The response of trifluralin-susceptible (S) and -resistant (R) green foxtail biotypes to herbicides belonging to several chemical groups was compared to determine the cross-resistance pattern of the R-biotype. Dose-response experiments conducted in the growth chamber indicated that R-green foxtail was resistant to other dinitroanilines and a chemically unrelated mitotic disrupter herbicide, but not to nine other herbicides belonging to seven chemical families. The response of S- and R-green foxtail to increasing dosages of ethalfluralin, applied PPI in rapeseed, was investigated in a field experiment in 1989 and 1990. The R-biotype was 7 times more resistant to ethalfluralin than the S-biotype based on density determinations 4 wk after emergence. Seven times higher dosage was required to reduce R-seed production by 50% than to reduce S-seed production by the same amount. The initial reductions in density of R- and S-plants at the recommended dosage of ethalfluralin in rapeseed (1.4 kg ha−1) was 35% and 95%, respectively. The effective kill (seed yield reduction) of R- and S-biotypes was 55% and 99%, respectively. The results indicate that ethalfluralin will not effectively control R-green foxtail. However, several other herbicides with different mechanisms of action can be used to effectively control R-foxtail, thereby reducing any adverse effects of their interference on crop production.

The response of susceptible (S) and resistant (R) green foxtail biotypes to increasing dosages of trifluralin, applied PPI in rapeseed and preemergence incorporated (PEI) in wheat, was investigated in field experiments in 1989 and 1990. Differences in response between the biotypes to PPI- and PEI-trifluralin were 7- and 12-fold, respectively, based on density and shoot biomass determinations 4 wk after emergence. Nine- and 14-times higher dosages of PPI- and PEI-trifluralin, respectively, were required to reduce R-seed production by 50% than to reduce S-seed production by the same amount. At the recommended trifluralin dosage in rapeseed (1.4 kg ha−1), the density of S-plants 4 wk after emergence was reduced by 84% compared with untreated plots, whereas the density of R-plants was reduced by only 4%. The effective kill (seed yield reduction) was 99% and 42%, respectively. At the recommended dosage in wheat (0.9 kg ha−1), the density of S-plants 4 wk after emergence was reduced by over 99% compared with less than 36% for R-plants. The effective kill was 97% and 14%, respectively. Based on determination of effective kill, the selection pressure of trifluralin on green foxtail is greater when the chemical is applied PPI in rapeseed than when applied PEI in wheat, even though initial density reductions are less in the former than the latter.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of tillage, rye residue levels, and control strategies on weed suppression and potato yield. Reduced tillage (RT) yields in 1989 were lower than in conventional tillage (CT) due to high hairy galinsoga populations. However, in 1990, potato yields were greater in RT when early emerging weeds were suppressed. Increasing residue levels up to 2300 kg ha−1 had no effect on weeds or yields in either year. In a separate study, preemergence herbicides (linuron plus metolachlor, 1.7 kg ai ha−1 each) applied 10 d after planting (DAP) in reduced tillage controlled weeds for 6 wk, but efficacy decreased after hilling. Metribuzin applied postemergence (0.19 kg ai ha−1) 7 d after hilling controlled late germinating weeds. Potato yields were greatest when the preemergence herbicides were applied.

Persistence of BAY SMY 1500 and chlorsulfuron during storage for 0 to 6 mo at room temperature in air-dry clay loam soil with pH 7.6 and sandy loam soil with pH 6.6 was determined with conventional wheat bioassay procedures. BAY SMY 1500 had predicted half-lives greater than 6 mo in both soils. Half-lives of chlorsulfuron were 6.0 and 3.2 mo in the clay loam soil and sandy loam soil, respectively.

Yellow starthistle achenes were placed in 80-mesh nylon packets, buried in the field at depths of 2.5, 5, and 15 cm, and retrieved over 10 yr. No effects of burial depth on longevity were detected. Viability decreased faster for plumeless achenes than for plumed achenes. Average longevity of plumeless and plumed achenes was 6 and 10 yr, respectively.

