Field studies were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to examine the interrelations of cultivation and herbicide band width in controlling pitted morningglory and sicklepod in soybean. Alachlor + imazaquin PRE followed by imazaquin + surfactant POST were not applied or were applied on bands 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 cm wide or were broadcast. Plots were cultivated zero, one, two, or three times. Without cultivation, at least a 60-cm wide band was needed to achieve maximum soybean seed yields. A slight linear increase in soybean seed yield in response to increasing band width was observed with one cultivation. With two cultivations, soybean seed yields were similar with and without herbicides, but a 15-cm wide herbicide band was needed to achieve maximum production with three cultivations. Greatest gross returns exclusive of weed management costs were realized with two or three cultivations and a 15-cm wide band.

Flumioxazin plus metolachlor mixtures preemergence (PRE) were evaluated with or without postemergence (POST) herbicides for weed control and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) response in three North Carolina studies. Metolachlor PRE at 2.24 kg ai/ha controlled goosegrass (Eleusine indica) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) 93 and 80%, respectively, and control was not improved with flumioxazin or norflurazon. Metolachlor plus flumioxazin PRE at 0.07 or 0.11 kg ai/ha controlled common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album); entireleaf (Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula), ivyleaf (I. hederacea), and pitted morningglory (I. lacunosa); and prickly sida (Sida spinosa) better than metolachlor plus norflurazon PRE at 1.34 kg ai/ha. Morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) were controlled 77 and 86% with flumioxazin PRE at 0.07 and 0.11 kg/ha, respectively, and control was increased to nearly 100% with acifluorfen plus 2,4-DB or lactofen plus 2,4-DB POST. Peanut injury by flumioxazin and norflurazon was observed at one location in 1997; however, yields were not reduced. Peanut treated with metolachlor plus flumioxazin PRE at either rate yielded at least 3,750 kg/ha compared to 3,120 kg/ha with metolachlor plus norflurazon PRE or 1,320 kg/ha with metolachlor PRE.

Imazaquin and imazethapyr were applied postemergence to soybeans for control of 8- to 12-leaf rhizome johnsongrass and pitted morningglory in the field. At 8 weeks, johnsongrass control was 70% with 70 g ai/ha imazaquin plus 105 g ai/ha imazethapyr but was no more than 50% with a single application of either herbicide. Imazaquin at 70 g/ha plus imazethapyr at 35 g/ha interacted synergistically to provide 90% pitted morningglory control, while 140 g/ha imazaquin controlled 77%. Imazaquin at 70 g/ha with imazethapyr from 18 to 105 g/ha controlled both weed species equal to or better than that obtained with 140 g/ha imazaquin.

The uptake, translocation, and metabolism of the ethyl ester of chlorimuron in three soybean cultivars and two morningglory species was investigated. Soybean used included the normal cultivars ‘Vance’ and ‘Essex,’ and the sulfonylurea-resistant cultivar ‘W-20.’ Entireleaf morningglory and pitted morningglory, both moderately tolerant to chlorimuron, were used. Twenty-day-old seedlings of all plant species were exposed to root-applied 14C-labeled chlorimuron for 6, 24, and 72 h. After 24 and 72 h, chlorimuron uptake was lowest in W-20 soybean and the two morningglory species. Translocation of root-absorbed chlorimuron to shoots and leaves of all species was limited and it did not differ among species. The moderate tolerance of pitted and entireleaf morningglories to chlorimuron may be due to reduced herbicide uptake. The response of Essex and Vance soybean to chlorimuron was related to herbicide metabolism. At 6 h after treatment with radiolabeled chlorimuron, Essex soybean metabolized the herbicide more rapidly than either W-20 or Vance soybean. At 24 h and 72 h, Essex and Vance soybean metabolized chlorimuron to the same extent. W-20 was not very efficient in metabolizing chlorimuron at any time after treatment and its resistance to chlorimuron is due to an altered target site.

