The effects of spring tillage sequence on summer annual weed populations were evaluated over two cycles of a 3-yr crop rotation of snap beans, sweet corn, and winter wheat. Continuous no-till (N) planting of vegetable crops each spring (NNNN) reduced summer annual weed density 63 to 86% compared to that of continuous conventional tillage (CCCC), depending upon site and herbicide level. Hairy nightshade populations were reduced by 88 to 96% when spring tillage was eliminated from the crop rotation. The effects of the NNNN spring tillage sequence on weed density were similar at two sites even though the crop rotations at the two sites began with different crops. The rotational tillage sequence of NCNC at the East site, in a crop rotation that began with corn, reduced summer annual weed density by 46 to 51% compared to that of continuous conventional tillage and planting (CCCC) at low and medium herbicide rates, respectively. In contrast, the tillage sequence of CNCN in the same crop rotation and at the same site increased weed density by 80% compared to that of CCCC at a low herbicide rate. The effects of the NCNC and CNCN rotational tillage sequences on weed density were reversed at the West site, and was probably caused by pairing sweet corn with conventional tillage rather than no tillage. The reduction in summer annual weed density caused by reduced spring tillage frequency did not significantly increase crop yields.

Decision support systems (DSSs) have been developed to assist producers and consultants with weed management decisions. WeedSOFT is a DSS currently used in several states in the north-central region of the United States. Accurate estimates of crop yield loss due to weed interference are required for cost-effective weed management recommendations. WeedSOFT uses competitive indices (CIs) to predict crop yield loss under multiple weed species, weed densities, and relative times of weed emergence. Performance of several WeedSOFT versions to predict soybean yield loss from weed competition was evaluated using CI values in WeedSOFT version 9.0 compared to new CI values calculated from weed dry matter, weed volume, and soybean yield loss in two soybean row spacings (19 and 76 cm) and two relative weed emergence times (at soybean emergence and first trifoliate leaf stage). Overall, new CI values improved predictions of soybean yield loss by as high as 63%. It was especially true with using new CI values based on yield loss compared to those based on weed dry matter or weed volume. However, there were inconsistencies in predictions for most weed species, suggesting that additional modifications are needed to further improve soybean yield loss predictions.

Corn and soybean growers across Indiana were surveyed in 2003 to determine their perceptions of the importance of weed problems in various crop rotations. Growers were asked to list the three most problematic weeds in the following rotation systems: soybean and corn planted in alternate years (SC) and corn (CC) or soybean (SS) planted to the same field for 2 or more years. Although some summer annuals and perennials (common lambsquarters, Canada thistle, and common cocklebur) and winter annuals (chickweed and henbit) were considered problematic by at least 10% of growers in all three systems, there were differences among systems in the relative importance of weed species. Giant ragweed was considered problematic by at least 30% of SC and CC growers but by less than 10% of SS growers. Horseweed was listed as a problematic summer annual by 13% of SS growers but by only 3% of CC growers. Purple deadnettle was listed by 15% of CC growers but by less than 6% of SC and SS growers. Perennial dicots were more problematic in SS than in CC. Annual and perennial grasses were more problematic in CC than in SC or SS. Despite these differences, the results of this survey suggest that the cumulative effect of weed management practices in corn and soybean rotation systems in Indiana has been the promotion of larger seeded, broadleaf, summer annual species.

Turf managers traditionally avoid seeding cool-season turfgrass in spring due to summer annual weed interference and poor growing conditions for cool-season grasses. Siduron is the most accepted herbicide for weed control in spring-seeded tall fescue, but it has low residual activity and does not control many weeds other than crabgrass. Isoxaflutole, mesotrione, and quinclorac were evaluated as alternatives to siduron. Single applications of these herbicides controlled crabgrass equivalent to or better than siduron. Sequential applications of isoxaflutole, mesotrione, or quinclorac effectively controlled smooth crabgrass without injuring tall fescue. Isoxaflutole and mesotrione controlled broadleaf plantain, henbit, and yellow woodsorrel; quinclorac marginally controlled henbit; and siduron did not control broadleaf weeds. Turfgrass cover 9 wk after seeding was dependent on environment and equivalent between treatments except at a location with predominately broadleaf weeds where siduron treatments resulted in less cover due to weed infestation. Sequential applications of isoxaflutole, mesotrione, and quinclorac provide an effective, safe option for chemical weed control during establishment of cool-season turfgrass.

