Herbicide effects on vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were studied in greenhouse and field tests. In field plots treated with a bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil) and diuron (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea) mixture, fungus infection was similar to levels present in cultivated plots. A slight reduction of infection occurred in roots of grove trees in a simazine (2-chloro-4,6-bis [ethylamino]-s-triazine) plus paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion)-treated plot compared to a cultivated plot. In the greenhouse studies, diuron, bromacil, and trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) had no apparent effect on Glomus etunicatus Becker and Gerd. and plant growth. Paraquat, PPG 844 {1-(carboethoxy) ethyl 5-[2′-chloro-4′-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate} and simazine adversely affected plant growth and the fungus.

The growth retardant activity of MBR 18337 {N-[4-(ethylthio)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methanesulfonamide} was determined by injection into bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Black Valentine’), California privet seedlings (Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.), and saplings of white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Height and leaf expansion of bean were inhibited by 8 μg of MBR 18337 per plant in growth chamber studies. Sprout growth of California privet grown in the greenhouse was inhibited for 92 days by 80 μg of MBR 18337 per tree, and the growth in the field of ash and maple saplings was retarded by 3.2 mg of MBR 18337 per tree for an entire growing season with little injury. Radioassays for 14C-MBR 18337 indicated rapid translocation of 14C-activity in privet from the lower stem to the region of the apical shoot. More than 80% of the MBR 18337 in the xylem and phloem was oxidized within 14 days.

Diclofop [2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid] was evaluated to determine Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) control and effect on yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Diclofop applied at 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ha postemergence provided excellent control of ryegrass and resulted in significant yield increases of winter wheat. Diclofop was most effective when applied at the two- to three-leaf stage of Italian ryegrass growth. Postemergence applications of diclofop plus bentazon [3-isopropyi-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] gave excellent control of ryegrass and significant increases in wheat yields.

Triazine-susceptible (S) and -resistant (R) biotypes of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) were grown in the field under competitive conditions at varying initial proportions of S and R plants. R plants were less competitive than S plants as measured by accumulation of total above-ground dry weight and seed dry weight. S and R plants were also grown in the field under non-competitive conditions at 100, 40, and 10% light. Growth rate at 10% light did not differ between S and R plants. At the two higher light intensities, dry-matter accumulation 11 weeks after seeding was about 40% less in the R plants. At 100% light, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were lower in the R plants by about 3.5 and 19%, respectively. The light- and CO2-saturated rates of CO2 fixation in intact leaves of glasshouse-grown R plants were 20% less than those in S plants. An apparent 10 and 20% greater number of chlorophyll molecules per photosystem II reaction center in R plants (as compared with S plants) grown in the field at 40 and 100% light, respectively, did not explain differences between the S and R biotypes in photo synthetic capacity. The S and R plants did not differ in specific leaf weight or chlorophyll content on a leaf-area basis. Lower growth rate of R plants may be responsible for inferior competitive ability of R biotypes and could be the result of an impaired photosynthetic capacity.

Fifty-day-old jimsonweeds (Datura stramonium L.) were susceptible and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) tolerant to soil-applied metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] at 0.25 and 0.50 kg/ha. Spray applications of 0.50 kg/ha metribuzin to jimsonweed foliage, or to both foliage and soil, reduced jimsonweed height growth 39 and 66%, respectively; whereas, tomato height was reduced 57 and 50% by the two placement methods, respectively. Metribuzin applied to a basal leaf appeared to move both basipetally and acropetally in jimsonweed, but only basipetally in tomato. Metribuzin applied to tomato leaves reduced growth 28% more when leaves had been abraded than when not abraded. Differential translocation appeared to be a major factor in selectivity. Directed sprays of metribuzin at 0.3 and 0.6 kg/ha on the lower 75% of jimsonweed leaves provided control in the field without injury to tomatoes.