Chlorimuron applied alone and in combination with acifluorfen or thifensulfuron was evaluated for POST control of common lambsquarters, common ragweed, common cocklebur, and a mixture of pitted, ivyleaf, entireleaf, and tall morningglory in soybean. Common cocklebur control was similar with thifensulfuron at 3 and 4 g ae ha−1 and with chlorimuron at 7 and 9 g ae ha−1, Common ragweed and morningglory control was greater with chlorimuron while common lambsquarters control was greater with thifensulfuron. Control of all species was good with combinations of chlorimuron at 7 g ha−1 plus thifensulfuron at 2 g ha−1 or acifluorfen at 140 g ae ha−1 and similar to or greater than the control with chlorimuron at 9 g ha−1. Soybean yields with all POST herbicide treatments were equivalent to that of the weed-free check.

The influence of temperature and relative humidity on the activity of acifluorfen, fomesafen, lactofen, and acifluorfen plus bentazon on prickly sida, pitted and entireleaf morningglory, and common cocklebur was evaluated in a growth chamber. Reduced control of all species was observed at 50% relative humidity as compared to 85% relative humidity when temperatures were higher (32/55 C day/night). Similar response to relative humidity was observed at the lower temperature (25/15 C) when treatments were applied 14 days after emergence (DAE). Changes in temperature at the same relative humidity did not alter herbicidal activity. Delaying application timing from 7 to 14 DAE decreased control by all herbicides except lactofen applied at high relative humidity, which controlled prickly sida at both 7 and 14 DAE.

The acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicides chlorimuron and imazaquin, and the diphenylether herbicides acifluorfen and lactofen, were applied alone and in all possible combinations to the foliage of common cocklebur, pitted morningglory, and prickly sida to evaluate interacting effects on absorption and translocation. The addition of unlabeled acifluorfen to 14C-chlorimuron increased absorption in common cocklebur, pitted morningglory, and prickly sida. Lactofen also increased absorption of 14C-imazaquin in all species. Conversely, imazaquin reduced absorption or translocation of 14C-acifluorfen in common cocklebur or pitted morningglory, respectively. In all species, absorption was lower when unlabeled chlorimuron or imazaquin was combined with 14C-lactofen than when applied alone.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was formulated in dry granules with tung oil and calcareous loess to facilitate safe handling of the water-sensitive lachrymator. Crop and weed seeds were exposed to granular BITC at 40 mg ai/kg (w/w) substrate on moist sand for 2 days. When the pretreated seeds were washed with water and placed on BITC-free sand in a germination chamber for 15 days, germination in comparison to untreated seeds was 0 to 8% for pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA), sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. # CASOB), milo [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. ‘Funks G-522DR’], and red rice (Oryza sativa L. # ORYSA) seeds; 15 or 16% for velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. # ABUTH) and johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHA]; and 39% for barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. # ECHCG]. Subjecting milo seeds to moist sand medium that contained BITC granules at 10, 20, and 40 mg ai/kg substrate reduced germination of milo by 78, 97, and 100%, respectively. However, BITC granules applied to the growth medium 2 to 4 days prior to sowing seeds had little effect on germination and growth of milo or sicklepod. Thus, BITC-treated soil soon became safe for newly sown seeds, but seeds present in soil when the toxin granules were applied failed to recover from exposure to BITC and deteriorated within 15 days.

