The widespread evolution of resistance in rigid ryegrass populations to the highly effective, in-crop, selective herbicides used within southern Australian grain-crop production systems has severely diminished the available herbicide resource. A new PRE grass-selective herbicide, pyroxasulfone, may offer Australian grain producers a new option for rigid ryegrass control in wheat crops. The efficacy and level of selectivity of rigid ryegrass control with pyroxasulfone was investigated for a range of annual crop species in potted-plant, dose–response studies. In comparison with other currently available PRE herbicides, pyroxasulfone provided effective control of both resistant and susceptible rigid ryegrass populations. Additionally, control of these populations was achieved at rates that had little or no effect on the growth and survival of wheat. This crop was also the most tolerant of cereal species, with triticale, barley, and oat being more injured at higher pyroxasulfone rates than wheat was. In general though, pulse-crop species were found to be more tolerant of high pyroxasulfone rates than cereal-crop species. There were subtle effects of soil type on the efficacy of pyroxasulfone, where higher rates were required to achieve effective control on soils with higher clay or organic matter contents. The ability of pyroxasulfone to selectively control resistant and susceptible rigid ryegrass populations as identified in these studies clearly indicate the potential for widespread use and success of this herbicide in Australian cropping systems.

Research was conducted for 2 yr at Marianna, AR, to determine whether the fall-planted cover crops rye, wheat, turnip, and a blend of brown and white mustard (Caliente) would aid weed management programs in conservation-tilled, enhanced, glyphosate-resistant cotton. Wheat and rye easily were established both years and turnip and mustard blend stands were better in the second year. The cover crops alone were more suppressive of Palmer amaranth, pitted morningglory, and goosegrass in 2007 than in 2008. Rye was generally superior to wheat in suppressing the three evaluated weeds. Once herbicides were applied, there were seldom differences among cover crops for a particular herbicide program as a result of the highly efficacious herbicide programs. Cotton yields were not affected by wheat, rye, or the mustard blend, but yields were lowest in plots that followed turnip both years, possibly because of allelopathy. Integration of cover crops, especially cereals, into conservation-tilled, glyphosate-resistant cotton aided early-season weed management and could reduce the selection of glyphosate for herbicide resistance.

Dose-response experiments showed that three samples of green foxtail collected from fields in southern Manitoba where trifluralin had not controlled the weed in 1987 were resistant to the herbicide. GR50 values indicated that the resistant populations were about 5 times more resistant to trifluralin than susceptible populations, about twice as resistant as wild oat, and about equally resistant as wheat. An additional 33 samples collected in 1988 from southwestern Manitoba where trifluralin has been used for nearly 20 yr in both cereal and oilseed crops were resistant to trifluralin.

Imazethapyr at 0.05 to 0.14 kg ai/ha applied preplant incorporated, preemergence, and postemergence was evaluated alone and with complementary herbicides in the field for weed control in soybean. Imazethapyr controlled 90% or more smooth pigweed regardless of application method or herbicide rate. Imazethapyr at 0.05 kg/ha controlled jimsonweed 30% better postemergence compared to soil applications. Imazethapyr at 0.10 kg/ha controlled 90% or more velvetleaf regardless of application method. The addition of alachlor to soil-applied imazethapyr enhanced giant foxtail, jimsonweed, and velvetleaf control. Adding acifluorfen or bentazon to postemergence imazethapyr antagonized weed control. Adding sethoxydim to postemergence imazethapyr was not beneficial.