Phenoxy herbicides are frequently used to control volunteer canola populations. However, there have been claims that poor control could be due to cold acclimation of canola plants in the spring. The objective of this study was to determine whether cold acclimation or growth stage affected the response of canola volunteers to herbicides. In a growth room experiment, canola plants were prehardened and cold acclimated or were grown at 20/12 C and treated with one of six 2,4-D doses. Cold acclimation as achieved by this experiment affected upper and lower asymptotes of the dose–response curve but not the herbicide dose required to reduce canola weight by 50% relative to the nontreated control (GR50), indicating limited cold-related effects on canola tolerance to 2,4-D. Field experiments, conducted in the provinces of Québec and Saskatchewan, examined the effects of canola growth stage on the efficacy of 2,4-D, MCPA, and carfentrazone. Comparisons of the estimates from the dose–response curves confirmed that herbicide efficacy was consistently greater when canola plants were treated at an early growth stage, regardless of cultivar or herbicide used. The GR50 estimates for canola plants treated at a later growth stage exceeded the recommended rates. Some canola plants grown as volunteers in a wheat crop survived 2,4-D or MCPA treatments at 0.5× and 1× rates and produced up to 148 seeds/m2. Efficient control of canola volunteers will be obtained when plants are sprayed at an early growth stage, but near-total control will be highly desirable in order to restrict seedbank buildup, particularly when dealing with canola cultivars with different herbicide-resistant traits.

Three field experiments were conducted to evaluate efficacy of BAS 625, cyhalofop, and fenoxaprop plus isoxadifen when applied alone or with acifluorfen plus bentazon, acifluorfen, bentazon, triclopyr, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, carfentrazone, and propanil. Broadleaf signalgrass control with fenoxaprop plus isoxadifen was reduced by triclopyr and halosufuron. None of these herbicides reduced Amazon sprangletop control by fenoxaprop plus isoxadifen. Barnyardgrass control with fenoxaprop plus isoxadifen was reduced by halosulfuron and propanil. Barnyardgrass and Amazon sprangletop control by cyhalofop was reduced by bentazon plus acifluorfen, bentazon, acifluorfen, triclopyr, bensulfuron, or halosulfuron. Broadleaf signalgrass control with cyhalofop was reduced by triclopyr and halosulfuron. Amazon sprangletop control by cyhalofop was reduced by all herbicides. Barnyardgrass control with BAS 625 was reduced when applied with propanil, bentazon, or bentazon plus acifluorfen. Broadleaf signalgrass control with BAS 625 was reduced when applied with bentazon plus acifluorfen. Amazon sprangletop control with BAS 625 was reduced when applied with bentazon, acifluorfen, halosulfuron, or propanil.

Agronomic research and extension personnel generally recognize the benefits of integrated pest management (IPM) but IPM practices have not been rapidly adopted by farmers. In order for applied research and extension programs to be as influential as possible, strategies and tactics must be evaluated in the context of the real-world constraints experienced by farmers. We investigated the linkage between farmers' pest management behaviors, attitudes, and constraints by analyzing an extensive corn pest management survey distributed throughout Wisconsin in 2002. Our objectives were to (1) create a benchmark against which future changes in pest management practices could be detected and (2) explore potential associations between practices and farm characteristics, e.g., farm size or commodity produced. A total of 213 farmers responded with descriptions of their operations; weed, insect, and disease pest management practices; crop consultant usage; interactions with their local agrichemical dealer; and attitudes regarding pest management decision-making. We compared the relative responses of cash-grain and dairy farmers as well as managers of large and small farms. Larger farm size and percentage of operation in cash-grain production were associated with an increased frequency of rotating crops, rotating herbicide families, and use of a broadcast herbicide application. Managers of large farms and/or cash-grain crops also more frequently indicated considering the level of pest control, price, carryover potential, weed resistance management, environmental safety, and risk to the applicator than did dairy or small-sized operations. Cash-grain farmers had significantly higher scores on a calculated IPM index than did dairy farmers (P < 0.0001). We also found a significant positive relationship between farm size and IPM score (P < 0.0001). Our results provide a benchmark for future comparisons of IPM adoption rates in Wisconsin and highlight the association between IPM research/extension and farmers' management behavior.

