Imazosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide recently labeled in U.S. rice at a maximum rate of 336 g ai ha−1. Soybean is prone to drift of herbicides from rice fields in the southern United States because these crops are often grown in close proximity. Field trials were conducted to determine the effect of low rates of imazosulfuron applied to nonsulfonylurea-resistant soybean at different growth stages. Soybean was treated at the vegetative cotyledonary (VC); vegetative second trifoliate (V2); vegetative sixth trifoliate (V6); and reproductive full bloom (R2) growth stages with 1/256 (1.3 g ha−1) to 1/4 (84.1 g ha−1) times (X) the maximum labeled rate of imazosulfuron. Soybean was injured regardless of application rate or timing. At 2 wk after treatment (WAT), imazosulfuron injured soybean 23 to 79, 44 to 76, 32 to 68, and 14 to 50% when applied at the VC, V2, V6, and R2 growth stages, respectively, where the highest injury was caused by the highest imazosulfuron rate (1/4X). However, by 20 wk after planting (WAP), soybean treated with imazosulfuron at the VC and V2 growth stages had only 0 to 17% and 8 to 53% injury, respectively. At higher rates [1/8 (42 g ha−1) and 1/4X] of imazosulfuron, soybean treated at the VC growth stage recovered more from injury than did soybean treated at the V2 growth stage. Soybean treated with imazosulfuron at the V6 and R2 growth stages had better recovery from the injury at the lower two rates [1/256 and 1/128X (2.6 g ha−1)] than at the higher rates [1/64 (5.3 g ha−1) to 1/4X]. Imazosulfuron, at all rates tested, delayed soybean maturity by 1 to 4, 2 to 6, 1 to 12, and 3 to 16 d for the VC, V2, V6, and R2 growth stages, respectively. Yield loss was greater when imazosulfuron was applied at V6 and R2 compared to applications at VC and V2. Results from this research indicate that imazosulfuron can severely injure soybean regardless of the growth stage at which drift occurs; however, soybean injured by imazosulfuron at early growth stages (VC and V2) has a better chance of recovery over time compared to drift at later growth stages (V6 and R2).

Synthetic auxin herbicides have long been utilized for the selective control of broadleaf weeds in a variety of crop and noncrop environments. Recently, two agrochemical companies have begun to develop soybean with resistance to 2,4-D and dicamba which might lead to an increase in the application of these herbicides in soybean production areas in the near future. Additionally, little research has been published pertaining to the effects of a newly-discovered synthetic auxin herbicide, aminocyclopyrachlor, on soybean phytotoxicity. Two field trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the effects of sublethal rates of 2,4-D amine, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, clopyralid, dicamba, fluroxypyr, picloram, and triclopyr on visible estimates of soybean injury, height reduction, maturity, yield, and yield components. Each of these herbicides was applied to soybean at the V3 and R2 stages of growth at 0.028, 0.28, 2.8, and 28 g ae ha−1. Greater height reductions occurred with all herbicides, except 2,4-D amine and triclopyr when applied at the V3 compared to the R2 stage of growth. Greater soybean yield loss occurred with all herbicides except 2,4-D amine when applied at the R2 compared to the V3 stage of growth. The only herbicide applied that resulted in no yield loss at either stage was 2,4-D amine. When applied at 28 g ae ha−1 at the V3 stage of growth, the general order of herbicide-induced yield reductions to soybean from greatest to least was aminopyralid > aminocyclopyrachlor = clopyralid = picloram > fluroxypyr > triclopyr > dicamba > 2,4-D amine. At the R2 stage of growth, the general order of herbicide-induced yield reductions from greatest to least was aminopyralid > aminocyclopyrachlor = picloram > clopyralid > dicamba > fluroxypyr = triclopyr > 2,4-D amine. Yield reductions appeared to be more correlated with seeds per pod than to pods per plant and seed weight. An 18- to 26-d delay in soybean maturity also occurred with R2 applications of all synthetic auxin herbicides at 28 g ae ha−1 except 2,4-D. Results from this research indicate that there are vast differences in the relative phytotoxicity of these synthetic auxin herbicides to soybean, and that the timing of the synthetic auxin herbicide exposure will have a significant impact on the severity of soybean height and/or yield reductions.

