Crop Protection Online (CPO) is a decision support system, which integrates decision algorithms quantifying the requirement for weed control and a herbicide dose model. CPO was designed to be used by advisors and farmers to optimize the choice of herbicide and dose. The recommendations from CPO for herbicide application in spring barley in Denmark were validated through field experiments targeting three levels of weed control requirement. Satisfactory weed control levels at harvest were achieved by a medium control level requirement generating substantial herbicide reductions (∼ 60% measured as the Treatment Frequency Index (TFI)) compared to a high level of required weed control. The observations indicated that the current level of weed control required is robust for a range of weed scenarios. Weed plant numbers 3 wk after spraying indicated that the growth of the weed species were inhibited by the applied doses, but not necessarily killed, and that an adequate level of control was reached later in the season through crop competition.

The chlorophyll-lacking holoparasite Egyptian broomrape is a major threat for many field crops in Israel. In carrot, a high-value crop that is grown year round in Israel, heavy infestation with broomrape can cause severe damage and even total yield loss. The objective of this study was to determine, under field conditions, selective herbicides that would effectively control Egyptian broomrape without damaging the carrots. Ten field experiments were performed between the years 2010 and 2013. The acetolactate synthase inhibitor herbicides imazapic and imazamox caused deformation of carrot taproots at low doses, and significantly reduced yield amount and quality. Glyphosate was found to be the safest herbicide for broomrape management in carrot. Carrot selectivity and broomrape control efficacy were examined with three sequential applications of nine glyphosate doses. A nonlinear log-logistic curve described the response of noninfested carrot taproot biomass to glyphosate. No significant reduction in taproot biomass was observed when glyphosate was applied at up to 149 g ae ha−1. When glyphosate was applied in an Egyptian broomrape-infested carrot field, a hormetic effect was observed, perhaps due to Egyptian broomrape control. A two-parameter exponential decay curve described the broomrape response to glyphosate. Three sequential foliar applications of glyphosate, at 108 g ha−1, completely controlled Egyptian broomrape. Our results demonstrate that glyphosate applied sequentially at a low dose on Egyptian broomrape-infested carrot can control this parasitic weed.

A survey of soybean fields containing waterhemp infestations was conducted just prior to harvest in 2008 and 2009 to determine the frequency and distribution of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in Missouri, and to determine if there are any in-field parameters that may serve as indicators of glyphosate resistance in this species in future crop production systems. Glyphosate resistance was confirmed in 99 out of 144, or 69%, of the total waterhemp populations sampled, which occurred in 41 counties of Missouri. Populations of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp were more likely to occur in fields with no other weed species present at the end of the season, continuous cropping of soybean, exclusive use of glyphosate for several consecutive seasons, and waterhemp plants showing obvious signs of surviving herbicide treatment compared to fields characterized with glyphosate-susceptible waterhemp. Therefore, it is suggested that these four site parameters, and certain combinations of these parameters, serve as predictors of glyphosate resistance in future waterhemp populations.

Six trials were conducted during 2014/15 and 2015/16 growing seasons in Brazil to determine the effect of 2,4-D formulations and spray nozzles on 2,4-D spray drift under conventional field conditions. An experimental 2,4-D choline formulation with Colex-D® Technology (GF-3073) and a 2,4-D dimethylamine (DMA) formulation were applied with either XR and AIXR flat-fan spray nozzles. Each plot was 30 m wide by 24 m long (720 m2) with 60 glyphosate-resistant soybean rows spaced 50 cm apart and also 35 potted tomato plants distributed on a grid across the plot 5-m apart. Applications were performed one meter away from the plot edge perpendicular to the soybean rows when wind direction was parallel to the rows with less than 30 degrees of angle deviation. Spray drift treatments were applied in 100 L ha−1 with tractor sprayers at 276 kPa equipped with a 7-m wide boom at 50 cm above the canopy of the soybean plant, operating at 6.8 km h−1. The distance from the plot edge to the farthest plant with 2,4-D symptoms was assessed for every four soybean rows at 10 and 20 days after treatment (DAT) and potted tomatoes at 10 DAT. GF-3073 reduced the distance of the farthest injured plant with 2,4-D symptoms compared to the 2,4-D DMA formulation regardless of the spray nozzle, assessment date and sensitive species. GF-3073 applied through the AIXR nozzle reduced the relative drift affected area to the standard by 68% at 10 DAT and 67% at 20 DAT for soybean and 60% at 10 DAT for potted tomatoes.

