The effect of the sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron, chlorsulfuron, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, rimsulfuron, thifensulfuron, and triasulfuron, on seed germination and radicle elongation of the parasitic plant, Egyptian broomrape, was tested in vitro without a host plant. These herbicides applied to the seeds at the preconditioning and germination stages significantly reduced radicle elongation of the parasite. Chlorsulfuron, rimsulfuron, and triasulfuron were further tested in polyethylene bags, where the parasite was able to parasitize tomato roots. Chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron applied at 2.5 and 25 μM ai and rimsulfuron at 5.0 μM ai, at the preconditioning and germination stages, almost completely inhibited parasite development, but at lower concentrations the parasite partially recovered 26 days after application. Chlorsulfuron inhibited parasite development for 34 d. Chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, and rimsulfuron damaged parasite organs and caused rapid death of Egyptian broomrape tubercles when applied after the parasite had completed attachment to host roots. However, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron at 25 μM ai were toxic to the tomato plants.

The ability of grassed waterways to remediate herbicide loads in runoff water was evaluated using simulated and on-site nursery research. Isoxaben plus oryzalin and isoxaben plus trifluralin were applied to model grassed (zoysiagrass or ‘Tifway 10’ hybrid bermudagrass) and nongrassed, metal and clay loam waterways, and runoff samples were collected. Grassed waterways reduced runoff volume an average of 47% and herbicide residues an average of 56% compared to nongrassed waterways. The smallest herbicide residues were from the clay/grass waterways. In a nursery study, isoxaben and trifluralin were applied to containerized landscape plant production beds. Overhead irrigation was applied and runoff water was channeled into either a clay/gravel waterway or a hybrid bermudagrass waterway. Samples were collected for 22 d following application. Isoxaben persisted through 15 d after application. Trifluralin was detected through 2 d after application. Total isoxaben recovered from the clay/gravel waterway was 32% of applied, and total trifluralin recovered was 0.9% of applied. The grass waterway reduced residues of isoxaben and trifluralin by 22 and 66%, respectively, compared to the clay/gravel waterway.

The postemergence herbicide ethofumesate and the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol were evaluated for annual bluegrass control in creeping bentgrass turf managed as golf fairways. Both products were applied under several different timing regimes relative to the time of the year. Paclobutrazol treatments provided significantly greater annual bluegrass control than ethofumesate. There were no differences between rates of paclobutrazol (0.28 and 0.14 kg ai/ha) when applied from spring through summer. Annual bluegrass control after spring and summer applications of paclobutrazol was 85% or more. Clipping weight data indicated that paclobutrazol suppressed growth in annual bluegrass longer than in creeping bentgrass. It was concluded that prolonged suppression of annual bluegrass by paclobutrazol resulted in creeping bentgrass dominance and subsequent annual bluegrass control. Additionally, applications of ethofumesate in autumn–winter, followed by paclobutrazol applied in spring–summer, provided significant control of annual bluegrass in 1 yr of the study.

Field studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 at Rohwer, AR. Trifloxysulfuron (5.3 and 8 g ai/ha) and pyrithiobac (70 g ai/ha) were applied preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) broadcast at the two- to three-leaf (EP) and three- to four-leaf (MP) cotton growth stages. Both materials were also applied POST in combination with glyphosate at 560 g ae/ha or bromoxynil at 560 g ai/ha at both growth stages. Trifloxysulfuron applied EP or MP at 8 g/ha provided greater control of sicklepod and pitted morningglory 28 d after application (DAA) than trifloxysulfuron at 5.3 g/ha or pyrithiobac at 70 g/ha; however, control of prickly sida was greater with pyrithiobac than with trifloxysulfuron at either rate. Glyphosate alone controlled sicklepod, prickly sida, and pitted morningglory greater than 80%. The addition of trifloxysulfuron at 8 g/ha and pyrithiobac at 70 g/ ha increased control of all species over glyphosate alone 28 DAA. Bromoxynil at 560 g/ha controlled pitted morningglory and hemp sesbania at all application timings; however, sicklepod and Palmer amaranth control was less than 50% with bromoxynil applied alone. When bromoxynil was applied in combination with trifloxysulfuron at either rate, control of sicklepod and Palmer amaranth increased to 80% or greater at all application timings. Trifloxysulfuron has the potential to complement both the glyphosate-resistant and bromoxynil-resistant weed control programs by providing control of less susceptible weeds and by providing residual control to both programs.

