The degradation of 14C-labeled metolachlor, acetochlor, and pretilachlor in control and soils with 10-yr metolachlor- history or 3-yr butylate history was studied by monitoring the evolution of 14CO2 in soil biometer flasks. The degradation rate of 14C-phenyl-labeled metolachlor was similar in soils with 0- and 10-yr metolachlor history over 52 d. 14C was released from carbonyl-labeled metolachlor about 40% faster than from phenyl-labeled metolachlor in both soils. Soil sterilization by autoclaving reduced significantly the metolachlor degradation rate in both soils. Degradation of 14C-labeled EPTC in soils with 3-yr butylate history was much faster than in soils with no history. Soil sterilization reduced the EPTC degradation rate, confirming microbial degradation. The degradation rates of acetochlor, metolachlor, and pretilachlor were similar in soils with and without butylate history. Most of the 14C that remained in history and nonhistory soils was extractable with ethyl acetate or sodium hydroxide. Three major metabolites of metolachlor and EPTC were detected by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of extracts from both soils. In contrast to the situation with carbamothioate herbicides, soils exposed repeatedly to metolachlor or other acetanilides are not prone to become adapted to these herbicides. Soils with carbamothioate history did not exhibit any apparent cross-adaptation toward acetanilide herbicides.

Soil- and foliar-applied herbicide treatments were evaluated for the control of seedling johnsongrass in the interim between row formation and the planting of fallowed sugarcane fields approximately 90 d later. Soil-surface applications of metribuzin at 1,680 g ai/ha, pendimethalin plus atrazine each at 2,240 g ai/ha, terbacil at 1,680 g ai/ha, and sulfometuron at 35 and 70 g ai/ha and an incorporated application of trifluralin at 2,240 g ai/ha followed by a surface application of atrazine at 2,240 g/ha did not consistently control seedling johnsongrass until the crop was planted. Rhizome johnsongrass populations originating from seedling johnsongrass that escaped the fallow treatments were lowest in the newly planted crop when sulfometuron at 140 to 280 g/ha was applied to the soil surface and when glyphosate was applied POST at 2,240 g ai/ha, particularly as a sequential treatment alone or as a spot treatment at 2% by volume following applications of metribuzin, terbacil, and pendimethalin or trifluralin with atrazine. Sugarcane shoot populations in the fall after planting and sugar yields at the end of the crop's first growing season were highest where fallow treatments minimized johnsongrass development. These treatments also provided broad spectrum control of other seedling weeds, the residues of which influenced crop development.

Experiments were conducted in pots and in the field to determine the influence of seed depth on seedling emergence pattern and control of Mexican sunflower with or without imazethapyr plus pendimethalin. Mexican sunflower seeds were placed at 0-, 2.5-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-cm soil depths, and imazethapyr–pendimethalin mixture was applied PRE at 0, 0.05 + 0.65, 0.09 + 1.31, and 0.18 + 2.62 kg ae (+ ai)/ha. Mexican sunflower emergence was 57, 30, 14, 3, and 2% from 0-, 2.5-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-cm seed depths, respectively. Seedling emergence started 2 to 3 d after planting and continued for 4 to 5 d. At 0- to 5-cm seed depths, 84 to 100% of total seedling emergence occurred within 3 d after the first seedling emerged, but emergence rate was less from 7.5- and 10-cm seed depths. Imazethapyr plus pendimethalin at 0.05 + 0.65 and 0.09 + 1.31 kg/ha had no effect on seedling emergence in Mexican sunflower, but subsequent growth was severely inhibited regardless of seed depth. The herbicide treatments were more injurious to Mexican sunflower seedlings that emerged from 5- to 10-cm depths than to those that emerged from 0 and 2.5 cm. Burying seeds 7.5 cm deep or more is a potential control measure for Mexican sunflower, and the deeper the emergence depth, the more susceptible the seedling is to imazethapyr plus pendimethalin.