Herbicides are important components of weed management programs for most Kansas farmers. Monocropping systems and repeated use of the same or similar herbicides in some areas of the state have resulted in the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. The development of herbicide-resistant weed populations can have an immediate and a long-term effect on the cost, implementation, and effectiveness of weed control programs. In Kansas, resistance to triazine herbicides has been confirmed in kochia (Kochia scoparia), redroot pigweed, common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), and downy brome (Bromus tectorum) populations, and resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides has been confirmed in kochia, Russian thistle (Salsola kali), common waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), shattercane (Sorghum bicolor), and common sunflower (Helianthus annum). The frequency and distribution of herbicide resistance varies among species. Producers who experience herbicide resistance problems adjust their weed control program accordingly. Producers that have not encountered an herbicide resistance problem tend to continue with a successful herbicide program until it fails. The recommended management strategies for herbicide-resistant weed populations include an integrated system of crop rotation, rotation of herbicide modes of action, tank-mixes of herbicides with different modes of action, and cultivation. The greatest direct cost to the producer occurs during the first year of poor weed control. The first response to an herbicide failure often is to reapply the same herbicide that has worked well previously. By the time the producer realizes that the treatment is not going to work, it usually is too late for any other remedial action. Consequently, the farmer experiences reduced crop production from weed competition, high herbicide costs, and a tremendous increase in the seed bank. The increase in seed bank may cost the farmer the most in the long run because the increased weed pressure often requires an intensified control program for several years.

Growth, seed production, and dormancy of velvetleaf in response to shading were evaluated in the field. Velvetleaf plant height, leaf number, number of branches, and plant dry weight decreased linearly with increasing shade. No differences were observed for plant height, number of leaves, or branches/plant when plants were shaded 30% or not shaded throughout the growing season. However, the 76% shade treatment reduced velvetleaf height (1984 only), leaf number, stem branches, and plant dry weight. These reductions were greater in 1984 than 1985 except for plant dry weight that decreased by 88% each year. The number of capsules and the number of seeds/plant decreased linearly with increasing shade levels, while the seed weight increased with increasing shade level. Shading also decreased seed dormancy. These results demonstrate that shade suppresses velvetleaf growth and seed production, and shortens the dormancy of seeds that are produced by these plants.

Corn and soybean were planted in narrow and wide row spacings to determine the effect of glyphosate application timing and row spacing on crop yield. Glyphosate was applied when average weed canopy height reached 5, 10, 15, 23, and 30 cm. Weeds present in these studies included velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, jimsonweed, barnyardgrass, fall panicum, giant foxtail, yellow foxtail, green foxtail, and eastern black nightshade. Under highly competitive growing conditions (below normal rainfall and high weed density), corn yield was first reduced when weeds reached 10 and 15 cm in height with corn planted in 38- and 76-cm rows, respectively. Under similar conditions, soybean yield was first reduced when weeds reached 15 and 23 cm with soybean planted in 19- and 38-cm rows, respectively. Yield losses occurred only in the untreated control when soybean was planted in 76-cm rows. When growing conditions were less competitive (adequate rainfall and lower weed density), yield losses occurred only when weeds reached 30 cm or more in corn and only in the untreated control in soybean. Corn and soybean yields were higher when planted in narrow rows in three of 4 yr but were more susceptible to early-season weed interference than corn and soybean in wide rows. Corn yield was affected more by weed interference than was soybean yield. The product of weed height by weed density, as the independent variable, resulted in the best linear fit for both corn and soybean yields. High weed densities increase the risk of yield loss and must be considered when determining the appropriate timing for total postemergence herbicide applications such as glyphosate. Sequential glyphosate applications in corn did not increase yield.

A greenhouse study was designed to evaluate a series of silicone adjuvants for increasing efficacy and rainfastness of Na-acifluorfen, isopropylamine-glyphosate, and Na-bentazon on velvetleaf and common lambsquarters. Silicone adjuvants were identified that increased both herbicide efficacy and rainfastness at 0.9 to 1.2 L ha-1. Specificity of adjuvants for specific target weed species and herbicides was evident. Effective silicone adjuvants were identified that did not increase soybean injury by Na-acifluorfen or Na-bentazon beyond that observed with crop oil concentrate. The efficacy of the best silicone adjuvant did not appear to be solely a function of reduced surface tension of the spray solution.

