Annual bluegrass is a troublesome weed of Kentucky bluegrass because of a lack of selective POST herbicides for control. Field experiments were conducted in New Jersey to investigate the potential of bispyribac-sodium, primisulfuron, and sulfosulfuron for selective annual bluegrass control in Kentucky bluegrass. Primisulfuron provided the best combination of Kentucky bluegrass safety and annual bluegrass control with greater efficacy in summer than fall. Bispyribac-sodium also provided substantial annual bluegrass control, especially in the summer, but caused unacceptable (> 20%) Kentucky bluegrass injury, whereas annual bluegrass control with sulfosulfuron was inconsistent. Growth chamber experiments confirmed that greater primisulfuron efficacy in summer than fall may be attributed to higher temperatures. Overall, primisulfuron has promising implications for future use in Kentucky bluegrass for annual bluegrass control whereas bispyribac-sodium will likely be more applicable in other cool-season turfgrasses.

Commercial formulations of 33 herbicides, 12 fungicides, and 16 adjuvants were evaluated for their toxic effects on germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. malvae (C.g.m.) spores. At the recommended rates, none of the herbicides for grass weed control (diclofop, difenzoquat, fenoxaprop-ethyl, flamprop-methyl, and sethoxydim) or formulated herbicides registered for both broadleaf and grass weed control [diclofop plus bromoxynil (23:8), propanil, and propanil plus MCPA (7:2)] were compatible with C.g.m. spores. C.g.m. spore germination and appressorial formation recorded 24 h after exposure were totally inhibited by these herbicides. At recommended rates, herbicides for broadleaf weed control (2,4-D ester, 2,4-D amine, benazolin, bentazon, clopyralid, cyanazine, cyanazine plus MCPA (1:2), dicamba, dicamba plus MCPA (1:4), dicamba plus mecoprop plus MCPA (1:1:4.4), dicamba plus 2,4-D plus mecoprop (4.2:11:3), MCPA amine, MCPA-K, MCPA-Na, and metribuzin), caused no more than a 20% reduction in C.g.m. spore germination, and appressorial formation was not significantly reduced except by benazolin and metribuzin. Cyanazine and dicamba at recommended rates increased appressorial formation without reducing germination compared to the control. At lower concentrations, the other herbicides recommended for broadleaf weed control (2,4-DB, bromoxynil, bromoxynil plus MCPA (1:1), dichlorprop plus 2,4-D (1:1), imazethapyr, linuron, and picloram) were less toxic to C.g.m. spores. The fungicide triadimefon at recommended rate had no effect on C.g.m. spores. Dicloran reduced germination more than 50% at recommended rate and growth was distorted. At recommended rates, spore germination was inhibited by more than 90% with benomyl, carbathiin, chlorothalonil, iprodione, mancozeb, and thiophanate-methyl although germination increased as concentration declined. Spore germination was totally inhibited at all concentrations with ferbam, thiram, and captan. Exposure to the adjuvants—Agral 90, Alkasurf-0P-10, Atplus-555, Citowett Plus, Enhance, Renex 36, Triton XR, and X-77–inhibited C.g.m. spore germination and reduced spore production compared to the control. Spore germination was significantly higher in suspensions containing ammonium sulfate, Assist, Bio-veg, CD-407, and Tween 20, as well as with starch, sucrose, and water (control) than with the other adjuvants. Spore production was higher in suspensions containing starch and Bio-veg than in those with water and the other adjuvants.