Control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed in no-till cotton has become a serious challenge for midsouth producers. Control of GR horseweed prior to no-till cotton planting (burndown) was examined with glufosinate applied at a standard rate (0.47 kg ai/ha) 30, 21, and 14 d before planting (DBP) and at 0.35 and 0.58 kg ai/ha 14 DBP. Glufosinate at 0.47 kg ai/ha was also tank-mixed with 2,4-D, dicamba, or flumioxazin 30 DBP, and with diuron, pendimethalin, prometryn, or glyphosate at 14 DBP. Glufosinate applied at the standard rate 21 or 30 DBP did not control GR horseweed (<55%), but did provide better control (85%) when applied 14 DBP. The high rate of glufosinate (0.58 kg ai/ha) applied 14 DBP controlled GR horseweed. Tank mixtures of glufosinate with dicamba or 2,4-D at 30 DBP controlled GR horseweed. Tank mixtures of glufosinate with either prometryn or diuron provided initial burndown and residual weed control. Tank mixtures of glufosinate + pendimethalin or flumioxazin did not increase control of existing horseweed, but did provide residual control 56 days after application.

Corn and soybean growers across Indiana were surveyed during winter 2003/2004 to assess their perceptions about the importance of glyphosate-resistant weeds and management tactics to prevent development of resistant populations. The survey showed two intriguing observations. First, 65% of survey respondents expressed moderate or low levels of concern about weeds developing resistance to glyphosate, whereas 36% expressed a high level of concern. Second, when asked an open-ended question regarding the factors that contribute to development of glyphosate-resistant weeds, 58% of the responses included repeated use of the same mode of action. Other factors such as poor application techniques or timing (33%), unique weed characteristics (8%) and changes in tillage practices (1%) were also mentioned. The survey showed that even though a relatively low percentage of respondents were highly concerned about resistance, they still expressed a willingness to use field scouting, tank-mix partners with glyphosate for burn-down and postemergence weed control, and soil-applied residual herbicides as resistance management strategies. This survey also showed that growers who farm 800 ha or more were more concerned about glyphosate resistance and more likely to adopt resistance management strategies than smaller growers.

Field experiments were conducted at three locations in 2003 and 2004 to examine clethodim and quizalofop-P efficacy on spring wheat seedlings when applied alone or in tank mixtures with herbicides used to control broadleaf weeds. Clethodim at the recommended rate of 30 g/ha reduced spring wheat biomass by 63 to 98% and was only >90% in three of six site years. In contrast, quizalofop-P at the recommended rate of 36 g/ha reduced wheat biomass >90% in all cases. Clethodim or quizalofop-P could be tank mixed with 2,4-D ester, bromoxynil, or bromoxynil plus MCPA ester with little risk of reduced efficacy on wheat. However, 2,4-D amine was highly antagonistic to both herbicides. The commercial mixture of thifensulfuron plus tribenuron reduced clethodim, but not quizalofop-P, efficacy on wheat. Herbicide options exist for simultaneous control of volunteer glyphosate-resistant canola and glyphosate-resistant wheat if the latter technology were to be commercialized in the future.

