Two experiments were conducted near Scottsbluff, NE, to evaluate the efficacy of fall-and spring-applied herbicides for downy brome control in established alfalfa. Downy brome was effectively removed from established alfalfa, and alfalfa yield increased with fall applications of hexazinone, metribuzin, pronamide, and terbacil. Regression analysis indicated a linear relationship between alfalfa yield and downy brome biomass. Glyphosate or paraquat suppressed downy brome when applied to dormant alfalfa in the spring. If glyphosate or paraquat application was delayed until after alfalfa had resumed spring growth, injury was observed. Alfalfa yield did not increase following spring applications of glyphosate or paraquat.

Preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides were sequentially applied to tall fescue over a 2-yr period to determine the lowest herbicide rates needed for acceptable large crabgrass control. Prodiamine was the only PRE herbicide that provided full-season large crabgrass control in tall fescue turf. The control was 85% in plots treated at one-third recommended rate (0.3 kg/ha) and 96% at the full rate (0.8 kg/ha). Sequential applications of oxadiazon at one-third recommended rate (1.1 kg/ha) in late February followed by fenoxaprop (0.2 kg/ha) in June controlled 85% large crabgrass in late August. Control was similar in mid-August when pendimethalin, dithiopyr, or oryzalin at one-third recommended rates was followed by fenoxaprop, but was not acceptable (≤ 74%) by late August. In most instances, large crabgrass control was higher when fenoxaprop followed the PRE herbicide application than with MSMA. Reduced herbicide rates may not provide full-season large crabgrass control in other areas with different soil and weather conditions. Tall fescue quality was not affected by prodiamine, dithiopyr, and oxadiazon. In 1996, pendimethalin at 3.3 kg/ha reduced turf quality 16% and oryzalin at 2.2 kg/ha reduced quality by 46%. In 1995, MSMA reduced the quality of tall fescue more (≤ 21%) than fenoxaprop (≤ 10%). When compared to the use of PRE and POST herbicides alone, sequential PRE plus POST herbicide programs did not affect turfgrass quality.

Field experiments were conducted in 1991 and 1992 near Stoneville, MS and Greenville, MS, to determine the impact of pyrithiobac on cotton fruiting, maturity, and yield. Trials were conducted in areas maintained weed-free with standard production practices to optimize yields. Pyrithiobac was applied at 105 or 210 g ae/ha either PRE or POST to cotton in the cotyledon to 2-leaf, 5- to 7-leaf, and matchhead-square (MHS) stages of growth. At one location, monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid (MSMA) and fluometuron plus MSMA were applied as standard comparisons. At the Stoneville location, injury 1 wk after treatment (WAT) with pyrithiobac ranged from 2.5% with 105 g/ha applied at cotyledon to 2-leaf to 26% with 210 g/ha applied at MHS. Injury was transient in nature and was rarely detectable 4 wk after treatment in either year. Injury was not evaluated at the Greenville location. At Stoneville, a reduction in height occurred with MHS applications of pyrithiobac and MSMA. There was no reduction in yield for any treatment compared to the untreated check in 1991 at Stoneville and in both years at Greenville. In 1992 at Stoneville, treatments of 210 g/ha pyrithiobac, MSMA, and fluometuron plus MSMA at all application timings reduced yield. Pyrithiobac at 105 g/ha applied PRE also reduced yield. Greatest yield loss occurred with treatments of MSMA applied at MHS. There were no yield reductions at either location with postemergence application of 105 g/ha pyrithiobac.

Common bermudagrass is an invasive, perennial weed of cool-season turfgrass in California. Complete renovation of the infested area has been the only practical method of restoring desirable cool-season turfgrasses. In studies in southern and northern California, common bermudagrass was suppressed with sequential herbicide applications, allowing seedling establishment and regrowth of established cool-season turfgrass species. One application of fenoxaprop, triclopyr, or their combinations did not control common bermudagrass. Sequential applications of these herbicide treatments resulted in 99, 94, and 100% control of common bermudagrass, respectively, and resulted in establishment of seeded perennial ryegrass in Riverside, CA, over a 2-yr period. Similar results were obtained in the recovery of established tall fescue from a common bermudagrass/tall fescue turfgrass mixture in Willows, CA. Both fenoxaprop and triclopyr can reduce emergence and stunt seedling growth of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Greenhouse studies showed that stunting and stand loss of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seedlings could be reduced by delaying applications from PRE to the two-leaf stage.

