Field studies were conducted at Lewiston–Woodville and Rocky Mount, NC in 2001 and 2002 to evaluate weed control and peanut response to POST treatments of diclosulam at various rates and application timings. Diclosulam controlled common ragweed and entireleaf morningglory when applied within 35 d after planting (DAP). Common ragweed 61 cm tall was controlled ≥92% with 4 to 13 g ai/ha diclosulam and larger common ragweed (107 to 137 cm tall) were controlled ≥97% with 27 g/ha diclosulam. Common lambsquarters was controlled 62% or less with all diclosulam POST treatments following metolachlor applied PRE, which provided 48% control. Peanut injury was less than 15% with all diclosulam POST treatments and was transitory. In separate studies, POST diclosulam treatments did not affect peanut yield in a weed-free environment. Peanut yield in weedy environments was reduced as the diclosulam application timing was delayed because of early season weed interference. A linear relationship was observed between yield and application timing with yield decreasing as application timing was delayed. This yield response documents the importance of early season weed management for maximizing peanut yield potential. Virginia peanut varieties were not affected by different POST rates of diclosulam; however, early season peanut injury showed a linear and quadratic relationship with diclosulam rate and was less than 14% at rates as high as 71 g/ha, and was not apparent by late season.

The effect of annual spring PRE applications of fenac, metribuzin, and terbacil on the competitiveness of sugarcane with bermudagrass during a 3-yr crop cycle was evaluated. For each herbicide treatment, bermudagrass was allowed to interfere with sugarcane during the growing season for 0, 1 (plant-cane crop only), 2 (plant-cane and first-ratoon crops), or 3 (plant-cane through second-ratoon crops) yr. Predicted total yields of cane from the three harvested crops was 3600 kg ha−1 higher on average in plots maintained free of bermudagrass and treated with metribuzin than where fenac and terbacil were applied. Bermudagrass biomass increased with each growing season. Greatest biomass production occurred in the fenac plots and the smallest in terbacil plots. Bermudagrass did not reduce the predicted total yields of cane where metribuzin or terbacil was applied. With fenac, predicted total cane yields were 4, 7, and 11% lower than the weed-free control where bermudagrass interference was allowed for 1, 2, and 3 yr, respectively. Season-long bermudagrass interference in the fenac plots reduced actual cane yields 10% (plant-cane crop), 6% (first-ratoon crop), and 14% (second-ratoon crop) when compared with plots maintained free of bermudagrass for the entire growing season.

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.

Herbicide carrier water hardness and pH can be variable depending on the source and geographic location. Herbicide efficacy can be affected by the pH and hardness of water used for spray solution. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of carrier water pH and hardness on premixed dicamba and glyphosate efficacy. Treatments were combinations of water pH at 4, 6.5, or 9; and water hardness at 0 (deionized water), 400, or 800 mg L−1 of CaCO3 equivalent. In the field study, dicamba and glyphosate were applied at 0.55 and 1.11 kg ae ha−1, respectively, and half of these rates were applied in the greenhouse study. There was no interaction between carrier water pH and hardness on dicamba and glyphosate efficacy; however, the main effects of carrier water pH and hardness were significant. Herbicide efficacy was reduced with carrier water at pH 9 compared with pH 4. In the field study, common lambsquarters, common ragweed, horseweed, or Palmer amaranth control was improved 6% or more at carrier water at pH 4 compared with pH 9. Similar results were observed with water pH for giant ragweed, Palmer amaranth, or pitted morningglory control in the greenhouse study. Carrier water hardness at 400 or 800 mg L−1 reduced common ragweed, giant ragweed, or horseweed control compared with 0 mg L−1. Similarly, common lambsquarters, Palmer amaranth, or pitted morningglory control was reduced at least 10% with carrier water hardness at 800 mg L−1 compared with 0 mg L−1. These results indicate carrier water at acidic pH and of no hardness is critical for dicamba and glyphosate application, and spray solution needs to be amended appropriately for an optimum efficacy.

