Various chemical treatments were evaluated over two growing seasons for control of triazine-resistant common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L. # CHEAL) and for control of a triazine-resistant infestation containing both redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE) and Powell amaranth (A. powellii S. Wats. # AMAPO). Atrazine [6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine], cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl] amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile}, and metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] provided unsatisfactory control of these biotypes. Satisfactory control of common lambsquarters was obtained with preemergence applications of pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] or dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid), or postemergence applications of dicamba, bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile), or bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide]. Satisfactory control of pigweed was obtained with preemergence applications of alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] or postemergence treatments of dicamba, bromoxynil, or 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid].

Several regimes of supplying exogenous aromatic amino acids to intact, 3-day-old, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hill’] seedlings by root uptake were tested to determine if growth retardation caused by root-fed, 0.5 mM glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] could be reversed. Generally, root-fed levels of aromatic amino acids just below growth-retarding levels (e.g. 1 mM phenylalanine + 0.1 mM tyrosine) reversed root growth inhibition caused by glyphosate to a small (ca. 10%) but significant extent. Feeding aromatic amino acids for 1 to 3 days before glyphosate exposure did not enhance the reversal. Uptake and metabolism of root-fed, aromatic amino acids in control and glyphosate-treated plants were verified by increased levels of hydroxyphenolic compounds (end products of aromatic amino acid metabolism) and by uptake and incorporation of 14C-labeled phenylalanine and tyrosine. On a fresh weight basis, glyphosate had no inhibitory effect on uptake or incorporation of these amino acids into protein or secondary phenolic compounds. After 3 days of exposure, glyphosate had no substantial effects on shikimate dehydrogenase activity in control or aromatic amino acid-fed seedlings. These data suggest that either root-fed aromatic amino acids are compartmentalized differently than the endogenous pools affected by glyphosate or that root-fed glyphosate exerts most of its effect on growth of soybean seedlings through means other than inhibition of aromatic amino acid synthesis.

Little effort has been directed toward integrating biological control; that is, the use of living natural enemies to control weeds, with more conventional weed control practices. The usual focus of biological control has been on the introduction of weed insects and pathogens from foreign areas to control naturalized range, pasture, and/or aquatic weeds, principally single species that had become dominant over a plant community. The released natural enemies were allowed to reach their own balance with the target weed without added assistance. As economic and environmental perspectives change along with our knowledge and technological capability, however, it becomes worthwhile to review periodically if and how biological control might be integrated with other farming practices. Because my biological control experience has centered on the use of weed-feeding insects, this discussion will focus on methods of enhancing and integrating insect impact on weeds with other weed-control activities.

The effect of shoot feeding by the biocontrol agents, Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) seed production and seed germination was quantified in two Minnesota wetlands. In a wet meadow where Galerucella spp. were present on isolated plants, feeding by adults and larvae during shoot elongation resulted in stunting and malformation of shoot tips. There was a subsequent reduction in purple loosestrife inflorescence length and number of flower buds and seed capsules. As Galerucella spp. larvae preferentially fed on shoot meristems, even low levels of feeding on a whole-plant basis (approximately 10% defoliation) reduced seed production. In a sedge meadow wetland with severe feeding damage (a minimum of 70% leaf defoliation), few to no flower buds formed on plants, and subsequently, few to no seed capsules were produced on purple loosestrife plants. Of the few capsules that were produced, number of seeds per capsule and percent germination of seeds did not differ from control plants. In both wetlands, feeding on a main shoot of purple loosestrife did not result in a compensatory increase in the number of axillary inflorescences. Feeding by Galerucella spp. and the subsequent reduction in number of seeds produced on purple loosestrife plants will decrease the number of seeds available for dissemination to new sites. Fewer seeds will enter the seedbank, and over time, feeding by Galerucella spp. will decrease the number of seeds available for seedling recruitment. The benefit of leaf defoliation on purple loosestrife plants caused by Galerucella spp. feeding has been reported. In this study, we have quantified the additional benefits of reduced seed production from Galerucella spp. feeding on purple loosestrife in North America.

