Mesotrione typically requires multiple applications to control emerged weeds in turfgrass. As it is absorbed by both foliage and roots, a controlled-release (CR) formulation could eliminate the need for multiple applications. Research was conducted to evaluate simulated-release scenarios that mimic a potential CR mesotrione formulation. A soluble-concentrate formulation of mesotrione was titrated to produce a stepwise change in mesotrione rates, which were applied daily to mimic predetermined release scenarios over a 3-wk period. CR scenarios were compared to a broadcast treatment of mesotrione at 280 g ai ha–1 applied twice at 3-wk intervals, and a nontreated. Mesotrione applied in three temporal-release scenarios controlled creeping bentgrass, goosegrass, nimblewill, smooth crabgrass, and white clover equivalent to the standard sprayed mesotrione treatment in every comparison. However, each CR scenario injured tall fescue two to seven times more than the standard treatment. Soil- and foliar-initiated repeat treatments were equivalent in most comparisons. Our data indicate that mesotrione applied in a temporal range to simulate controlled-release scenarios can deliver desired weed control efficacy comparable to sequential broadcast applications. More research is needed to elucidate proper timings and release scenarios to minimize turfgrass injury.

Studies were conducted to compare foliar- and root-based absorption and translocation of SC-0051 in corn and soybean using radio-tracer techniques. Visual injury symptoms expressed in soybean by SC-0051 were bleaching in newly formed (meristematic) tissue followed by necrosis. Corn expressed little to no visual injury. SC-0051 was absorbed more rapidly by foliage of corn and soybean than by their roots. Although soybean absorbed more SC-0051 through roots than did corn, there was no difference between species in foliar absorption of SC-0051. SC-0051 was rapidly translocated throughout corn plants but was concentrated mainly in the meristematic tissue of soybean. Even though there were slight differences in absorption and translocation of SC-0051 in corn and soybean, it is likely that differential metabolism of the herbicide explains selectivity.

Studies were conducted to determine if mesotrione alone or in mixtures with low rates of atrazine would control Canada thistle. In the field, mesotrione applied alone did not adequately control Canada thistle, although smaller plants in the rosette stage of growth were more susceptible than plants in the bolting stage. A mixture of mesotrione at 105 g ai ha−1 and atrazine at 280 g ai ha−1 improved control of Canada thistle over that with mesotrione alone. In the greenhouse, mixtures of mesotrione plus atrazine at 560 g ha−1 reduced Canada thistle regrowth more than mesotrione alone or mesotrione plus 280 g ha−1 atrazine. Mesotrione plus atrazine mixtures increased the rate of tissue necrosis compared with the slower development of bleaching symptoms normally associated with mesotrione alone. Uptake, translocation, and metabolism of 14C-mesotrione in Canada thistle were generally slow, and results did not explain the increased control associated with mesotrione plus atrazine mixtures. However, higher levels of absorption and translocation and reduced root metabolism of mesotrione in rosette stage plants compared with bolting plants may explain the greater susceptibility to mesotrione in the rosette stage. The changes in symptomology and increased control with mixtures of mesotrione and atrazine were likely due to the interrelationship between the modes of action of these herbicides.

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate mesotrione alone and in combinations with low rates of atrazine and bentazon for control of yellow and purple nutsedge. Mesotrione alone at rates of 105 to 210 g ai/ha controlled yellow nutsedge 43 to 70%. Mixtures of mesotrione with atrazine at 280 g ai/ha did not always improve yellow nutsedge control over that by mesotrione alone, but increasing atrazine to 560 g ai/ha in these mixtures generally provided more consistent control of yellow nutsedge. Mesotrione at 105 g ai/ha mixed with bentazon at 280 or 560 g ai/ha controlled yellow nutsedge 88% or greater which was similar to control from the standard halosulfuron at 36 g ai/ha. Mesotrione, atrazine, and bentazon alone did not control purple nutsedge. Mixtures of mesotrione plus bentazon, however, did improve control of purple nutsedge over either herbicide applied alone, but this control was not considered commercially acceptable.