The interference and seed production potential of pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA) with conventional-row (1 m) and narrow-row (20 cm) ‘Hill’ soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was studied for 2 yr. Pitted morningglory densities were 3.3, 10, 20, and 40 plants/m2 while soybean densities were 23 and 50 plants/m2 in conventional and narrow rows, respectively. Pitted morningglory interfered with soybean growth earlier in conventional-row soybeans than in narrow-row soybeans due to its rapid increase in leaf area index (LAI) and biomass from 4 to 8 weeks after emergence. Soybeans were competitive with pitted morningglory until the soybean reproductive stage began at 7 weeks after emergence. Pitted morningglory reduced soybean yields 17% more in a dry year than in a wet year. Yield of narrow-row soybeans was equal or greater than yield of conventional-row soybeans at all pitted morningglory densities. Conventional-row soybean yields were reduced an average of 42 and 81% at pitted morningglory densities of 3.3 and 40/m2, respectively, but yield of narrow-row soybeans was reduced only 6 and 62% at equivalent densities. Pitted morningglory grown without soybean interference produced an average of 52.3 million seeds/ha. Total seed production of pitted morningglory growing in soybeans increased as pitted morningglory density increased and was greater in conventional rows than in narrow rows. Narrow rows reduced total seed production an average of 90 and 68% at pitted morningglory densities of 3.3 and 40/m2, respectively.

The effects of 1.24 kg ha−1 ammonium sulfate, 5 g ae ha−1 of the isopropylamine salt of imazapyr, and air temperatures of 18, 27, or 35 C at 40 or 100% relative humidity (RH) on the absorption and translocation of the ammonium salt of 14C-imazethapyr applied postemergence to pitted morningglory were evaluated. Absorption of 14C-imazethapyr was greater at 100 than at 40% RH (88 vs. 47%). At 40% RH, absorption was increased to 79% by the addition of ammonium sulfate. At 100% RH absorption was similar with all treatments. Translocation of 14C-imazethapyr applied alone was greater at 100 than at 40% RH (34 vs. 17%). Addition of ammonium sulfate increased translocation at 40% RH but not at 100%. Addition of imazapyr did not affect 14C translocation. Distribution of 14C throughout the plant was more acropetal than basipetal with the greatest distribution at 35 C.

Herbicide systems consisting of PRE, early POST, and late POST options arranged factorially were compared for control of sicklepod in narrow-row soybean with modified acetolactate synthase (ALS) (E.C.4.1.3.18). Other weeds present included common cocklebur and mixed infestations of entireleaf, ivyleaf, pitted, and tall morningglories. PRE options were alachlor or alachlor plus metribuzin plus chlorimuron. Early POST options included chlorimuron, chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron, and no herbicide applied 3 wk after planting. Late POST options were chlorimuron and no herbicide applied 5 wk after planting. POST herbicides were more effective than PRE herbicides on all weeds. Chlorimuron and chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron applied early POST were equally effective on these weeds and usually more effective than chlorimuron applied late POST. There was no advantage of two POST applications compared with a single early POST application. Greatest net returns were obtained in systems using only early POST herbicides. There was no economic advantage from using metribuzin plus chlorimuron PRE in systems that included an early POST herbicide.

The weed control spectrum of clomazone, the influence of clomazone on the performance of other herbicides, and the performance of tank mixtures containing clomazone were evaluated from 1985 through 1987. Clomazone applied preemergence at 280 g ai/ha controlled 90 to 100% of barnyardgrass, giant foxtail, goosegrass, large crabgrass, seedling johnsongrass, prickly sida, and velvetleaf. Clomazone at reduced rates was more effective applied preemergence than preplant-incorporated for 10 of 23 weed species. Clomazone enhanced imazaquin activity on entireleaf morningglory and sicklepod in 1986. A tank mixture of clomazone, imazaquin, and metribuzin at half the labeled rates reduced soybean injury, increased soybean yield, and controlled weeds as well as the mixture at labeled rates.

The effectiveness and profitability of weed control with herbicides and cultivation were determined in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner′) infested with Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. # PANTE), sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. # CASOB), and pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA). Highest peanut yield (4260 kg/ha) and net returns were achieved in 2 of 3 yr with benefin [N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] applied preplant incorporated followed by alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl) acetamide] and dinoseb [2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol] plus naptalam {2-[(1-naphthalenylamino)carbonyl] benzoic acid} applied at ground cracking, with two timely cultivations. Systems utilizing herbicides alone did not provide highest net returns, peanut yield, or weed control.