Weed control in organic vegetable production systems is challenging and accounts for a large portion of production costs. Six methods to prepare a stale seedbed were compared on certified and transitional organic land in Salinas, CA, in 2004. Weed control operations occurred on raised beds 2 to 3 d before planting baby spinach or a simulated vegetable planting. A flamer and an herbicide application of 10% v/v of a clove oil mixture (45% v/v clove oil) at 280 L/ha (iteration 1) or 15% v/v of a clove oil mixture (45% clove oil) at 467 L/ha (iterations 2 and 3) were used to control weeds without disturbing the soil. Top knives on a sled, a rolling cultivator, and a rotary hoe were used to control weeds while tilling the bed top. A bed shaper–rototiller combination was also used, which tilled the entire bed. Broadleaf weed control was 36% with clove oil, 63% with the rotary hoe, and significantly higher (87 to 100% control) with the remaining treatments in iteration 1. Broadleaf weed control was consistently lower (72 to 86% control) with the flamer than all other treatments (95 to 100% control) in iterations 2 and 3. The difference between sites can probably be attributed to differences in weed size. The flamer and the clove oil herbicide had the lowest number of weeds emerging with the crop following stale seedbed formation. The most expensive technique was clove oil at $1,372/ha. The estimated cost of forming the stale seedbed with the remaining weed management tools ranged from $10 to $43/ha.

Herbicide-resistant cultivars account for over 90% of the canola grown in western Canada and cultivars resistant to glyphosate dominate the market. Field experiments were conducted at three locations in Alberta to compare the glyphosate system with more traditional herbicide regimes. Glyphosate applied before seeding in spring resulted in better weed control, lower dockage, and higher canola yield and net return than 2,4-D applied in the fall. Glyphosate applied once (two- to four-leaf canola) or twice (two- to four-leaf followed by five- to six-leaf canola) in-crop provided similar weed control, dockage, and canola yield as ethalfluralin applied PRE in the fall followed by an in-crop mixture of sethoxydim, ethametsulfuron, and clopyralid; and superior weed control and canola yield and lower dockage than ethalfluralin alone or an in-crop mixture of sethoxydim and ethametsulfuron. The in-crop glyphosate applications resulted in higher net revenues than the other treatments. There was little or no advantage to applying glyphosate twice compared with once in-crop. The amount of active ingredient entering the environment varied with the herbicide regime but was lower with the glyphosate system than with most of the traditional regimes, especially when glyphosate was applied only once in-crop.

Chinese yam is an exotic perennial vine that invades natural areas in the temperate regions of the eastern United States. Research was conducted from 2001 to 2004 to evaluate growth, reproduction, and management options for this weed. Vine length, lateral shoot production, and reproductive capacity were lower in the first year of growth compared to 2 subsequent years. During the second and third growing season, plants were more mature and tended to flower earlier and produce larger bulbils compared to the first growing season. Maximum vine length was not reached prior to frost in the first year and was approximately 480 cm in each of the subsequent years. Both glyphosate and triclopyr were effective in controlling plants growing from bulbils and plants growing from tubers. Triclopyr did not display acropetal translocation, in that only the treated tissue died. However, both products displayed excellent basipetal translocation resulting in elimination of tubers and no shoot regrowth the year following treatment. Native area managers should attempt to eradicate small populations of Chinese yam prior to establishment of an extensive tuber system.

During dry weather, preplant irrigation of raised beds followed by shallow tillage to create a smooth planting bed is necessary to establish a good lettuce stand. Depletion of germinable weed seeds in the top 5 cm of soil by the sequence of preplant irrigation, followed 7 to 14 d later by shallow tillage to prepare a seedbed, reduces weed density in the subsequent crop. Preplant irrigation and tillage reduces weed density and, when used together with preplant herbicide, provides effective weed control in the cropping season. Preplant and in-crop weed densities resulting from furrow or sprinkler preplant irrigation, followed by shallow tillage and lettuce planting 7 or 14 d later, were compared with the no preplant irrigation control. During the 14-d preplant period, up to 127 weeds/m2 emerged and were removed by shallow tillage before crop planting. Preplant irrigation and shallow tillage reduced in-crop weed density by up to 77% and reduced hand-weeding and crop-thinning time by up to 50% compared with the no preplant irrigation and no herbicide control. Delaying tillage for 14 d following preplant irrigation provided sufficient time for adequate heat unit accumulation (>120 growing degree days, base 10 C), allowing for many weeds to germinate and be killed by shallow tillage. However, 7 d between preplant irrigation and tillage resulted in less heat unit accumulation (<50 growing degree days, base 10 C) and less weed germination before tillage. Preplant irrigation together with pronamide at either 0.67 or 1.34 kg ai/ha reduced weed density compared with the no preplant irrigation. Effective use of preplant irrigation and preplant weed removal may increase the consistency of weed control with lower pronamide rates. Preplant irrigation followed by shallow tillage is an effective cultural practice to control in-crop weeds for conventional lettuce production.