Downy brome control in winter wheat is often inadequate. The effects of three crop rotations and two tillage intensities on downy brome populations and associated crop yields were determined in an experiment at Lethbridge, Alberta from 1987 to 1993. Downy brome densities in continuous winter wheat increased from 24 to 970 plants/m2 between 1988 and 1993; and were often higher with zero tillage. Inclusion of fallow or spring canola in rotation with winter wheat suppressed downy brome densities to less than 55 and 100 plants/m2, respectively, over the six years. In continuous winter wheat, yields decreased as downy brome densities increased progressively over years, indicating that monoculture winter wheat production will not be viable in regions where downy brome is prevalent unless effective herbicides are developed. In the more arid areas of the Canadian prairies, a winter wheat-fallow rotation may be most suitable but in higher precipitation areas, a winter wheat-canola rotation is a viable alternative. Crop rotation is a key component of an improved management system for control of downy brome.

A meta-analysis of 11 previously published field studies was conducted with the objectives being to (1) estimate the no observable effects dose (NOED) for dicamba on susceptible soybean; (2) evaluate available evidence for hormesis, or increased soybean yield in response to low doses of dicamba; (3) estimate the dose of dicamba likely to cause measurable soybean yield loss under field conditions; and (4) quantify the relationship between visible injury symptoms and soybean yield loss. All studies that included visible injury data (N=7) reported injury symptoms at the lowest nonzero dicamba dose applied (as low as 0.03 g ae ha−1), and therefore a NOED could not be estimated from the existing peer-reviewed literature. Based on statistical tests for hormesis, there is insufficient evidence to support any claim of increased soybean yield at low dicamba doses. Future research should include a range of dicamba doses lower than 0.03 g ha−1 to estimate a NOED and determine whether a hormesis effect is possible at or below dicamba doses that cause visible injury symptoms. Soybean is more susceptible to dicamba when exposed at flowering (R1 to R2 stage) compared with vegetative stages (V1 to V7). A dicamba dose of 0.9 g ha−1 (95% CI=0.08 to 1.7) at the flowering stage was estimated to cause 5% soybean yield loss. When exposed at vegetative stages, dicamba doses that cause less than 30% visible injury symptoms (95% CI=23 to 49%) appear unlikely to cause greater than 5% soybean yield loss; however, if soybean is exposed at flowering, visible injury symptoms greater than 12% (95% CI=8 to 16%) are likely to be associated with at least 5% soybean yield loss.

No more the grassy brook reflects the day,

But, chocked with sedges, works its weedy way;

The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith, 1770.

Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a perennial herbaceous sedge native to the eastern Mediterranean (Mabberley 1997; Tutin et al. 1980; Zeven and Zhukovsky 1975). Cultivated in ancient Egypt for its tasty and oil-rich tubers, the wild type has spread as a weed to all the continents of the world and adapted to climates from tropical to subarctic. Adaptability to many agricultural habitats and the great reproductive capacity of yellow nutsedge have propelled it to rank as the 16th worst weed in the world (Holm et al. 1991a, 1991b; Negbi 1992).

Glyphosate and glufosinate are now options for postemergence weed control in herbicide-resistant corn and soybean. Velvetleaf is one of the more difficult to control annual weeds with these herbicides at commonly used rates. Ammonium sulfate (AMS) is generally used with these herbicides to overcome hard water antagonism and to increase herbicide activity. Greenhouse and field trials were conducted with commercial adjuvants that might substitute for AMS. The adjuvants were evaluated in deionized water, tap water, and deionized water containing 500 mg/L CaCO3. In the absence of AMS, hard water reduced velvetleaf control with both herbicides. Regardless of water source, AMS increased velvetleaf control with both glyphosate and glufosinate. Several adjuvants increased velvetleaf control with either herbicide; however, none were superior to 2% w/v AMS. Other adjuvants decreased velvetleaf control with either herbicide.

