Complaints regarding the sensitivity of rice to florpyrauxifen-benzyl and off-target movement of the herbicide occurred following its commercial launch in 2018 in the midsouthern United States. These two concerns encouraged the exploration of an alternative application method for florpyrauxifen-benzyl in rice. A field study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to determine if coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl on urea would reduce negative impacts of the herbicide to rice. Five commercial rice lines were evaluated: ‘Diamond’, ‘Titan’, ‘RT7321 FP’, ‘RT7521 FP’, and ‘XP753’. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl coated on urea at a 2× rate (60 g ai ha–1) reduced rice injury in one of five commercial rice lines in 2020 and four of five commercial rice lines in 2021, compared to spray applications at the same rate. In 2020, ‘RT7521 FP’ exhibited a 17-percentage point injury reduction when coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl on urea at a 2× rate vs. the same rate sprayed. In 2021, rice injury was reduced by 26, 10, and 27 percentage points in the commercial rice lines ‘Diamond’, ‘Titan’, and ‘XP753’, respectively, following coated urea vs. spray applications at 4 wk after treatment (WAT). ‘XP753’ exhibited reduced injury (15 percentage points) by coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl at a 1× rate (30 g ai ha–1) 4 WAT in 2021, and another, ‘Diamond’, had comparable groundcover to nontreated plots when florpyrauxifen-benzyl was coated on urea at a 1× rate rather than the reductions observed from the spray application at a 2× rate. Yield differences were a function of urea rate rather than application method, where in six out of ten instances greater rough rice grain yield occurred at the higher rate. Findings from this experiment indicate that coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl on urea can reduce the amount of injury observed, especially in areas of overlap where you would have a 2× rate.

Barnyardgrass and other troublesome weeds have become a major problem for producers in a flooded rice system. Cultural control options and more efficient herbicide applications have become a priority to increase efficiency and weed control in rice. This study aimed to determine the effects of row width and nozzle selection on spray coverage and weed control in a flooded rice system. A field experiment was conducted at 7 site-years (Lonoke, AR, in 2021 and 2022; Pine Tree, AR, in 2021 and 2022; Rohwer, AR, in 2022; and Stoneville, MS, in 2021 and 2022) as a randomized complete block split-plot design. Five nozzles (XR, AIXR, TTI, TTI60, and AITTJ60) (subplot factor) were used for herbicide applications, and plots were drill-seeded in four row widths (whole plot factor) (13, 19, 25, and 38 cm). A droplet size experiment was conducted to evaluate the droplet size and velocity of each nozzle type used in the field experiment. Overall, as row width increased, barnyardgrass density increased. The rice grown in a wider width took longer to generate canopy closure, allowing weed escapes in the crop. For example, the 13-cm width had a 12 percentage point canopy coverage increase compared to the 38-cm row width at the preflood timing resulting in a reduction of six barnyardgrass plants per square meter. The smallest droplet size-producing nozzle (XR) provided greater weed control throughout the study but is more prone to drift. The dual-fan nozzles (AITTJ60 and TTI60) had variable weed control impacts, and it was difficult to predict when this might occur; however, they did have increased deposits on water-sensitive cards compared to single-fan counterparts (AIXR and TTI). In conclusion, a narrower row width (e.g., 19-cm or less) and a smaller droplet size producing nozzle (XR) are optimal for barnyardgrass control in a flooded rice system.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl has generated complaints and concerns around rice injury and off-target movement to soybean since its commercial launch in 2018. Developing a precise method for applying florpyrauxifen-benzyl was imperative for its continued use. Experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 to evaluate rice weed control as influenced by preflood application interval and flood loss following florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 30 g ai ha−1 applied as a spray or coated on urea. In a preflood application experiment, coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl on urea and applying it the day of flood establishment and 5 and 10 d prior to flooding (DPTF) resulted in lower yellow nutsedge, broadleaf signalgrass, and barnyardgrass control than when the herbicide was spray at 3 and 5 wk after final treatment (WAFT). Coating florpyrauxifen-benzyl onto urea provided only 61% to 63% yellow nutsedge control at 3 and 5 WAFT, which was 35 to 37 percentage points lower than when the spray was applied at 5 or 10 DPTF. Likewise, rice yields following applications of florpyrauxifen-benzyl coated onto urea were 1,200 kg ha−1 less than yields following spray applications. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl coated onto urea and clomazone provided lower levels of weed control than spraying the herbicide alone, suggesting an explanation for the yield losses. The timing of flood loss experiment suggested that when florpyrauxifen-benzyl coated onto urea at 30 g ai ha−1 was applied preflood and flood was relinquished at 2 h, 24 h, and 7 d after flood establishment, hemp sesbania and yellow nutsedge control were not affected. However, loss of floodwater 2 h after flood establishment resulted in lower barnyardgrass control than when the flood was lost 24 h and 7 d after flooding. Generally, the period between a herbicide application and flooding completion should be minimized to aid in weed control. These results indicate the importance of maintaining a flood for weed control and nutrient management.