The potential widespread adoption of cotton and soybean varieties with 2,4-D and dicamba resistance traits in the southeastern US will increase the risk of accidental exposure of peanut to these herbicides because of drift or application errors. When such accidents occur, growers must decide between continuing the crop and terminating it. In order to make this decision, growers need to estimate the potential yield reduction caused by 2,4-D or dicamba. Dose-response studies were conducted under field conditions in Citra and Jay, FL in 2012 and 2013 to determine peanut injury and yield reduction after exposure to 70, 140, 280, 560, and 1120 g ae ha−1 of 2,4-D or to 35, 70, 140, 280, and 560 g ae ha−1 of dicamba at 21 and 42 d after planting (DAP). Only herbicide by rate interactions were significant (P < 0.04). Dicamba caused 2 to 5 times higher peanut injury and 0.5 to 2 times higher yield reductions than 2,4-D. Injury ranged from 0 to 35% when peanut plants were treated with 2,4-D and from 20 to 78% with dicamba. The maximum yield reduction was 41% with 1,120 g ha−1 of 2,4-D and 65% with 560 g ha−1 of dicamba. Linear regression indicated that the intercept for yield reduction was 12% for 2,4-D and 23% for dicamba, and there was a 2.5% and 7.7% increase in yield reduction per additional 100 g ha−1, respectively. Although high variability was observed for the different variables, there was a positive correlation between injury and peanut yield reduction (P < 0.0001) with Pearson's Rho values ranging from 0.45 to 0.59 for 2,4-D and from 0.27 to 0.55 for dicamba, suggesting that growers can use injury data to make rough projections of yield reduction and decide if they continue their crop, especially when injury is evident.

Rattail fescue is a problematic weed for small grain producers in the Pacific Northwest when no-till production practices are used. Pyroxsulam and pyroxasulfone are two herbicides not previously evaluated for control of rattail fescue. Pyroxasulfone provided levels of control (> 74%) similar to flufenacet. Pyroxsulam did not consistently control (21 to 71%) rattail fescue. Rattail fescue biomass was reduced by pyroxasulfone and flufenacet compared to the nontreated control. Effective consistent rattail fescue control was only achieved where PRE herbicides were used. When managing rattail fescue, PRE herbicides pyroxasulfone and flufenacet plus metribuzin are essential components of an integrated management strategy.

Field trials were conducted from 2010 through 2012 to evaluate the integration of three factors: overhead irrigation after planting great northern dry bean; three methods of seedbed preparation: no-tillage, one or two diskings; and eight weed control treatments on dry bean development and weed control. The previous crop each year was corn. Overhead irrigation with 13 mm of water immediately after herbicide application and planting in early June did not improve or reduce herbicide efficacy but where herbicides were not utilized, irrigation increased weed emergence. Soil crusting increased in 2 of 3 yr when soil was disked at a 20-cm depth before planting. Crop injury from herbicides applied PRE increased when soil crusting occurred. No tillage before planting reduced crop injury from herbicides in 2010 and 2011 and weed density in 2012. Dry bean injury was minimal from herbicides applied PRE except for flumioxazin, which reduced crop density in 2011 and 2012. Imazamox plus bentazon applied POST caused early-season dry bean injury in 2 of 3 yr and resulted in a reduction in crop seed yield compared to dimethenamid-P or halosulfuron applied PRE. As producers move away from intensive tillage before planting to reduced tillage or no-tillage production systems, the results of this experiment show that dimethenamid-P, halosulfuron, pendimethalin, and S-metolachlor can be utilized PRE to provide acceptable weed control and crop selectivity. Although flumioxazin applied PRE reduced plant density, Great Northern dry bean yields were not affected by the loss of plant stand.