Nicosulfuron is used with surfactant or oil adjuvant to enhance postemergence efficacy. Yellow foxtail fresh weight reduction from nicosulfuron varied from 10 to 92% depending upon surfactant in greenhouse experiments. Oil adjuvants differed in enhancement of nicosulfuron phytotoxicity to yellow foxtail or large crabgrass with methylated canola oil being most effective, followed by vegetable oils, and petroleum mineral oil as least effective. Percentage and type of surfactant used as an emulsifier in an oil adjuvant was important to nicosulfuron phytotoxicity especially when applied with the less effective oils, but was of minimal importance when applied with methylated canola oil. Adjuvant effectiveness was directly related to nicosulfuron absorption. These data indicated that recommendations for adjuvants to maximize nicosulfuron phytotoxicity should be limited to specific products.

Six commercial petroleum oil (PO) adjuvants differed in their enhancement of imazethapyr phytotoxicity to green foxtail and kochia but not to redroot pigweed, when imazethapyr was applied postemergence at 17 g ha–1. Imazethapyr at 5 g ha–1 plus 27 combinations of three oils and nine emulsifiers reduced kochia growth by 61 to 88%. Optimum emulsifier concentration in a PO adjuvant ranged from 15 to 20% (v/v). All PO adjuvants tested produced fair to excellent oil-inwater emulsions with imazethapyr; however, emulsion stability did not correlate with weed control.

Dallisgrass response to various MSMA and foramsulfuron herbicide combinations was evaluated from 2004 through 2006 in North Carolina. Dallisgrass control declined with herbicide rates; therefore, only the highest rates (foramsulfuron, 0.15 kg ai/ha; MSMA, 2.5 kg ai/ha) are discussed. Foramsulfuron followed by (fb) foramsulfuron 1 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) provided 60% control of dallisgrass 1 mo after initial treatment (MAIT), but control declined to 40% 3 MAIT. MSMA (2.5 kg ai/ha) applied three times provided 89% dallisgrass control 1 MAIT, but control declined to 71% 3 MAIT. Among 22 MSMA and foramsulfuron sequential application programs, MSMA fb foramsulfuron 2 WAIT fb MSMA 3 WAIT provided the highest control (94%) of dallisgrass 1 MAIT, and control levels remained high (93%) 3 MAIT. This herbicide program provided 85% control 1 yr after initial treatment (YAIT), whereas no other treatment provided greater than 37% control 1 YAIT. Timing of foramsulfuron application following the initial MSMA application affected the control of dallisgrass. Waiting 2 WAIT, rather than 1 WAIT, before applying foramsulfuron increased control of dallisgrass by 20% 1 MAIT and 19% 3 MAIT. However, the increase in control 1 YAIT was only 5% regardless of herbicide rate. The addition of a second application of MSMA following the application of foramsulfuron 2 WAIT of MSMA further increased control by 10% 1 MAIT, 37% 3 MAIT, and 48% 1 YAIT. Results from this study suggest dallisgrass may be controlled with applications of MSMA fb foramsulfuron 2 WAIT fb MSMA 3 WAIT applied during early to midsummer. The use of MSMA was required to achieve dallisgrass control, however, the relatively high level of control achieved 1 YAIT with a program including sequential applications of MSMA and foramsulfuron may help reduce the total amount of arsenical herbicides used to control dallisgrass infestations over time.

Caucasian old world bluestem (OWB), seeded for conservation and forage production, has escaped into rangelands in the southern and central Great Plains. Glyphosate, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, and sulfometuron methyl herbicides were applied at the four- to five-leaf stage and again 8 wk later in 2003 and 2005 to control Caucasian OWB. Glyphosate at 1.14 kg ai/ha at each application was the only treatment that reduced frequency and tiller density of Caucasian OWB, and also controlled over 80% of growth, at 6 wk after the first treatment (WAT) both years. After the first autumn frost, plots treated with glyphosate and imazapyr at 0.28 kg ai/ha at each application had lower frequency and much greater suppression of Caucasian OWB growth than plots treated with other herbicides. Tiller densities and seedhead densities were also less in plots treated with glyphosate and imazapyr compared to other herbicides and the nontreated control. Biomass at the end of the season was near zero for plots treated with glyphosate and imazapyr in 2003, and 26 to 46% of the nontreated control biomass in 2005. Frequency of Caucasian OWB the year following treatment was less than 5% for both glyphosate and imazapyr. Broadcast application of glyphosate and imazapyr also controlled remnant native vegetation in plots, thus different application methods, such as ropewick application, may be useful to avoid native grass injury.