Field experiments were established in 1991 and 1992 on silty clay and sandy loam soils to evaluate combinations of non-selective and selective herbicides for stale seedbed soybean weed control. Metribuzin PRE controlled sicklepod and pitted morningglory more consistently than other treatments. At 9 wk after planting, antagonism occurred in most cases on sicklepod control when metribuzin was tank-mixed with a non-selective herbicide. Other selective herbicides required addition of a non-selective herbicide at planting to effectively control sicklepod and pitted morningglory. Sicklepod and pitted morningglory control was better with POST selective herbicides when following glufosinate or paraquat than when following glyphosate or SC-0224. In most instances a follow-up POST treatment was needed to maintain weed control from non-selective herbicides applied PRE. Metribuzin and metribuzin plus chlorimuron increased soybean yields when tank-mixed with paraquat compared with yields obtained with paraquat alone.

Field studies were conducted in 1992 and 1993 to evaluate AC 263,222 applied postemergence (POST) alone and as a mixture with atrazine or bentazon for weed control in imidazolinone-resistant corn. Nicosulfuron alone and nicosulfuron plus atrazine were also evaluated. Herbicide treatments were applied following surface-banded applications of two insecticides, carbofuran or terbufos at planting. Crop sensitivity to POST herbicides, corn yield, and weed control was not affected by insecticide treatments. AC 263,222 at 36 and 72 g ai/ha controlled rhizomatous johnsongrass 88 and 99%, respectively, which was equivalent to nicosulfuron applied alone or with atrazine. AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha controlled large crabgrass 99% and redroot pigweed 100%, and this level of control exceeded that obtained with nicosulfuron alone. AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha controlled sicklepod and morningglory species 99 and 98%, respectively. Nicosulfuron alone or with atrazine controlled these two species less than AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha. Addition of bentazon or atrazine to AC 263,222 did not improve control of any species compared with the higher rate of AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha applied alone. Corn yield increased over the untreated control when POST herbicide(s) were applied, but there were no differences in yield among herbicide treatments.

Experiments were conducted to determine 14C absorption, translocation, and metabolism by pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA) and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] foliarly treated with 14C-acifluorfen [5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoic acid] or 14C-lactofen [(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-dinitrobenzoate]. Seventy-one to 84% of applied 14 C-acifluorfen was recovered in leaf water wash of ivyleaf morningglory compared to 32 to 46% from pitted morningglory. Sixty-four percent of applied 14C-lactofen was recovered in leaf water wash 96 h after treatment in both morningglory species. Thirty-five to 37% more 14C from applied 14C-acifluorfen was found in pitted morningglory treated leaves than ivyleaf morningglory treated leaves. Less than 28% of applied 14C-lactofen was extracted from treated leaves of either morningglory species. Translocation and metabolism of 14C-acifluorfen and 14C-lactofen were minimal in both morningglory species.

Field studies were conducted from 1992 through 1994 to evaluate application timing of seven postemergence (POST) broadleaf herbicides alone and in mixtures for control of eclipta and pitted morningglory. Imazethapyr and 2,4-DB did not control eclipta while AC 263,222 applied early postemergence (EPOST) at 0.07 kg/ha provided greater than 90% control in 2 of 3 yr. EPOST applications of bentazon, acifluorfen + bentazon, and pyridate controlled eclipta at least 92% all 3 yr. Lactofen applied EPOST at 0.28 kg/ha provided similar levels of eclipta control in 2 of 3 yr. Imazethapyr controlled pitted morningglory > 70% when applied EPOST. AC 263,222 controlled pitted morningglory a minimum of 83% when applied EPOST at 0.04 or 0.07 kg/ha. Pitted morningglory control was at least 85% with 2,4-DB applied alone or in a mixture with AC 263,222, acifluorfen, imazethapyr, lactofen, or pyridate. Effective weed control increased peanut yields up to 98% over the untreated check.