Research conducted since 1979 in the north central United States and southern Canada demonstrated that after repeated annual applications of the same thiocarbamate herbicide to the same field, control of some difficult-to-control weed species was reduced. Laboratory studies of herbicide degradation in soils from these fields indicated that these performance failures were due to more rapid or “enhanced” biodegradation of the thiocarbamate herbicides after repeated use with a shorter period during which effective herbicide levels remained in the soils. Weeds such as wild proso millet [Panicum miliaceum L. spp. ruderale (Kitagawa) Tzevelev. #3 PANMI] and shattercane [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. # SORVU] which germinate over long time periods were most likely to escape these herbicides after repeated use. Adding dietholate (O,O-diethyl O-phenyl phosphorothioate) to EPTC (S-ethyl dipropyl carbamothioate) reduced problems caused by enhanced EPTC biodegradation in soils treated previously with EPTC alone but not in soils previously treated with EPTC plus dietholate. While previous use of other thiocarbamate herbicides frequently enhanced biodegradation of EPTC or butylate [S-ethyl bis(2-methylpropyl)carbamothioate], previous use of other classes of herbicides or the insecticide carbofuran (2,3 -dihydro-2,2 -dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) did not. Enhanced biodegradation of herbicides other than the thiocarbamates was not observed.

The influence of carrier volume was evaluated in field experiments for glyphosate applied to wheat at rates representing 12.5 and 6.3% of the usage rate of 1,120 g ai/ha (140 and 70 g/ha, respectively). Wheat at first node and at heading was exposed to glyphosate applied in a constant carrier volume of 234 L/ha, where herbicide concentration declined with reduction in dosage, and in proportional carrier volumes of 30 L/ha for the 12.5% rate and 15 L/ha for the 6.3% rate, where herbicide concentration remained constant. At 28 d after treatment, glyphosate applied at first node in proportional carrier volume (an average for 30 and 15 L/ha adjusted proportionally to glyphosate rate) reduced wheat height 42% compared with 15% when glyphosate was applied in 234 L/ha. Height reduction was no more than 15% when glyphosate was applied at heading in 234 L/ha or in the proportional carrier volumes and at first node in 234 L/ha. Wheat yield was reduced 42% when glyphosate at 140 g/ha was applied in 234 L/ha but was reduced 54% for the same rate applied in proportional carrier volume. For 70 g/ha glyphosate, wheat yield was reduced 11% when applied in 234 L/ha, but was reduced 42% when the same rate was applied in proportional carrier volume. Wheat yield reduction was equivalent when glyphosate was applied in 234 L/ha at first node and at heading (29 and 24%, respectively), but yield reductions of 60% for first node application and 36% for heading application were observed when glyphosate was applied in a proportional carrier volume. When averaged across carrier volumes and glyphosate rates, the greater yield loss from application at first node was attributed to decreased number of spikelets per spike and seed weight per spike.

Primary tillage is an inexpensive method to control foxtail barley, a perennial bunchgrass which is an increasing concern to no-till cereal farmers in the Northern Great Plains. Moldboard plowing or chisel plowing in fall followed by field cultivation-harrowing in spring effectively controlled established foxtail barley on previously untilled sites before planting spring wheat. In contrast, chisel plowing in spring followed by field cultivation-harrowing did not control this weed completely.

Palmer amaranth–a fast-growing, challenging-to-control noxious weed that significantly reduces crop yields—was first found in Minnesota in September 2016 in conservation plantings sown with Palmer amaranth contaminated seed mixes. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) designated Palmer amaranth as a Prohibited Noxious Weed in 2015 and listed it as a Noxious Weed Seed in 2016 by emergency order. A genetic test to identify Palmer amaranth was simultaneously developed by multiple laboratories, providing a tool to limit its spread as a contaminant in seed. Seed companies adopted genetic testing methods for labeling seed for sale, thus reducing introductions via the seed pathway. Additionally, MDA determined that manure spread on crop fields from contaminated screenings fed to livestock resulted in new infestations. Limiting spread via these and other potential pathways was critical to successfully reducing the impact of Palmer amaranth. MDA, University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa (CCMI), farmers, and other partners are working to eradicate these infestations before they can spread. In 2016, 35 sites were sown with Palmer amaranth–contaminated seed mixes. Palmer amaranth was found at eight (23%) of these sites. Management with intensive scouting, torching, prescribed burning, and herbicide application was implemented in 2016 and 2017. By 2018, no Palmer amaranth was found at any of these sites. Similar success to newer infestations in 2018, 2019, and 2020 was achieved using the same methods. MDA recorded management activities and documented a comprehensive timeline of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota. This timeline provides a story of success and challenges in combating and eradicating Palmer amaranth.