Farmer observations and previous studies indicated that reductions in soybean yield caused by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) are greater when other stresses, biotic or abiotic, are present. Also, it has been reported that the effect of SCN on soybean growth depended on factors such as soil pH, soil texture, and herbicides. Although postemergence herbicides may adversely affect soybean metabolism, acifluorfen can reduce SCN infection. The objective of the present study was to determine the main and interactive effects of SCN egg population density (SCND), soil pH, soil texture, and the application of the herbicides acifluorfen, glyphosate, and imazethapyr on early soybean growth. Greenhouse studies assessed different combinations of these factors for 65 d after planting. No interactions were observed for any of the main effects. Soil pH and texture did not affect soybean growth. SCND was the only main effect that explained soybean growth reductions. The effect of SCND on soybean growth was exhibited as 15–50% decreases of leaf area index (LAI) and dry weight in all cases, but reductions in plant height also were observed. No relationship between SCND and the number of SCN eggs recovered at the end of the experiment was observed. Herbicides did not reduce soybean growth, although acifluorfen consistently caused the highest soybean injury reaching 18–20% from 1–14 days after application (DAA). At 50 DAA, acifluorfen injury was negligible, and soybean LAI and dry weight did not differ from the nontreated control. These results indicated that the effect of SCN on soybean growth was not directly affected by the other evaluated main effects. Therefore, trends observed in the field that suggested interactions between those factors are likely the result of other factors not considered in the present study or to more complex relationships between factors analyzed in the present study and other elements present in the field.

Field studies were conducted over 3 yr at two locations to evaluate the effects of glyphosate rate and application timing on barnyardgrass control, seed production, seed viability, and seedbank density the year after herbicide application in glyphosate-resistant corn. Glyphosate was applied at 0, 112, 225, 450, 675, or 900 g ai/ha when barnyardgrass was at the two-, four-, or six-leaf stage of growth. Visual estimates of percent control increased whereas density, dry weight, seed production, and seedbank density the year after treatment decreased as the rate of glyphosate was increased from 0 to 450 g/ha. Increasing the rate of glyphosate from 450 to 900 g/ha (registered rate) had no further effect on any measured parameter. Seed viability was not affected by glyphosate rate nor application timing. Corn yield declined only at a glyphosate rate of 225 g/ha and below. Barnyardgrass control improved as application was delayed to the six-leaf stage because this weed had an extended period of emergence. There was no interaction between glyphosate rate and application timing on any parameter, and yield was not affected by glyphosate-application timing. The use of extremely low glyphosate rates (112 or 225 g/ha) resulted in reduced corn yields, increased barnyardgrass seed production, and seedbank density the year after application.

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.

The effect of nicosulfuron application timing on wild-proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) control and sweet corn (Zea mays) yield was evaluated in the field during 1991, 1992, and 1993. Sweet corn yields were equal to hand weeded controls when nicosulfuron was applied to wild-proso millet shorter than 9 cm, but the best (> 95%) wild-proso millet control occurred when nicosulfuron was applied to wild-proso millet plants between 11 and 19 cm tall. However, nicosulfuron controlled wild-proso millet 90 to 95%, 13 wk after planting, when nicosulfuron was applied to plants 8 to 10 cm tall. Nicosulfuron applications made to wild-proso millet plants less than 8 cm were made early in the season and failed to control subsequent wild-proso millet flushes. Additionally, nicosulfuron failed to control completely wild-proso millet plants larger than 20 cm. Consequently, nicosulfuron applied to wild-proso millet plants shorter than 8 cm or taller than 20 cm resulted in a rapid decline in wild-proso millet control 13 wk after planting. Nicosulfuron applied following 6.7 kg ai/ha EPTC plus 2.2 kg ai/ha cyanazine PPI in 1991, could be applied to wild-proso millet 25 cm tall without subsequent losses in wild-proso millet control or sweet corn yield. Wild-proso millet control was 93% and sweet corn yields were equal to hand-weeded controls when nicosulfuron was applied to wild-proso millet 4 cm tall and followed by one cultivation 14 d after application.