Experiments were conducted from 1989 through 1991 to determine the effect of MSMA on efficacy of fluometuron, cyanazine, oxyfluorfen, lactofen, methazole, diuron, and linuron applied POST to entireleaf morningglory. In one set of experiments, applications were made at the cotyledon to three-leaf and four- to six-leaf stages of weed growth. In another set of experiments, applications were made at only one growth stage. Cyanazine, MSMA, or cyanazine plus MSMA were the most efficacious treatments, especially when application was delayed until the four- to six-leaf stage. Adding MSMA to all of the herbicides increased control of entireleaf morningglory, with the magnitude of improvement increasing as the application timing was delayed.

The successful introduction of a new crop depends upon the availability of economical, safe, and effective herbicides for that crop. Greenhouse trials identified PRE herbicide applications of 4.5 kg ai ha−1 of metolachlor and of alachlor, 2.2 kg ai ha−1 of linuron and of pendimethalin, and 1.1 kg ai ha−1 of desmediphan as noninjurious to sweet white lupin. POST applications of 0.28 kg ai ha−1 of sethoxydim and of fluazifop and 0.22 kg ai ha−1 of haloxyfop also did not injure the sweet white lupin. Field trials indicated that safe and effective weed control could be obtained with combinations of linuron with metolachlor, alachlor, or pendimethalin depending on weed species present.

Hemp dogbane and wild blackberry have become significant weed problems in no-tillage corn production in Maryland. Nicosulfuron (31 to 62 g ha−1) plus crop oil concentrate (COC) gave 67% or more hemp dogbane and wild blackberry control. There was no difference in hemp dogbane or wild blackberry control between 31 and 94 g ai ha−1 nicosulfuron. Tank mixtures of 2,4-D or dicamba with nicosulfuron gave 72 to 100% hemp dogbane and wild blackberry control. Hemp dogbane control following applications of 560 g ha−1 2,4-D was 97% in 1989 and 63% in 1990. Wild blackberry control with 2,4-D was 40% both years. Dicamba at 280 g ha−1 gave 70 and 55% control of hemp dogbane and 75 and 65% control of wild blackberry in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Triclopyr plus 2,4-D provided 72 to 98% hemp dogbane control and 92 to 98% wild blackberry control. However, triclopyr plus 2,4-D applied at 280 plus 560 g ha−1 injured corn, and corn yields were reduced compared with weedy controls in 1990.

Field experiments were conducted in 1987 and 1988 to examine interference from a natural population of perennial sowthistle on soybean and dry edible bean. In 1987, an average of 78 and 90 perennial sowthistle shoots per m2 in 71-cm (wide) crop row spacing reduced soybean and dry edible bean yield by 49% and 36%, respectively. In 1988, a year of less precipitation, an average density of 96 and 88 shoots per m2 reduced soybean and dry bean yield by 87% and 83%, respectively. One cultivation 5 wk after planting increased crop yield and decreased perennial sowthistle density compared with no cultivation. Perennial sowthistle reduced seed weight, germination percentage, and seedling growth rate of seed produced by both crops. In the presence of perennial sowthistle, one cultivation resulted in improved seed quality compared with no cultivation.

Alfalfa seed yield and quackgrass density were measured in seven irrigated fields in southern Alberta to assess the effect of quackgrass on seed yield. Six herbicides were tested to determine their effect on quackgrass growth and accompanying alfalfa seed yield. The effect of quackgrass on seed yield was adequately described by a hyperbolic model. Quackgrass densities of 50 and 100 heads per m2 reduced seed yields by 56 and 74%, respectively. The economic threshold density was 3 quackgrass heads per m2. The most effective herbicide treatments, quizalofop and propaquizafop, resulted in good initial quackgrass suppression and yield increases similar to those predicted by the hyperbolic model.

Weed control and corn vigor were evaluated to determine the effects of application rate, timing, and other POST herbicides on primisulfuron activity. Corn injury caused by primisulfuron was very low. Weed control varied with species and stage of growth. Primisulfuron showed high activity on emerged johnsongrass, particularly with early postemergence (EP) and mid postemergence (MP) applications. However, these treatments did not provide full season control of this species due to regrowth from rhizomes and continuous germination of new seeds. Primisulfuron controlled giant foxtail with the EP timing (< 5 cm weed height), but not with MP and late postemergence (LP) applications. Common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed control was most effective with EP applications. Primisulfuron in combination with cyanazine, atrazine, cyanazine plus tridiphane, atrazine plus tridiphane, bentazon, 2,4-D, dicamba, or paraquat controlled common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed better than primisulfuron applied alone. Johnsongrass control decreased when primisulfuron was combined with paraquat or 2,4-D and giant foxtail control decreased when primisulfuron was combined with 2,4-D or dicamba.