A triazine-resistant (R) biotype of a Graminaceous weed, Brachypodium distachyon (= Trachynia distachya), was found in the lower Galilee area of Israel after repeated treatments of roadsides with simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine] and atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine]. It was not affected at levels up to 3.0 kg/ha of soil-incorporated atrazine or simazine. The (R) biotype was unaffected by atrazine, as ascertained by measuring whole-leaf and plastid fluorescences and the Hill reaction. The triazine-sensitive (S) biotype was inhibited in all these reactions. The data suggest that the (R) biotype has a plastid mode of resistance common to many weed species. The (R) biotype metabolized 14C-(ring)-atrazine more rapidly to both water-soluble and to chloroform-soluble compounds than the (S) biotype did, but that could not explain the immediate resistance at the plastid level. Probably there was evolution towards increased tolerance by detoxification as well as plastid level resistance.

BAS 9052 {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-one} and difenopenten {4-[4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]phenoxy]-2-pentenoic acid} concentrations less than 1% (w/w) did not normally inhibit apparent photosynthesis (AP) of corn (Zea mays L. ‘Mo 17 × B73′) leaves for at least 24 h. However, leaf growth was completely inhibited by BAS 9052 within 24 h. Leaf AP was initially more inhibited in soybean (Glycine max L. ‘Corsoy’) than in corn by each herbicide, but within 48 h soybean AP was usually recovering and plants grew normally. Because inhibition of corn leaf growth preceded that of AP, leaf photosynthesis could not be a primary mode of action for BAS 9052.

Absorption, translocation, and distribution of 14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] were examined in quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.] plants growing at 10/8, 15/12, and 21/18 C day/night temperatures at 300 μE·m-2·s-1. Absorption of 14C-glyphosate followed similar trends in all environments, apart from an initial delay at the highest temperature. Approximately 67% of the applied 14C-glyphosate was absorbed after 120 h. Glyphosate translocation to the rhizomes was initially slower in plants growing at 10/8 C than at the higher temperatures, but after 24 h continued at a rate similar to that observed at the higher temperatures. CO2 exchange rates (CER) were only slightly influenced by temperature between 5 and 25 C, which may explain the lack of temperature effect on the rate of glyphosate translocation. Approximately 47% of the applied 14C-glyphosate was recovered in the rhizomes and associated roots 120 h after application in all environments. Glyphosate accumulated predominantly in new rhizomes under all growing conditions.

When glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 0.075 kg/ha, DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) at 10 kg/ha, and H 26905 [O-ethyl-O-(3-methyl-6-nitrophenyl)-N-sec-butyl phosphorothioamidate] at 0.25 and 0.5 kg/ha were sprayed on foliage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Vernal’) on which field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) and largeseed dodder (Cuscuta indecora Choisy) were attached and growing vigorously, almost all visible dodder tissue was killed and alfalfa was not injured noticeably. Some dodder recovered from haustoria within the alfalfa stems and from remnants of twined tendrils, but devastation of the alfalfa by uncontrolled dodder was prevented. PP 009 (butyl 2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate), BAS 9052 (2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one) and RO 13-8895 (acetone-O-[D-2-[p-[(α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy] phenoxy] propionyl] oxime) at 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 kg/ha did not control dodder.

Equipment is described that assists experimental work on controlled-drop application techniques. An electronic tachometer measures centrifugal nozzle rotational speeds in the range 0 to 5000 rpm. Speed control is achieved with a simple regulator incorporated in the tractor electrical system. Both devices are also suggested as worthwhile additions to commercial spray rigs.

The critical period of weed interference in transplanted tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Springset’) was from 28 to 35 days after transplanting. A single weeding during this period was sufficient to prevent yield reductions. A growth analysis revealed that significant differences in plant dry weight and fruit number between tomatoes from weed-free and weed-infested plots were not apparent until 56 to 70 days after transplanting. The shorter the initial weed-free period, or the longer weeds were allowed to remain in the plots before removal, the earlier reductions in tomato dry weight and fruit number appeared. Weed interference was due primarily to shading rather than water stress. Tomatoes from weed-infested plots had significantly lower stomatal conductances than those from weed-free plots, but did not differ in xylem-pressure potential or in canopy temperature. If tomatoes were kept weed-free for more than 28 days, or when weeds were present for less than 28 days after transplanting, stomatal conductances were not significantly reduced.

