Bioherbicides can be defined as plant pathogens, phytotoxins derived from pathogens or other microorganisms, augmentatively applied to control weeds. Although many pathogens with bioherbicidal potential have been discovered, most lack sufficient aggressiveness to overcome weed defenses to achieve adequate control. Plants use various physical and biochemical mechanisms to defend against pathogen infectivity, including callose deposition, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein accumulation, pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-proteins), phytoalexin production, lignin and phenolic formation, and free radical generation. Some herbicides, plant growth regulators, specific enzyme inhibitors, and other chemicals can alter these defenses. Various pathogens also produce chemical suppressors of plant defenses. Secondary plant metabolism is a major biochemical pathway related to several defense processes. Increased activity of a key enzyme of this pathway, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), is often a response to pathogen attack, as demonstrated in two weeds and their associated bioherbicidal pathogens: Alternaria cassiae on sicklepod and A. crassa on jimsonweed. Weakening of physical and biochemical defenses, and lowering of resistance to pathogen attack, may result from reduced production of phenolics, lignin, and phytoalexins caused by herbicides and other chemicals that affect cuticular component biosynthesis and/or key aspects of secondary plant metabolism. Potent PAL inhibitors [aminooxyacetic acid, α-aminooxy-β-phenylpropionic acid, and (l-amino-2-phenylethyl)phosphonic acid] have some regulatory action on secondary plant metabolism and pathogenicity. Various herbicides and other chemicals dramatically affect extractable PAL activity levels and/or substantially alter PAL product production. Some non-pathogenic organisms can alter herbicide efficacy, and some herbicides influence disease development in plants. Research has shown some synergistic interactions of microbes and chemicals with relevance to weed control. Further research on pathogen interactions with agrochemicals (or other chemicals/regulators) could result in increased efficacy of pathogen-herbicide combinations, reduction of herbicide and pathogen levels required for weed control, and expanded pathogen host range.

Sicklepod control with seven chemical treatments was evaluated in 25-cm and 97-cm soybean row widths. Metribuzin applied preplant incorporated followed by metribuzin applied preemergence, and metribuzin applied preplant incorporated followed by either imazaquin or chlorimuron applied postemergence controlled sicklepod over 90% early in the season, and row spacing did not influence control at that evaluation. In late season ratings, all herbicide treatments controlled sicklepod better in 25-cm rows than in 97-cm rows. However, only imazaquin applied sequentially or metribuzin followed by chlorimuron in 25-cm rows controlled sicklepod greater than 80% late in the season. Sicklepod control in 25-cm row soybean with either imazaquin or metribuzin plus chlorimuron applied preplant incorporated was equivalent to or better than sequential preemergence and postemergence treatments of these three herbicides in 97-cm rows. All treatments resulted in lower yields than the weed-free check in the 97-cm rows, whereas all herbicide treatments except the sequential application of metribuzin gave yields equivalent to the weed free check in 25-cm rows.

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.

Foliar absorption of 14-chlorimuron at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after application to common cocklebur was reduced when applied in combination with acifluorfen. A maximum reduction of 10% was observed at 48 h. 14C translocation to meristematic tissue above the treated leaves also was reduced by acifluorfen in common cocklebur at 24 and 48 h after treatment. Absorption and translocation of 14C-chlorimuron in sicklepod was not affected by acifluorfen. Thin layer chromatographic analysis of treated leaf extracts showed two metabolites in common cocklebur (Rf values of 0.0 and 0.42) and four metabolites in sicklepod (Rf values of 0.0, 0.16, 0.33, and 0.50). All metabolites were more polar than the parent compound (Rf value of 0.64). Addition of acifluorfen did not affect chlorimuron metabolism in common cocklebur but reduced metabolism in sicklepod. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of acifluorfen in common cocklebur or sicklepod were not affected by the addition of chlorimuron.

Field experiments were established in 1991 and 1992 on silty clay and sandy loam soils to evaluate various split rates of early PPI and PRE (to soybean) selective herbicides with and without paraquat for sicklepod and pitted morningglory control in stale seedbed soybean. Metribuzin at 360 g ai/ha plus 60 g ai/ha chlorimuron tank-mixed with 700 g ai/ha paraquat controlled sicklepod and pitted morningglory 83 and 91%, respectively, 4 wk after planting. Without paraquat, sicklepod and pitted morningglory control was only 65% and 67%, respectively. Imazaquin at 140 g/ha PRE tank-mixed with paraquat controlled sicklepod 78% and pitted morningglory 92%. Without paraquat, control was 38% and 84%, respectively. Early PPI applications of metribuzin plus chlorimuron or imazaquin at the full rate alone or followed by paraquat at planting resulted in poor control. With sequential treatments (PPI followed by PRE) the addition of paraquat at planting did not usually improve control, and either imazaquin or metribuzin plus chlorimuron provided equivalent control when compared with the full rate of either herbicide applied PRE. Season-long weed control was not obtained with any treatment in any experiment, and the crop was not harvestable.

