The adoption of conservation tillage systems has been challenged by concerns potential weed species shifts. A 9-yr study from 1988 to 1996 was conducted Delhi, Ontario, on a loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of tillage systems (conventional [CT] and no-till [NT]), cover crop Secale cereale, and nitrogen (N) rate (0, 50, 100, 125, 150, and 200 kg N ha−1) on monocrop Zea mays L. (corn) yield and changes in the composition of the weed flora. CT consisted of spring moldboard plowing followed by cultivation with a tooth cultivator. Weed counts were taken in the last 3 yr of the study (1994, 1995, and 1996) prior to postemergence herbicide application and then again 2 to 3 wk after herbicide treatment. Composition or the weed flora was analyzed by canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). The relationship between weed density and tillage system was not consistent. Weed species composition differed between CT and NT systems. Chenopodium album and Amaranthus retroflexus were associated with CT and Digitaria sanguinalis with NT. N rate and cover crop did not affect weed density or species composition. Proper management of weeds with herbicides appeared to minimize any long-term effect on the weed flora resulting from varying N rates. Zea mays yields did not differ between CT and NT systems but were greater in both systems with a cover crop at the higher N rates. Disturbance caused by tillage was more important than N rate and cover crop as a mechanism influencing composition of the weed flora.

The ability of Medicago sativa to suppress weed growth may provide a viable alternative to chemical weed control and allow crop producers to reduce herbicide inputs. Quantitative information regarding the suppressive effect of M. sativa on weed populations in current cropping systems is lacking. A survey was conducted in Manitoba, Canada, in 1993 and 1994 to investigate weed populations in commercial cereal fields that had been preceded by either M. sativa hay or cereal grain crops. A total of 117 fields were surveyed; approximately half from each field type. Principle component analysis indicated that the inclusion of M. sativa in crop rotations resulted in weed communities different from those of continuous cereal fields. Naturally occurring populations of Avena fatua, Cirsium arvense, Brassica kaber, and Galium aparine were lower in cereal fields that had previously contained M. sativa than in cereal fields that had been preceded by a cereal crop. Lower field uniformity values for C. arvense and Avena fatua indicated that these weeds were also more patchy in the M. sativa rotations. Population differences between field types were nonsignificant for Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, and Polygonum convolvulus, and although populations of Taraxacum officinale and Thlaspi arvense were greater in M. sativa/cereal fields than in continuous cereal crops. No consistent effect of field type on Setaria viridis populations was observed. These results show that M. sativa effectively suppressed some, but not all, of the weeds found in the study area. Including M. sativa hay crops in crop rotations can be part of an integrated weed management strategy for weeds such as A. fatua, B. kaber, and C. arvense.

We conducted several experiments on linuron-resistant and -susceptible Portulaca oleracea and on atrazine-resistant and -susceptible Chenopodium album to determine their immediate and long-term responses to photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides. Several photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides were used, and O2 evolution was measured with a Clark-type O2 electrode. Resistance ratios (RRs) for P. oleracea, based on O2 evolution inhibition, were 8 and > 6 for linuron and diuron, respectively; > 800 for atrazine; and > 20 for terbacil. Linuron-resistant P. oleracea was negatively cross-resistant to bentazon and pyridate (RR = 0.5 and 0.75, respectively). Time-course measurements of fresh weight, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, and photochemical efficiency indicated that linuron and atrazine inhibited electron transport in susceptible (S) P. oleracea and C. album, ultimately resulting in death. Measurements of photochemical efficiency and CO2 assimilation of linuron-resistant P. oleracea treated with linuron indicated a transient injury from which plants recovered within 14 d. Recovery of linuron-resistant P. oleracea from atrazine injury was more rapid than from linuron injury for all measured variables. Atrazine-resistant C. album had no cross-resistance to linuron. Sequence analysis of the D1 protein revealed that linuron-resistant P. oleracea had a serine-to-threonine substitution at position 264.

Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of 14C-glufosinate were studied in three annual and two perennial weed species. Young seedlings of Setaria faberi, Chenopodium album, Cassia obtusifolia, Solanum carolinense, and Asclepias syriaca were treated with foliar-applied 14C-glufosinate, and plant tissues were harvested 12, 48, and 72 h after treatment (HAT). Absorption of 14C-glufosinate was initially rapid, but increased only slightly after 12 h in all species. Glufosinate absorption was highest in S. carolinense (73% of applied radioactivity), followed by S. faberi (54%), C. obtusifolia (44%), C. album (41%), and A. syriaca (37%) 72 HAT. Translocation of radioactivity out of the treated leaf was species dependent and did not increase much with time in all weed species. S. carolinense and S. faberi translocated the highest amounts of absorbed radioactivity out of the treated leaf with 49 to 59% moving to the upper foliage. S. faberi translocated the highest amount of absorbed radioactivity to the roots (12 to 14%), while C. album translocated the least (2 to 3%). TLC analysis of plant extracts showed that 14C-glufosinate was not metabolized in S. faberi, C. obtusifolia, S. carolinense, and A. syriaca. A glufosinate metabolite with an Rf value matching that of methyl-phosphinico propionate was detected in C. album. Treatment with ammonium sulfate (AMS) increased glufosinate absorption in S. faberi and C. obtusifolia 12 HAT, but decreased absorption in C. album. Treatment with pelargonic acid (PA) did not affect glufosinate absorption in any of the species tested. Treatment with AMS and PA did not affect glufosinate translocation in any of the five weed species. Treatment with AMS and PA did not influence the metabolism of glufosinate in any of the five weed species studied. These results show that differential absorption and translocation seem to explain the greater sensitivity of the annual and perennial weeds to glufosinate. Treatment with ammonium sulfate may increase the efficacy of glufosinate in perennial weeds.