Field experiments were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 to evaluate PRE applications of mesotrione at 150, 230, and 310 g ai/ha alone, and in mixtures with S-metolachlor at 1,070 g ai/ha and atrazine at 560 and 1,120 g ai/ha in corn. Corn injury was 11 to 18% with all treatments in 2002 when 3.2 cm of rainfall occurred within 10 d after PRE applications, but no injury was observed in 2001 and 2003 when rainfall was 0 and 1.1 cm within 10 d after PRE applications, respectively. Rainfall following PRE herbicide applications also influenced weed control, where weed control was generally poor with all herbicide treatments in 2001. Mesotrione at 150 g/ha controlled common lambsquarters and smooth pigweed at least 95% in 2002 and 2003, but control was 70% or less in 2001. PRE mesotrione at rates of 230 or 310 g/ha controlled common ragweed at least 83% in 2002 and 2003, but control exceeded 88% with mixtures of mesotrione at rates greater than 150 g/ha plus S-metolachlor plus atrazine at 560 g/ha. Morningglory species (ivyleaf morningglory, pitted morningglory, and tall morningglory) were not consistently controlled by mesotrione alone. In 2002 and 2003, mixtures of all mesotrione rates plus S-metolachlor plus atrazine at 1,120 g/ha controlled morningglory species at least 90%. Corn treated with mesotrione at any rate plus S-metolachlor plus atrazine at 1,120 g/ha consistently produced high yields. It is concluded that control with this three-way mixture would be most consistent with a minimum rate of mesotrione at 230 g/ha and atrazine at 1,120 g/ha.

Field studies were conducted in Arkansas in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to evaluate mesotrione applied preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) for weed control in corn grown in the Mississippi Delta region of the United States. Mesotrione was applied PRE (140, 210, and 280 g/ha) alone and POST (70, 105, and 140 g/ha), alone or in tank mixtures with atrazine (280 g/ha). Standard treatments for comparison were S-metolachlor/atrazine PRE and S-metolachlor plus atrazine PRE followed by atrazine POST. All PRE treatments controlled velvetleaf, pitted morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, prickly sida, and broadleaf signalgrass 95% 2 wk after emergence (WAE). Mesotrione controlled velvetleaf 89% or more 4 and 6 WAE. Control of morningglory species by mesotrione POST averaged 92% 6 WAE. Prickly sida was controlled at least 90% by all treatments 4 WAE. Mesotrione applied alone PRE and POST controlled broadleaf signalgrass 83 to 91% 4 WAE. All treatments controlled broadleaf signalgrass less than 90% 6 WAE, except treatments that contained S-metolachlor, which gave 94% or greater control. Corn yield ranged from 10.5 to 12.4 Mg/ha and did not differ among treatments. Mesotrione PRE and POST provided excellent control of broadleaf weeds, but S-metolachlor was needed for broadleaf signalgrass control.

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted near Painter, VA, in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to evaluate mesotrione postemergence for control of horsenettle in corn. Mesotrione at 105 g ai/ha controlled horsenettle at least 80% in all studies, and in 2001, after two consecutive annual applications, mesotrione controlled horsenettle up to 91%. Additions of primisulfuron, dicamba, and 2,4-D to mesotrione did not increase horsenettle control. Occasionally, combinations of dicamba with mesotrione controlled horsenettle less than did mesotrione alone, and primisulfuron combinations with mesotrione delayed or reduced development of bleaching symptoms associated with mesotrione. Initial horsenettle response to mesotrione was increased by addition of 280 g ai/ha atrazine; however, late-season horsenettle control was not improved by atrazine. Two consecutive annual applications of mesotrione alone decreased horsenettle biomass > 89%. Treatments of primisulfuron plus dicamba, primisulfuron plus CGA 152005 plus dicamba, and 2,4-D plus dicamba provided similar horsenettle control and biomass reductions as did 105 g/ha mesotrione alone.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse and the field to evaluate the efficacy of various sulfonylurea herbicides applied with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. The addition of mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine to sulfonylurea herbicides had no adverse effects on the control of large crabgrass or velvetleaf in a controlled environment. Tank mixing mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine with nicosulfuron or foramsulfuron, however, antagonized nicosulfuron and foramsulfuron control of green foxtail and shattercane. Field experiments conducted in 2004 and 2005 also indicated that addition of mesotrione + atrazine to a sulfonylurea herbicide decreased herbicidal efficacy on green foxtail, yellow foxtail, and shattercane, compared with the sulfonylurea herbicide applied alone. In addition, increasing mesotrione application from 53 to 105 g/ha decreased efficacy of sulfonylurea herbicide in the tank mix on selected grass species. This research showed that the addition of mesotrione to sulfonylurea herbicides resulted in decreased efficacy of sulfonylurea herbicides on green foxtail, yellow foxtail, and shattercane. The addition of atrazine to the tank mix or an increased mesotrione rate will further decrease herbicide efficacy of sulfonylurea herbicides on shattercane and foxtail species.

