White bean producers have a limited number of herbicide options available for annual grass and broadleaf weed control. Tolerance of two white bean cultivars to preemergence (PRE) applications of S-metolachlor, S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, flumetsulam + S-metolachlor, cloransulam-methyl, clomazone, clomazone + imazethapyr, and clomazone + S-metolachlor at the maximum labeled rate in soybean (1×) and twice the labeled rate (2×) were studied at two Ontario locations (Exeter and Ridgetown) in 2001 and 2002. S-Metolachlor, clomazone, and clomazone + S-metolachlor generally had no negative effect on plant height, dry weight, maturity, and yield. S-Metolachlor + imazethapyr and clomazone + imazethapyr reduced plant height, dry weight, and yield as much as 21, 42, and 24%, respectively. Flumesulam + S-metolachlor and cloransulam-methyl reduced plant height, dry weight, and yield as much as 39, 58, and 43%, respectively. White beans are tolerant to PRE applications of S-metolachlor, clomazone, and clomazone + S-metolachlor. White beans are sensitive to PRE applications of S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, flumetsulam + S-metolachlor, clomazone + imazethapyr, and cloransulam-methyl.

Cyanazine and 2,4-D were the most effective herbicides for horseweed control before establishing full-season no-till soybeans. Paraquat plus 2,4-D was less effective than 2,4-D alone but superior to paraquat alone. Chlorimuron plus metribuzin or chlorimuron plus linuron was less effective than cyanazine but controlled horseweed better than metribuzin, linuron, or imazaquin. Herbicides were generally more effective when applied early. These studies indicate paraquat was antagonistic to 2,4-D for horseweed control when these herbicides were combined.

A field study was conducted at Vezaiciai branch of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture from 1998 to 2000 to determine weed emergence dynamics in potato and to estimate the effect of different intervals of weed crop competition on potato tuber yield. Treatments varying in intervals of weed-free conditions and competition were laid out in a randomized complete block design with six replications. The greatest emergence of annual broadleaf weeds (62 to 86% of the season total) in the crop was observed in the period from potato planting until flowering. Emergence of winter annuals such as field violet and scentless mayweed was greatest in the period from the 20-cm potato plant height until harvesting. Competition was most detrimental to potato tuber yield in the periods from planting until flowering, from planting until 25 d after flowering, or for the entire growing season. Potato tuber yield decreased by 8.1, 8.4, and 6.4%, respectively, during these competition intervals compared to the weed-free treatment. The results indicated that the critical weed-free period, when weed competition was detrimental to yield, started from planting until 25 d after flowering if regular interrow cultivation was applied.

Phoma herbarum was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in turf. A preliminary controlled environment study identified selected adjuvants that enhanced disease severity by P. herbarum. Subsequently, these adjuvants were evaluated for disease enhancement under field conditions. Adjuvants evaluated included gluten flour, liposome, guar gum from ground guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), durum (Triticum durum), and pectin. Regression analysis revealed a significant (P = 0.05) increase in disease severity by P. herbarum when formulated with gluten Hour, guar gum, or durum semolina compared to treatment with 20% mycelium in potato (Solanum tuberosum) dextrose broth (PDB) alone. No phytotoxicity to dandelion was observed among the adjuvant controls.

“Here we go round the prickly pear Prickly pear prickly pear Here we go round the prickly pear At five o'clock in the morning.”

The Hollow Men, T. S. Eliot (1925).

Two studies consisting of six field experiments each were conducted at three locations in southwestern Ontario, Canada, in 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the possible antagonism when dicamba was added to quizalofop-p-ethyl or clethodim for the control of volunteer glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn. At 4 wk after application (WAA), quizalofop-p-ethyl at 24, 30, or 36 g ai ha−1 provided 88, 94, and 95% control of volunteer GR corn, respectively. The addition of dicamba at 300 or 600 g ae ha−1 to quizalofop-p-ethyl (24 g ha−1) reduced the activity of quizalofop-p-ethyl on volunteer GR corn by 12 and 20%. At 4 WAA, clethodim at 30, 37.5, and 45 g ai ha−1 provided 85, 91, and 95% control of volunteer GR corn, respectively. The addition of dicamba at 300 or 600 g ha−1 to clethodim (30 g ha−1) resulted in antagonism, causing a reduction in volunteer GR corn by 12 and 11%, respectively. In general, there was greater antagonism when the high rate of dicamba was tank-mixed with the lower rate of the graminicide. There was no antagonistic effect on soybean yield by tank-mixing dicamba with either graminicide at all rates evaluated. Based on these results, volunteer GR corn can be controlled effectively by increasing the rate of the graminicide when tankmixed with dicamba.