In an attempt to refine calibration procedures for greenhouse spray chambers, the effects of an herbicide adjuvant, operating pressure, and travel speed on the static and dynamic spray patterns of single flat-fan hydraulic nozzle tips were studied. The volume output in the central 15 cm of the spray pattern (where target plants would ordinarily be positioned) was used as an indicator of the relative dosages received from both a tapered flat-fan tip (8001 VS) and an even-spray tip (8001 EVS). All tested variables significantly altered the spray pattern. Specifically, dynamic spray patterns differed from static patterns, and speed of travel affected the dynamic pattern for both tapered and even flat-fan sprays. Increasing the travel speed from 0.375 to 0.75 m/s reduced spray deposit in the central 15 cm of the spray pattern by up to 19% for water, and by up to 34% for water containing 0.1% v/v nonionic surfactant. Increasing surfactant concentration to 1% decreased the magnitude of the speed effect. Higher pressure sprays tended to reduce the effect of increased travel speeds. These results show that changes in physicochemical properties of the spray solution as well as air turbulence introduced by nozzle movement can affect the pesticide dosage to which a target plant is exposed in a spray chamber. For proper treatment comparison, delivery systems for greenhouse spray experiments should be calibrated with end-use spray liquids, operating pressures, and nozzle travel speeds.

Control and regrowth of hemp dogbane, wild blackberry, and triazine-resistant common lambsquarters (TR-CHEAL) were studied in no-till corn from 1992 to 1994. Hemp dogbane, wild blackberry, and TR-CHEAL population increased 10, 123, and 177%, respectively, between 1992 and 1994 in plots treated with PRE applications of paraquat, atrazine, and metolachlor (weedy checks). POST applications of tank mixtures of 35 g ai/ha nicosulfuron or 20 g/ha primisulfuron with 280 g/ha 2,4-D or 140 g/ha dicamba, and 560 g/ha dicamba applied alone controlled hemp dogbane, wild blackberry, and TR-CHEAL 67 to 98%. These treatments reduced the population or prevented expansion of these weeds the year following treatment. In 1992, corn yield response to weed control was inconsistent. In 1993 and 1994, all plots treated with POST herbicides yielded higher than the weedy check. Corn yield of plots treated with combinations of nicosulfuron or primisulfuron with 2,4-D or dicamba and 560 g/ha dicamba applied alone were 102 to 149% and 124 to 153% higher than the weedy check in 1993 and 1994, respectively.

Wild carrot is becoming a serious weed problem in Michigan continuous no-tillage crop production. Greenhouse and field research was conducted to identify effective management strategies for wild carrot control in no-tillage cropping systems. In the greenhouse, PRE applications of acetochlor plus dichlormid (5.8:1 w:w), cyanazine, linuron plus chlorimuron (18:1), and metribuzin plus chlorimuron (10:1) and POST applications of bentazon, CGA-152005, clopyralid, cyanazine, and MON 12000 provided the greatest control of wild carrot seedlings. In the field, PRE and POST treatments containing chlorimuron consistently controlled overwintered wild carrot greater than 71% at 30 d after the POST application in no-tillage soybean. Atrazine, MON 12000, nicosulfuron, and primisulfuron applied POST consistently controlled overwintered wild carrot greater than 78% at 30 DAT in no-tillage corn. Glyphosate at 0.84 or 1.68 kg ae/ha applied in October to established wild carrot provided greater than 74% control the following spring. Early preplant (EPP) applications of glyphosate at 0.84 kg/ha in no-tillage soybean gave 95 and 24% control of overwintered wild carrot in St. Clair and Lenawee Counties, MI, respectively, at 70 DAT. PRE applications of glyphosate at 0.84 kg/ha controlled overwintered wild carrot less than 69% at 58 DAT in no-tillage corn and soybean. Fall applications of 2,4-D ester at 1.12 kg ae/ha provided 18 and 88% control of wild carrot the following spring in Clinton and Lenawee Counties, respectively. EPP applications of 2,4-D ester at 1.12 kg/ha provided 7 and 72% control of overwintered wild carrot in St. Clair and Lenawee Counties, respectively.