Resistance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors was first observed in waterhemp in 2001 and was conferred by the deletion of a glycine residue at the 210th position (ΔGly-210) of the PPO enzyme. PPO-inhibitor resistance in Palmer amaranth was first observed in 2011, 10 years later. The objectives of this study were to directly compare PPO inhibitor responses in plants of both species with or without the ΔGly-210 mutation. Using greenhouse experiments, early (EPOST) and late (LPOST) postemergence dose responses using lactofen and fomesafen, and preemergence (PRE) dose responses using fomesafen and flumioxazin, were obtained for a sensitive and resistant population each of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. An additional spray study confirmed each sensitive population used in the dose responses was representative of its respective species, with regards to PPO-inhibitor sensitivity. When treated at either POST timing, Palmer amaranth was more tolerant than waterhemp, and the ΔGly-210 mutation provided greater resistance in Palmer amaranth (48-fold to >3,440-fold, depending on timing and herbicide) than in waterhemp (31-fold to 123-fold). The level of tolerance in Palmer amaranth was striking; the sensitive Palmer amaranth population treated LPOST survived as well or better than the resistant waterhemp population treated EPOST. With PRE applications, response differences both between species and between resistant and sensitive populations generally were less pronounced, relative to POST applications. Collectively, this research indicates Palmer amaranth tolerance to POST-applied PPO inhibitors could have initially slowed (relative to waterhemp) evolution of resistance to these herbicides, and resistant and sensitive populations of both species are more likely to be effectively controlled with PRE rather than POST applications.

Field studies were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff farm near Lonoke to evaluate and compare the effects of low rates of glufosinate and glyphosate on rice. Two rice cultivars were seeded, and glyphosate and glufosinate were applied at 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 of the labeled use rate of 870 g ae ha−1 and 616 g ai ha−1, respectively, at the three- to four-leaf, panicle initiation (PI), and boot stages. Rice canopy height reductions, reduction in flag leaf length, prolonged maturity, and yield losses were caused by both herbicides at all evaluated application timings. Although both herbicides caused significant injury, symptoms varied greatly between the two herbicides. Glufosinate injury to rice was more rapid and visually intense than with glyphosate. Glufosinate symptoms, which consisted of rapid necrosis, were visible in 1 to 2 d, whereas glyphosate symptoms, stunting and chlorosis, became visible after 7 to 10 d or not at all depending on time of application. Glyphosate applied at the 1/2× rate to rice in the boot growth stage caused less than 10% injury at 3 wk after treatment but resulted in 80% yield loss. Glufosinate at boot caused 80% injury and 80% yield loss. Glyphosate symptoms from PI and boot timings were typically only visible at heading and included malformed panicles and shortened flag leaves. Harvested grain seed weights were reduced as much as 14% by either herbicide applied at PI and boot. Germination of harvested grain was not affected by any treatment. At the rates evaluated in this research, glufosinate-induced injury to rice can be just as detrimental as glyphosate in reducing yield.

Field studies were conducted in 1982 to 1984 to determine the effects of common lambsquarters on growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of transplanted tomato. Common lambsquarters densities ranged from 16 to 64 plants/m tomato row and fresh weight ranged from 26 360 kg/ha at 16 plants/m to 46 000 kg/ha at 64 plants/m row. Common lambsquarters did not affect tomato shoot dry weight at the vegetative stage but decreased the weight at the early fruit stage. Season-long interference of common lambsquarters reduced marketable tomato fruit number and also, marketable fruit weight ranging from 17% at 16 plants/m to 36% to 64 plants/m row. Concentrations of N in tomato leaves were unaltered at vegetative and flowering stages but decreased regardless of common lambsquarters density at early fruit and harvest stages. Weed density did not alter concentrations of P, K, and Ca in tomato leaves.