Mesotrione is under evaluation for registration in turfgrass for weed control, but often requires repeat treatments. Previous research in agricultural crops indicates tank mixtures with mesotrione improve weed control. Greenhouse trials were conducted in Blacksburg, VA, with 7 mo-old white clover, and field trials in Knoxville, TN, evaluated control of 5-yr old white clover in a stand of common bermudagrass. Data from both field and greenhouse trials indicate mesotrione applied in combination with bromoxynil, carfentrazone, or simazine control white clover better than any of these herbicides applied alone. Combinations of bromoxynil, carfentrazone, and simazine with mesotrione also decreased relative chlorophyll index and white clover fresh weights in agreement with visually estimated control.

Field studies were conducted to determine the effect of soil pH ranging from 5.1 to 7.1 on imazaquin persistence on a Grundy silty clay loam (2.8% OM). Imazaquin residues were equivalent at pH 5.5 or higher but persisted longer at pH 5.1. Corn shoot growth was not different at any soil pH. Corn grain yields in 1993 were lower in imazaquin-treated plots than in the check plots at the lowest pH (5.1), where initial imazaquin soil concentrations were between 10 and 13 μg/kg across all pH levels. Corn grain yields were not affected by herbicide carryover in 1994 where soil imazaquin residues were well below critical levels at planting. Yields were lower where soil pH was less than 5.5.

Interference between jimsonweed and soybean was investigated. Jimsonweed growing within the soybean row had little influence on vegetative characteristics of soybean during the first 12 wk of the growing season. The influence of an individual jimsonweed plant was first detected 10 wk after planting and extended 20 cm within the row. At harvest, interference extended 50 cm from individual jimsonweed plants, and yield within the 1.2 m of row surrounding a single jimsonweed plant was reduced 12%. Jimsonweed spaced 60 cm apart within the row reduced yield 18%. Soybean interference with jimsonweed growth increased steadily during the season, reducing the size of jimsonweed plants within the soybean row 80 to 93% compared with jimsonweed plants free of soybean interference. Jimsonweed grown within the soybean rows produced an average of 4900 seeds per plant whereas jimsonweed grown crop-free produced nearly 69 000 seeds per plant.

Crop response to carfentrazone–ethyl can be affected by environmental conditions. Field research was initiated to determine the effect of irrigation and light intensity prior to herbicide treatment on crop response to carfentrazone–ethyl. Wheat, corn, and soybean response was evaluated in 1996 and 1997, 2 yr that differed significantly in rainfall. It was difficult to distinguish differences in visible crop injury between irrigated and nonirrigated crops within the same year; however, injury was much higher in 1996 than in 1997. In 1996, the study area received timely rainfall prior to treatment of each crop, but in 1997, no precipitation was recorded during the treatment period. Overall, irrigated plants appear to be slightly more sensitive than nonirrigated plants. In contrast, crop injury was significantly higher in response to low light intensity prior to herbicide treatment. Soybean plants covered with 80% shade cloth for 5 d prior to carfentrazone–ethyl application were injured 24 to 41% more than nonshaded plants. Corn was relatively insensitive to either condition. Soybean plants were very sensitive to carfentrazone–ethyl and were highly influenced by both light intensity and irrigation. Wheat response to carfentrazone–ethyl was not influenced within 1 yr by irrigation, but injury in 1996 was four times higher than in 1997. Light intensity prior to treatment influenced wheat response to carfentrazone–ethyl, where shading before treatment increased visible injury in wheat, but by less than 10%. The risk of crop injury increases when carfentrazone–ethyl is applied to irrigated plants or to crops following several cloudy days.

… on finding a root of shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) open a seed-vessel. If the seed is yellow you will be rich, but if green you will be poor.

Yorkshire Folklore, W.M.E. Fowler, 1909 (Vickery 1995)

Three field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2012 in a soybean production field near West Memphis, AR, containing glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass. The goal of this research was to develop effective herbicide programs for glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass in glufosinate-resistant soybean. Control of the resistant johnsongrass was greater with glufosinate at 590 and 740 g ai ha−1 than at 450 g ha−1. Sequential glufosinate applications were more effective than a single application, irrespective of rate. A PRE application of flumioxazin at 71 g ai ha−1 immediately after planting provided no more than 26% johnsongrass control 6 wk after soybean emergence (WAE). The addition of clethodim at 136 g ai ha−1 to sequential applications of glufosinate at 450 g ha−1 improved control over sequentially applied glufosinate alone. Herbicide programs containing imazethapyr or imazamox in combination with glufosinate followed by clethodim plus glufosinate controlled johnsongrass at least 94% at 10 WAE and provided three distinct mechanisms of action, a highly effective resistance management strategy. Results from this research indicate that a high level of glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass control can be achieved through the use of several herbicide options in glufosinate-resistant soybean.