Seed production of annual weeds persisting through cropping phases replenishes/establishes viable seed banks from which these weeds will continue to interfere with crop production. Harvest weed seed control (HWSC) systems are now viewed as an effective means of interrupting this process by targeting mature weed seed, preventing seed bank inputs. However, the efficacy of these systems is directly related to the proportion of total seed production that the targeted weed species retains (seed retention) at crop maturity. This study determined the seed retention of the four dominant annual weeds of Australian cropping systems - annual ryegrass, wild radish, brome grass, and wild oat. Beginning at the first opportunity for wheat harvest and on a weekly basis for 28 d afterwards the proportion of total seed production retained above a 15 cm harvest cutting height was determined for these weed species present in wheat crops at nine locations across the Western Australian (WA) wheat-belt. Very high proportions of total seed production were retained at wheat crop maturity for annual ryegrass (85%), wild radish (99%), brome grass (77%), and wild oat (84%). Importantly, seed retention remained high for annual ryegrass and wild radish throughout the 28 d harvest period. At the end of this period, 63 and 79% of total seed production for annual ryegrass and wild radish respectively, was retained above harvest cutting height. However, seed retention for brome grass (41%) and wild oat (39%) was substantially lower after 28 d. High seed retention at crop maturity, as identified here, clearly indicates the potential for HWSC systems to reduce seed bank replenishment and diminish subsequent crop interference by the four most problematic species of Australian crops.

Four field studies were conducted over a 3-yr period (2011 to 2013) to determine the tolerance of four soybean cultivars to pyroxasulfone (89 and 178 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin (71 and 142 g ai ha−1), and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin (160 and 320 g ai ha−1) applied either preplant incorporated (PPI), PRE, or at the soybean cotyledon stage (COT). When pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin was applied at 160 and 320 g ai ha−1, at the cotyledon stage soybean yield was decreased by 9 and 14%, respectively. The only other treatment that decreased soybean yield was pyroxasulfone (178 g ai ha−1) applied PPI; yield was decreased by 6% despite minimal injury and dry biomass reductions observed during the season. Soybean tolerance to pyroxasulfone or flumioxazin applied alone was generally similar and injury was less than with pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin. Similarly, herbicides applied PPI and PRE were less injurious to soybean than the COT timing. Results suggest that soybean is tolerant to PPI and PRE applications of pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin but COT applications should be avoided.

Methiozolin is a new herbicide from South Korea currently under development in the United States for PRE and POST annual bluegrass control in bentgrass and most other cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. Greenhouse studies were conducted in 2012 at the University of California, Riverside, CA, and Auburn University, Auburn, AL, to evaluate the relative tolerance of three bentgrass species comprised of nine creeping bentgrass (CRBG) cultivars, velvet bentgrass (VBG) and colonial bentgrass (COBG) to methiozolin at 0, 0.6, 1.1, 2.2, 4.5 and 9.0 kg ai ha−1. Methiozolin was applied 7 wk after seeding, followed by a second application 5 wk later. Methiozolin rates that produced 25% injury (TI25) and 50% clipping dry weight reduction (GR50) relative to a nontreated control for each species or cultivar were calculated using four-parameter logistic regression. Turf injury rates at 21 d after second treatment (DAT2) were the most consistent in describing relative tolerance among bentgrass species. Overall, CRBG was more tolerant to methiozolin than VBG or COBG. After two applications, methiozolin rates that caused TI25 were 1.1, 0.2, and 0.3 kg ha−1 for CRBG (across all cultivars), VBG, and COBG, respectively. VBG and COBG were not tolerant of sequential methiozolin applications at rates necessary to control annual bluegrass under field conditions. Herbicide rates that caused TI25 and GR50 decreased with the second application. ‘Penn A-4’ CRBG exhibited the highest TI25 28 d after initial treatment (DAIT) at University of California at Riverside (4.5 kg ha−1), but only 2.5 kg ha−1 with two applications by 21 DAT2. All CRBG cultivars tested tolerated methiozolin at 0.5 kg ha−1, the recommended sequential use rate for putting greens in Korea.

A sulfonylurea (SU) herbicide resistance allele discovered in prickly lettuce was previously transferred to domestic lettuce with the cultivar name ‘ID-BR1’. ID-BR1 was acquired, and the SU resistance allele was transferred through traditional breeding methods to five common commercial lettuce types: butterhead, crisphead, green leaf, red leaf, and romaine. Field trials were conducted at Salinas, CA during 2011 and 2012 to evaluate POST applications of tribenuron-methyl (tribenuron) on SU-susceptible and SU-resistant lettuce types. Treatments included a nontreated control, pronamide applied PRE at 1,340 g ai ha−1, and tribenuron at 4, 9, and 17 g ai ha−1 applied POST. Data collected were: weed control, crop injury estimates (0 = safe, 100 = dead), stand counts, and lettuce yields. Injury to lettuce from tribenuron was high in SU-susceptible lettuce types and low in SU-resistant accessions. With the exceptions of a romaine lettuce line that still may have some susceptible individuals, tribenuron did not reduce yield of SU-resistant lettuce, but did reduce the yield of SU-susceptible lettuce. Suppression of weeds such as common groundsel and annual sowthistle was higher with tribenuron than with pronamide. Tribenuron should be considered for registration as a lettuce herbicide for SU-resistant lettuce to improve current weed management options for that crop.