Additive experiments were performed to determine optimum densities for nematode-suppressive cover crops to extend the benefit from the cover crops by also using them for weed suppression. In a preliminary experiment in 2002, a range of cover-crop densities was evaluated in mixtures with smooth pigweed at 5 plants m−2. Smooth pigweed biomass accumulation was suppressed by cowpea, sunn hemp, and velvetbean at the lowest cover-crop populations (38, 44, and 15 plants m−2, respectively). Based on these results, experiments were conducted in 2003 at two locations to examine the effects of lower cover-crop densities on a higher smooth pigweed population density of 15 plants m−2. Cowpea and velvetbean densities ranged from 10 to 50 plants m−2 and sunn hemp from 20 to 100 plants m−2. In 2003, cowpea density had no effect on smooth pigweed biomass. However, smooth pigweed biomass declined linearly by 51% as sunn hemp density increased to 100 plants m−2. Similarly, as velvetbean densities increased, smooth pigweed biomass decreased showing a linear response at one location and quadratic response at the second location. Maximum suppression of smooth pigweed biomass by velvetbean occurred at the highest cover-crop density (50 plants m−2). Excellent suppression of smooth pigweed at 5 plants m−2 or fewer will result in densities of 38, 44, and 15 plants m−2 of cowpea, sunn hemp, and velvetbean. However, with smooth pigweed at 15 plants m−2, optimum cover-crop densities were not obtained because no suppression was obtained with cowpea, and the lowest weed biomass with sunn hemp and velvetbean occurred with the highest densities used. Therefore, when high smooth pigweed densities are expected, sunn hemp and velvetbean should be used at densities greater than 100 and 50 plants m−2, respectively, and further study with higher densities will be needed to define optima.

The effect of formulation and adjuvants on absorption and translocation of 14C-clethodim was determined at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment (HAT) in bermudagrass under greenhouse conditions. Absorption of 14C-clethodim with the 0.12 kg L−1 (15 to 85%) formulation was higher than with the 0.24 kg L−1 (5 to 40%) formulation, regardless of presence or absence of adjuvant. There was considerable variation in the effect of adjuvant on 14C-clethodim absorption. When either ammonium sulfate (AMS) or AMS plus crop oil concentrate (COC) was added to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation, 14C-clethodim absorption increased significantly at all harvest times except at 12 HAT compared with 0.12 kg L−1 formulation alone, whereas, 14C-clethodim absorption after addition of COC to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation was similar to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation alone up to 24 HAT. Conversely, COC enhanced 14C-absorption at all harvest times when added to 0.24 kg L−1 formulation. Most of 14C-clethodim (79 to 100% of absorbed) remained in the treated leaf, independent of formulation or adjuvant. Formulation did not have an impact on distribution of absorbed 14C-clethodim; however, presence of an adjuvant increased movement of 14C-clethodim out of treated leaf. Of the absorbed 14C-label, most remained in the treated leaf. 14C-clethodim that translocated out of the treated leaf remained in the shoot, and negligible amount of 14C-clethodim translocated to roots. These results demonstrated improved absorption of clethodim with formulations containing half the active ingredient (0.12 kg L−1) and inclusion of both AMS and COC.

Mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] amino] phenyl] acetamide}+bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] at 0.14 + 0.84 kg ai/ha was the most injurious of five herbicide treatments applied once to one- to two-leaf red rice (Oryza sativa L. ♯3 ORYSA). The most injurious treatment to five-to six-leaf red rice was DPX Y6202 {ethyl [2-[4-[6-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl]oxy]phenoxy] propionate} at 0.56 kg ai/ha. Two applications, regardless of red rice growth stage, of all treatments except fluazifop {[±]-butyl-2-[4-[[5-trifluoromethyl]-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoate} resulted in 86 to 99% injury.