Three field experiments were conducted from 2013 to 2015 in Barry County, MI to evaluate the effectiveness of PRE, POST, and one- (EPOS) and two-pass (PRE followed by POST) herbicide programs for management of multiple-resistant Palmer amaranth in field corn. The Palmer amaranth population at this location has demonstrated resistance to glyphosate (Group 9), ALS-inhibiting herbicides (Group 2), and atrazine (Group 5). In the PRE only experiment, the only herbicide treatments that consistently provided ~80% or greater control were pyroxasulfone and the combination of mesotrione + S-metolachlor. However, none of these treatments provided season-long Palmer amaranth control. Only topramezone provided >85% Palmer amaranth control 14 DAT, in the POST only experiment. Of the 19 herbicide programs studied all but three programs provided ≥88% Palmer amaranth control at corn harvest. Herbicide programs that did not control Palmer amaranth relied on only one effective herbicide site of action and in one case did not include a residual herbicide POST for late-season Palmer amaranth control. Some of the EPOS treatments were effective for season-long Palmer amaranth control; however, application timing and the inclusion of a residual herbicide component will be critical for controlling Palmer amaranth. The programs that consistently provided the highest levels of season-long Palmer amaranth control were PRE followed by POST herbicide programs that relied on a minimum of two effective herbicide sites of action and usually included a residual herbicide for late-season control.

Field experiments were conducted at Oakes, Absaraka, and Tappen, ND, in 2006 and repeated at Oakes and Absaraka, ND, in 2007 to evaluate early season weed control of common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed in onion with POST herbicides applied at multiple reduced rates (microrates) and to determine whether microrate herbicide treatments effectively reduced early season broadleaf weed competition, caused crop injury, or affected yield. Application rates of bromoxynil, oxyfluorfen, metribuzin, and acifluorfen were reduced to 0.25, 0.13, and 0.06× of their lowest labeled rate and applied in sequential applications (every 7 d) either two or three times. The 0.25× rate of bromoxynil (70.1 g ae/ha) provided the greatest control of common lambsquarters (95%). The 0.25× rates of bromoxynil and oxyfluorfen (70.1 g ai/ha) provided the greatest control of redroot pigweed (93 and 85%, respectively). Microrate applications of metribuzin or acifluorfen did not effectively control common lambsquarters or redroot pigweed. In 2006, no onion injury was observed. However, in 2007, applications of oxyfluorfen resulted in approximately 15% injury, regardless of the herbicide rate or the number of applications. Plants outgrew symptoms by 4 wk after treatment and were similar to the untreated plants. Onion treated with oxyfluorfen had the greatest total yield, followed by onion treated with bromoxynil. Onion treated with acifluorfen had a greater total marketable bulb yield than onion treated with metribuzin, but yield was considered poor compared to the other herbicide treatments. Three microrate applications provided greater weed control and increased yield compared with two applications across herbicides and rates. Results suggest that microrate applications of bromoxynil and oxyfluorfen will provide early season broadleaf weed control in onion.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate and compare herbicide safeners for protection of corn and sorghum from herbicidal injury from metolachlor, primisulfuron, and the interaction of primisulfuron with terbufos, an insecticide. With the exception of CGA-133205 which killed corn, the safeners oxabetrinil, flurazole, naphthalic anhydride, dichlormid, and R-29148 protected against significant injury from the interaction between primisulfuron (40 g ai ha−1) and terbufos (9.8 kg ha−1 equivalent to 750 g per 1000 m of row) and from metolachlor (6.7 kg ai ha−1). No primisulfuron-terbufos interaction was observed in sorghum and none of the safeners protected sorghum from primisulfuron injury. PRE application of the antioxidants, piperonyl butoxide and metyrapone, increased primisulfuron injury to corn. Piperonyl butoxide by itself did not influence the growth of corn seedlings, but metyrapone caused slight injury. The increased injury from piperonyl butoxide plus primisulfuron applied at 40 g ha−1 was protected by naphthalic anhydride, flurazole, and R-29148, whereas at 80 g ha−1 protection was provided by flurazole and R-29148. None of the safeners tested protected against increased injury from metyrapone. Naphthalic anhydride was also an effective safener against increased corn injury when 3000 ppm piperonyl butoxide was applied foliarly 3 d prior to primisulfuron application. 14C-Primisulfuron absorption by corn was not influenced by piperonyl butoxide or the safener, naphthalic anhydride. However, metabolism of 14C-primisulfuron was inhibited by piperonyl butoxide. This inhibition was not totally reversed by the safener, naphthalic anhydride.