Excised roots of corn (Zea mays L. ‘B73 × Mo 17′) and oat (Avena sativa L. ‘Goodfield’) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Kennebec’) tuber slices absorbed 14C-atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] in a similar manner during short (1 to 30 min) absorption periods. Within 30 min, atrazine concentrations in tissues and ambient solution were equal. After 24 h of absorption, corn roots contained the most 14C, followed in order by velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) roots, oat roots, and potato tuber slices. Corn and velvetleaf accumulated 14C to concentrations above the ambient solution. Efflux of 14C was slower for corn than oat, potato, and velvetleaf. Metabolism of atrazine to hydroxyatrazine [2-hydroxy-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] accounted for accumulation and slow efflux of 14C in corn. These experiments show that initial, rapid absorption of atrazine is comparable, but long-term accumulation differs among these tissues.

All herbicide treatments controlled the initial stand of Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.) on a subirrigated range site. Annual retreatment controlled seedlings and the few plants that emerged from surviving root remnants after the first application. Average perennial grass production on unfertilized, herbicide-treated plots increased 110, 314, and 212%/yr over unfertilized check plots during the 3-yr period of treatment, i.e., 960, 3450, and 4300 kg/ha, respectively. Grasses did not fully reoccupy the site at the end of 3 consecutive yr of excellent thistle and forb control. The increase in grass production varied considerably among several herbicide treatments that controlled thistles equally. Grass production in the third year was greater under the 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid and 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] treatment series than all other treatments. Ammonium nitrate enhanced the recovery of grass damaged by certain herbicides, but favored the competitive ability of the thistle more than that of the grasses.

Handweeding sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Mono Hy D2’) for 8 weeks after planting prevented sugarbeet yield losses. Weeds invading sugarbeet plots at the two-leaf stage (4 weeks after planting) reduced sugarbeet yields 26%. Cycloate (S-ethyl N-ethylthiocyclohexanecarbamate) caused more visual sugarbeet injury and stand reduction than did ethofumesate [(±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate]. Broadleaf and grass weeds differed in their response to cycloate and ethofumesate, but overall, total weed yields were lower in plots treated with cycloate. Ethofumesate injured sugarbeets more when applied before planting and incorporated into the soil than when applied preemergence. Herbicides applied when sugarbeets had four to six leaves generally injured sugarbeets less, but controlled weeds less effectively, than when sugarbeets had two to four leaves. None of these herbicide treatments were as effective as handweeding in providing season-long weed control. Every 1120 kg/ha of oven dry weeds present in sugarbeet fields corresponded to a decrease in sugarbeet root yields of 10 000 to 11 500 kg/ha.

Experiments were conducted in the field, greenhouse, and controlled environmental chambers to determine the injury to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from diclofop (2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy] propanoic acid} as influenced by diclofop rate, sunflower line and growth stage, and temperature/relative humidity (RH). Eighteen sunflower lines varied widely in response to diclofop applied postemergence at 2.2 kg/ha with visual injury ratings ranging from 5 to 46%. Neither diclofop-tolerant (Hybrids 894 and 903) nor diclofop-susceptible (Hybrid 923 and Inbred HA290) sunflower lines were injured by diclofop at 10 C. Diclofop injured all four sunflower lines at 30 C. Sunflower injury following diclofop application at 30 C was greater at 90% RH than at 40% RH; and the diclofop-susceptible lines were injured more than the diclofop-tolerant lines. Diclofop injury to sunflower at the two- to four-leaf stage was greater than at any other growth stage in the field and greenhouse. Seed yields of sunflower (Hybrid 894) treated with diclofop in the two- and four-leaf stage was reduced 15 and 12% compared to that of untreated weed-free sunflower, respectively, averaged over diclofop rates.

Because adsorption is a major factor controlling herbicide persistence, activity, and mobility in soils, an extensive literature exists on the measurement of this process. The adsorption data are usually fitted to the Freundlich equation, but attempts to interpret this equation theoretically have had only limited success. A meaningful thermodynamic interpretation of the Freundlich equation can be developed using a proposed standard state for adsorbed herbicide, which assumes that soil organic matter forms a solid solution with the herbicide. When herbicide vapor pressures and aqueous solubilities are taken into account, the losses in free energy of different herbicides, on adsorption onto wetted soil surfaces, are shown to be similar to each other and are slightly less than the loss on absorption to the solid herbicides themselves. The Freundlich exponent is related in a simple way to the decreasing energy of available soil sites as the amount of herbicide adsorbed increases, but this change is relatively small over the range of concentrations used in adsorption experiments. Sample results are given for six triazine, three urea, and one uracil herbicides.