Fomesafen and imazosulfuron are two recently registered herbicides for use in Florida bell pepper. Field studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to evaluate PRE, POST-directed (POST-DIR), and PRE followed by (fb) POST-DIR control programs utilizing these new herbicides for nutsedge control in Florida bell pepper. PRE treatments included: S-metolachlor at 0.71 and 1.07 kg ai ha−1, fomesafen at 0.28 and 0.42 kg ai ha−1, S-metolachlor at 0.71 kg ha−1 + fomesafen 0.28 kg ha−1, and S-metolachlor at 1.07 kg ha−1 + fomesafen at 0.42 kg ha−1. POST-DIR treatments included imazosulfuron at 0.21 and 0.34 kg ai ha−1. PRE fb POST-DIR treatments included S-metolachlor at 0.71 or 1.07 kg ha−1 fb imazosulfuron at 0.21 kg ha−1 and fomesafen at 0.28 or 0.42 kg ha−1 fb imazosulfuron at 0.21 kg ha−1. Nutsedge control in both years at 28 d after planting was similar among all PRE treatments providing ≤ 60% control. The addition of imazosulfuron POST-DIR following S-metolachlor or fomesafen PRE provided greater control compared to S-metolachlor or fomesafen alone 14, 21, and 28 d after the POST-DIR application. Plots treated with S-metolachlor resulted in lower marketable weight and marketable fruit count compared to fomesafen in 2012; however, this was not observed in 2013. The results for these studies indicate the importance of a PRE fb POST-DIR herbicide for nutsedge control and that fomesafen or S-metolachlor PRE fb imazosulfuron POST-DIR provides growers with a viable tool capable of achieving season-long control of nutsedge in bell pepper.

Winter bentgrass is a common, shallow-rooted perennial weed of lowbush blueberry fields. This unique production system is typically managed on a biannual cycle with blueberry shoot growth and floral bud development occurring in the first year (vegetative year) and berries harvested in the second year (crop year). An experiment was conducted in two commercial blueberry fields to determine the impact of 0, 143, or 286 kg ha−1 of 14–18–10 fertilizer applied in the vegetative year, and fluazifop-P applications in the vegetative, crop, or both years of the biannual production cycle, on winter bentgrass and blueberry growth and yield. Fluazifop-P tended to reduce winter bentgrass biomass at both sites and the vegetative year-herbicide applications had a greater impact on winter bentgrass ground cover than crop-year applications. Total weed biomass following fluazifop-P applications was reduced in the vegetative year but not the crop year due to an increase in broadleaf weed biomass. Grass biomass tended to increase with fertility inputs in the vegetative year. In all years and sites, the application of fertilizers without herbicides increased grass biomass compared to the use of fertilizers combined with herbicides. Blueberry floral bud numbers per stem, flowers per stem, and berry yield tended to increase with vegetative year applications of fluazifop-P, although differences were not significant. These data indicate that winter bentgrass management is best achieved with herbicide applications in the vegetative year and this might result in yield increases, especially if broadleaf weeds also are adequately controlled.

Methiozolin and cumyluron are experimental herbicides that are reported to control annual bluegrass PRE or POST; however, no studies have compared these new herbicides to currently-registered herbicides for annual bluegrass control on putting greens over multiple years. Studies were conducted on three Virginia putting greens for 2 yr to compare methiozolin and cumyluron each at two rates to bensulide and bensulide plus oxadiazon at labeled rates for effects on annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass cover, turf injury, normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), turf quality, and annual bluegrass seedhead suppression. Methiozolin, cumyluron, bensulide, and bensulide plus oxadiazon did not significantly injure creeping bentgrass putting green turf, reduce quality, or reduce NDVI. Only methiozolin at 500 or 750 g ai ha−1 and cumyluron at 8,600 g ai ha−1 reduced area under the progress curve (AUPC) for annual bluegrass cover following four treatments over 2 yr applied in spring and fall each year. A concomitant increase in creeping bentgrass cover AUPC was also observed from the three treatments that reduced annual bluegrass cover. Methiozolin also reduced annual bluegrass seedhead cover at least 85% 1 mo after spring treatments and more than all other treatments except cumyluron at 8,600 g ha−1 (66%). These studies suggest that single treatments of methiozolin in spring and fall will not rapidly control existing annual bluegrass but can slowly reduce populations over time, presumably by preventing new seedling emergence. Methiozolin and cumyluron appear to be more effective than currently available herbicides bensulide and bensulide plus oxadiazon for PRE annual bluegrass control and seedhead suppression on golf putting greens.