Annual bluegrass is a troublesome weed in turfgrass, with reported resistance to at least 12 herbicide sites of action. The mitotic-inhibiting herbicide pronamide has both preemergence and postemergence activity on susceptible annual bluegrass populations. Previous studies suggest that postemergence activity may be compromised due to lack of root uptake, as well as target-site- and translocation-based mechanisms. Research was conducted to determine the effects of spray droplet spectra on spray coverage and control of annual bluegrass with pronamide, flazasulfuron, and a mixture of pronamide plus flazasulfuron. Herbicides were delivered to annual bluegrass plants having two to three leaves via five different spray spectra based on volume median diameters (VMD) of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 µm. Fluorescent tracer dye was added to each treatment solution to quantify the effects of herbicide and spray droplet spectra on herbicide deposition. In another experiment, the efficacy of 0.58, 1.16, and 2.32 kg pronamide ha−1; 0.022, 0.044, and 0.088 kg flazasulfuron ha−1, or a combination of the two, were assessed in iteration with droplet spectrum sprays of 400 and 1,000 µm on two pronamide-resistant and two pronamide-susceptible annual bluegrass populations. Spray droplet spectrum affected the deposition of pronamide and flazasulfuron, applied alone and in combination. Pronamide foliar deposition decreased with increasing droplet spectra. Pronamide efficacy was affected by droplet spectrum, with the largest (1,000 µm) exhibiting improved control. Flazasulfuron efficacy and pronamide plus flazasulfuron efficacy were not affected by droplet spectra. Pronamide plus flazasulfuron mixture controlled all four populations more effectively than pronamide alone, regardless of droplet spectra. A mixture of pronamide plus flazasulfuron applied with relatively large droplets may be optimal for annual bluegrass control, which offers valuable insights for optimizing herbicide application and combatting herbicide resistance. However, applications in this controlled-growth pot study may not mimic conditions in which thatch and turfgrass canopy limit the soil deposition of pronamide.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2020 to investigate the effects of carrier volume and sethoxydim rate on torpedograss (Panicum repens L.) control and sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri Merr.) response from a single application. Panicum repens control and biomass reduction generally increased with increasing sethoxydim rates in evaluations at 14, 28, and 42 d after treatment (DAT); however, increasing the rate to 2X the maximum labeled rate did not always result in increased efficacy. In the first experimental run, which consisted of small plants, P. repens control and biomass reductions were largely similar among tested carrier volumes (37, 187, and 935 L ha−1). However, in run 2, which consisted of larger, mature P. repens plants, efficacy increased when carrier volume was reduced. Spartina bakeri injury increased with sethoxydim rate, reaching a maximum of 45% by 42 DAT. However, no differences in S. bakeri injury among carrier volumes were observed at 14 and 28 DAT evaluations. Spartina bakeri aboveground biomass reductions were also largely driven by sethoxydim rate increases rather than reduced carrier volumes, reaching 40% to 50% reduction in initial aboveground biomass. However, S. bakeri belowground biomass was 20% to 32% greater in treatments applied at 37 or 187 L ha−1 compared with those at 935 L ha−1. Overall, these data suggest that selective P. repens control with sethoxydim may be enhanced through reducing carrier volumes from 935 L ha−1 and that native, perennial, caespitose grasses may exhibit greater tolerance to sethoxydim compared with the rhizomatous P. repens. Future research should further test these hypotheses under field conditions at operational scales.