Broadleaf signalgrass control from preemergence (PRE) herbicides was usually lower in no-till than in tilled plots. Broadleaf signalgrass control was most nearly complete in tilled plots treated with metolachlor in 1995, a year that favored an herbicide with more soil persistence. Broadleaf signalgrass control was most nearly complete in tilled plots treated with acetochlor in 1996, a year in which rainfall to activate the herbicides did not occur until 9 d after planting. The 1996 data indicated that acetochlor was more stable on the soil surface under the drier conditions. There was no difference in broadleaf signalgrass control between the two acetochlor formulations. Alachlor, metolachlor, and dimethenamid controlled broadleaf signalgrass > 80% for about 4 wk, acetochlor provided control for about 4 wk under no-till conditions and about 8 wk in tilled plots, and pendimethalin provided about 2 wk broadleaf signalgrass control. Acetochlor provided consistent control regardless of the rainfall pattern after application.

Field experiments were conducted during 1992 and 1993 at Kalispell and Moccasin, MT, to determine the influence of application timing on the efficacy of reduced rate postemergence applications of imazamethabenz and diclofop in spring barley. Herbicides were applied at their respective 1 × and ½ × use rates at either 1, 2, or 3 weeks after crop emergence (WAE). While excellent wild oat control was sometimes achieved with reduced rates, there was no consistent relationship between wild oat growth stage and the level of control at either site regardless of the herbicide or rate applied. This response suggests that efficacy is governed not only by wild oat growth stage, but also by weed demographics and environmental considerations. Barley yield and adjusted gross return values were highest at Kalispell when imazamethabenz treatments were applied at 1 WAE, regardless of the level of wild oat control. Adjusted gross return values were similar for the 1 × and ½ × imazamethabenz treatments. Yields and adjusted gross returns with diclofop treatments were more related to the level of wild oat control at Kalispell, with the 1 × diclofop treatments providing the greatest yields and adjusted gross return values. The level of wild oat control at Moccasin had minimal effect on barley yield and adjusted gross returns, with both values being comparable to the nontreated check.

Field experiments were conducted in 1993, 1994, and 1995 to determine the effects of glufosinate rate and application timing on giant foxtail, common lambsquarters, common cocklebur, and Pennsylvania smartweed control in absence of a crop. Glufosinate at 140 g ai/ha controlled less than 80% of the weed species evaluated. When glufosinate rate was increased to 420 g/ha and applied to 10-cm giant foxtail, control was greater than 80% all 3 yr of the study. Applications made to 10-cm plants resulted in 80% or greater control for common cocklebur all 3 yr and Pennsylvania smartweed 2 of the 3 yr with 420 and 560 g/ha, respectively. Common lambsquarters was the most tolerant species evaluated and was not consistently controlled acceptably (> 80%), even with glufosinate at rates of 560 g/ha. Control with glufosinate at 420 or 560 g/ha was most effective when applied at the 10-cm weed height compared either to the 5- or 15-cm weed height.

Integration of a fungal pathogen with herbicides may enhance melaleuca control efforts in South Florida. Hyphal inoculum of four Botryosphaeria ribis Gross & Duggar isolates were evaluated in vitro for compatibility with imazapyr, glyphosate, and a surfactant. Imazapyr at 12 to 60 mg ai/ml did not cause significant loss of inoculum viability in all four isolates within 2 h after mixing. After 24 h, inoculum viability of isolate BR-4 remained unchanged at these imazapyr concentrations, but viability of BR-1 through BR-3 was reduced. Glyphosate at the lowest concentration (32 mg ai/ml) significantly reduced inoculum viability of all isolates within 2 h. Initially, the inoculum viability of all isolates remained unaffected by 1, 5, and 10% (v/v) surfactant concentrations. After 24 h, the surfactant reduced inoculum viability of BR-2, BR-3, and BR-4 inconsistently between experiments, while the inoculum viability of BR-1 was reduced significantly at all concentrations. Mixing of the lowest concentrations of imazapyr, glyphosate, and surfactant significantly reduced inoculum viability within 2 h. This corresponded to the results obtained for glyphosate alone. These results show that hyphal inoculum of B. ribis may be mixed with imazapyr and surfactant for field applications, but mixing the fungus with glyphosate may not be as efficacious.

Studies were conducted at Rosemount and Crookston, MN, in 1994 and 1995 to determine weed control efficacy and crop injury of F8426 (proposed common name carfentrazone-ethyl) in hard red spring wheat. F8426 alone and with 2,4-D or dicamba generally controlled common lambsquarters, kochia, and velvetleaf 90% or more at 0.026 and 0.035 kg/ha. F8426 alone and with 2,4-D or dicamba controlled Pennsylvania smartweed, wild buckwheat, and wild mustard 39 to 100% and was less consistent than control of the aforementioned species. Weed control varied little among the F8426 rates. Weed control was inconsistent between location, year, and species when F8426 was combined with crop oil concentrate, urea–ammonium nitrate solution, and nonionic surfactant. Control was more consistent when 0.28 kg/ha 2,4-D or 0.07 kg/ha dicamba was tank mixed with either F8426 rate. The best control with an F8426 treatment was similar to control from MCPA tank mixed with thifensulfuron plus tribenuron, bromoxynil, or dicamba. Weed control 30 and 45 days after treatment (DAT) was less for F8426-containing treatments than standard treatments, which likely was related to reduced crop competition after severe crop injury. Increasing F8426 rate from 0.026 to 0.035 kg/ha did not greatly increase wheat injury, whereas adding 0.28 kg/ha 2,4-D to either F8426 rate greatly increased crop injury. Wheat yield was reduced up to 63% by F8426 and 2,4-D combinations.