Giant ragweed is a highly competitive weed that continually threatens crop production systems due to evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides (ALS-R) and glyphosate (GR). Two biotypes of GR giant ragweed exist and are differentiated by their response to glyphosate, termed here as rapid response (RR) and non–rapid response (NRR). A comparison of data from surveys of Indiana crop fields done in 2006 and 2014 showed that GR giant ragweed has spread from 15% to 39% of Indiana counties and the NRR biotype is the most prevalent. A TaqMan® single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay was developed to identify ALS-R populations and revealed 47% of GR populations to be ALS-R as well. The magnitude of glyphosate resistance for NRR populations was 4.6 and 5.9 based on GR50 and LD50 estimates, respectively. For RR populations, these values were 7.8 to 9.2 for GR50 estimates and 19.3 to 22.3 for LD50 estimates. A novel use of the Imaging-PAM fluorometer was developed to discriminate RR plants by assessing photosystem II quantum yield across the entire leaf surface. H2O2 generation in leaves of glyphosate-treated plants was also measured by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine staining and quantified using imagery analysis software. Results show photo-oxidative stress of mature leaves is far greater and occurs more rapidly following glyphosate treatment in RR plants compared with NRR and glyphosate-susceptible plants and is positively associated with glyphosate dose. These results suggest that under continued glyphosate selection pressure, the RR biotype may surpass the NRR biotype as the predominant form of GR giant ragweed in Indiana due to a higher level of glyphosate resistance. Moreover, the differential photo-oxidative stress patterns in response to glyphosate provide evidence of different mechanisms of resistance present in RR and NRR biotypes.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Fireball’), white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Seaway’), and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘Delhi 34’ and ‘White Gold’) were pretreated with herbicides at one of three rates prior to fumigation with ozone at 0, 7.5, 15, or 30 pphm (parts per hundred million) for two 1.5-hr period. The plants were harvested 5 to 7 days after ozone fumigation, dried, and weighed. The natural logarithms of the dry weight data were subjected to multiple regression analysis to test for synergistic or antagonistic interactions between ozone and the various herbicides. Synergistic phytotoxicity was definitely observed for pebulate (S-propyl butylethylthiocarbamate) and possibly for chloramben (3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid) in combination with ozone on tobacco ‘White Gold’ and ‘Delhi 34’, respectively. For most of the other combinations (chloramben, trifluralin α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) or monolinuron (3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) on white bean, diphenamid (N,N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide) or trifluralin on tomato, chloramben on tobacco ‘White Gold’, and pebulate on tobacco ‘Delhi 34’) the phytotoxicity in the presence of ozone was additive and no interaction was indicated. An antagonistic interaction between ozone and benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) was indicated on the two cultivars of tobacco.

American sloughgrass [Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud.) Fernald] is one of the most predominant and troublesome weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields rotated with rice (Oryza sativa L.) in China. Mesosulfuron-methyl is one of the main herbicides used to selectively control B. syzigachne in winter wheat fields in China. After many years of application, mesosulfuron-methyl failed to control B. syzigachne in Yutai County. The objectives of this study were to determine the resistance level to mesosulfuron-methyl and other acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors in the B. syzigachne population collected from Yutai County (R) and identify the mechanism of resistance. The results indicated that the R population was 4.1-fold resistant to mesosulfuron-methyl and was cross-resistant to pyroxsulam (600-fold), imazethapyr (4.1-fold), flucarbazone (12-fold), and bispyribac-sodium (12-fold). In vitro assays revealed that ALS in the R population was as sensitive as that in a susceptible (S) population. Gene sequence analysis identified no known resistant mutations in the ALS gene of the R population. Furthermore, real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR experiments indicated that the expression level of the ALS gene in the R population was not different from that of the S population. However, the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion reversed the R population's resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl. The result of ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) spectral analysis indicated that the metabolic rates of mesosulfuron-methyl in the R population were significantly faster than in the S population. Therefore, non-target resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl has been demonstrated in the R population. The resistance was very likely caused by enhanced herbicide metabolism.

Response of flax, canola, field pea, sunflower, field corn, lentils, and common buckwheat to soil residues of CGA-131036 and chlorsulfuron applied at 22 g ai ha–1 was determined on two soil types at Morden, Manitoba. on a fine sandy loam with a pH of 7.4 and 4.5% organic matter, the length of time required before crops showed no phytotoxicity from CGA-131036 residues was: sunflower 4 yr; canola and common buckwheat 3 yr; flax 2 yr; field pea and field corn 1 yr. on a clay loam with a pH of 6.5 and 5.3% organic matter, the corresponding duration was: lentil, canola, and sunflower 3 yr; flax and field pea 1 yr. Chlorsulfuron residues persisted somewhat longer than CGA-131036 residues on the sandy loam but not on the clay loam.