Alligator weed is a serious weed in many countries. In Australia, it is a “weed of national significance” because of its actual and potential impact. We surveyed all local governments in New South Wales in 2001 and 2007 to determine whether the weed is being contained. We found an increased number and extent of infestations, despite more resources and a better knowledge base. Most considered that further research is needed in tactics for control of the weed. On the basis of current containment in urban gardens, we recommend that governments better mobilize the community (e.g., bush restoration consultants, Landcare groups) to deal with alligator weed infestations.

Redstem filaree is becoming widespread and abundant on the Canadian prairies. A field study was conducted to determine the growth, development, and seed yield response of redstem filaree when grown under noncropped conditions and planted at various dates throughout the growing season in Alberta. Redstem filaree emerged within 7 to 13 d of planting with an accumulated 57 to 134 growing degree days (GDD). Flowering occurred within 46 to 65 d (327 to 779 GDD) of planting. Plants that emerged in August or later did not flower in that season and survived as winter annuals. Spring-emerging redstem filaree plants matured within 79 to 100 d (729 to 1,193 GDD). Plants that emerged in May and June attained more biomass and produced threefold more seeds than plants that emerged in July or later. Redstem filaree seed production ranged from 2,400 to 9,900 seeds/plant depending on emergence date and environmental conditions. Information from this study will assist in developing integrated management strategies for this increasingly important weed.

The objectives of this study were to determine how the timing of weed management treatments in winter wheat stubble affects weed control the following season and to determine if spring herbicide rates in corn can be reduced with appropriately timed stubble management practices. Field studies were conducted at two sites in Ohio between 1993 and 1995. Wheat stubble treatments consisted of glyphosate (0.84 kg ae/ha) plus 2,4-D (0.48 kg ae/ha) applied in July, August, or September, or at all three timings, and a nontreated control. In the following season, spring herbicide treatments consisted of a full rate of atrazine (1.7 kg ai/ha) plus alachlor (2.8 kg ai/ha) preemergence, a half rate of these herbicides, or no spring herbicide treatment. Across all locations, a postharvest treatment of glyphosate plus 2,4-D followed by alachlor plus atrazine at half or full rates in the spring controlled all broadleaf weeds, except giant ragweed, at least 88%. Giant foxtail control at three locations was at least 83% when a postharvest glyphosate plus 2,4-D treatment was followed by spring applications of alachlor plus atrazine at half or full rates. Weed control in treatments without alachlor plus atrazine was variable, although broadleaf control from July and August glyphosate plus 2,4-D applications was greater than from September applications. Where alachlor and atrazine were not applied, August was generally the best timing of herbicide applications to wheat stubble for reducing weed populations the following season.

Although dandelion has been recognized for some time as a common weed of perennial plant stands, recent weed surveys in western Canada indicate that dandelion has become more common in fields where annual spring crops are grown. Because little has been published on dandelion control in annual crops, a field study was conducted at two locations in southern Manitoba in 1999 and 2000 investigating the effect of spring tillage, glyphosate dosage, and application timing on dandelion control in a spring annual glyphosate-resistant canola crop. The experiments were situated in areas known to have natural infestations of dandelion. Final assessments of dandelion control were performed the spring following treatment, i.e., the next year, to provide a better indication of treatment efficacy on this perennial weed. Spring tillage alone did not significantly reduce dandelion density, as assessed the following spring, but did reduce dandelion shoot dry matter at three of the five site-years by up to 84%. Glyphosate was applied preplant, in-crop, and postharvest at dosages ranging from 450 g ae/ha in-crop to 2,700 g ae/ha postharvest. Glyphosate application after the canola crop had been harvested provided the greatest level of dandelion control, with a single postharvest application of 900 g ae/ha of glyphosate reducing dandelion density and shoot dry matter by 88 and 96%, respectively, the following spring. Applications of glyphosate either preplant or in-crop were not nearly as effective as the postharvest treatments in reducing dandelion density and shoot dry matter the following spring.