Field experiments were conducted in 1994 and 1995 to evaluate weed control in imidazolinone-resistant corn with postemergence applications of imidazolinone and sulfonylurea herbicides. Imazethapyr controlled 100% of redroot pigweed, jimsonweed, and eastern black nightshade. Control of fall panicum with imazethapyr was inconsistent, with control ranging from 42 to 85%. Imazethapyr provided less than 55% control of common lambsquarters and 43% of large crabgrass. Imazethapyr plus either atrazine, 2,4-D, or dicamba increased control of common lambsquarters compared to imazethapyr alone. Fall panicum control was > 95% with nicosufluron. CGA-152005 and MON 12000 did not control eastern black nightshade. In 1995, corn yield was greater with the hand-weeded check compared to all herbicide treatments. The greatest return over herbicide cost with imazethapyr was obtained with imazethapyr plus atrazine. Nicosulfuron plus CGA-152005 provided the greatest return over herbicide cost when averaged across years.

In 1988, mowing C. thoermeri once at the bud stage, twice at the bud stage, or once at early bloom of the primary inflorescences, eliminated emergence of Rhinocyllus conicus, a weevil introduced as a biological control agent. Mowing at full bloom reduced weevil survival by 78.8%, whereas mowing at senescence had no effect. In 1989, mowing at full bloom or senescence did not affect weevil survival. Dicamba applied at the full bloom or senescence stage did not affect R. conicus survival, whereas hexazinone reduced R. conicus survival when applied at all growth stages.

The relationship between surface activity and weed control efficacy of diuron spray solution (0.075 kg ai/ha) with 12 adjuvants (0.1% v/v) was studied in the laboratory and the greenhouse. Organosilicone adjuvants reduced surface tension (ST) and contact angle (CA) of diuron spray solutions to a greater extent than did nonsilicone adjuvants. Three organosilicone adjuvants significantly increased the control and reduced the fresh weight of barnyardgrass. Contact angle was more closely correlated with diuron efficacy than ST, and the coefficient of determination between the CA and the fresh weight or control percent of barnyardgrass was 0.41. Kinetic® applied before or in combination with diuron significantly enhanced diuron efficacy. However, Kinetic sprayed after diuron did not affect the efficacy. Kinetic influenced the retention and absorption of diuron rather than its deposition and translocation.

Foliar activity of the butyl ester of fluazifop on large crabgrass was determined by varying the concentration of a petroleum-based oil concentrate and the carrier volume. Increasing the concentration of petroleum oil or reducing the carrier volume improved large crabgrass control. Under greenhouse conditions, both visible injury and plant dry weight reflected greater control with adjuvant concentrations increasing from 0.62 to 5.0% v/v. Similarly, reducing carrier volumes from 374 to 47 L/ha increased grass control. No significant interaction between carrier volume and adjuvant concentration suggests the effects of these two variables are independent of one another. For both variables, effects were greater with sublethal rates of fluazifop.

This study was designed to evaluate changes in plant biomass, species richness, and diversity after application of glyphosate herbicide in several successional stages of sub-boreal spruce forest near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Vegetation was sampled in replicate control (reference) and treatment blocks of “herb,” “shrub,” and “shrub-tree” stages of cutover forest habitats. Volume of herb layers declined temporarily in the first post-treatment year. Shrub layers were reduced in herb and shrub stages, and shrubs and trees were reduced temporarily in the shrub-tree stage. Species richness of herbs and shrubs was similar in control and treatment blocks in the herb successional stage, but shrub richness declined on the treatment in the shrub stage. There were no consistent differences in numbers of herb, shrub, or tree species between control and treatment blocks in the shrub-tree stage. Species diversity (Simpson's index and Shannon-Wiener function) of herbaceous plants was not affected by herbicide application in any of the successional stages, but diversity of shrubs was lower in treatment than control blocks in the herb and shrub stages. Diversity of trees was reduced on treatment blocks in the shrub-tree stage. Species abundance curves of overall plant communities showed little change in the herb stage, a decline in the first post-treatment year in the shrub and shrub-tree stages, with similar patterns between control and treatment blocks in subsequent post-treatment years. The general lack of community-wide reductions in plant biomass and diversity, and the short-term duration of specific changes, suggest that conifer release treatments of plantations have no substantial, incremental effects on wildlife habitat.

