm in Jay, and from 5 to 103 cm in Milton. The Milton location had higher sand content and lower organic matter content than Jay, which favored water infiltration. No herbicide effects were observed 210 cm downslope from the treated area. On the basis of our results, the ranking from highest to lowest lateral movement was pronamide > simazine ≥ indaziflam > amicarbazone ≥ dithiopyr > prodiamine. The difference in lateral movement was approximately 60 to 80 cm between pronamide and prodiamine depending on location and evaluation timing for the 14% slope at the study sites. The results of the present study provide guidance for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers to determine buffer zones in sensitive areas.

Herbicide applications often do not reach their full potential because only a small amount of the active ingredients reaches the intended targets. Selecting the appropriate application parameters and equipment can allow for improved efficacy. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of droplet size on efficacy of six commonly used herbicides. Atrazine (1.12 kg ai ha−1), cloransulam-methyl (0.18 g ai ha−1), dicamba (0.14 kg ae ha−1), glufosinate (0.59 kg ai ha−1), saflufenacil (12.48 g ai ha−1), and 2,4-D (0.20 kg ae ha−1) were applied to seven plant species using an XR11003 nozzle at 138, 276, and 414 kPa and a AI11003 nozzle at 207, 345, and 483 kPa. Each herbicide, nozzle, and pressure combination was evaluated for droplet size spectra. Treatments were applied at 131 L ha−1 to common lambsquarters, common sunflower, shattercane, soybean, tomato, velvetleaf, and volunteer corn. Control from 2,4-D was observed to increase approximately 12% on average for all species except common lambsquarters as droplet size increased from medium to very coarse (Dv0.5 303 to 462 μm; Dv0.5 is droplet size such that 50% of spray volume is contained in droplets of equal or smaller size). Control with atrazine was near 95% for common lambsquarters, common sunflower, and soybean. Atrazine provided the greatest shattercane control using a medium (Dv0.5 325 μm) droplet, whereas the same droplet size provided the lowest tomato control. Control of common lambsquarters, shattercane, and tomato with cloransulam-methyl increased 79% when decreasing droplet size from extremely coarse to fine (Dv0.5 637 to 228 μm). Dicamba control of common lambsquarters increased 17% using a medium droplet compared with a fine droplet (Dv0.5 279 to 204 μm). Dry weight of common sunflower and soybean was reduced 21% using dicamba when using a very coarse spray compared with a fine spray classification (Dv0.5 491 to 204 μm). Common lambsquarters control using glufosinate increased 18% using a fine spray classification (Dv0.5 186 μm) compared with medium (Dv0.5 250 μm) and both very coarse droplet sizes (Dv0.5 470 and 516 μm). Conversely, tomato and velvetleaf control with glufosinate was maximized using a very coarse (Dv0.5 470 and 516 μm) or extremely coarse droplet (Dv0.5 628 μm) with increases of 11 and 25% compared with a fine spray (Dv0.5 186 μm). Saflufenacil control of volunteer corn was 38% greater using extremely coarse droplets (Dv0.5 622 μm) than fine, medium, and very coarse spray classifications (Dv0.5 257 to 514 μm). Overall, spray classifications for the herbicides evaluated play an important role in herbicide efficacy and should be tailored to the herbicide being used and the targeted weed species.

Bell pepper is an economically important vegetable crop that is often impaired by weeds. Management of weeds in bell pepper is required to minimize yield loss because this crop does not tolerate weed competition. Several herbicides have been reported as selective for bell pepper, but research supporting their use for weed control in this crop is limited. Several herbicides were screened in a greenhouse to assess effects on plant biomass, and eight were selected that appeared to be safe for bell pepper. These herbicides, in addition to oxadiargyl, were then evaluated at two different Chilean locations, using different application timings. We measured the effects on plant injury, fruit yield, and the need for additional hand weeding on transplanted bell peppers. The herbicides clomazone, napropamide, pendimethalin, and S-metolachlor caused minimal foliar chlorosis and necrosis but did not affect fruit yield at either location. Pretransplant-incorporated application (PTI) caused no effect on fruit yield from the herbicides evaluated, whereas applications 2 wk (POST2) and 8 wk (POST8) after transplanting reduced fruit yield significantly. For weed management, the best combination was PTI + POST2 + POST8, which reduced the hand-weeding time by 30% compared to the control, at both locations. Based on our results, clomazone, pendimethalin, and S-metolachlor were the most effective treatments applied after transplanting, whereas all herbicides tested were selective for bell pepper when applied and incorporated before transplanting. Results presented here provide new insight into herbicides that can be used to manage weeds in bell pepper and shows that timing of herbicide application is critical to prevent injury to this crop.