Field research trials were conducted in Idaho at the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center in 2006 and 2007 to determine the critical interference period of hairy nightshade in potatoes. ‘Russet Norkotah’ variety was planted both years in plots three rows wide by 12 m long. When the potatoes had emerged, one- to two-leaf hairy nightshade plants that had been germinated and grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at a 2 m−1 row density and allowed to grow for 10, 20, 30, or 40 d after emergence (DAE) before removal, or the potatoes were maintained weed-free for 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40 DAE before transplanting. Potatoes were harvested from the center row at the end of each growing season and yield and grade was determined. Russet Norkotah is a small-canopied potato variety and often does not completely close canopy in Idaho. Russet Norkotah U.S. No. 1 and total tuber yield were similar to weed-free yield when hairy nightshade transplanting was delayed up to 22 or 24 DAE, respectively, or planted at emergence and allowed to remain for only 6 or 11 d, respectively. Otherwise, yield decrease was 5% or greater. Therefore, the critical weed-free period for Russet Norkotah potato U.S. No. 1 or total tuber yields was 6 to 22 or 11 to 24 DAE, respectively.

A survey was conducted in 2012 in Georgia to determine the most troublesome weeds in pecan orchards and document common herbicide weed control practices. Weed control practices and infestations in pecan were divided between winter and summer seasons. The most troublesome pecan winter weed species were wild radish and Italian ryegrass, whereas the most troublesome summer season weeds were Palmer amaranth and bermudagrass. Other weeds included crabgrass species, bahiagrass, Florida pusley, purslane species, morningglory species, curly dock, and cutleaf evening-primrose. The most widely used POST herbicide in both the winter and summer season was glyphosate. The most commonly used year-round herbicides with soil persistence were pendimethalin, diuron, flumioxazin, halosulfuron, simazine, indaziflam, and oryzalin. Use of multiple herbicides, PRE- and POST-contact and soil-persistent, with various herbicide mechanisms of action, have benefited pecan producers by providing year-round weed control, despite herbicide-resistant weeds being widely established in this region.

In recent years, increasing implementation of biological, cultural, and mechanical weed-control methods is desired; however, many of these techniques are not viable in established turfgrass systems. The use of freezing or frost for weed control has previously been researched; however, is not well elucidated. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate liquid carbon dioxide (LCD) for weed control in established turfgrass systems. LCD was applied with handheld prototypes that were modified to reduce the amount of LCD required for weed control. Common annual and perennial turfgrass weeds included common chickweed, corn speedwell, goosegrass, large crabgrass, smooth crabgrass, Virginia buttonweed, and white clover. Turfgrass tolerance was evaluated on the following species: hybrid bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and zoysiagrass. The final modification allowed for lower output (0.5 kg LCD min−1) when compared with the initial prototype (3 kg LCD min−1). In general, weed control increased as LCD increased. When comparing weed species life cycles, annuals were controlled more than perennials (P < 0.0001) at 14 and 28 d after treatment (DAT). Further, exposure time affected control as white clover, Virginia buttonweed, and large crabgrass control was greater (18, 14, 15%, respectively) from the longer exposure time (30 vs. 15 s), although equivalent amounts of LCD (30 kg m−2) were applied. These data also suggest that plant maturity affects control, as large crabgrass control in one- to two- and three- to four-leaf stages (> 90%) was greater than in the one- to two-tiller stage (< 70%). Turfgrass injury at 7 DAT was unacceptable (> 30%) on all species, but declined to 0% by 28 DAT. These data suggest that LCD has the potential to provide an alternative for weed control of select species where synthetic herbicides are not allowed or desired.