Glufosinate at 1.1 and 2.2 kg/ha injured ‘Koshihikari’ rice lines that were transformed with the BAR gene from 0 to 53%. However, transgenic ‘Gulfmont’ rice was not injured. Rice yields of transgenic ‘Gulfmont’ lines and six of nine ‘Koshihikari’ lines were not affected by 2.2 kg/ha glufosinate. In field studies, flooding reduced the efficacy of glufosinate in controlling red rice, and greenhouse tests determined that glufosinate efficacy was reduced when red rice was submerged between 25 and 50% of its height. Plant heights and dry weights of red rice increased as flood water depth increased at all rates of glufosinate.

Seed treatments with two acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, the sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron and the imidazolinone herbicide imazaquin, controlled the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica in corn. The XA-17 gene in ALS-modified P3180IR corn strongly reduced corn injury from herbicide seed treatments while another ALS modification was not effective. Combining seed treatment of ALS-inhibiting herbicides and ALS-modified corn with the XA-17 gene may offer a practical means for African growers to control Striga hermonthica.

Field and growth chamber experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of emulsifiable mineral oil, emulsifiable rapeseed oil, and the emulsifier (polyoxyethylene C13/C15 oxo alcohol) on the efficacy of phenmedipham and metoxuron against common lambsquarters, and of sethoxydim and the ethyl ester of quizalofop against winter wheat. In field studies, mineral oil and rapeseed oil were equally effective in increasing the efficacy of phenmedipham (0.24 and 0.48 kg ai/ha), metoxuron (0.6 and 1.2 kg ai/ha), and sethoxydim (0.05 and 0.1 kg ai/ha), but mineral oil was superior to rapeseed oil with quizalofop. In growth chamber studies, mineral oil and rapeseed oil were equally effective in increasing the efficacy of metoxuron, sethoxydim, and quizalofop-ethyl, but rapeseed oil was more effective than mineral oil with phenmedipham. Both in the field and in the growth chamber, the emulsifier was at least as effective as the oil adjuvants, when combined with all herbicides except sethoxydim. The herbicide doses giving 50% response (ED50) were determined for the growth chamber experiments. The adjuvants reduced the ED50 2.7-fold with phenmedipham, 51-fold with metoxuron, 2.7-fold with sethoxydim, and 6.8-fold with quizalofop when averaged over the three adjuvants. It was concluded that rapeseed oil (all tested herbicides except quizalofop) or the emulsifier (all tested herbicides except sethoxydim) can serve as a substitute for mineral oil.

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.

Varying the type of nonionic surfactant greatly changed the biological activity of the ethyl ester of quizalofop-P on giant foxtail, barnyardgrass, and corn. These studies statistically evaluated 22 surfactants with widely different chemical, physical, and surface properties. Of the 14 surfactant properties analyzed, dynamic surface tension was the most important to enhance quizalofop-P activity. Alcohol ethoxylate surfactants like Genapol® 24-L-92 and Tergitol® 15-S-7 were among the most effective adjuvants. These surfactants performed significantly better than the commercial nonionic surfactant, Induce®, and equal to a high-quality petroleum crop oil concentrate, Agri-dex®. These surfactants offer a lower dose option to crop oil concentrates and a more effective surfactant alternative for mixtures that prohibit crop oil concentrates.