Annual bluegrass is a cosmopolitan, cool-season grass that adapts to different environmental conditions. It is one of the main weeds of turfgrass, and its control is mainly achieved through chemical and cultural practices, although little importance is given to the competitive ability of turfgrass species or cultivars. A field study was performed in northeastern Italy from October 2012 to June 2014 to evaluate the competitive ability of selected perennial ryegrass cultivars to suppress emergence and establishment of annual bluegrass seedlings. Two creeping perennial ryegrasses (‘CSI' and ‘PPG-PR171’) and two traditional cultivars (‘Azimuth' and ‘Presidio') were compared. In late autumn in both years, annual bluegrass was sown in a marked area (30 cm by 30 cm) in the turfgrass. Emerged seedlings were counted weekly, and emergence dynamics were modeled. In the second year, final density of annual bluegrass allowed to grow in turfgrass was also evaluated in summer. Results showed that both seedling emergence and density of annual bluegrass were significantly reduced by creeping perennial cultivars, supporting the hypothesis that these cultivars may reduce annual bluegrass establishment in turfgrass. Seedling emergence pattern of annual bluegrass did not differ in creeping and traditional cultivars of perennial ryegrass, suggesting the possibility of creating a general emergence model suitable in any turfgrass to help turfgrass managers in the control of this weed species.

Previous research has demonstrated that late and sequential applications of glyphosate and glufosinate can have adverse effects on glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant canola. Similarly, imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant canola may be affected negatively by late applications of imidazolinone herbicides. Field trials were established across the Northern Great Plains region from 2010 to 2012 to examine the response of IMI-resistant canola yield, yield components, and seed quality to late and sequential applications of imazamox. Plots received either a single imazamox application at the two-leaf, six-leaf, bolt, or early bloom stages or sequential applications at the two-leaf followed by six-leaf, two-leaf followed by bolting, and two-leaf followed by early bloom stages; an unsprayed control was included for comparisons. Results indicated that in most site-years there was no effect of imazamox application timing on IMI-resistant canola yield, yield components, or seed quality. These results suggest that late and sequential applications of imazamox to IMI-resistant canola should have little effect on canola production, even if they are made beyond the recommended six-leaf stage. In situations where growers are forced to make late applications (beyond six leaves) to IMI-resistant canola, using solely imazamox appears to minimize adverse effects on seed yield and quality.

As herbicide-resistant weed populations become increasingly problematic in crop production, alternative strategies of weed control are necessary. Giant ragweed, one of the most competitive agricultural weeds in row crops, has evolved resistance to multiple herbicide biochemical sites of action within the plant, necessitating the development of new and integrated methods of weed control. This study assessed the quantity and duration of seed retention of giant ragweed grown in soybean fields and adjacent field margins. Seed retention of giant ragweed was monitored weekly during the 2012 to 2014 harvest seasons using seed collection traps. Giant ragweed plants produced an average of 1,818 seeds per plant, with 66% being potentially viable. Giant ragweed on average began shattering hard (potentially viable) and soft (nonviable) seeds September 12 and continued through October at an average rate of 0.75 and 0.44% of total seeds per day during September and October, respectively. Giant ragweed seeds remained on the plants well into the Minnesota soybean harvest season, with an average of 80% of the total seeds being retained on October 11, when Minnesota soybean harvest was approximately 75% completed in the years of the study. These results suggest that there is a sufficient amount of time to remove escaped giant ragweed from production fields and field margins before the seeds shatter by managing weed seed dispersal before or at crop harvest. Controlling weed seed dispersal has potential to manage herbicide-resistant giant ragweed by limiting replenishment of the weed seed bank.

Volunteer corn is often overlooked as a weed in soybean. To aid in management decisions, this study determined soybean yield loss attributed to volunteer corn and efficacy of various herbicides at several rates and timings. A hyperbolic equation estimated (R2 = 0.88) incremental yield loss (I) of 39.7% at low density when maximum yield loss (A) was constrained to 71%, the highest yield loss observed in these trials, revealing a more competitive plant than many common midwestern weedy species. Clethodim applied at 51 g ai ha−1 at V4 soybean resulted in > 90% volunteer corn control with < 5% soybean yield loss, whereas if applied at 12.7 g ai ha−1 volunteer corn control was 15%, but soybean yield was 50% greater than the nontreated control. On the basis of these data, the partial volunteer corn control improved soybean yield. Timing of glufosinate application influenced volunteer corn control. Glufosinate applied to 15-cm-tall corn resulted in 33% control, whereas applications to 36- to 91-cm corn resulted in > 70% control. Glufosinate combined with grass herbicides improved control to > 85%, with concomitant yield increases. Results demonstrated that volunteer corn substantially reduced soybean yield at low densities and yield increased when volunteer corn was controlled with various herbicides. On the basis of these results, and current soybean grain and herbicide prices, soybean yield gains from volunteer corn control could increase net return by > $150 ha−1.