Field experiments were established to evaluate weed control with AC 263,222 alone and in combination with imazaquin or imazethapyr. Addition of AC 263,222 to either imazaquin or imazethapyr resulted in additive or synergistic increases in control of johnsongrass, pitted morningglory, and entireleaf morningglory. Reducing the rate of imazaquin from 140 to 18 g ai ha−1 did not reduce control of johnsongrass or pitted morningglory when AC 263,222 was added at 18 g ai ha−1 and above, compared to 140 g ha−1 imazaquin alone, through 8 weeks after treatment (WAT). When 9 g ha−1 or more AC 263,222 was added to imazethapyr, reducing imazethapyr rate from 70 to 9 g ai ha−1 did not reduce control of johnsongrass or pitted morningglory through 8 WAT. Adding 9 g ha−1 or more AC 263,222 to various rates of imazaquin or imazethapyr 2 and 8 WAT additively or synergistically increased control of johnsongrass, pitted morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, and tall waterhemp compared to those herbicides applied alone. Soybean injury increased 2 WAT when 35 or 70 g ha−1 AC 263,222 was added to most rates of imazaquin or imazethapyr, but was less than 15% in all treatments by 8 WAT. Visual soybean injury did not translate into a yield loss, and an increase in weed control often resulted in increased yield.

The effect of FMC 57020 [2-(2-chlorophenyl) methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxalidinone] on chloroplast development was examined in the cotyledons of 5-day-old, etiolated pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. ♯ IPOLA) seedlings grown from seeds inbibed for 24 h in water or 0.5 mM FMC 57020. In etiolated tissues, protochlorophyllide content was unaffected by FMC 57020; however, the herbicide eliminated carotenoid accumulation. There was no effect of FMC 57020 on phytoene or phytofluene content, although norflurazon [4-chloro-5-(methylamino)-2-(3-trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone] increased phytoene content in these tissues. The Shibata shift was greatly retarded in FMC 57020-treated cotyledons, suggesting that phytol levels are also reduced by the herbicide. There were no ultrastructural effects on etioplasts; however, under low white light (150 μE·m-2·s-1 PAR), plastids of FMC 57020-treated seedlings did not develop into chloroplasts but rapidly developed ultrastructural symptoms of photobleaching. Starch was not mobilized in herbicide-treated plastids and sugar levels were higher in these plastids than in control plastids. Etiolated hypocotyl growth was inhibited by FMC 57020, whereas norflurazon had no effect upon it. Our results suggest that FMC 57020 blocks both diterpene and tetraterpene synthesis.

Field studies were conducted in North Carolina in 1981 and 1982 to evaluate the efficacy of postemergence over-the-top and postemergence-directed herbicides for control of five morningglory species: entireleaf [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. var. integriuscula Gray], tall [Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth. ♯3 PHBPU], ivyleaf [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. var. hederacea ♯IPOHE], pitted [Ipomoea lacunosa (L.) ♯ IPOLA], and scarlet [Ipomoea coccinea (L.) ♯IPOCC]. The glabrous morningglories (scarlet and pitted) were more easily controlled than the pubescent morningglories (ivyleaf, tall, and entireleaf). Lower soybean injury, higher morningglory control, and greater soybean seed yields were obtained with over-the-top herbicide applications at 4 weeks after planting (WAP) than at 6 WAP. Pitted morningglory was tolerant to low rates of 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid]. This herbicide applied over the top at the R1 stage of soybean growth produced low yields, probably as a result of morningglory interference and herbicide injury to the soybeans. Postemergence-directed applications of linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea] and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] alone or in tank mixtures with 2,4-DB resulted in soybean injury that ranged from 12 to 36%. Highest soybean seed yields (equivalent to weed-free control) from postemergence-directed herbicides were obtained with applications of 2,4-DB, linuron, and a tank mixture of metribuzin and 2,4-DB.