Twenty determinate soybean cultivars were grown in hydroponic solutions to determine differential tolerance to chlorimuron and imazaquin at pH 6, 7, or 8. ‘Epps' exhibited tolerance to chlorimuron at each pH, and to imazaquin except at pH 8. ‘9641 Pioneer’ was highly sensitive to both herbicides at each pH, and ‘Asgrow 5979’ was sensitive to chlorimuron, and to imazaquin except at pH 7. ‘Hutcheson’ was sensitive to chlorimuron at each pH, and imazaquin at pH 6. ‘Asgrow 6785’ was sensitive to chlorimuron at pH 6 and 8, with shoot weight reductions of 31 and 28%, respectively, and ‘Coker 686’ was similarly sensitive at pH 6 and 7. ‘Hartz 6200’ was tolerant to imazaquin at pH 6 and 7, ‘Hartz 6686’ was tolerant at pH 6 and 8, and Coker 686 was tolerant at pH 7 and 8. Coker 686 and 'Sharkey’ were tolerant to chlorimuron at some pH levels, though highly sensitive at other pH levels. ‘Asgrow 5403’ and Coker 686 also had varying tolerance and sensitivity to imazaquin across pH levels. Shoot length and shoot weight were the best indicators of differential cultivar sensitivity when compared with previous field studies.

Effect of weed interference duration and weed-free period on glufosinate-resistant rice was evaluated in 1998 and 1999. Weed interference for more than 2 wk reduced plant height 12 wk after emergence compared with the season-long weed-free treatment. Grain yield loss of 1,090 to 4,880 kg/ha was observed when weeds were allowed to interfere with rice from 2 wk to season-long. The weed-free period study indicated that early control of weeds could sustain rice growth and yield potential. This research suggests that effective weed control from 1 to 6 wk after rice emergence is important in fields with high weed densities for maximizing yield potential of glufosinate-resistant rice.

Field studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to evaluate weed control and cotton response from PRE herbicides followed by (fb) trifloxysulfuron POST. In the first study, trifloxysulfuron at 3.8, 7.5, or 15 gai/ha was applied POST with or without pendimethalin at 690 gai/ha applied PRE in a factorial treatment arrangement. Visible crop injury occurred after all trifloxysulfuron applications, but injury was not affected by application of pendimethalin PRE. Cotton injury was 19 to 22% 7 d after POST treatment (DAT) from trifloxysulfuron at 3.8 to 15 g/ha but was 5 to 12% 28 DAT. Trifloxysulfuron controlled smooth pigweed, common ragweed, and common cocklebur, but spurred anoda, large crabgrass, goosegrass, and stinkgrass were not controlled by trifloxysulfuron. Morningglory species (tall morningglory, ivyleaf morningglory, and pitted morningglory) control with trifloxysulfuron at 7.5 and 15 g/ha was at least 79%, whereas velvetleaf was controlled 66% over all years. In a second study, clomazone, pendimethalin, pendimethalin plus fluometuron, pyrithiobac, or flumioxazin were applied PRE fb 7.5 g/ha trifloxysulfuron POST. Cotton injury from PRE herbicides fb trifloxysulfuron was 13 to 39% 7 DAT. Spurred anoda control exceeded 54% only with treatments that included flumioxazin or pyrithiobac PRE. Common lambsquarters, common cocklebur, and morningglory species were controlled at least 75% with all treatments that included trifloxysulfuron POST, whereas pendimethalin and clomazone usually controlled annual grasses. In both studies, the application of pendimethalin PRE controlled annual grass species and improved control of smooth pigweed and common lambsquarters over that controlled by trifloxysulfuron POST without a PRE herbicide.