Cultivation timings and postemergence applications of AC 263,222 were evaluated for sicklepod and pitted morningglory control in soybean. Cultivation alone controlled each less than 35% season-long. A cultivation made 7 d after POST applications of AC 263,222 more consistently improved sicklepod and pitted morningglory control than a cultivation made 3 d before, immediately after, or 3 d after the POST application. Imazaquin PRE followed by 18 g ai/ha AC 263,222 controlled sicklepod 88% or more and pitted morningglory 83% or more two of three years. A cultivation made immediately after AC 263,222 POST resulted in reduced soybean yields in several instances compared to the same treatment without cultivation. A cultivation made 7 d after application of AC 263,222 increased soybean yields the most in several instances compared to all other timings.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinetic, a silicone adjuvant that appeared to increase the efficacy and rainfastness of the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate on velvetleaf, sicklepod, barnyardgrass, guineagrass, yellow foxtail, and yellow nutsedge. Simulated rainfall of 1.3 cm in 5 min at 15 and 60 min after herbicide treatment reduced glyphosate efficacy on all weeds. Kinetic enhanced glyphosate efficacy when yellow nutsedge and guineagrass were subjected to post-spray rainfall at 60 min. On velvetleaf, sicklepod, and yellow foxtail, Kinetic improved glyphosate efficacy when the critical rain-free period was reduced to 15 min. Kinetic failed to provide rainfastness for barnyardgrass, thereby indicating a specificity of Kinetic for certain weed species.

Field experiments were established to observe the effects of adjuvants and time of application on weed control and ‘Terra-Vig 515’ soybean tolerance with POST applications of AC 263,222. A nonionic surfactant or a crop oil concentrate increased sicklepod control with AC 263,222 applied at either V2 or V6 soybean growth stages. Sicklepod control increased as AC 263,222 was increased from 35 to 70 g ai ha–1 only when applied without an adjuvant. Late in the season, there was no difference in sicklepod control between V2 and V6 applications. Adjuvants and application timing within herbicide treatments had no effect on pitted morningglory control, and, though adjuvants increased common cocklebur control, all treatments controlled more than 85% of both species. AC 263,222 with adjuvants at all rates and timings injured and stunted soybean more 2 wk after treatment compared to AC 263,222 alone. AC 263,222 at 35 or 70 g ha–1 with crop oil concentrate reduced yields more than AC 263,222, with either a surfactant or no adjuvant when applied to V2 soybeans.

The influences of pH, surfactants, and nutrients on germination were investigated to develop a basis for improvement of Alternaria cassiae mycoherbicide formulations. In vitro results indicated that a formulation with a pH of approximately 6.5 containing 0.1 to 1% Tween 80, 0.02 M potassium phosphate buffer, and 1% dehydrated potato dextrose broth best promoted germination. Sicklepod plants at the 2 to 3 true-leaf stage were sprayed with test solutions, incubated in the dark at 100% relative humidity (28 C) for 6 h, and placed in a growth chamber maintained at 30 C. Assessment of the plants after 2 d indicated that the ability of the formulation components to induce germination of Alternaria cassiae in vitro corresponded well with their ability to improve infection of sicklepod seedlings.

In 1987 and 1988, effects of full-season interference of individual weeds on cotton yield were measured with area of influence procedures. In 1987, one spurred anoda, common cocklebur, large crabgrass, jimsonweed, common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, or prickly sida plant per 3 m of row reduced cotton yield between 1% and 7%. Sicklepod did not cause a detectable yield loss. Redroot pigweed, common cocklebur and common ragweed caused 7%, 6% and 5% yield loss, respectively, in 1987. In row weed influence varied from 17 cm (large crabgrass interference) to 86 cm (common cocklebur interference). In 1988, yield losses by individual weeds ranged from 3% to 27%. Common cocklebur, jimsonweed, and common ragweed reduced cotton yields 28%, 15% and 12%, respectively. Spurred anoda and common cocklebur influenced 160 cm and 136 cm of cotton row, respectively. Sicklepod influenced only 47 cm of cotton row.

Glasshouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of preemergence applications of metribuzin, pendimethalin, alachlor, and imazaquin on the competitive relationship between soybean and sicklepod, tall morningglory, or common cocklebur. An equal-ratio series design was employed where the proportion of species in a mixture remained constant and total plant density was varied. The ratio of soybean:sicklepod fresh weights was altered by alachlor and imazaquin while the ratio of soybean:tall morningglory fresh weights was altered only by imazaquin. The ratio of soybean:common cocklebur fresh weights was altered by metribuzin and imazaquin. Increasing herbicide rates resulted in higher soybean:weed fresh weight ratios and higher herbicide response coefficients.

Three experiments evaluated sicklepod interference with soybean with and without preplant incorporated applications of chlorimuron plus metribuzin or imazaquin. Sicklepod density, weed-free period, and weedy period were examined. In the absence of herbicides, soybean seed yield was reduced with 2 sicklepod plants row m-1, whereas 8 plants row m-1 were necessary to reduce yield when herbicides were used. Herbicide use also increased soybean yield at higher sicklepod densities. Chlorimuron plus metribuzin reduced sicklepod dry matter at 8 plants row m-1. To maintain soybean yield, a weed-free period of 4 wk after emergence was required, regardless of treatment. Both herbicide treatments resulted in increased soybean yield at the zero and two wk weed-free periods; however, they did not affect soybean yield when the weed-free period was 4 wk or more. Imazaquin reduced sicklepod density when plots were left weedy full-season, and further reductions were noted with chlorimuron plus metribuzin. A sicklepod weedy interval of 8 wk reduced soybean yield when untreated, but either herbicide treatment extended that interval to 16 wk.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) sprayed on intact jimsonweed plants at 10 to 200 μg ml–1 caused chlorosis and necrosis on three- to four-leaf plants and reduced their height and biomass. Excised leaves of jimsonweed were necrotic on both surfaces after treatment with FB1 at 10 to 200 μg ml–1. The degree of damage increased with the concentration of FB1. The minimum amount of FB1 that damaged excised leaves was 0.05 μg. The symptoms of toxicity on sensitive plants varied with concentration of FB1. Symptoms observed included: chlorosis (creeping cucumber), necrosis (jimsonweed and common sunflower), black leaf lesions (sicklepod), curl of tissues (soybean), stunting, defoliation (hemp sesbania and northern jointvetch), and death (prickly sida, spurred anoda, northern jointvetch, and jimsonweed). Monocots (barley, bermudagrass, corn, johnsongrass, rice, sorghum, and wheat) were not visibly affected by FB1. This is the first evidence of the phytotoxic properties of fumonisin B1 against a wide variety of weeds and crop cultivars.

Pyridate was evaluated alone and as a component in herbicide systems for weed control and peanut tolerance. Pyridate at 1.0 and 1.5 kg ai ha-1 applied postemergence controlled 79 and 96% of Florida beggarweed, respectively. Pyridate was less effective on sicklepod than 2,4-DB. Peanuts exhibited no visible foliar injury or yield reduction with pyridate at 1.5 kg ha-1, the highest rate evaluated. Comprehensive weed control and maximum yield required that pyridate be tank mixed with 2,4-DB at 0.22 kg ae ha-1.

Field experiments were established in 1989 and 1990 to determine the effects of application rate and timing on sicklepod control and soybean tolerance to POST applications of AC 263,222 and chlorimuron. When applied to 3-, 6-, or 10-leaf sicklepod, 35 g ai ha-1 or more AC 263,222 controlled more than 85% of sicklepod early in the season, and season-long when applied to 3- or 6-leaf sicklepod. At all timings, 70 g ha-1 or more AC 263,222 resulted in better control than a PRE application of 420 g ai ha-1 metribuzin followed by 9 g ai ha-1 chlorimuron applied POST. At 35 g ha-1 or more AC 263,222, application timing did not affect sicklepod control. However, control was reduced with 18 g ha-1 when applications were delayed from 3- or 6-leaf to 10-leaf sicklepod. At the 10-leaf sicklepod growth stage, a PRE application of imazaquin increased both sicklepod control and soybean yield with 35 g ha-1 AC 263,222 as compared with AC 263,222 applied alone. Soybean injury and height reductions with AC 263,222 at 35 g ha-1 and above were greater than with chlorimuron; however, increased soybean injury or height reduction was not reflected in pod numbers or yield.