We studied the effect of tillage systems (no-till, chisel, and moldboard plow) and the presence or absence of Zea mays L. (corn) on soil temperature, moisture, and, subsequently, the emergence phenology and density of Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters) at two sites (Elora and Woodstock) from 1993 to 1995. The tillage system affected the phenology of C. album seedling emergence only in 1995. In that year, more days were required to reach 80% cumulative seedling emergence in no-till than in the chisel or moldboard plow treatments. The delay in obtaining 80% cumulative emergence was attributed to a dry period from days 159 to 177 at Elora and from days 155 and 176 at Woodstock. The presence or absence of Z. mays did not affect soil temperatures, soil moisture, or C. album seedling emergence phenologies. Chenopodium album seedling density was influenced by tillage and environmental conditions. Large variations in seedling density were attributed to environmental conditions. The presence or absence of Z. mays did not affect C. album seedling density.

We tested whether the efficacy of chemical weed control might change as atmospheric CO2 concentration [CO2] increases by determining if tolerance to a widely used, phloem mobile, postemergence herbicide, glyphosate, was altered by a doubling of [CO2]. Tolerance was determined by following the growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed), a C4 species, and Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters), a C3 species, grown at near ambient (360 μmol mol−1) and twice ambient (720 μmol mol−1) [CO2] for 14 d following glyphosate application at rates of 0.00 (control), 0.112 kg ai ha−1 (0.1 X the commercial rate), and 1.12 kg ai ha−1 (1.0 X the commercial rate) in four separate trials. Irrespective of [CO2], growth of the C4 species, A. retroflexus, was significantly reduced and was eliminated altogether at glyphosate application rates of 0.112 and 1.12 kg ai ha−1, respectively However, in contrast to the ambient [CO2] treatment, an application rate of 0.112 kg ai ha−1 had no effect on growth, and a 1.12-kg ai ha−1 rate reduced but did not eliminate growth in elevated [CO2]-grown C. album. Although glyphosate tolerant does increase with plant size at the time of application, differences in glyphosate tolerance between CO2 treatments in C. album cannot be explained by size alone. These data indicate that rising atmospheric [CO2] could increase glyphosate tolerance in a C3 weedy species. Changes in herbicide tolerance at elevated [CO2] could limit chemical weed control efficacy and increase weed–crop competition.

Field studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effects of RP-201772 and RP-201772 tank mixtures applied to emerged Zea mays. RP-201772 at 105 g ha−1 and tank-mixed metolachlor/benoxacor or atrazine were applied preemergence and to spike, 2-leaf, and 4-leaf Z. mays. Herbicide treatments over the four application timings provided greater than 90% Chenopodium album, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Abutilon theophrasti control. However, Setaria faberi control varied among years and application timings. Severe Z. mays injury, 70% and 40%, was observed when RP-201772 tank-mixed with metolachlor/benoxacor was applied to 2-leaf and 4-leaf Z. mays, respectively. Greenhouse studies confirmed Z. mays sensitivity from delayed applications of RP-201772 tank-mixed with metolachlor/benoxacor. Similarly, increased Z. mays injury was observed from postemergence applications of RP-201772 tank-mixed with acetochlor/MON-13900. Herbicide absorption, translocation, metabolism, and retention studies were conducted to determine the physiological basis for the observed Z. mays injury from delayed applications of the RP-201772 tank mixture with metolachlor/benoxacor. Metolachlor/benoxacor increased radiolabeled RP-201772 absorption when applied to spike, 2-leaf, and 4-leaf Z. mays. RP-201772 translocation and metabolism did not explain enhanced Z. mays injury. However, RP-201772 retention increased fivefold when metolachlor/benoxacor was present in the spray solution and applied to 2-leaf and 4-leaf Z. mays. Increased RP-201772 absorption and retention appeared to be the basis for Z. mays injury when tank-mixed with metolachlor/benoxacor and applied to emerged Z. mays.