Purple nutsedge collections from 13 states within the continental United States and from 21 other locations around the world were studied to compare their reproduction and morphological characteristics. Differences occurred in the number of shoots produced from single tubers, the number of leaves per shoot, and the length and width of leaves. Differences were also found with respect to flowering, length of culms supporting the inflorescences, and number, length, and width of involucral bracts at the apex of the culms. Variations occurred in the flower parts, including the number and length of rachises and the length of rachillae and spikelets. There were differences in the growth patterns of the leaves, with some collections having leaves mostly erect and others having leaves lie more closely to the ground. The color of the leaves varied between light and dark green, and the color of the inflorescence varied between light and dark purplish-brown. Greater variation was found among plants from different locations around the world than from within the continental United States.

Research was conducted to compare cotton and tomato response to volatility of 2,4-D, dicamba, and triclopyr formulations. Herbicide treatments were applied to tilled soil during August and September, and potted plants were placed in the center of treated strips. To quantify injury, leaf cupping/crinkling/drooping; leaf rolling/strapping; stem epinasty; and stem swelling/cracking were each visually rated on an injury scale of 0 to 5 (0 = none, 1 = slight, 2 = slight to moderate, 3 = moderate, 4 = moderate to severe, and 5 = severe). Leaf cupping/crinkling/drooping injury averaged across herbicide treatments at 1× rates was 1.0 for cotton and 2.0 for tomato 14 d after treatment (DAT). Averaged across crops, leaf cupping/crinkling/drooping injury for the 1× rates 14 DAT was equivalent for the 2,4-D dimethylamine (DMA) salt, 2,4-D acid, dicamba DMA salt, dicamba diglycolamine (DGA) salt, dicamba acid, and triclopyr acid formulations and ranged from 1.1 to 1.8. For tomato, the only herbicide treatments with injury 14 DAT no greater than for the nontreated were 1× rates of 2,4-D DMA and 2,4-D acid for leaf rolling/strapping (1.0); 2,4-D acid, dicamba DMA, dicamba acid, and triclopyr acid for stem epinasty (0.3 to 0.7); and 2,4-D DMA, 2,4-D acid, dicamba DMA, dicamba DGA, dicamba acid, and triclopyr acid for stem swelling/cracking (0.1 to 0.2). A weighted factor assigned to each injury criterion provided an overall total injury estimate of 0 to 100%. When applied at 1× rates, total injury for 2,4-D isooctyl ester was 10% for cotton and 36% for tomato and for triclopyr butoxyethyl ester was 11% for cotton and 50% for tomato. For the 2,4-D DMA, 2,4-D acid, dicamba DMA, dicamba DGA, dicamba acid, and triclopyr acid formulations, total injury was 4 to 8% for cotton and 20 to 24% for tomato, and for both crops, injury was no greater than for the nontreated.

Field experiments were conducted in 2001 and 2002 at two sites in Ohio to characterize the effect of isoxaflutole herbicide applied the previous year to field corn on processing tomato, bell pepper, cabbage, snapbean, and cucumber. Isoxaflutole was applied preemergence to field corn in 2001 at 0, 53, 70, 105, and 210 g ai/ha. There were no rotational crop cultivar by herbicide rate interactions at either site. Generally, there was a higher level of visible injury on crops at the Fremont site. Isoxaflutole residues at either site did not affect processing tomato yield. Bell pepper yield was reduced 33% when rotated into 210 g ai/ha rate plots only at Fremont. Snapbean marketable yield was reduced by isoxaflutole carryover from 70 and 210 g ai/ha rates resulting in 0.39 and 0.0 t/ha at Fremont. Similarly, isoxaflutole soil residues from 105 and 210 g ai/ha resulted in 14 and 24% visible injury on cucumber but did not reduce marketable yield. Site differences in soil characteristics and precipitation in the application year may have contributed to observed differences in crop response.