Seeds of many plant species require a brief exposure to light to induce germination. Modifying the light environment during soil tillage may alter weed emergence in agricultural systems. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of secondary tillage conducted during daylight and at night on the emergence of 13 summer annual weed species under the same soil and environmental conditions. Annual grass and large-seeded broadleaf species showed little response to light environment during tillage. However, emergence was often less when no tillage was conducted than with any tillage by light environment combination. Emergence of small-seeded broadleaf species often was lower when tillage was conducted during darkness than with tillage during the light. Reductions varied by experiment and species and ranged from 70% for common lambsquarters to less than 30% for Pennsylvania smartweed. Large variations in response also occurred within species.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate various herbicides and application technologies for the control of cogongrass. Imazapyr at 0.8 kg ae/ha provided the highest cogongrass control, followed by glyphosate (3.4 kg ae/ha) and sulfometuron (1.1 kg ai/ha) when applied as a single application. When sequential applications were evaluated, glyphosate plus imazapyr provided the best control. Sulfometuron could be applied sequentially after imazapyr or glyphosate with no loss of control, but control was less if sulfometuron was the initial herbicide. Tank mix combinations of glyphosate and imazapyr (100% rate at 3.4 and 1.1 kg ae/ha, and subsequent rates of 0 + 100, 25 + 75, 50 + 50, 75 + 25, and 100 + 0% of each herbicide, respectively) provided similar cogongrass control regardless of rate. Control using imazapyr improved from 20 to 40% with 234 L/ha diluent volume when compared to 46 L/ha. Glyphosate at either of these volumes provided from 0 to 21% inhibition of cogongrass. A 50% concentration of imazapyr applied twice with a ropewick provided greater control than a 33% concentration with one pass or either concentration of glyphosate with one or two passes. Efficacy with glyphosate applied using a ropewick was not affected by concentration or number of passes.

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to determine the potential for interaction among pyridate (0.5, 1.0 kg ai/ha), sethoxydim (0.22 kg ai/ha), and crop oil concentrate (COC) (1.25% v/v) applied alone or in two- and three-way combinations to transplanted cabbage. Additionally, the effect of applying sethoxydim and COC 1 and 2 d before and after application of pyridate was investigated. In greenhouse-grown cabbage, injury increased twofold and dry weight was reduced 15% when pyridate dose was doubled. Sethoxydim increased pyridate injury significantly, reducing dry weight 31%. When COC was applied with pyridate, injury increased and dry weight decreased linearly. Despite substantial crop injury 7 d after treatment with pyridate alone, pyridate + sethoxydim, and pyridate + COC, yields of field-grown cabbage were reduced significantly in 1 yr only when the three materials were combined. Pyridate injury decreased as time between sethoxydim + COC applications, before and after pyridate was applied, increased.

Field experiments were initiated at Alliance and Hairy Hill, Alberta, in 1989 to investigate the effects of conventional tillage, zero tillage, and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer on continuous barley production. In both tillage systems, the nitrogen was banded 6 to 8 cm deep between alternate barley rows. Herbicides were used for weed control each year. The influence of tillage and nitrogen on weed seed population dynamics was determined in 1991 and 1992. In the zero-tillage system, a large proportion of the weed seeds were present either at the soil surface or at the 5- to 10-cm depth. Green foxtail, the dominant species at Alliance, was also present at Hairy Hill where field pennycress was dominant. Green foxtail was consistently associated with low (residual) nitrogen and, in most cases, with conventional tillage. At both locations, green foxtail populations tended to decrease to very low levels as nitrogen rate increased, especially in zero tillage. At Hairy Hill, field pennycress populations in the soil seedbank were higher in zero tillage compared with conventional tillage, but plants that emerged from the soil seedbank in the field in spring were lower in zero tillage. Field pennycress populations were highest under low nitrogen. The results indicate that banding nitrogen has the potential to be an effective tool for green foxtail and field pennycress management in conventional- and zero-tillage systems, resulting in less dependence on herbicides for their control.

Experiments were conducted from 1991 through 1993 to evaluate AC 263,222 and imazethapyr for yellow and purple nutsedge control in peanut. AC 263,222 at 0.05 to 0.07 kg/ha controlled purple nutsedge (88 to 99% late season) whether applied preplant incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), early postemergence (EPOST) at peanut emergence, or postemergence (POST). Yellow nutsedge control with AC 263,222 was inconsistent at the 0.04 kg/ha rate; however, the 0.05 and 0.07 rate gave 88% early season yellow nutsedge control, but late season control was variable. Yellow nutsedge control with soil-applied treatments of AC 263,222 and imazethapyr were similar but AC 263,222 provided better postemergence control than did imazethapyr. Purple nutsedge control was similar for both herbicides across all application methods.

Glufosinate at 2.2 kg ai/ha injured rice transformed with the BAR gene more when applied to one- to two-leaf (23 to 26%) than to three- to four-leaf (13 to 19%) plants. Visible injury was least when applications were made at boot stage (3 to 14%). However, applications at boot stage caused an average grain yield reduction of 16%. Most treatments did not influence rice plant height. Among single applications (0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.1 kg/ha), 1.1 kg/ha glufosinate at three- to four-leaf stage of red rice resulted in greater control (91%) than at panicle initiation (74%) or at boot stage (77%). Injury to red rice was two to 11 times greater than the injury to BAR-transformed rice depending on glufosinate rate and application timing.