Foliar delivery of herbicides is a common means for plant management in aquatic environments. Though this technique is decades old, little is known about vegetative spray retention relative to this application method. A more complete understanding of maximizing herbicide retention could lead to improved plant management while simultaneously decreasing pesticide load in aquatic environments. Therefore outdoor mesocosm experiments were conducted in 2020 to evaluate the effect of adjuvant type on foliar spray retention in waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]. Additionally, the effect of carrier volume on spray retention in waterhyacinth, waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.), and giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell) was documented. Spray deposition did not differ among the nine adjuvants tested; however, spray retention was reduced 6% to 11% when an adjuvant was excluded from the spray solution. The effect of carrier volume on spray retention in waterhyacinth, waterlettuce, and giant salvinia was also investigated. Decreases in spray retention were most sensitive to increased carrier volume in waterhyacinth, followed by giant salvinia and waterlettuce. Among species, spray retention potential, as determined by intercept estimates, was greatest in waterlettuce and giant salvinia regardless of carrier volume. Asymptotes estimates for waterhyacinth, waterlettuce, and giant salvinia were 33%, 46%, and 79% spray retention, respectively. In other words, spray retention was the lowest and remained relatively constant at these values for the high carrier volumes tested (935 and 1,870 L ha−1), which were likely due to the presence of pubescence on leaves and flatter leaf architecture represented by waterlettuce and giant salvinia compared to the glabrous vertical leaves of waterhyacinth. Future research will evaluate these concepts under field conditions.

Mesocosm studies were conducted in 2020 to evaluate the effects of carrier volume and application method on waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms] response to 2,4-D, glyphosate, and diquat. Carrier volumes of 935, 467, and 187 L ha−1 were applied using either a conventional stream, conventional cone, adjustable cone, or a drizzle-stream spray pattern. Reducing carrier volume from 935 L ha−1 reduced spray coverage up to 60%, depending on application method. However, reducing carrier volume did not diminish efficacy of any herbicide or application method. Alternatively, E. crassipes control from 2,4-D increased 10% to 26% when applied using 187 L ha−1 compared with 935 L ha−1. Likewise, E. crassipes biomass was reduced 91% when 2,4-D was applied using 935 L ha−1; however, treatment applied at 187 L ha−1 resulted in 99% biomass reduction. In general, 2,4-D resulted in roughly 10% greater control when conventional or adjustable cone applications were used compared with either stream applications. Eichhornia crassipes control at 7 d after treatment (DAT) from diquat increased with decreasing carrier volumes; however, treatment effects in diquat experiments were not detected at other evaluation intervals. Glyphosate efficacy was highly influenced by carrier volume, as E. crassipes control increased up to 61% when applied using 187 L ha−1 compared with 935 L ha−1. Moreover, E. crassipes biomass reduction increased from 55% in the 935 L ha−1 treatment to 97% in the 187 L ha−1 treatments. Glyphosate application methods consisting of conventional stream or conventional cone sprayers resulted in slightly increased E. crassipes control by 28 DAT; however, no differences among application methods were observed in E. crassipes biomass data. These data support further evaluations of alternative application techniques for E. crassipes control under field conditions and for other herbicides and aquatic plant species.