Field studies were conducted at three sites in 1993 and 1994 to evaluate weed control, crop response, and economic returns to 0.5× and 1× postemergence rates of chlorimuron, chlorimuron plus quizalofop, bentazon plus acifluorfen, fluazifop plus fenoxaprop, imazethapyr, and imazethapyr plus clethodim in no-till narrow-row soybean production. Common lambsquarters, ivyleaf morningglory, and common ragweed were controlled equally with 0.5× rates applied early postemergence and 1× rates applied mid-postemergence. Control of giant foxtail, large crabgrass, and common cocklebur was generally greater with 1× rates mid-postemergence than with 0.5× rates early postemergence. Soybean yields were equivalent with 0.5× and 1× rates. Soybean yields and net income were highest with 1× and 0.5× rates of chlorimuron plus quizalofop and imazethapyr plus clethodim, and metolachlor preemergence (PRE) followed by 0.5× bentazon plus acifluorfen.

Field studies were conducted from 1993 to 1995 to evaluate MON-12051 for turfgrass tolerance and control of yellow and purple nutsedges. The availability of herbicides for selective control of these weeds in turfgrass is limited. A sulfonylurea compound, MON-12051, has recently been developed for selective control of the nutsedges in turfgrass. When MON-12051 was applied at 0.07 to 0.14 kg ai/ha, the injury to Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass was slight, with a maximum of 10% injury. At these rates, MON-12051 outperformed both bentazon and imazaquin in controlling yellow and purple nutsedges. Averaged over all tests 6 wk after treatment, yellow nutsedge control with MON-12051 was 83%. Control averaged 44% during the same period when treated with bentazon, whether applied once at 2.24 kg ai/ha or twice at 1.12 kg ai/ha. Purple nutsedge control averaged 96% when treated with MON-12051 in Kentucky bluegrass, while control was 42% with imazaquin applied at 0.19 and 0.43 kg ai/ha.

A plant-weighing procedure was used to measure the total mass of spray mixture intercepted by small whole corn and cotton plants. Mixtures of water and water plus crop oil concentrate or spreader–sticker were applied at spray volumes of 280 to 28,000 L/ha. The plants were weighed before and after passing under the spray and leaf areas, and shoot fresh and dry weights for each plant were measured. Spray deposition increased with spray volumes but not proportionally. Corn plants were larger than cotton plants and retained more spray per plant; however, cotton retained more spray per unit leaf area. The two adjuvants had similar effects on deposition, tending to increase it in corn and decrease it in cotton.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of different initial weed densities on weed control effectiveness in no-tillage corn at two locations in North Carolina during 1994 and 1995. Different weed densities were established over a 4-year period (1989–1992) by using various weed management strategies. Resultant density levels were estimated and used to establish high and low weed density plots. Treatments applied were PRE, POST, at-planting, and an untreated control. Weed density estimates were made 37 and 57 DAP. Common lambsquarters at low densities (20 to 40 weeds/m2) was controlled with the cover crop alone, but common lambsquarters at high densities (150 to 170 weeds/m2) and redroot pigweed at any density were not controlled. POST herbicides reduced weed densities as well as the PRE herbicides, regardless of initial weed densities.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Three Group V soybean cultivars were grown in the greenhouse to quantify interference when planted at various intervals with sicklepod, and the effects of chlorimuron and imazaquin POST on this interspecific interference. Soybean shoot height or fresh weight was not affected by sicklepod interference when sicklepod was planted 10 d after soybean in most cases. ‘Asgrow 5979’ soybean shoot height was not reduced when planted with sicklepod, but was reduced when planted 10 d after sicklepod and no herbicide treatment was added. When sicklepod was planted 10 d before Asgrow 5979 and ‘9592 Pioneer’ soybean, shoot height was reduced more than ‘Hutcheson,’ regardless of herbicide treatment. The cultivar 9592 Pioneer was more effective in reducing sicklepod shoot height than Asgrow 5979 when no herbicide treatment was used. Chlorimuron or imazaquin had little or no effect on sicklepod interference with soybean under these conditions.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of preplant applications of trifluralin on barley stand and yield, and control of grass weeds in field experiments during 1992 and 1993. Factors examined were: (1) crop planting patterns (conventional drill with rows 15 cm apart and deep-seeder drill with rows 25 cm apart), (2) herbicide application times (22 d before sowing and immediately before sowing), and (3) herbicide application. During 1993, hand-weeded plots also were established. Trifluralin applied preplant at 528 g ai/ha reduced weed density and biomass. Weed control was higher under conventional planting than under the deep planting pattern, and there was no effect of the time of application on herbicide efficacy. There was no herbicide injury to the crop, and grain yield was higher in treated than in untreated plots due to successful weed control.