Field experiments were conducted in 1989 and 1990 on silty clay and sandy loam soils to evaluate weed control and soybean yield with early-April preplant incorporation of selective herbicides in stale seedbed soybean followed by non-selective weed control measures at planting. Metribuzin applied PPI early followed by chlorimuron POST coupled with either glyphosate or paraquat PRE controlled sicklepod, pitted morningglory, and hemp sesbania to the same extent of that treatment applied PPI at planting. All stale seedbed treatments with POST applications and glyphosate, paraquat, or tillage at planting controlled pitted morningglory over 70%. However, imazaquin or metribuzin applied PPI early without a POST treatment controlled sicklepod and pitted morningglory poorly. Frequently, applying PPI herbicides at planting increased control compared with early PPI applications, but this was overcome by POST treatments. Early stale seedbed applications of metribuzin did not result in more than 60% control of hemp sesbania, whereas metribuzin applied PPI at planting controlled over 85%. However, metribuzin plus chlorimuron controlled hemp sesbania at least 74%, regardless of application timing or tillage method, whereas no imazaquin treatment achieved over 65% control. All stale seedbed herbicide treatments increased soybean yield compared with the untreated stale seedbed check. Selective herbicide treatments with either non-selective herbicide in a stale seedbed program resulted in equivalent yield to PPI at planting treatments most often, except with metribuzin.

An invert emulsion with low viscosity and excellent water-holding properties was developed for delivery of fungal weed pathogens (mycoherbicides). Alternaria cassiae, a pathogen of sicklepod, proliferated after incorporation of spores in the emulsion. The oil phase (CDQ-1) contained paraffin wax, a paraffinic spray oil, and an unsaturated monoglyceride emulsifier (Myverol 18–99). The oil phase was mixed 1:1 (by weight) with water to form the invert, which was sprayed onto glass plates for testing of water retention properties. Water contents ranged from 22% (with A. cassiae present) to 41% (without fungus) for 0.6 to 0.7-mm2 spray deposits after 24-h storage at 21 C and 65% relative humidity. An invert emulsion containing lactofen was prepared using the CDQ-1 formulation.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate competitive effects of johnsongrass and sicklepod on growth and yield of irrigated and nonirrigated soybeans. Johnsongrass reduced soybean growth early in the growing season. Sicklepod was competitive all season, but competitiveness was greatest during the soybean reproductive stage. Soybean yields were reduced 31% by sicklepod, 14% by johnsongrass, and 36% by both weeds growing together. Nonirrigated soybeans yielded less than irrigated, but percent yield reductions were similar. Johnsongrass dry matter production and seed yield were reduced more than sicklepod by soybean interference. Soybean and sicklepod interference reduced johnsongrass seed production 73 to 95%. Johnsongrass produced 245 to 1238 seeds per plant when interfering with soybeans and sicklepod. Sicklepod seeds per plant were reduced 6 to 31% by johnsongrass interference and 47 to 75% by soybeans and soybeans plus johnsongrass.

Field studies were conducted from 1985 to 1987 to evaluate postemergence herbicide systems with preemergence systems to control Texas panicum, Florida beggarweed, sicklepod, and pitted morningglory in peanuts. Adding paraquat at 0.14 kg ai/ha to postemergence herbicide systems reduced fresh weight of Florida beggarweed 92% (18% increase over the same systems without paraquat), sicklepod 95% (21% increase), and pitted morningglory 95% (11% increase). Herbicide systems containing paraquat improved peanut yields by 230 kg/ha and net returns by $52/ha over herbicide systems not containing paraquat. Fluazifop-P and sethoxydim systems reduced Texas panicum fresh weight (at least 96%) more than a preemergence system (92% reduction) that used benefin applied preplant incorporated and alachlor plus naptalam and dinoseb applied at cracking (GC) or a postemergence system that used alachlor and naptalam plus dinoseb GC and paraquat applied early postemergence (86% reduction). Systems containing fluazifop-P provided greater yields (4190 kg/ha) and net returns ($383/ha) than systems containing sethoxydim (4010 kg/ha, $305/ha) when averaged across all rates of application.

Field experiments were conducted from 1985 to 1987 to evaluate herbicide systems for minimum-tillage and conventional-tillage peanut production. While acceptable weed control could be achieved in both tillage systems, minimum-tillage systems generally had to be more herbicide intensive. Preemergence or preplant-incorporated within-the-row applications of either ethalfluralin or pendimethalin plus postemergence applications of paraquat and sethoxydim provided Texas panicum control equivalent to preplant-incorporated applications of ethalfluralin or pendimethalin. Early-postemergence paraquat applications improved Florida beggarweed and pitted morningglory control in conventional-tillage systems at least 15% compared to the same systems without paraquat Control of bristly starbur and sicklepod in conventional-tillage systems did not increase with paraquat application. Broadleaf weed control did not differ between tillage systems, except pitted morningglory control was lower in the minimum-tillage system. Conventional-tillage peanuts produced yields 800 to 1900 kg/ha higher, depending on herbicide system, and also provided greater net returns than minimum-tillage peanuts. The greater yield and net returns in conventional- versus minimum-tillage systems were not attributed to weed control or disease problems.