A thorough understanding of commonly used herbicide application practices and technologies is needed to provide recommendations and determine necessary application education efforts. An online survey to assess ground and aerial herbicide application practices in Arkansas was made available online in spring 2019. The survey was direct-emailed to 272 agricultural aviators and 831 certified commercial pesticide applicators, as well as made publicly available online through multiple media sources. A total of 124 responses were received, of which 75 responses were specific to herbicide applications in Arkansas agronomic crops, accounting for approximately 49% of Arkansas’ planted agronomic crop hectares in 2019. Ground and aerial application equipment were used for 49% and 51% of the herbicide applications on reported hectares, respectively. Rate controllers were commonly used application technologies for both ground and aerial application equipment. In contrast, global positioning system-driven automatic nozzle and boom shut-offs were much more common on ground spray equipment than aerial equipment. Applicator knowledge of nozzles and usage was limited, regardless of ground or aerial applicators, as only 28% of respondents provided a specific nozzle type used, indicating a need for educational efforts on nozzles and their importance in herbicide applications. Of the reported nozzle types, venturi nozzles and straight-stream nozzles were the most commonly used for ground and aerial spray equipment, respectively. Spray carrier volumes of 96.3 and 118.8 L ha−1 for ground spray equipment and 49.6 and 59.9 L ha−1 for aerial application equipment were the means of reported spray volumes for systemic and contact herbicides, respectively. Respondents indicated application optimization was a major benefit of utilizing newer application technologies, herbicide drift was a primary challenge, and research needs expressed by respondents included adjuvants, spray volume efficacy, and herbicide drift. Findings from this survey provided insight into current practices, technologies, and needs of Arkansas herbicide applicators. Research and education efforts can be implemented as a result to address aforementioned needs while providing applied research-based information to applicators based on current practices.

Horseweed, also known as marestail, is a problematic weed for no-till soybean producers that can emerge from late summer through the following spring. Overwintering cover crops can reduce both the density and size of fall-emerged weeds such as horseweed and reduce further spring emergence, although typically cover crops do not provide complete control. Cover crops may be integrated with additional spring herbicide applications to control emerged horseweed, and selective herbicides such as 2,4-D may be used to target horseweed while maintaining small grain cover crop growth. However, cover crops may affect herbicide deposition, which could reduce their efficacy to control weeds. The objective of this study was to determine how the amount and variability of 2,4-D ester spray solution deposition, measured with water-sensitive paper, was affected by a cereal rye cover crop and fall-applied saflufenacil. We also examined deposition at the soil surface relative to the cereal rye row position. In a year with greater cereal rye biomass accumulation, there was 44% less coverage and average deposit size was 45% smaller immediately adjacent to cereal rye rows compared with between rows and areas without cereal rye. Greater variability in these measurements was also noted in this position. Percent spray solution coverage was also 22% greater in plots that received saflufenacil in the fall, and deposits were 28% larger. In a year with less cover crop and winter weed biomass, no differences in spray deposition were observed. This suggests that small horseweed plants and other weeds immediately adjacent to cereal rye cover crop rows may be more likely to survive early spring herbicide applications, though the suppressive effects of cover crops may mitigate this concern.

A study to evaluate the effect of application time of day (TOD) on the efficacy of five burndown herbicides was conducted in Alabama and Tennessee. Treatments of 2,4-D, dicamba, glufosinate, paraquat, and saflufenacil were applied at sunrise, midday, or sunset to a native population of horseweed and analyzed separately. Control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed with 2,4-D, dicamba, glufosinate, and saflufenacil was greatest from the midday application. Percentage of living horseweed counts for all of these herbicides followed a similar pattern. Control from paraquat was lowest at the midday timing and greatest from the sunset application with surviving horseweed plant populations reflecting those control ratings. Application TOD significantly affected all of the herbicides in this research. Applications of 2,4-D, dicamba, glufosinate, and saflufenacil are more efficacious when applied during the middle portion of the day, while paraquat is more efficacious when applied at sunset for maximum horseweed control.

Weed control with thiobencarb, molinate, or fertilizer granules coated with quinclorac or bensulfuron was evaluated in 1992 and 1993. With thiobencarb or fertilizer granules, less than 55% control of 4-leaf junglerice was obtained, regardless of additional herbicide coating. Coating thiobencarb or fertilizer granules with quinclorac at 550 g ai/ha increased junglerice control, but was not satisfactory. Molinate granules at 4.4 kg ai/ha controlled junglerice at least 81% and improved rice yields over fertilizer or thiobencarb granules. Fertilizer coated with bensulfuron at 111 g ai/ha controlled ducksalad 86 to 96%.

Application of crop protection compounds to randomized small plots with motorized sprayers can be a cumbersome process for field researchers. A motorized, high clearance spraying system has been developed that allows precise application of spray mixtures to randomized plots without driving along alleys between blocks or changing sprayate bottles between treatments. A description of the spraying system is given.