Field experiments were conducted in 1995 and 1996 at DeKalb and Urbana, IL, to evaluate weed management systems in glyphosate-resistant soybean planted in rows 76 cm wide. These experiments compared weed control using preemergence (PRE) herbicides followed by glyphosate or postemergence (POST) tank-mix combinations of glyphosate and acetolactate-synthase-inhibiting herbicides with glyphosate applied alone at 0.63 kg ae/ha in single or sequential applications. Overall, the use of a tank-mix partner or a PRE herbicide followed by glyphosate improved weed control compared to a single application of glyphosate. However, weed control with these treatments was not better than with sequential applications of glyphosate. Control of giant foxtail exceeded 90% for single applications of glyphosate except at DeKalb in 1995 when late emergence of giant foxtail occurred after POST applications had been made. A PRE grass herbicide or a late postemergence (LPOST) application of glyphosate was necessary for season-long control of late-emerging giant foxtail. Tank-mixing glyphosate with imazethapyr, cloransulammethyl, and CGA-277476 or applying glyphosate LPOST following these herbicides improved giant foxtail control compared with these herbicides applied alone. A single application of glyphosate controlled common lambsquarters 88% or greater in two of three trials. At Urbana in 1995, a single application of glyphosate controlled common lambsquarters 78% compared to 88 to 96% control with PRE herbicides followed by glyphosate or sequential applications of glyphosate. Velvetleaf control with a single application of glyphosate ranged from 55 to 78%. A PRE application of chlorimuron + metribuzin, cloransulammethyl, or sulfentrazone followed by glyphosate POST, as well as sequential applications of glyphosate, consistently improved velvetleaf control compared to a single application of glyphosate. In some cases, adding glyphosate to a POST application of imazethapyr or CGA-277476 improved control of velvetleaf but decreased velvetleaf control when added to cloransulammethyl.

Herbicide efficacy, coverage, and retention were evaluated for spray applied through Drift Guard, Turbo TeeJet, AI TeeJet, and TurboDrop drift-reducing nozzles compared to a conventional flat-fan nozzle. Percentage spray coverage detected on water-sensitive cards was greater for conventional and Drift Guard nozzles than for Turbo TeeJet, AI TeeJet, and TurboDrop nozzles. Spray without adjuvants was retained better by redroot pigweed for treatments applied with conventional and Drift Guard nozzles than Turbo TeeJet, AI TeeJet, and TurboDrop nozzles. However, spray with adjuvants was retained similarly for all nozzle types when averaged over spray adjuvant and two weed species. The efficiency of spray retention was greater for spray applied in 47 than in 190 L/ha spray volume for all nozzles. Paraquat and glyphosate, representing contact and translocated herbicides, respectively, provided similar grass species control for all nozzle types, regardless of spray volume. Paraquat and glyphosate were also equally or more effective in 47 compared to 190 L/ha spray volume.

Acifluorfen, lactofen, chlorimuron, thifensulfuron, imazethapyr, and imazaquin were evaluated for control of Palmer amaranth, common waterhemp, redroot pigweed, and tumble pigweed at three application timings in field and greenhouse experiments. Results from field studies indicated that most herbicides provided greater than 90% control of common waterhemp, redroot pigweed, and tumble pigweed regardless of time of application. Palmer amaranth was the most difficult species to control, and only thifensulfuron and imazethapyr provided greater than 80% control at all application timings. In the greenhouse experiment, herbicides were applied when pigweeds averaged 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm in height. Results were similar to the field experiment, except that common waterhemp was more difficult to control.