There are few efficient and cost-effective methods for controlling weeds in processing tomatoes. Sulfosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide developed for controlling weeds in wheat. In previous studies, we have demonstrated the efficacy of sulfosulfuron in selectively controlling Orobanche aegyptiaca in tomato. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the potential of sulfosulfuron to selectively control troublesome, nonparasitic weeds in tomato. In the greenhouse, sulfosulfuron efficacy at 37.5, 75.0, and 112.5 g ai/ha applied preplant incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), and postemergence (POST) was tested. Sulfosulfuron when applied PPI and POST was highly selective in controlling weeds without causing injury to tomato. The weeds that were efficiently controlled, even at low rates of application, included purple nutsedge, black nightshade, mustard, pigweed, and bindweed. PRE application resulted in the most efficient weed control but was phytotoxic to tomato at high rates.

Glyphosate and paraquat herbicide drift injury to crops may substantially reduce growth or yield. Determining the type and degree of injury is of importance to a producer. This research was conducted to determine whether remote sensing could be used to identify and quantify herbicide injury to crops. Soybean and corn plants were grown in 3.8-L pots to the five- to seven-leaf stage, at which time, applications of nonselective herbicides were made. Visual injury estimates were made, and hyperspectral reflectance data were recorded 1, 4, and 7 d after application (DAA). Several analysis techniques including multiple indices, signature amplitude (SA) with spectral bands as features, and wavelet analysis were used to distinguish between herbicide-treated and nontreated plants. Classification accuracy using SA analysis of paraquat injury on soybean was better than 75% for both 1/2- and 1/8× rates at 1, 4, and 7 DAA. Classification accuracy of paraquat injury on corn was better than 72% for the 1/2× rate at 1, 4, and 7 DAA. These data suggest that hyperspectral reflectance may be used to distinguish between healthy plants and injured plants to which herbicides have been applied; however, the classification accuracies remained at 75% or higher only when the higher rates of herbicide were applied. Applications of a 1/2× rate of glyphosate produced 55 to 81% soybean injury and 20 to 50% corn injury 4 and 7 DAA, respectively. However, using SA analysis, the moderately injured plants were indistinguishable from the uninjured controls, as represented by the low classification accuracies at the 1/8-, 1/32-, and 1/64× rates. The most promising technique for identifying drift injury was wavelet analysis, which successfully distinguished between corn plants treated with either the 1/8- or the 1/2× rates of paraquat compared with the nontreated corn plants better than 92% 1, 4, and 7 DAA. These analysis techniques, once tested and validated on field scale data, may help determine the extent and the degree of herbicide drift for making appropriate and, more importantly, timely management decisions.

Two experiments, one focusing on preemergence (PRE) herbicides and the other on postemergence (POST) herbicides, were conducted and repeated in time to examine the utility of hyperspectral remote sensing data for discriminating common cocklebur, hemp sesbania, pitted morningglory, sicklepod, and soybean after PRE and POST herbicide application. Discriminant models were created from combinations of multiple indices. The model created from the second experimental run's data set and validated on the first experimental run's data provided an average of 97% correct classification of soybean and an overall average classification accuracy of 65% for all species. These data suggest that these models are relatively robust and could potentially be used across a wide range of herbicide applications in field scenarios. From the data set pooled across time and experiment types, a single discriminant model was created with multiple indices that discriminated soybean from weeds 88%, on average, regardless of herbicide, rate, or species. Signature amplitudes, an additional classification technique, produced variable results with respect to discriminating soybean from weeds after herbicide application and discriminating between controls and plants to which herbicides were applied; thus, this was not an adequate classification technique.