Methods were developed and evaluated that utilize state of the art weed-sensing technology in row-crop production systems. Spectral differences in green living plants and bare soil allowed ‘real-time’ weed detection, with intermittent spraying of herbicide only where weeds were present. Sensor units were mounted in 0.7-m-wide hooded sprayers providing sensors with an unobstructed view of the area between soybean rows. Single hood and commercial-size eight-row systems were evaluated, and savings in glyphosate spray solution applied using sensors ranged from 63 to 85%, compared to conventional hooded spray systems with continuous application. Weed control by the sensor-controlled spray system was equal to the conventional system. This technology can significantly reduce herbicide usage and decrease production cost without reducing weed control.

Field experiments conducted over three years at Stoneville, MS evaluated invert emulsion and oil diluents on the efficiacy of glyphosate and MSMA on purple nutsedge. The herbicides were applied at 0.6 and 1.1 kg ai/ha in an invert emulsion (oil-in-water) and a paraffinic oil at 19 L/ha (low-volume) and in water with a non-ionic surfactant (0.25% v/v) at 187 L/ha (high-volume). Purple nutsedge control with both herbicides was greater with the low-volume, invert emulsion and oil diluent applications than with high-volume, water diluent applications. Glyphosate and MSMA at 1.1 kg/ha in the oil diluent controlled purple nutsedge at least 88% when compared with the invert emulsion (≥ 75 and ≥ 76%, respectively) and water (≥ 42 and ≥ 44%, respectively) diluents. Cotton injury and seed cotton yields were unaffected by any treatment with MSMA but glyphosate with each diluent caused unacceptable cotton injury and seed cotton yield reduction.

Adjuvants were evaluated to determine the effect on increasing spray droplet size and reducing the amount of spray dispensed in small driftable size particles when applying water and paraffinic oil at ultralow volume. Spray solutions were applied with an air-assist system at liquid flow rates of 28 and 56 ml/min and atomized with 14, 28, 42, 56, and 84 kPa of air pressure. Water and paraffinic oil were applied alone and with two drift retardant adjuvants mixed individually in each. The two water soluble adjuvants were mixed at concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 2.0%; oil soluble adjuvants were applied at 0.125, 0.25, and 0.50%. Adjuvants used in water and oil were effective at increasing droplet size and reducing the amount of liquid dispensed in small driftable size particles. Effectiveness of the adjuvants decreased as air pressures increased, with water soluble adjuvants being more susceptible to air pressure. Volume median diameters > 200 μm with water could be achieved without adjuvants; whereas with oil, an adjuvant was required.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to determine nicosulfuron activity on large crabgrass as influenced by surfactant, ammonium salt adjuvants, and various calcium, sodium, and magnesium salts in the spray carrier. Nicosulfuron activity varied with surfactant. Ammonium salt adjuvants at 0.2 M (ammonia) and sodium, calcium, or magnesium salts at 0.02 M (cation) increased or decreased nicosulfuron activity dependent on the specific salt and surfactant. Spray carrier surface tension or pH of the spray solution did not relate to nicosulfuron activity. The specific ammonium component influenced nicosulfuron activity differently depending on the surfactant. Increases in ammonium nitrate concentration decreased, nicosulfuron activity with Pluronic® P85 surfactant and increased activity with X-77® surfactant. The response to ammonium nitrate was less pronounced at high surfactant concentrations. Sodium bicarbonate antagonism of nicosulfuron activity was overcome by ammonium sulfate and 28% aqueous nitrogen fertilizer in the presence of several oil and surfactant adjuvants. The results indicate the importance of surfactant selection for use with nicosulfuron when applied with nitrogen salts.