Caryopses (seeds) of fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx.) have a dormancy that is not easily overcome. Although accelerated after-ripening for 4 weeks was partially successful in overcoming dormancy, a dark imbibition at 35 C for about a week was more effective and also interacted strongly with an accelerated after-ripening. In either case, activation of phytochrome by red irradiation was required to induce germination. Similarly, alternating temperatures allowed germination of red-treated seeds but constant temperatures did not. More seeds germinated in sealed flasks than in dishes. The enhancement of germination in sealed flasks appeared to be related to increased CO2 levels. The data suggested a multiple dormancy in fall panicum seeds. One dormancy, the most intense, was relieved by high-temperature imbibition. The residual dormancy was relieved by active phytochrome and alternating temperatures.

Repeated applications of amine methylarsonate over a two year period resulted in significant reductions in nutsedge tuber numbers at 1.3, 2.6 and 3.8 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. Single annual applications of amine methylarsonate at the same rates were ineffective. Amine methylarsonate and disodium monomethylarsonate treatments gave moderate reductions in nutsedge tuber numbers in thin Bermudagrass turf after one season.

Dormant weed seeds are difficult to kill and, with the exception of soil sterilization methods, current weed control techniques are not effective against dormant weed seeds. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature, light, soil moisture, burial depth, ethephon, and potassium nitrate (KNO3), and their interactions on the germination of false chamomile seeds under controlled conditions. False chamomile was photoblastic and thermophilic and germinated rapidly within the first 4 days of incubation under all conditions. Regression analysis indicated that ethephon and KNO3 had quadratic effects on false chamomile germination. Ethephon enhanced germination more than KNO3. There was a linear reduction in germination with increased storage time, and it is projected that zero germination should occur after 9 yr of storage at room temperature. Soil moisture had a positive linear effect and a positive interaction with ethephon on false chamomile germination. Very little germination occurred when seeds were buried 5 cm deep even with high soil moisture.

The effect of humidity on the rate and direction of translocation of stem-injected (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4,5-T) in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Stringless Green-pod) seedlings was determined. A total of 0.75 μg of 14C-labeled 2,4,5-T was injected into the stem with a 1-μl syringe pipette. Translocation was determined by assaying the nutrient solution and plant parts for 14C. High relative humidities enhanced downward translocation to roots and nutrient solutions. About 41% of the applied 2,4,5-T was found in the nutrient solution after 2 days' treatment at about 95% relative humidity while only 23% was found when treatment was conducted at 20% relative humidity. Low humidity during treatment caused much more 2,4,5-T to be translocated upward to the primary leaves and young shoots of the seedlings and this effect was more pronounced in plants which were grown in low humidity prior to treatment. The results confirm the conclusions of others and show that the increased basipetal phloem transport of herbicides in plants under high humidity is not due to an effect on penetration of herbicides in leaf tissue.

Seed germination responses to temperature and osmotic stress were determined for smallflower morningglory [Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb.] and seven species of Ipomoea. Cypressvine (I. quamoclit L.), willowleaf (I. wrightii Gray) and smallflower morningglory germinated and seedlings developed more slowly than the other morningglories at 16 C. Maximum germination of ivyleaf [I. hederacea (L.), Jacq. var. hederacea], entireleaf [I. hederacea (L.) Jacq. var. integriuscula Gray], pitted (I. lacunosa L.), tall [I. purpurea (L.) Roth], cotton (I. trichocarpa Ell.), and smallflower morningglories occurred in 24 h at 20 C. Cypressvine and willowleaf morningglories reached maximum germination in 24 h at 24 C. Optimal root-hypocotyl development occurred at 24 C for pitted, tall, and willowleaf morningglories, while all other species required a temperature of 28 C for maximal root-hypocotyl development in 4 days. Increasing osmotic pressure decreased or delayed germination of all morningglory species. Species tolerance to osmotic stress during germination could be ranked, most to least tolerant, as follows: ivyleaf=entireleaf>pitted=cotton>tall = willowleaf>cypressvine=smallflower. Maximum germination was delayed approximately 24 h for each 2 bar increment increase in osmotic pressure.

The yield potential and the effect on yield loss of canola of different densities of volunteer barley were investigated at three locations in western Canada. Field studies were conducted from 1982 to 1986. Rectangular hyperbolic models based on data pooled over years, locations, and canola cultivars, and incorporating different densities of volunteer barley and canola accurately portrayed field responses in most instances. Results indicated that volunteer barley severely reduced canola yield. However, financial losses due to reduced canola yield were partly offset by the volunteer barley crop.

