Factors affecting the germination and seedling growth of leafflower were evaluated. Germination required exposure to light. Seeds covered with a 1-cm deep layer of pine bark mulch failed to emerge. Maximum seedling development occurred in full exposure to sunlight; shading that reduced light intensity more than 26% was inhibitory. Maximum seed germination (79%) occurred between 25 and 35 C; temperatures outside this range were inhibitory. Germination was strongly influenced by osmotic potential. Osmotic potentials of 0, 304, and 507 kPa resulted in 85, 24 and 14% germination, respectively. PRE applications of either granular formulated oxadiazon at 4.5 kg ha–1, or premixed granular formulated oxyfluorfen + oryzalin at 4.6 + 2.3 kg ha–1, provided a minimum of 85% control. The following POST treatments provided a minimum of 90% control of mature plants: paraquat at 0.21 kg ha–1, glyphosate at 0.56 kg ha–1, oxyfluorfen at 1.12 kg ha–1, and acifluorfen at 2.24 kg ha–1.

The efficacy of two applications of several PRE herbicides for extended control of long-stalked phyllanthus and leafflower were evaluated under container nursery conditions at two climatically different sites in Florida. Prodiamine at 4.5 kg ai/ha provided the longest and most consistent reductions in number, percent coverage (visual) of the medium, and dry weight of both species. Ten weeks of excellent PRE control (percent medium coverage ≤ 10%; number of weeds reduced by ≥ 70%) of both species was obtained at one site after the first and second applications of prodiamine at 2.2 or 4.5 kg ai/ha; two applications were required at the second site for similar control. Rates of the other herbicides were generally too low for excellent control of both species after one application, the exceptions being dithiopyr at 4.5 kg ai/ha and the preformulated combination of isoxaben and oryzalin (1.1 and 3.4 kg ai/ha, respectively). These herbicides provided good (10% < percent medium coverage ≤ 20%; number of weeds reduced by ≥ 70%) to excellent PRE control of long-stalked phyllanthus after the first and second applications at one site. Percent coverage of the medium by either species in untreated containers was 96 to 100%.