Reduced-rate zone herbicide application (ZHA) consists of banding reduced herbicide rates between crop rows (≤ full broadcast registered rate, 1×) and banding much reduced herbicide rates over crop rows (≪ 1×). The objective of this research was to compare the mechanically complicated dual-boom ZHA sprayer with a much simpler, single-boom ZHA sprayer for controlling giant foxtail and common waterhemp in field corn in 2003 and 2004 in Missouri. The dual-boom ZHA sprayer employed two different herbicide solutions, which were propelled through two booms on separate sprayer systems to apply different herbicide rates over in-row and between-row areas while maintaining similar carrier volumes and coverage through two booms. In contrast, the single-boom ZHA sprayer is a mechanically simpler system in which both herbicide rates and carrier volumes were varied across one boom over in-row (IR) and between-row (BR) areas. In single-boom ZHA, two different nozzle tips were alternated on one boom over in-row and between-row areas, the number of nozzles per boom was doubled, and the distance between nozzles was halved compared with a conventional sprayer boom. In a 2-yr study, these different ZHA sprayers were used to apply preemergence atrazine + S-metolachlor between and over crop rows at various reduced rates (1× = 2,240 + 1,750 g ai/ha, respectively). Among all single- and dual-boom ZHA sprayer treatments and the weed-free checks, corn yields and in-row total weed cover were statistically indistinguishable for both years and for between-row total weed cover in 1 of 2 yr. In both years, a single-boom ZHA system prevented yield loss from competing weeds as effectively as the dual-boom ZHA system. The new single-boom ZHA system is a mechanically simple, inexpensive, generic alternative for reducing herbicide rates and lowering input costs.

Field studies were conducted to determine the effect of season-long interference of smooth pigweed or livid amaranth on the shoot dry weight and fruit yield of cucumber. Smooth pigweed or livid amaranth densities as low as 1 to 2 weeds per m2 caused a 10% yield reduction in cucumber. The biological threshold of smooth pigweed or livid amaranth with cucumber is between 6 to 8 weeds per m2. Consequently, weed interference resulted in a reduction in cucumber fruit yield. Smooth pigweed, livid amaranth, and cucumber plant dry weight decreased as weed density increased. Evaluation of smooth pigweed, livid amaranth, and cucumber mean dry weights in interspecific competition studies indicated that cucumber reduced the dry weight of both species of amaranths.

Greenhouse, growth chamber, and winter survival studies were conducted at Stoneville, MS from 1996 to 2002 to determine growth, time to first flower, and winter survival of wetland nightshade. At 12 wk after emergence, wetland nightshade plants had 58-, 45-, 48-, and 4-cm heights, respectively; 24, 21, 21, and 12 nodes/plant, respectively; 62, 31, 36, and 21 leaves/plant, respectively; and 7.1, 3.9, 5.1, and 0.3 g/plant dry weights, respectively, at temperatures of 26/36, 20/30, 14/24, and 8/18 (±0.5) C at the 14/10 day/night length. Flowering occurred at 79, 85, and 85 days after emergence at 26/36, 20/30, and 14/24 C night/day, respectively at the 14/10 day/night cycle. Wetland nightshade plants did not flower at 8/18 C. Wetland nightshade growth was adequate for flowering and fruit production in additional areas of the southeastern United States with night/day temperatures greater than or equal to 14/24 C. Winter survival was greater than or equal to 33% for established wetland nightshade plants in 5 of 6(1996 to 2002) above water levels and 82% from 20 cm below the water surface. Based on these results, wetland nightshade has the potential to continue to spread in the United States.