In the semiarid northern Great Plains, the adoption of zero tillage improves soil water conservation, allowing for increased crop intensification and diversification. Zero-tillage crop production relies heavily on herbicides for weed management, particularly the herbicide glyphosate, increasing selection pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds. Barley is well adapted to the northern Great Plains, and may be a suitable herbicide-free forage crop in zero-tillage systems. A 2-yr field study was conducted to determine if planting date influenced crop and weed biomass, water use (WU), and water-use efficiency (WUE) of barley and weed seed production in three preplant weed management systems: (1) conventional preplant tillage with a field cultivator (TILL); (2) zero tillage with preemergence glyphosate application (ZTPRE); and (3) zero tillage without preemergence glyphosate (ZT). None of the systems included an in-crop herbicide. Planting dates were mid-April (early), late May (mid), and mid-June (delayed). Early planting of ZT barley resulted in excellent forage yields (7,228 kg/ha), similar to those from TILL and ZTPRE. Early planting resulted in a small accumulation of weed biomass, averaging 76 kg/ha, and no weed seed production regardless of preplant weed management system. Early planting resulted in higher WU than delayed planting, averaging 289 and 221 mm, respectively, across management systems and years. The WUE of crop and total biomass did not differ among preplant weed management systems at harvest from the early planting date. Delayed planting resulted in decreased forage yield with high amounts of weed biomass and seed production, especially in ZT. A pre-emergence glyphosate application was not necessary for early-planted ZT forage barley. Early planting of herbicide-free barley for forage can be an excellent addition to northern Great Plains cropping systems as part of a multitactic approach for improved weed and water management.

Four field studies were conducted over a 3-yr period (2011 to 2013) to determine the tolerance of four soybean cultivars to pyroxasulfone (89 and 178 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin (71 and 142 g ai ha−1), and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin (160 and 320 g ai ha−1) applied either preplant incorporated (PPI), PRE, or at the soybean cotyledon stage (COT). When pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin was applied at 160 and 320 g ai ha−1, at the cotyledon stage soybean yield was decreased by 9 and 14%, respectively. The only other treatment that decreased soybean yield was pyroxasulfone (178 g ai ha−1) applied PPI; yield was decreased by 6% despite minimal injury and dry biomass reductions observed during the season. Soybean tolerance to pyroxasulfone or flumioxazin applied alone was generally similar and injury was less than with pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin. Similarly, herbicides applied PPI and PRE were less injurious to soybean than the COT timing. Results suggest that soybean is tolerant to PPI and PRE applications of pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin but COT applications should be avoided.

Biochar and vinasse are by-products of biofuel production that can be used as soil amendments. However, their addition to the soil might affect PRE herbicide activity. Although studies have shown that biochar has a high herbicide adsorption capacity, there is little information available about biochar effect on weed control especially under field conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of biochar and vinasse application on atrazine and pendimethalin availability and herbicide activity under in vitro and field conditions. In vitro atrazine and pendimethalin herbicidal activities were not influenced by vinasse addition, but biochar application reduced atrazine and pendimethalin injury for all evaluated species. A sorption experiment confirmed high affinity of biochar for atrazine and pendimethalin. Linear regression analysis showed that the slope for atrazine and pendimethalin adsorption was 16 and 4 times higher in soil with biochar than in soil alone. Under field conditions, biochar at 0.5 kg m−2 reduced atrazine and pendimethalin weed control 75% and 60%, respectively. These results suggested that the use of biochar as a soil amendment in cropping system could decrease PRE herbicide efficacy. Therefore, mitigating practices such as the use of higher rates or reliance on POST herbicides and cultivation might be necessary to ensure proper weed control.

Effects of 0.1 M ammonium sulfate, 0.1 M potassium phosphate, and 7 g/ha of the isopropylamine salt of imazapyr {(+)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid} were evaluated on the phytotoxicity of the ammonium salt of imazaquin {2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid} and the ammonium salt of imazethapyr {(+)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-ethyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid} applied postemergence to pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. #3 IPOLA). While each of these salts and imazapyr applied alone had no effect, combining them with imazaquin or imazethapyr significantly increased control of pitted morningglory.