The allelopathic potentials of Hope white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) herbage and herbage extracts were evaluated. The emergence and growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Deltapine 45A’), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Lee 68′], and six weed species under greenhouse conditions were measured after seeding directly into a moist, silt loam soil into which dry Hope lupine herbage, collected at second bloom, had been incorporated at rates from 500 to 8000 ppm (dry herbage/dry soil, w/w). At the lower rates, incorporated Hope white lupine stimulated the emergence of large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]; at the higher rates, cotton emergence was inhibited. Cotton and soybean fresh weights were stimulated at incorporation rates up to 2000 ppm, but were inhibited at higher concentrations. The growth of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] and large crabgrass was stimulated at most incorporation rates. Stimulated plants were chlorotic and had longer internodes. Emergence and growth of other species tested were not significantly affected by incorporated Hope white lupine. Equivalent concentrations of Hope white lupine herbage extracts were about 17 times more inhibitory to germination of cress (Lepidium sativum L. ‘Curlycress’) seed than to growth of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ‘AKS 663′] coleoptiles or radicles. The inhibitory principle extracted from Hope white lupine herbage was non-volatile, heat insensitive, and significantly less active in soil. Fractionation of a herbage extract suggested that neither the alkaloid nor phenolic acid content could account for herbage phytotoxicity in soil.

Vegetative cover of weeds was determined in 84 agricultural fields representing a number of crops in Alaska. Multivariate statistical techniques were used with weed, soil, and management data to determine if weed vegetation was related to particular environmental and management variables. Field age was the variable that best explained the variation in vegetation composition. In fields recently cleared, native species were most important, being replaced by introduced weed species with increasing field age. Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) was an exceptional native species that persisted under cultivation. Total weed cover was low in the first few years of cultivation, but increased as introduced species such as common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), common chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Cyrillo], quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.], and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) became more prevalent. A number of introduced species such as hempnettle (Galeopsis tetrahit L.) and Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum L.) were restricted to just a few fields, emphasizing the importance of using weed-free seed and other management practices to minimize the spread of introduced weeds.

Twenty-six cultivars of tomatoes from several countries were divided into four metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] tolerance groups: tolerant, semi-tolerant, semi-susceptible, and susceptible. Early maturity and tolerance to metribuzin were correlated (r = −0.78) in the field experiment and (r = −0.72) in a sinking leaf-disc bioassay. New super early cultivars were especially sensitive to metribuzin. Chlorophyll a and b content were not highly correlated with tolerance to metribuzin. Metribuzin rates used for weed control are close to toxic concentrations for very early cultivars of tomatoes. Plants in the 9-leaf stage were less sensitive than plants in the 5- or 7-leaf stage. Metribuzin tolerance came at later stages in early maturing cultivars than in later maturing cultivars.

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-txifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-(1H)-pyridinone} on prepared clays and organic matter were studied in unbuffered and buffered aqueous solutions. In unbuffered aqueous solution the adsorption of fluridone decreased in the order: H-saturated organic matter (H-OM) > Ca-saturated montmorillonite (Ca-mont) > Ca-saturated organic matter (Ca-OM) > kaolinite. Based on the chemistry of fluridone, the nature of the adsorbent, and previously reported studies, the major adsorption mechanisms appear to be pH-dependent adsorption of protonated fluridone and direct protonation of the herbicide at acidic surfaces, supplemented by physical adsorption forces such as van der Waals attractions and charge transfer bonds. The adsorption of fluridone on Norfolk sand (Typic Paleudult; fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic), unmodified (CK), or amended with montmorillonite (HC) or organic matter (HM) at pH 4.0, 5.2, and 7.0 was also studied. Over all adsorption was greatest on HC soil, least on CK soil, and intermediate on the HM soil. In each system adsorption was inversely related to pH. These results were interpreted by comparison with adsorption observed on prepared clay minerals and organic matter.