Virginia buttonweed control in warm-season turfgrass species requires high application rates and/or repeated applications of herbicides (or both) with an auxin-type mode of action. These treatments often lead to unacceptable turfgrass injury. Diflufenzopyr functions as a synergist with auxin-type herbicides, and it has been suggested that it may do the same when combined with pyridine herbicides such as fluroxypyr. The objective of this field and laboratory research was to determine whether Virginia buttonweed control could be improved with admixtures of fluroxypyr and diflufenzopyr without unacceptable turf injury. Treatments consisted of fluroxypyr applied alone at 140 and 280 g ae/ha, diflufenzopyr alone at 70 and 140 g/ha, and all possible two-way admixtures. Treatments were applied to a hybrid bluegrass ‘Thermal blue’ infested with Virginia buttonweed. Sod of centipedegrass ‘common’, hybrid bermudagrass ‘Tifway’, hybrid zoysiagrass ‘Emerald’, and St. Augustinegrass ‘Raleigh’, which had been previously established in pots, were treated simultaneously and returned to a greenhouse. Fluroxypyr plus diflufenzopyr at 280 and 70 g/ha, respectively, controlled Virginia buttonweed nearly 40% more than fluroxypyr alone. Turfgrass injury was species-dependent, and was generally either equivalent to or less than that obtained with fluroxypyr alone. Radiotracer studies established that, depending upon the turfgrass species, fluroxypyr absorption was either not influenced or reduced by the addition of diflufenzopyr. Neither root nor foliar absorption of fluroxypyr by Virginia buttonweed was influenced by diflufenzopyr. Translocation of foliar-absorbed fluroxypyr was reduced, but translocation of root-absorbed fluroxypyr was increased by diflufenzopyr. The diflufenzopyr-induced synergism may indicate that a significant portion of the applied fluroxypyr was absorbed by roots or by other subsoil tissues, or both.

Fifty-five soybean cyst nematode (SCN)–infested production fields across Indiana were surveyed in March 2004 to assess broadleaf winter weed prevalence. The most frequently occurring weeds were common chickweed (87%), speedwell (83%), buttercup (58%), and henbit (53%). Henbit and wild garlic were present at the highest average densities, both occurring at greater than 50 plants/m2. Based on relative abundance indices, common chickweed and henbit were the most prevalent winter weeds in this survey. As a composite, winter weed hosts of SCN were found in 93% of fields and occurred at an average density of 151 plants/m2. No correlation existed between weed density and SCN egg counts. Frequency, uniformity, density, and diversity indices for individual weed species were generally higher in the southern region of Indiana than in the north. Thus, the region of highest risk for SCN reproduction and population increase on winter weeds in Indiana appears to be in the southern part of the state.

Five studies were conducted at Clayton, Rocky Mount, and Lewiston-Woodville, NC, in 2001 and 2002, to evaluate weed management, crop tolerance, and yield in strip- and conventional-tillage glyphosate-resistant cotton. Cotton was treated with two glyphosate formulations; glyphosate-IP (isopropylamine salt) or glyphosate-TM (trimethylsulfonium salt), early postemergence (EPOST) alone or in a mixture with S-metolachlor. Early season cotton injury was minimal (3%) with either glyphosate formulation alone or in mixture with S-metolachlor. Weed control and cotton yields were similar for both glyphosate formulations. The addition of S-metolachlor to either glyphosate formulation increased control of broadleaf signalgrass, goosegrass, large crabgrass, and yellow foxtail 14 to 43 percentage points compared with control by glyphosate alone. S-metolachlor was not beneficial for late-season control of entireleaf morningglory, jimsonweed, pitted morningglory, or yellow nutsedge. The addition of S-metolachlor to either glyphosate formulation increased control of common lambsquarters, common ragweed, Palmer amaranth, smooth pigweed, and velvetleaf 6 to 46 percentage points. The addition of a late postemergence-directed (LAYBY) treatment of prometryn plus MSMA increased control to greater than 95% for all weed species regardless of EPOST treatment, and control was similar with or without S-metolachlor EPOST. Cotton lint yield was increased 220 kg/ha with the addition of S-metolachlor to either glyphosate formulation compared with yield from glyphosate alone. The addition of the LAYBY treatment increased yields 250 and 380 kg/ha for glyphosate plus S-metolachlor and glyphosate systems, respectively. S-metolachlor residual activity allowed for an extended window for more effective LAYBY application to smaller weed seedlings instead of weeds that were possibly larger and harder to control.