A three-year field study in west-central Kansas investigated the effects of combinations of spray carrier, nonionic surfactant (NIS), triasulfuron, and/or 2,4-D on winter wheat foliar injury and grain yield. Herbicides applied in water without NIS caused little or no foliar injury in two of three years. Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) at 112 L/ha (40 kg N/ha) alone or as a carrier for herbicides caused moderate to severe foliar injury in all three years. Adding NIS to UAN spray solutions increased foliar injury, especially with the tank mixture of triasulfuron + 2,4-D. Effects of triasulfuron + NIS or 2,4-D applied in UAN were additive. Foliar injury was related inversely to temperature following application. Foliar injury was most evident 4 to 7 d after application and disappeared within 2 to 3 wk. Diluting UAN 50% with water lessened foliar injury in two of three years, especially in the presence of NIS, regardless of whether herbicides were in the spray solution. Treatments did not reduce wheat grain yield in any year despite estimates of up to 53% foliar injury one year.

Field research conducted for 3 yr evaluated weed control in glyphosate-resistant soybean with glyphosate applied alone and in mixtures with reduced rates of the broadleaf herbicides acifluorfen, CGA-277476 (proposed name: oxasulfuron), chlorimuron, fomesafen, or lactofen. Barnyardgrass was controlled at least 95% with glyphosate at 840 and 1,120 g ai/ha, and control was not antagonized with any of the mixtures. At 14 d after treatment (DAT), wild poinsettia and prickly sida were controlled at least 90% with all glyphosate treatments. Control remained greater than 90% 28 DAT in one of the 2 yr, but in the other year, wild poinsettia was controlled 80%, and prickly sida was controlled 43% with the high rate of glyphosate. Acifluorfen or fomesafen (210 and 315 g ai/ha), or lactofen (112 and 168 g ai/ha) applied with glyphosate increased wild poinsettia control to 91 to 95% and prickly sida to 60 to 83%. At 14 DAT, pitted morningglory control improved in most cases when acifluorfen, fomesafen, or lactofen was applied with glyphosate. Hemp sesbania control was increased when glyphosate was applied with these same herbicides as well as CGA-277476 (39 and 59 g ai/ha) and chlorimuron (4.5 and 6.7 g ai/ha). But by 28 DAT, improvement in weed control with glyphosate and broadleaf herbicide mixtures was noted only in 1998, when pitted morningglory and hemp sesbania were larger at time of application (15 to 18 cm). Glyphosate alone in 1998 controlled these weeds no more than 30%, and only for hemp sesbania was control consistently more than 80% with the addition of acifluorfen or lactofen. At 28 DAT in 1999 and 2000, when weeds were no more than 10 cm, pitted morningglory was controlled 91 and 98%, respectively, and hemp sesbania 88 and 100%, respectively, with glyphosate alone at 1,120 g/ha. Soybean injury 28 DAT, consisting of foliar chlorosis and height reduction, was as much as 14, 13, and 23% for the acifluorfen, chlorimuron, and lactofen treatments, respectively, but no more than 6% for the CGA-277476 and fomesafen treatments. When weed control with glyphosate alone was at least 85%, addition of broadleaf herbicides did not improve soybean yield.

Field trials were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to determine the influence of harvest-aids on dry bean desiccation, seed yield, and quality. Light Red Kidney and Great Northern dry beans were pulled from the soil and placed on the soil surface to dry or treated with glufosinate at 440 g ai/ha, with glyphosate at 840 g ae/ha, or with paraquat at 560 g ai/ha at three stages during the maturation process. Dry bean seed weight and seed yield were reduced by all harvest-aid treatments applied when only 5 to 7% of the seedpods were yellow. Herbicides did not affect dry bean seed yield, weight, or germination if treatments were delayed until 77 to 85% of the seedpods had turned yellow. Application of harvest-aids at early stages of the maturation process enhanced desiccation of dry bean plants, pods, and seeds, but reduced yield. Herbicides applied at later stages of the maturation process avoided seed yield reductions, but were not as effective in desiccating plants. Therefore, applying glufosinate, glyphosate, or paraquat to reduce the time from dry bean maturation to harvest may not be beneficial when the crop is grown on the high plains of the United States.