Field studies on a sandy loam soil determined the influence of application method and rate and subsequent tillage on corn response to imazaquin and imazethapyr residues remaining in the soil. Imazaquin was applied preplant incorporated (PPI) and preemergence (PRE) at 70, 140, and 280 g ai/ha and postemergence (POST) at 70 and 140 g/ha. Imazethapyr was applied PPI and PRE at 70, 105, and 140 g ai/ha and POST at 70 and 105 g/ha. Subsequent tillage included fall moldboard plowing followed by spring field cultivation, fall chisel plowing followed by spring field cultivation, and no tillage. Herbicide dissipation was determined by analyzing soil cores taken in the spring at the time of corn planting and by measuring corn height and grain yield. Imidazolinone residues were detected in only 1 of 2 yr. Imazaquin was detected more frequently than imazethapyr. Imazaquin concentrations in the upper 10 cm of soil 11 mo after a PPI application of 280 g/ha were 5, 6, and 7 ng/g of soil in moldboard plow, chisel, and no-tillage systems, respectively. Imazaquin (5 ng/g) was also detected in the 10–18-cm soil depth in the moldboard plow system. Corn height and grain yield were not reduced from imazaquin or imazethapyr, regardless of application method or rate in any tillage system.

Post-application seasonal (May-July) average concentrations of atrazine, cyanazine, and, to a lesser extent, alachlor sometimes exceed their Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) (3 ug/L for atrazine and 2 ug/L for alachlor) or Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) (1 ug/L for cyanazine) in surface waters of the Mississippi and Great Lakes Basins. These three chemicals are among the primary pre-emergent herbicides applied to corn. MCLs and MCLGs are compared to annual average concentrations for regulatory purposes. However, annual average concentrations are much less frequently reported than post-application seasonal averages. In most cases, both seasonal and annual average concentrations are substantially less than the MCLs or MCLG. However, actual and estimated annual mean concentrations occasionally exceed the MCLs or MCLG. Actual or estimated exceedences occur more frequently for atrazine and cyanazine than for alachlor, and may occur more frequently in lakes or reservoirs with long retention times than in streams and rivers. Additional year round data, and data for lakes and reservoirs, are needed to determine the extent to which such exceedences occur throughout the corn belt. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) believes that substantial numbers of Community Water Systems (CWSs) within the corn belt are currently, or will be, in violation of the revised Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) with respect to atrazine and cyanazine. They are concerned that such violations could result in numerous CWSs having to implement expensive tertiary treatment systems such as granular activated carbon to decrease herbicide concentrations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, (US EPA) is continuing to review data on the pesticide concentrations in reservoirs and lakes that registrants have been submitting over the last 18 mo under the 6(a)(2) adverse impact provision of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The US EPA is also currently using computer modeling and other methods to evaluate potential alternative and/or supplemental herbicides to reduce atrazine use. In June 1992, the US EPA approved revised labeling that is designed to reduce indirect atrazine loadings to surface waters. Additional mitigation methods have been proposed and are being considered.

Sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant prickly lettuce was discovered in Idaho in 1987. The objectives of these surveys were to determine the change with time in the proportion of sulfonylurea resistant and susceptible prickly lettuce biotypes on the farm where it originally occurred, and to determine the spread of sulfonylurea resistant prickly lettuce beyond its point of origin. On average, the proportion of resistant plants had decreased from 1988 to 1990, a period when sulfonylurea herbicide use was discontinued on the farm. Resistant prickly lettuce plants were found at seven sites away from the original infested farm. Several sites were near the farm along roadsides that had been sprayed with sulfometuron. This study shows that the proportion of resistant prickly lettuce decreased where previously found, but its range increased.