The English daisy, Bellis perennis L., is a widespread lawn weed and a bane to those who favor daisy-free lawns and golf courses. The genetic name Bellis, a designation used by Pliny, means “pretty”; perennis means “through the years,” “continuing,” or “perennial” (Gledhill 1985; Mabberley 1989). While pretty, the English daisy is a persistent weed that spreads by short stolons (Tutin et al. 1976). It is a member of the cosmopolitan family Compositae, which encompasses 1,100 genera and 25,000 species (Heywood 1993). The genus Bellis comprises about 15 European and Mediterranean species. Some of them are medicinal and some are cultivated ornamentals, especially forms of B. perennis. The signature of this species is a flower head that Closes at night and in wet weather (Tutin et al. 1976).

Experiments were conducted at three North Carolina research stations in 2003 to evaluate weed control and corn yield in glyphosate-resistant, glufosinate-resistant, imidazolinone-tolerant, and conventional corn weed management systems. Late-season control of common lambsquarters, large crabgrass, and yellow nutsedge increased with metolachlor PRE compared with no PRE herbicide treatment. Common lambsquarters, pitted morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, spurred anoda, and tropic croton control was improved by a single early POST (EPOST) application regardless of herbicide system. Control of common lambsquarters, pitted morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, and spurred anoda was similar for glyphosate and glufosinate systems for each POST over-the-top (POT) herbicide system. A single EPOST application of imazethapyr plus imazapyr to imidazolinone-tolerant corn controlled common lambsquarters, pitted morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, and spurred anoda and was better than a single EPOST application of glyphosate, glufosinate, or nicosulfuron. Tropic croton was controlled ≥ 95% with glufosinate or glyphosate, applied once or twice, or in mixture with metolachlor. A single EPOST application of imazethapyr plus imazapyr or nicosulfuron did not control tropic croton. Common lambsquarters, entireleaf morningglory, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, and yellow nutsedge control was greater with a late-POST–directed (LAYBY) of ametryn than no LAYBY. Systems that did not include a POT herbicide system had the lowest percentage in the weed-free yield and the lowest yield. Treatments that included a POT system with or without a PRE treatment of metolachlor yielded within 5% of the weed-free treatment, regardless of herbicide system.

Research on weed management in furrow-irrigated rice is needed as water availability becomes more limited in rice production regions of Arkansas. Research was conducted at Keiser and Pine Tree, AR, with the objectives being to determine (1) whether the addition of clomazone to imazethapyr would improve PRE weed control in furrow-irrigated, imidazolinone-tolerant rice, and (2) whether increasing the imazethapyr rates would improve weed control without injuring rice. Imazethapyr was applied at 70, 87.5, and 105 g ai/ha PRE with and without clomazone followed by imazethapyr POST at the same rate as used PRE. No rice injury was observed during the growing season at either site. Clomazone plus imazethapyr applied PRE did not improve early season control of Palmer amaranth, pitted morningglory, prickly sida, barnyardgrass, or broadleaf signalgrass over imazethapyr alone. Increasing the PRE imazethapyr rate to 105 g/ha did not improve Palmer amaranth or pitted morningglory control. Imazethapyr applied PRE on a clay soil generally provided lower weed control than on the silt loam soil. Increasing the imazethapyr rate did not improve rice yields.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the tolerance of 79 winter wheat cultivars to cyanazine, BAY SMY 1500, and metribuzin. When known, the pedigree of the more cyanazineand BAY SMY 1500-tolerant hard red winter cultivars included ‘Hope’ and/or ‘Cheyenne’ parentage. However, the cultivars more sensitive to BAY SMY 1500, notably those with ‘Vona’ parentage, were not consistently sensitive to cyanazine. Visible injury on the hard red and soft red winter cultivars did not consistently indicate yield reductions. The soft red winter cultivars, compared to the hard red winter cultivars, were generally more sensitive to cyanazine than BAY SMY 1500.

Postemergence applications of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron were compared to preplant glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine for quackgrass control in reduced tillage and no-till corn. The level of quackgrass control was reduced by no-till practices. At 6 wk after planting, glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine were most effective in controlling quackgrass. Quackgrass biomass 12 wk after planting indicated that the performance of the herbicides were generally similar, although primisulfuron was less effective in no-till. One year after corn planting, levels of quackgrass control in the tilled plots were the same as or better than in the no-till treatments. Atrazine plus simazine was the most effective herbicide treatment over tillage systems, while primisulfuron was the least effective.