Experiments were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to evaluate the weed control effectiveness from several rates of AC 263,222 applied PPI and PRE (36 and 72 g ai/ha), early POST (EPOST) (18, 36, 54, or 72 g/ha), POST (18, 36, 54, or 72 g/ha), and EPOST followed by (fb) POST (27 fb 27 g/ha or 36 fb 36 g/ha). These treatments were compared to the commercial standard of bentazon at 0.28 kg ai/ha plus paraquat at 0.14 kg ai/ha EPOST fb bentazon at 0.56 kg/ha plus paraquat at 0.14 kg/ha plus 2,4-DB at 0.28 kg ae/ha. Application method had little effect on weed control with AC 263,222. In contrast, application rate affected control. Purple nutsedge, yellow nutsedge, prickly sida, smallflower morningglory, bristly starbur, common cocklebur, and coffee senna were controlled at least 82% with AC 263,222 at 36 g/ha (one-half the maximum registered use rate) regardless of application method. AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha (registered use rate) controlled sicklepod 84 to 93%, Florida beggarweed 65 to 100%, and Ipomoea morningglory species 89 to 99%. A single application of AC 263,222 at 36 g/ha or more controlled all weeds (with the exception of Florida beggarweed) as well or greater than sequential applications of bentazon plus paraquat fb bentazon, paraquat, and 2,4-DB. All rates of AC 263,222 applied POST and all application methods of AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha had better yields than the pendimethalin control.

A seedling bioassay was used to determine the response of triallate-resistant (R) and -susceptible (S) wild oat populations to difenzoquat and EPTC. The bioassay, based on seedling shoot length at 10 d after treatment, provided a reliable and rapid means of determining if wild oat populations were resistant to difenzoquat. Using a bioassay concentration of 15 ppm difenzoquat, it was possible to identify populations that were resistant to the recommended foliar-applied rate (0.85 kg ai/ha). Expected herbicide dosages that reduced shoot length by 50% (ED50) derived from nonlinear regression analysis indicated three and two levels of response to difenzoquat among eight S and seven R populations, respectively, indicating within population variability in their response to difenzoquat. Of the populations tested, none was resistant to EPTC. On the contrary, some R populations had lower ED50 values than did S populations, suggesting an increased sensitivity to EPTC.

‘Lemberger’ wine grape response to fall application of selected herbicides applied at simulated drift rates was studied in 1992 and 1993. Chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, 2,4-D, glyphosate, bromoxynil, and 2,4-D plus glyphosate were applied at 1/100, 1/33, 1/10, and 1/3 of a selected maximum rate for use in wheat or fallow. All herbicides, except bromoxynil and thifensufluron, caused symptoms on grapevines at the highest rate during the spring following fall application. The most severe symptoms were caused by 2,4-D and 2,4-D plus glyphosate, whereas the least symptoms were caused by chlorsulfuron and glyphosate. The severity of symptoms increased and shoot growth, leaf area, internode length, and dry cane weight decreased as the rates of 2,4-D and 2,4-D plus glyphosate increased. Chlorsulfuron and glyphosate reduced the growth of grapevines only when applied at the highest rate during the fall. The data show that exposure of wine grapes to 2,4-D or 2,4-D plus glyphosate during the fall can adversely affect the growth of grapevines the following spring.