The impact of the management variables soybean cultivar, row spacing, population density, and shading was evaluated on the incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) on glyphosate-resistant soybeans in an irrigated glyphosate-resistant soybean management system. Soybean canopy development, flower number, soil moisture, disease severity, and soybean yield were evaluated on three glyphosate-resistant cultivars, Pioneer ‘92B71’ (upright), Asgrow ‘AG2701’ (bushy), and Asgrow ‘AG2702’ (bushy). Three different row spacing–target population combinations of 76 cm, 430,000 seeds/ha; 19 cm, 430,000 seeds/ha; and 19 cm, 560,000 seeds/ha were evaluated. Cultivars 92B71 and AG2701 had 42 and 15% lower disease severity indexes and 38 and 19% greater yields than AG2702, respectively. The actual average population of 92B71 was 9 and 20% lower than actual average populations of AG2701 and AG2702, respectively. Disease severity indexes were lower and yield was higher when population was reduced from 560,000 seeds/ha to 430,000 seeds/ha in 19-cm rows. When averaged over the entire study, population was positively correlated with disease severity index (r2 = 0.33; P < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with yield (r2 = −0.13; P = 0.0140). Reduction of soybean population was more important than increasing row spacing to manage SSR in an irrigated system. Average actual spacing between plants within a row was 18 and 4 cm for 19- and 76-cm rows, respectively, at a target population of 430,000 seeds/ha, which may have contributed to greater plant-to-plant transfer of the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pathogen in the 76-cm rows.

Experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 in Fayetteville, AR, to determine the influence of late-season herbicide applications on control, seed reduction, seed viability, and seedling fitness of two glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth biotypes, one from Mississippi County (MC) and the other from Lincoln County (LC) in Arkansas. Glyphosate (870 g ae ha−1), glufosinate (820 g ai ha−1), 2,4-D amine (1,060 g ae ha−1), dicamba (280 g ae ha−1), and pyrithiobac (70 g ai ha−1) were each applied at the first visible sign of inflorescence of GR Palmer amaranth plants. Glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba provided 52 to 74% control of MC GR Palmer amaranth plants 28 d after treatment (DAT). The LC biotype was larger (94 cm tall) than the MC biotype was (64 cm tall) at application and was more difficult to control. Although control of GR Palmer amaranth was inadequate, late-season applications of glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba reduced seed production of the LC biotype by 75 to 87% and production of the MC biotype by 94 to 95% compared with nontreated plants. Irrespective of biotypes, glufosinate, 2,4-D, and glyphosate reduced 100-seed weight by 22% compared with the nontreated control, and viability of seeds produced by treated plants was only 45 to 61% compared with 97% seed viability in nontreated plants. Glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, or dicamba reduced cumulative seedling emergence by an average of 84% compared with the nontreated check. Seedling biomass was four times greater for the LC than for the MC biotype, suggesting greater vigor and fitness for the LC progeny. This research demonstrates that a single, late-season (early inflorescence stage) application of glufosinate, 2,4-D, or dicamba could potentially reduce seedbank replenishment of GR Palmer amaranth. Additionally, reduction in seed weight, viability, and seedling recruitment would impair the success of GR Palmer amaranth progeny in the following season.

Virginia buttonweed and smooth crabgrass are problematic weeds in tall fescue and may warrant control with herbicides at similar timings. The objectives of these field experiments were to evaluate (1) aminocyclopyrachlor rate and application regimens for controlling Virginia buttonweed and (2) the influence of growth stage on aminocyclopyrachlor efficacy for controlling smooth crabgrass. Single applications of aminocyclopyrachlor at 0.05 and 0.08 kg ai ha−1 provided poor (< 70%) and fair (70 to 79%) control of Virginia buttonweed, respectively, but sequential applications improved control to 83 to 99%. Single and sequential applications of aminocyclopyrachlor at 0.11 kg ai ha−1 provided good (80 to 89%) and excellent (> 90%) control of Virginia buttonweed, respectively. Aminocyclopyrachlor at 0.11 kg ha−1 provided fair control of smooth crabgrass at the multileaf growth stage prior to tillering but control was poor when applied at the multitiller stage. Aminocyclopyrachlor at 0.05 and 0.08 kg ha−1 provided poor control of crabgrass at both timings and were less effective than fenoxaprop at 0.10 kg ai ha−1.