Metobromuron is a major preemergence herbicide controlling mainly broadleaf weeds in common bean production in Ontario. Rainstorms at the seedling stage may splash metobromuron on the plants which results in serious injury, reduced plant stand, and low seed yield. This study determined the appropriate rates of metobromuron for identification of germplasm tolerant to the herbicide. Metobromuron of 0, 0.28, and 0.56 kg ai ha−1 in the glasshouse and 0, 0.28, 0.42, and 0.56 kg ha−1 in the field were applied POST at the unifoliolate stage of 30 bean cultivars. A significant linear effect of herbicide rate on plant injury and recovery was detected. Plant growth was reduced significantly on sensitive cultivars. Two cultivars, Taylor Hort’ and ‘UI 51’, and several plant introductions were tolerant to metobromuron. A rate range of 0.42 to 0.56 kg ha−1 of metobromuron would be appropriate to separate tolerant from sensitive bean lines.

Leafy spurge viable seed production and germination were reduced by 2,4-D applied during flower development and seed formation, in the field. Viable seed production was reduced when 2,4-D was applied at all growth stages after the start of flower bud development. The number of viable seed from untreated plants was 173, while, the number of viable seed from plants treated 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, or 35 d after the start of flower bud development was <1, 4, 7, 31, 53, and 62; respectively. Leafy spurge seed germination was higher in gibberellic acid than in water for seed collected from untreated plants and from plants treated with 2,4-D 7, 14, and 21 d after bud initiation. This research shows that 2,4-D must be applied prior to flower bud development to prevent seed production.

The control of puncturevine in southern peas with imazethapyr and imazaquin and the potential for carryover of these herbicides to spinach was evaluated in Arkansas. Imazethapyr (0.07 kg ai ha−1) and imazaquin (0.14 kg ha−1) applied to southern peas either PPI tank-mixed with trifluralin (0.84 kg ha−1) or PRE or POST following trifluralin controlled puncturevine at least 70%. Imazaquin and imazethapyr remaining in soil after use caused injury and yield reduction to spinach planted 3 to 4 mo after herbicide application in the fall after southern pea harvest. In spring spinach planted 8 to 9 mo after herbicide application, the only injury observed was from soil residues of imazethapyr applied POST in one of two years, with no yield reduction. In rate by timing experiments, imazethapyr at 0.07 kg ha−1 applied PPI, PRE, and 3 and 6 d after puncturevine emergence controlled puncturevine at least 95% at the 2-wk rating. At the 4-wk rating, imazethapyr at 0.07 kg ha−1 applied PRE provided this level of control. Imazaquin at 0.07 and 0.14 kg ha−1 controlled puncturevine greater than 93% when applied up to 12 d after emergence. Puncturevine control was less with both herbicides at lower rates and as application timing increased.

Triclopyr (0.28, 0.56, and 1.12 kg ai ha−1); triclopyr + 2,4-D (0.56 + 1.12 kg ha−1); and dicamba (1.12 kg ha−1) were evaluated over 2 yr at two locations in Florida for southern wax myrtle control following spring (Mar. to Apr.) or summer (Aug. to Sept.) applications. All treatments were applied twice, 1 yr apart, except 1.12 kg ha−1 triclopyr, which was applied once in the initial year. In the first year, defoliation with triclopyr was quadratic with > 90% at 0.56 kg ha−1. In the second year, a single application of 1.12 kg ha−1 triclopyr resulted in similar (P > 0.05) defoliation compared with two applications of 0.56 kg ha−1 triclopyr. After 1 yr, increasing triclopyr rate resulted in a linear increase in mortality. After 2 yr, two applications of triclopyr at 0.56 kg ha−1 and triclopyr + 2,4-D caused lower (P < .01) mortality (45%) than a single application of 1.12 kg ha−1 triclopyr (63%). Addition of 2,4-D to triclopyr did not increase mortality. After 2 yr, two applications of 0.28 kg ha−1 triclopyr resulted in 21% mortality while two applications of dicamba were ineffective. Defoliation was often greater with spring, compared with summer applications, but often depended on treatment and location. Mortality was greater (P < 0.01) at 1 and 2 yr after summer application compared with spring application at one location, but not the other. Roots of wax myrtle were sampled on 28-d intervals in the first year and analyzed for total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC). Starch composed 630 g kg−1 of TNC in myrtle roots, with highest concentration of TNC (120 g kg−1) in March and lowest (30 g kg−1) in August.