The influence of six Arkansas soils on the leaching characteristics of derivatives of 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (amiben) and 3-nitro-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (hereinafter referred to as dinoben) in slotted soil columns was determined using large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] bioassay. The ammonium and aluminum salts of amiben and the sodium salt of dinoben were easily leached and leaching was not noticeably affected by soil type. The ammonium salt of amiben was not adsorbed, while the methyl ester of amiben was adsorbed by these soils. Adsorption was related to the clay and organic matter content of the soil. Methyl and butoxyethyl ester derivatives of amiben and dinoben resisted leaching in these soils and the amide of amiben was intermediate in leaching. The adsorption and leaching behavior of the ester derivatives of these compounds were complicated by their rapid hydrolysis in these soils. The hydrolyzed product behaved identically to the salt derivatives of the compounds in leaching, adsorption, and chromatographic properties. Hydrolysis of the methyl ester was inhibited by soil sterilization, dry soil, and temperatures below 20 C. In non-sterile, warm, moist soil, the half-life of the methyl ester of amiben was 28 hr. Four species of Bacillus were capable of hydrolyzing the methyl ester of amiben in pure culture studies.

Experiments conducted in North Carolina and Virginia compared weed control, peanut yield, and net returns with systems using imazethapyr applied at various times and the regional standard treatment of paraquat applied at the ground-cracking stage of peanut (GC) followed by acifluorfen plus bentazon applied POST. Imazethapyr was applied PPI, PRE, GC, or POST at 70 g ae ha−1. Imazethapyr also was applied sequentially PPI plus GC, PPI plus POST, and PRE plus POST at 35 + 35 and 70 + 70 g ha−1. Late-season control of common ragweed and a mixture of entireleaf, ivyleaf, and pitted morningglories by the standard treatment ranged from 85 to 100%. Spurred anoda was controlled 80%, and common lambsquarters and prickly sida were controlled completely. Control of common lambsquarters, prickly sida, and morningglory by imazethapyr applied one or more times was similar to control by the standard. Control by imazethapyr exceeded that by the standard only for spurred anoda. The most effective time for applying imazethapyr varied by species and locations. Imazethapyr was equally effective on common lambsquarters and spurred anoda when applied PPI, PRE, or GC. Prickly sida and morningglory were controlled best when imazethapyr was applied PPI or PRE and GC, respectively. Common ragweed was controlled poorly with single applications of imazethapyr. Applying imazethapyr sequentially improved consistency of control across the range of species. In most cases, imazethapyr applied sequentially at 35 + 35 g ha−1 controlled all weeds as well as or better than when applied once at 70 g ha−1. Overall, imazethapyr at the registered rate of 70 g ha−1 was most effective when applied PPI at 35 g ha−1 followed by 35 g ha−1 at GC. Except for common ragweed, weed control with this treatment was similar to that by the standard. Peanut yield and net returns with this treatment were similar to those with the standard at three of four locations.

Absorption, translocation, and metabolism studies using 14C-quinclorac were conducted with quinclorac-sensitive Digitaria sanguinalis and quinclorac-tolerant Eleusine indica at the one- to two-tiller growth stage cultured under hydroponic conditions. After an 80-h exposure time, both species had absorbed nearly equal amounts of 14C-quinclorac (27 and 22% for D. sanguinalis and E. indica, respectively). Over the exposure period, the absorption curve for D. sanguinalis was curvilinear, with the maximum absorption occurring approximately 48 h after exposure. The response curve for E. indica was linear across the exposure period. Results from the translocation studies showed that 95% of the absorbed 14C-quinclorac remained in the treated leaf for D. sanguinalis after 80 h. However, only 58% of the absorbed 14C remained in the treated leaf of E. indica. Most of the 14C translocated out of the leaves moved to the tiller, the crown, and new leaf tissue. There was no appreciable exudation of 14C-quinclorac by either species during the absorption period. Results of the metabolism studies showed that neither the susceptible species (D. sanguinalis) nor the tolerant species (E. indica) metabolized the parent quinclorac herbicide. Spray retention studies showed that E. indica (tolerant) retained more applied quinclorac than D. sanguinalis (sensitive). Overall results suggested that a large difference in tolerance of the two species to quinclorac involves mechanisms other than absorption, metabolism, or spray retention.