A field study was conducted for the 2014 and 2015 growing season in Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee to determine the effect of cereal rye and either oats, radish, or annual ryegrass on the control of Amaranthus spp. when integrated with comprehensive herbicide programs in glyphosate-resistant and glufosinate-resistant soybean. Amaranthus species included redroot pigweed, waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth. The two herbicide programs included were: a PRE residual herbicide followed by POST application of foliar and residual herbicide (PRE/POST); or PRE residual herbicide followed by POST application of foliar and residual herbicide, followed by another POST application of residual herbicide (PRE/POST/POST). Control was not affected by type of soybean resistance trait. At the end of the season, herbicides controlled 100 and 96% of the redroot pigweed and Palmer amaranth, respectively, versus 49 and 29% in the absence of herbicides, averaged over sites and other factors. The PRE/POST and PRE/POST/POST herbicide treatments controlled 83 and 90% of waterhemp at the end of the season, respectively, versus 14% without herbicide. Cover crop treatments affected control of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth and soybean yield, only in the absence of herbicides. The rye cover crop consistently reduced Amaranthus spp. density in the absence of herbicides compared to no cover treatment.

Turf managers traditionally avoid seeding cool-season turfgrass in spring due to summer annual weed interference and poor growing conditions for cool-season grasses. Siduron is the most accepted herbicide for weed control in spring-seeded tall fescue, but it has low residual activity and does not control many weeds other than crabgrass. Isoxaflutole, mesotrione, and quinclorac were evaluated as alternatives to siduron. Single applications of these herbicides controlled crabgrass equivalent to or better than siduron. Sequential applications of isoxaflutole, mesotrione, or quinclorac effectively controlled smooth crabgrass without injuring tall fescue. Isoxaflutole and mesotrione controlled broadleaf plantain, henbit, and yellow woodsorrel; quinclorac marginally controlled henbit; and siduron did not control broadleaf weeds. Turfgrass cover 9 wk after seeding was dependent on environment and equivalent between treatments except at a location with predominately broadleaf weeds where siduron treatments resulted in less cover due to weed infestation. Sequential applications of isoxaflutole, mesotrione, and quinclorac provide an effective, safe option for chemical weed control during establishment of cool-season turfgrass.

Miscanthus is a perennial rhizomatous C4 grass being evaluated in the United States as a potential bioenergy feedstock. Weed control during the first two growing seasons is essential for successful establishment. No herbicides are currently labeled for use in Miscanthus grown for biomass, but herbicides used on field corn might be safe to Miscanthus. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the response of Miscanthus to numerous preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides. Herbicides with activity only on broadleaf species, whether PRE or POST, did not exhibit injury or reduce Miscanthus biomass. Several herbicides, particularly those with significant activity on grass species, exhibited injury ranging from 6 to 71% (scale of 0 to 100) and/or reduced Miscanthus dry mass by 33 to 78%, especially at the highest rates applied. Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 with a selection of the herbicides used in the greenhouse experiments to evaluate the response of Miscanthus to herbicides applied PRE, POST and PRE followed by POST. Results from the field experiments generally confirmed those from the greenhouse experiments. PRE herbicides and herbicides with broadleaf-specific activity generally did not produce significant injury or reduce aboveground biomass while herbicides with grass activity tended to cause injury ranging from 22 to 25% and/or reduce biomass by 69 to 78%. With some exceptions, results support prior suppositions that herbicides used in corn are safe to use on Miscanthus and may provide potential herbicide options that growers can use when establishing Miscanthus.

In growth chamber research, infection by Puccinia punctiformis, a rust fungus, reduced flowering and vegetative reproduction in Canada thistle. Disease symptoms were greatest when Canada thistle roots were stored at 5, 10, or 15 C following inoculation. Exposure of roots to different temperatures before inoculation did not affect disease. All Canada thistle clones tested, regardless of gender became diseased although there were differences in susceptibility to P. punctiformis.