Much research has been conducted on mesotrione activity on crops and weeds, but information is lacking in regards to the relative contribution of soil and foliar absorption of mesotrione. Three experiments conducted at Virginia Tech's Glade Road Research Facility in Blacksburg, VA, evaluated the effects of 50 and 90% relative humidity (RH) on the activity of mesotrione applied to foliage, soil, and soil plus foliage. Tall fescue injury ranged from 0 to 21% and was significant in 6 of 20 comparisons. Three of these injury events were caused by soil plus foliar applications, which were always more injurious than foliar only applications, which were more injurious than soil-only applications. Both application placement and RH significantly influenced smooth crabgrass responses to mesotrione. Smooth crabgrass phytotoxicity was lowest when mesotrione was applied only to foliage and highest when mesotrione was applied to soil and foliage. Increasing RH from 50 to 90% caused a 4- to 18-fold increase in plant phytotoxicity when mesotrione was applied only to foliage. By dissecting the plant canopy, it was noted at 14 d after treatment, when averaged over RH, that white leaves comprise 16% of leaves when only foliage was treated and 55 and 62% when applied to soil plus foliage and soil only, respectively. Furthermore, white tissue was found predominately in the two youngest leaves when mesotrione was applied to soil or both soil and foliage, but in older leaves when applied only to foliage. Data indicate mesotrione entering plants through soil travels quickly to growing points and has an equal or greater effect on plant phytotoxicity than foliar-absorbed mesotrione. In addition, foliar-absorbed mesotrione appears to increase in plants significantly with increasing RH, but does not move rapidly to growing points.

Field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate early POST (EPOST) and late POST (LPOST) control of common ragweed and giant foxtail with mesotrione at 70, 105, and 140 g ai/ha alone and in mixtures with glufosinate at 300 g ai/ha in glufosinate-resistant corn. Glufosinate-resistant corn injury was frequently higher with mixtures of mesotrione plus glufosinate than with mesotrione applied alone. Mixtures of mesotrione with glufosinate applied EPOST injured corn 6 to 21% in 1999, but in 2000, injury from mixtures was 23 to 30% from LPOST applications. Common ragweed control was above 77% with all treatments, which included 105 g/ha mesotrione. Giant foxtail control was higher at 76 to 78% by mixtures of mesotrione with glufosinate applied LPOST than by mesotrione alone. Corn yields were highest when glufosinate was included in treatments at either application timing. In the greenhouse, mixtures of mesotrione with glufosinate-injured glufosinate-resistant corn 11% or less, but corn biomass was reduced by 25% for the mixture of mesotrione at 105 g/ha plus glufosinate at 350 g/ha. Mixtures of mesotrione with glufosinate can be more effective than mesotrione alone but control of common ragweed and giant foxtail might not be commercially acceptable.

Photosystem II (PS II) inhibitors halt electron flow within the photosynthetic electron transport chain, thereby leading to increased oxidative stress. As a result, their addition to mesotrione, which inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis by inhibition of the enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), is complementary. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to investigate the joint action of POST mesotrione plus PS II inhibitor herbicide combinations. The joint action of mesotrione plus PS II inhibitors was investigated across five plant species, three PS II inhibitors, and two moisture environments to determine their influence on the joint action response. Rates of mesotrione evaluated ranged from 4.4 to 87.6 g ai/ha alone and in combination with reduced rates of atrazine, bromoxynil, and metribuzin. In the field, all combinations of mesotrione at 8.8, 17.5, and 35.0 g/ha plus atrazine, bromoxynil, or metribuzin were synergistic for necrosis 6 d after treatment (DAT) on sunflower. Addition of atrazine at 280 g/ha to mesotrione at 8.8 g/ha increased velvetleaf leaf necrosis by 18 to 47%. In the greenhouse, the addition of bromoxynil at 70 g/ha to mesotrione at 17.5 g/ha increased leaf necrosis by 23 to 34% and biomass reduction by 38 to 47%. Synergism on Palmer amaranth occurred similarly under both normal and dry moisture environments at application. Plant height at application was found to influence detection of synergism on the whole-plant level.

Field studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to evaluate mesotrione at 105 and 210 g ai/ha alone and in mixtures with imazethapyr at 70 g ai/ha and the prepackage mixture of imazethapyr at 47 g/ha plus imazapyr at 16 g ai/ha postemergence. Mixtures of mesotrione with imazethapyr and imazethapyr plus imazapyr controlled common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and morningglory species better than imazethapyr or imazethapyr plus imazapyr alone. Similarly, mixtures of mesotrione with these imidazolinone herbicides improved the control of giant foxtail over that by mesotrione alone. Crop injury did not exceed 11% with all treatments and appeared as transient stunting. Yields of corn treated with mixtures of mesotrione plus imidazolinone herbicides were highest in 2000 and 2001, when rainfall was higher than in 1999.