Herbicide efficacy trials in field corn, sweet corn, and soybean were conducted at three locations in Wisconsin over a 6-yr period. Percent weed pressure (WP) was determined by visually estimating the contribution of all weed species present to the total crop and weed volume in each plot. Crop yields in each plot were measured. Percent crop yield reduction (YLDRED) was calculated by comparing mean yields of individual treatments with those of the highest yielding treatment in each trial. Linear regression analyses of YLDRED and WP data from 1640 field corn and 138 sweet corn treatments were significant. Nonlinear regression analysis of YLDRED and WP data from all 1374 soybean treatments was significant; however, a linear regression of those 1154 soybean treatments with WP ratings of 30 or less produced a more easily interpreted regression equation.

Substantial weed growth often occurs in legume-cereal cover-crop mixes commonly grown on organic vegetable farms. A 2-yr study at the USDA-ARS in Salinas, CA, was conducted to test the effect of zero, one, and two passes with a rotary hoe on weed control in a mixed cover crop of 10% rye, 15% common vetch, 15% purple vetch, 25% peas, and 35% bell bean. Rotary hoeing occurred 14–15 days after planting (DAP) in the one-pass treatment, and 14 and 28 DAP in the two-pass treatment. Rotary hoeing did not affect total cover-crop density or biomass in either year, but reduced rye density and biomass in year 2. One pass reduced total weed density by 69% in year 1 and 49% in year 2. A second pass did not affect weed density in year 1 but reduced weed density an additional 33% in year 2. One pass decreased weed biomass in year 1, whereas two passes were required to reduce weed biomass in year 2. Rotary hoeing reduced seed shed by chickweed and shepherd's-purse seeds, the two predominant weed species, by 80 to 95% in both years. Rotary hoe efficacy depended on weather conditions directly before and after cultivation. The decision to repeat rotary hoeing should be based upon field scouting and weather conditions following the initial pass with the rotary hoe.

Effects of cogongrass foliage and rhizome plus root residues on germination and shoot and root growth of barnyardgrass, bermudagrass, browntop millet, hemp sesbania, Italian ryegrass, and prickly sida were investigated in greenhouse experiments. Ground residues of dried cogongrass foliage and rhizomes plus roots were mixed separately with sterilized sand to obtain residue concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8%. These residue concentrations were investigated on bermudagrass and Italian ryegrass, and the 8% residue concentrations were also evaluated on hemp sesbania, prickly sida, barnyardgrass, and browntop millet. Foliage and rhizome plus root residues at concentrations as low as 0.25% inhibited seed germination and shoot and root growth of all species except hemp sesbania. Germination of bermudagrass and Italian ryegrass was reduced by as much as 97% and shoot and root growth by as much as 94% at the highest residue concentrations. Rhizome plus root residues reduced germination and shoot and root growth of bermudagrass and Italian ryegrass more than foliage residues. Foliage and rhizome plus root residues reduced germination and shoot and root biomass of prickly sida, barnyardgrass, and browntop millet at similar levels. Results indicate that cogongrass tissue may contain allelochemicals that contribute to its invasiveness and extreme competitiveness.

Watermelon growers rotate crops to prevent problems, but weed populations in new fields may hold unexpected control challenges. Having effective POST herbicides would provide growers an opportunity to respond to emerging weeds on an as-needed basis. To address this need, field studies were conducted over 4 yr in Oklahoma to determine efficacy and crop response of POST halosulfuron applications to direct-seeded watermelon that received PRE application of ethalfluralin at 840 g/ha. At 5 wk after crop emergence (WAE) halosulfuron was applied at 18, 27, 36, and 54 g/ha. The 27 g/ha rate was also applied at 1, 2, 3 and 7 WAE. Halosulfuron applications made 5 WAE did not provide acceptable (> 80%) control of pigweeds and cutleaf groundcherry regardless of rate. Applications made 1 WAE provided significantly better control of pigweeds and cutleaf groundcherry than did later applications. Halosulfuron treatments of 36 and 54 g/ha made 5 WAE and of 27 g/ha made 1, 2 and 3 WAE did not result in significant yield increases compared with the hand-weeded check. These studies show that POST halosulfuron application may be a useful treatment for direct-seeded watermelon. This option would enable more judicious use of herbicides and possible reduction in production costs.