The adoption of herbicide use within Illinois has passed through four stages characterized by methods of application. These stages include an initial stage of POST applications, the PRE stage, the PPI stage, and the most recent stage marked by diversification of application methods. Data from 19 pesticide use surveys conducted in Illinois since 1957 were used to determine trends in pesticide use. Herbicide use has increased from 33% of the corn and 1% of the soybean hectarage treated in 1957 to applications on approximately 97% of all the corn and soybeans in 1990. Total herbicide use in Illinois peaked at 3.0 × 107 kg ai annually in 1982 and declined to 2.1 × 107 kg in 1990. Total herbicide use in Illinois between 1950 and 1990 is estimated at 5.0 × 108 kg ai.

Phenmedipham was registered for use at 1.1 to 1.7 kg ai/ha in 1970 and desmedipham at 1.1 to 1.4 kg ai/ha in 1974 for postemergence control of broadleaf weeds in sugarbeet. Phenmedipham was sold from 1970 through 1981 and desmedipham plus phenmedipham (1:1), as a premixed product, has been sold since 1982. Development of multiple applications of reduced rates began in 1972 primarily to reduce sugarbeet injury. The technique was promoted to farmers after 1976. Ahalf-rate of phenmedipham and/or desmedipham applied twice at a 5- to 7-d interval controlled weeds better and caused less sugarbeet injury than a single full-rate application, and allowed application to smaller than four-leaf sugarbeet. Suggested sugarbeet size for the first application changed from 4-leaf in 1970 to cotyledon to two-leaf in 1992. Earlier application to more susceptible small weeds allowed a further rate reduction. The use of soil-applied herbicides prior to phenmedipham and/or desmedipham increased weed control and sugarbeet injury. Application to small weeds and sugarbeet by air or by ground sprayers at spray pressures over 1040 kPa controlled weeds better and injured sugarbeet more than when applied by ground sprayers at 280 kPa. Desmedipham and phenmedipham rates presently are adjusted for sugarbeet size, application method, soil-applied herbicide, and environment. The suggested initial application rate of phenmedipham and/or desmedipham in 1992 was 0.13 to 0.28 kg/ha as compared with 1.1 to 1.7 kg/ha in 1970. A typical rate of desmedipham or desmedipham plus phenmedipham applied in 1992, including multiple application, was approximately 0.7 kg/ha less than typical rates from 1970 through 1977.

The efficacy of postemergence herbicide applications was evaluated in the greenhouse and the field in 1993 and 1994, using variables of carrier volume and diluent type. Ultra-low volume (ULV) applications of herbicides using an air-assisted sprayer calibrated at a volume of 9.4 L/ha were compared to 94 and 187 L/ha applications with a conventional hydraulic system. In greenhouse studies, reduced rates of sethoxydim, clethodim, fluazifop-P, and quizalofop were used to compare the effects of carrier types and volumes on their efficacy to yellow foxtail. All herbicides applied in oil diluents at 9.4 L/ha, with the exception of fluazifop-P and quizalofop applied in soybean oil, provided better yellow foxtail control than when applied in water at 94 and 187 L/ha. Sethoxydim and clethodim applied at 25 and 16% of the recommended rate, respectively, provided over 90% control in both petroleum oil and methylated seed oil. Reduced rates of glyphosate in petroleum oil or soybean oil were more effective at reducing bermudagrass growth than in water or methylated seed oil. Activity of glyphosate in methylated seed oil was no more effective than in water. Field experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of ULV applications of sethoxydim, clethodim, fluazifop-P, imazethapyr, and bentazon. Rates of the postemergence grass herbicides could be reduced by applying them at ULV in oil diluents while maintaining annual grass control equal to that achieved with higher herbicide rates in larger volumes of water. Control of annual grasses and annual broadleaf weeds with bentazon and imazethapyr applied at ULV were inconsistent and did not provide acceptable weed control. This may be partially due to the poor suspension of these herbicides in oil carriers.

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] toxicity to volunteer wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA] was influenced more by carrier volume than application method. Glyphosate phytotoxicity increased when carrier volume was reduced with both application methods. When compared at equal carrier volumes, there was little difference in volunteer wheat or large crabgrass control when glyphosate was applied with a controlled droplet applicator or flat fan nozzles. Volunteer wheat and large crabgrass control with controlled droplet applicators was influenced by application factors. At a given carrier volume, application factors which yielded larger droplets generally resulted in superior vegetation control.