Field experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to evaluate total POST weed control in corn with mixtures of mesotrione, atrazine, and the commercial mixture of nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine at registered and reduced rates. Treatments were compared with nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST, and S-metolachlor plus atrazine PRE alone and followed by (fb) nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST. All treatments controlled common lambsquarters 8 wk after the postemergence treatments (WAPT). Common ragweed control with POST mesotrione plus nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine combinations was greater than 89%. Mesotrione plus the registered rate of nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST controlled common ragweed more effectively than the PRE treatment alone. Addition of atrazine to mesotrione improved common ragweed control by at least 38 percentage points over mesotrione alone. Nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine at the registered rate and in mixtures with mesotrione controlled morningglory species (pitted and ivyleaf morningglory) 89 to 91%. Large crabgrass control varied between 2002 and 2003. In 2002, large crabgrass control was 58 to 76% with all POST treatments, but in 2003, nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST alone controlled large crabgrass greater than 86%. Large crabgrass was more effectively controlled by treatments with S-metolachlor plus atrazine PRE than by the total POST treatments in 2002. Giant foxtail was controlled at least 97% with nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine treatments. S-metolachlor plus atrazine PRE fb nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST controlled all weed species greater than 85%. Corn yields by total POST treatment combinations of mesotrione plus either rate of nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine were comparable to S-metolachlor plus atrazine PRE alone or fb nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine POST.

Field studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to determine the effectiveness of mesotrione applied preemergence (PRE) or postemergence (POST) in no-till corn. Also, a proposed prepackage mix of mesotrione plus acetochlor (1:11 ratio of mesotrione–acetochlor) in combinations with the trimethylsulfonium salt of glyphosate (glyphosate-TMS), paraquat, and 2,4-D was investigated. Mesotrione PRE at 235 g ai/ha or greater controlled common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, and common ragweed at least 80%. POST mesotrione at 35 g/ha and higher controlled common lambsquarters 91% or greater. Mesotrione applied POST at 140 g/ha controlled smooth pigweed greater than 97%. Common ragweed control from POST mesotrione was inconsistent, ranging from 56 to 97%. PRE and POST applications of mesotrione did not adequately control goosegrass, giant foxtail, fall panicum, johnsongrass, or cutleaf eveningprimrose. The mesotrione plus acetochlor prepackage mix plus glyphosate-TMS or paraquat controlled field pansy and ivyleaf morningglory similar to or better than did the prepackage mixture of the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate (glyphosate-IPA) plus atrazine plus acetochlor. But common ragweed control by mesotrione plus acetochlor plus glyphosate-TMS or paraquat was occasionally lower than control by the prepackage mixture of glyphosate-IPA plus atrazine plus acetochlor. Corn injury was generally less than 10% with PRE and POST mesotrione applications.

Field studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to investigate weed control and crop safety with preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) applications of mesotrione alone and in tank mixtures with acetochlor and atrazine. Corn injury was less than 4% with all mesotrione treatments in 1999 and 2001, but it was 8 to 20% in 2000, when rainfall was 3.1 cm 7 d after PRE applications. Mesotrione PRE at 0.16 and 0.24 kg ai/ha did not adequately control most broadleaf weeds or giant foxtail. Tank mixtures of mesotrione plus acetochlor controlled smooth pigweed and giant foxtail but did not adequately control common ragweed, common lambsquarters, or morningglory species. Control by tank mixtures of mesotrione plus atrazine at 0.56 kg ai/ha was frequently low and varied with rainfall after PRE applications. All weed species were controlled 80% or more by mesotrione plus acetochlor PRE or atrazine plus acetochlor PRE followed by mesotrione POST at 0.11 kg/ha.

Studies were conducted to determine if altered absorption, translocation, or metabolism were the basis for the reduction in sulfonylurea herbicide efficacy on foxtail species when mesotrione was mixed with a sulfonylurea herbicide. Green foxtail and yellow foxtail plants were grown in the greenhouse and treated at the four-leaf stage with 14C-labeled nicosulfuron or rimsulfuron, applied alone or with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. Absorption of nicosulfuron was greater in green foxtail and yellow foxtail 7 d after treatment (DAT) when applied alone, compared with absorption when mixing the herbicide with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. When nicosulfuron was applied alone, 9% more of the nicosulfuron in green foxtail was translocated at 7 DAT, as compared with when nicosulfuron was applied in combination with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. Translocation of nicosulfuron in yellow foxtail, however, was similar when nicosulfuron was applied alone or in combination with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. The addition of mixing rimsulfuron with mesotrione did not reduce the absorption of rimsulfuron in green foxtail 7 DAT, but the addition of mesotrione + atrazine resulted in a 20% decrease in rimsulfuron absorption 7 DAT compared with absorption of rimsulfuron applied alone. Yellow foxtail absorption of rimsulfuron at 7 DAT was decreased by 11 or 20% when mixed with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine, respectively. Application of rimsulfuron alone resulted in 6% more herbicide being translocated to the treated tiller in green foxtail at 7 DAT, compared with an application of mesotrione + atrazine and rimsulfuron. Translocation of rimsulfuron in yellow foxtail was similar when applied alone or in combination with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine. Nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron metabolism in foxtail species was similar when applied alone or in combination with mesotrione or mesotrione + atrazine.