Field studies were conducted to assess weed control and potato (Solanum tuberosum) tolerance to ethalfluralin. Ethalfluralin applied preemergence (PRE) alone at 1.05 kg ai/ha generally did not control weeds adequately. However, ethalfluralin at 1.05 kg/ha combined with either metribuzin at 0.28 kg ai/ha or rimsulfuron at 0.018 kg ai/ha controlled common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), and green foxtail (Setaria viridis) ≥ 98%, which was similar to control observed with several currently registered herbicide mixtures. Volunteer oat (Avena sativa) control with either ethalfluralin at 1.05 kg/ha plus EPTC at 3.4 kg ai/ha or ethalfluralin plus metribuzin was equal to registered two-way mixtures. Ethalfluralin plus metribuzin did not adequately control hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides), but ethalfluralin mixtures with either rimsulfuron or EPTC controlled hairy nightshade equal to or better than the registered two-way mixtures evaluated. A sequential application of ethalfluralin PRE followed by rimsulfuron or rimsulfuron plus metribuzin postemergence (POST) did not improve hairy nightshade control compared to ethalfluralin plus rimsulfuron applied PRE. Potato tolerance to herbicide treatments applied PRE or POST to potato was evaluated in weed-free studies. Ethalfluralin alone or with metribuzin was compared to mixtures of metribuzin with either pendimethalin or EPTC. Initial visual injury with ethalfluralin PRE was ≤ 4% both years. In 1996, initial injury with ethalfluralin POST was ≤ 4% and U.S. No. 1 and total tuber yields were not affected by herbicide treatment or application timing. However in 1997, initial injury from POST ethalfluralin at 1.05 or 2.1 kg/ha was 2 or 8% and increased to 9 or 17%, respectively, at potato row closure. Averaged over all herbicide treatments, POST applications reduced U.S. No. 1 and total tuber yield 7% relative to PRE applications in 1997.

The effect of annual defoliation on leafy spurge-infested rangeland was investigated over a 5-yr period. Artificial defoliation was conducted once or twice annually at various phenological growth stages of leafy spurge to simulate grazing by herded Angora goats. Single defoliation treatments did not reduce total leafy spurge stem densities. Defoliation twice in a growing season for 4 consecutive yr reduced total leafy spurge stem densities by 55% over nondefoliated controls. Grass foliar cover and yield increased in all defoliation treatments. Despite the increased grass yield on single defoliation treatments, cattle use would likely be limited in these treatments due to the high density of leafy spurge stems. Stem densities of leafy spurge in twice-defoliated treatments should not deter cattle from grazing these sites, thereby increasing the available forage supply. The data suggest that repeated grazing of leafy spurge-infested rangeland within a growing season would be required to reduce stem densities adequately and increase cattle use and production from these sites.

Field studies were conducted from 1985 to 1987 to evaluate postemergence herbicide systems with preemergence systems to control Texas panicum, Florida beggarweed, sicklepod, and pitted morningglory in peanuts. Adding paraquat at 0.14 kg ai/ha to postemergence herbicide systems reduced fresh weight of Florida beggarweed 92% (18% increase over the same systems without paraquat), sicklepod 95% (21% increase), and pitted morningglory 95% (11% increase). Herbicide systems containing paraquat improved peanut yields by 230 kg/ha and net returns by $52/ha over herbicide systems not containing paraquat. Fluazifop-P and sethoxydim systems reduced Texas panicum fresh weight (at least 96%) more than a preemergence system (92% reduction) that used benefin applied preplant incorporated and alachlor plus naptalam and dinoseb applied at cracking (GC) or a postemergence system that used alachlor and naptalam plus dinoseb GC and paraquat applied early postemergence (86% reduction). Systems containing fluazifop-P provided greater yields (4190 kg/ha) and net returns ($383/ha) than systems containing sethoxydim (4010 kg/ha, $305/ha) when averaged across all rates of application.