Triazine-resistant (TR) common waterhemp was reported and confirmed in Fillmore County, NE in 1990. A survey of 81 fields was conducted to characterize the occurrence of common waterhemp and grower practices. Sampled fields fell into three categories: suspected by growers to contain resistant plants (26 fields), randomly selected (28 fields), and adjacent to fields containing TR common waterhemp (27 fields). Resistant plants were found in 64% of all fields. Resistance was confirmed in 92% of the fields suspected by growers to contain resistant plants. Adjacent fields were no more likely to contain resistant plants than randomly chosen fields. Crop rotation did not significantly affect occurrence of resistance. Resistance was associated with the grower, indicating movement of resistant seed between fields via equipment. Atrazine, bromoxynil plus atrazine, and bentazon plus atrazine provided less than 75% postemergence control of TR common waterhemp, while primisulfuron, dicamba plus atrazine, primisulfuron plus dicamba, dicamba, 2,4-D ester, and metribuzin plus bentazon gave over 85% control.

Multispectral images of leaf reflectance in the visible and near infrared region from 384 to 810 nm were used to establish the feasibility of developing a site-specific classifier to distinguish lettuce plants from weeds in California direct-seeded lettuce fields. An average crop vs. weed classification accuracy of 90.3% was obtained in a study of over 7,000 individual spectra representing 150 plants. The classifier utilized reflectance values from a small spatial area (3 mm diameter) of the leaf in order to allow the method to be robust to occlusion and to eliminate the need to identify leaf boundaries for shape-based machine vision recognition. Reflectance spectra were collected in the field using equipment suitable for real-time operation as a weed sensor in an autonomous system for automated weed control.

Failure to detect noxious weeds with current survey methods prevents their control and has contributed to their ability to establish and spread in remote range and forest sites. Techniques used in remote sensing can classify plant occurrence on maps, offering a method for surveying invasive species in remote locations and across extensive areas. An imaging hyperspectral spectrometer recorded images on July 19, 1998 in Farragut State Park near Bayview, ID, in the reflected solar region of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from 440 to 2,543 nm to detect spotted knapweed. The sensor records 128 spectral bands in 12- to 16-nm intervals at a spatial resolution of 5 m. A spectral angle mapper (SAM) algorithm was used to classify the data. Infestations in Idaho with 70 to 100% spotted knapweed cover that were 0.1 ha were detected regardless of the classification angle. However, narrow angles (2 to 8°) did not completely define the extent of the infestation, and the widest angle tested (20°) falsely classified some areas as infested. The overall image error for all classes was lowest (3%) when SAM angles ranged from 10 to 11°. Specific errors for the spotted knapweed class for the 10 to 11° angles showed that omissional and commissional errors were less than 3%. Areas with as little as 1 to 40% spotted knapweed cover were detected with an omissional error of 1% and a commissional error of 6%. Further verification sites were established on August 11, 1998 near Bozeman, MT, using the algorithms developed for Idaho. The omissional error for the Montana sites was 0%, and the commissional error was 10%. The hyperspectral sensor, Probe 1, proved an effective detection tool with the ability to detect spotted knapweed infestations.

AAL-toxin, produced by Alternaria alternata, was investigated for its phytotoxic effects on 86 crop and weed species. On susceptible tomato leaf discs, AAL-toxin caused electrolyte leakage and chlorosis at 0.01 μM in 24 h. Plants tested exhibited a range of response. AAL-toxin damaged sensitive plants at 5 μM while other plants showed minimal damage at > 1000 μM. Cotton and the important weeds, Canada thistle, field bindweed, and velvetleaf were largely unaffected. Monocots tested were largely immune.

False broomweed is a troublesome weed on south Texas rangelands. The plant suppresses the growth of desirable herbaceous plant species and is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife. The objectives of this study were to evaluate multispectral satellite data for automated detection, classification, and mapping of false broomweed infestations. Determining the optimum phenological conditions for false broomweed detection was a major goal. Results indicate that satellite data can be used to detect major stands of this shrub and map the relative extent of infested areas. The best classification was obtained when the foliage of the shrub was fully developed and during periods of low herbaceous biomass production. Limited ground or aerial surveying will be needed to produce more exact estimates of the extent of false broomweed stands; however, these efforts can be focused on areas identified by satellite classification.