Cotton tolerance of DPX-PE350 applied POST alone, mixed with acephate, carbaryl, or dimethoate applied at 220, 1100, or 280 g ai ha−1, respectively, or following aldicarb, disulfoton, or phorate applied in the seed furrow at 1.0, kg ai ha−1 was evaluated. DPX-PE350 at 170 g ae ha−1 did not adversely affect seed cotton yield, fiber length, fiber length uniformity, or micronaire but did decrease fiber strength. The insecticides did not alter cotton response to DPX-PE350. Entireleaf morningglory was controlled 92, 95, and 96% with DPX-PE350 applied POST at 56, 110, and 170 g ha−1, respectively. Mixing acephate, carbaryl, or dimethoate with DPX-PE350 did not affect control.

Chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, bromoxynil, 2,4-D, glyphosate, and a combination of 2,4-D plus glyphosate were applied on newly planted and established ‘Lemberger’ wine grape at 1/3, 1/10, 1/33, and 1/100 of the maximum labelled rate in wheat or fallow to simulate exposure to drifted herbicides. All herbicides produced symptoms on grape but the most severe symptoms were with 2,4-D and the least severe with bromoxynil. Newly planted grape was more sensitive to herbicides than established grape. Although established grape recovered from injury caused by all treatments except 2,4-D and the highest rate of chlorsulfuron and glyphosate, newly planted grape recovered only from lower rates of bromoxynil. All herbicides resulted in diagnostic symptoms, but other symptoms were very similar to those caused by other stresses.

A study was conducted to evaluate efficacy of 17 PRE herbicides on seven weed species that are important competitors in container-grown ornamentals. Treatments included napropamide, metolachlor, acifluorfen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, trifluralin, isoxaben, oxadiazon, simazine and combination products. Control was evaluated by counting weed seedlings 42, 202, and 249 d after treatment. Some treatments provided nearly total control of less than 1.0 seedling per container at each rating over two years. Those treatments were: common groundsel—diphenyl ethers, isoxaben, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen + oryzalin, and oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin; prostrate spurge—pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine-ABD, trifluralin, oxadiazon, isoxaben + oryzalin, and methazole + prodiamine; common chickweed—isoxaben and isoxaben + oryzalin; hairy bittercress—oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine-ABE, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen + oryzalin, oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin, and methazole + prodiamine; common ragweed—oxyfluorfen, prodiamine-ABD, methazole + prodiamine; Virginia pepperweed—lactofen, oxyfluorfen, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine-ABD, isoxaben, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen + oryzalin, oryzalin + pendimethalin, isoxaben + oryzalin, and methazole + prodiamine; horseweed—oxyfluorfen, dinitroanilines, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen + oryzalin, oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin, isoxaben + oryzalin, and methazole + prodiamine.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate selective herbicides for yellow and purple nutsedge control in nursery crops. Chlorimuron at 0.03 and 0.06 kg ai ha−1 suppressed yellow and purple nutsedge shoot growth either PRE or POST and did not reduce growth of barberry, Burford holly, Compacta holly, azalea, juniper, or photinia, although shoot tip chlorosis was noted in all species except Burford holly and juniper. Imazaquin at 0.25 and 0.5 kg ha−1 and imazethapyr at 0.06 and 0.21 kg ha−1 reduced growth of azalea. Imazethapyr also reduced growth of barberry, juniper, and photinia. Chlorimuron, imazaquin, and imazethapyr inhibited liriope and daylily growth. Pyridate applied at 1.0 and 2.0 kg ha−1 POST did not control purple nutsedge. Pyridate and flurtamone applied POST did not control yellow nutsedge as effectively as chlorimuron, imazaquin, or imazethapyr. Flurtamone at 0.5 and 1.0 kg ha−1 applied PRE or POST controlled purple nutsedge. Both pyridate and flurtamone visibly injured most nursery crops tested, although plants generally outgrew the damage.