An experiment was conducted at two locations in Georgia and two locations in North Carolina during 1994 and 1995 to evaluate weed management in conventional-tillage bromoxynil-resistant Gossypium hirsutum L. (cotton). The weed management systems evaluated included different combinations of fluometuron preemergence (PRE), bromoxynil or bromoxynil plus MSMA early postemergence (EPOST), bromoxynil postemergence (POST), and cyanazine plus MSMA late post-directed (LAYBY). Fluometuron PRE improved control of Acanthospermum hisptdium DC. (bristly starbur), Cassia occidentalis L. (coffee senna), Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters), Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC. (Florida beggarweed), Sida spinosa L. (prickly sida), Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb. (smallflower morningglory), and Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht. (spurred anoda), compared to system that did not use fluometuron PRE. It also improved G. hirsutum yields at three four locations. Bromoxynil-containing systems provided better weed control and higher G. hirsutum yields than systems without bromoxynil. Bromoxynil EPOST controlled A. hispidium, C. occidentalis, C. album, D. tortuosum, S. spinosa, J. tamnifolia, and A. cristata. Control of these species was frequently improved by a second application of bromoxynil POST. Bromoxynil EPOST, POST, or EPOST plus POST did not control Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin and Barneby (sicklepod), but the addition of MSMA to bromoxynil EPOST improved S. obtusifolia control. Control of all dicotyledonous weeds was improved by a LAYBY treatment of cyanazine plus MSMA, and yields were improved at three of four locations with this treatment. Gossypium hirsutum was not injured by POST treatments of bromoxynil, and only temporary injury resulted from POST treatments of MSMA.

Studies were conducted to develop a model from field and laboratory studies to predict the emergence phenology of Chenopodium album. A mechanistic model to predict the phenology of weed seedling emergence across locations, years, and tillage systems is presented. This was accomplished by the integration of hydrothermal time to describe germination and thermal time to describe shoot elongation. The interaction of soil moisture and temperature in the model was accounted for by the integration of hydrothermal time in algorithms predicting seed germination. Soil temperatures within the weed seed germination zone were predicted by temperature ranges at different depths in the soil. Emergence phenology of C. album seedlings was predicted with greater accuracy under no-till and moldboard plow systems than under a chisel plow system. We attributed this lower accuracy in the chisel plow system to increased heterogeneity in the soil matrix and vertical distribution of the seedbank caused by the chisel plow. The presence or absence of Zea mays did not affect model performance. The use of soil temperature to calculate thermal time was a better predictor of C. album seedling emergence than air temperature. The ability to predict weed seedling emergence phenology is an important component of an integrated weed management strategy.

The floristic diversity and the vertical distribution of the weed seedbank were studied in ridge tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems in clay and clay loam soils. Viable seedbank populations were monitored during 3 yr using germination in a greenhouse. Ridge-tilled fields had a larger soil seedbank (2,992 seeds m−2) than moldboard-plowed fields (1,481 seeds m−2) in the top 15 cm. This result can be explained by the larger perennial seedbank of RT fields at both the 0- to 5-cm and 5- to 15-cm depths. Annual dicot seeds were more abundant in clay soils than in clay loams at the two soil depths. Annual grass seeds were more abundant under CT than under RT in clay soils at the two sampled depths. In clay loams, the density of annual grass seeds in RT fields was six times greater than in CT fields in the top 5 cm of soil and two times greater at the 5- to 15-cm depth. The vertical distribution of total seeds in soil did not differ between tillage systems. The top 5 cm of the 15-cm soil core contained 35 and 46% of all weed seed in CT and RT systems, respectively. However, the CT system had the highest concentration of annual dicot seeds 5 to 15 cm deep, whereas in the RT system, the same depth contained the highest concentration of perennial seeds. These results confirm that tillage systems and soil types can regulate seedbanks. Weed management programs must take this information into account.

Unique long-term historical emergence records were used to assess the association between weed seedling emergence and various elements of meteorological data. These elements included both temperature-based and rainfall-related variables in the 7-d periods before and during which emergence occurred. Five weed species (Stellaria media, Chenopodium album, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Matricaria perforata, and Veronica hederifolia) with contrasting emergence patterns were studied in disturbed soil. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify meteorological variables of interest and allowed their relative importance to be assessed and ranked. Logistic regression was further used to associate probabilities of emergence with observed levels of important individual meteorological elements. This approach enabled prediction of the probability of emergence following given meteorological conditions and hence an assessment of the risk of omitting weed control measures. Predictions were made based on single meteorological variables and compared with observed data. Results indicated that temperature was the dominant factor in predicting emergence. Soil moisture, while also important, was a secondary factor only becoming important once the species-specific temperature requirement had been satisfied. The potential for further development of the model is discussed.

The effect of ammonium sulfate (AMS) on efficacy, absorption, and translocation of glufosinate in various weed species was investigated in greenhouse and field experiments. Adding ammonium sulfate at 20 g L−1 increased the efficacy of glufosinate on Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria faberi, and Abutilon theophrasti, but not on Amaranthus rudis or Chenopodium album. AMS increased foliar absorption of 14C from 14C-glufosinate to the greatest extent in A. theophrasti and S. faberi and to the least extent in C. album. AMS increased the translocation of 14C out of the treated leaf 24 h after treatment in A. theophrasti and S. faberi, but not in C. album. These results suggest that AMS can increase the efficacy of glufosinate on A. theophrasti and S. faberi by increasing foliar absorption and subsequent translocation of glufosinate.

Mulches on the soil surface are known to suppress weed emergence, but the quantitative relationships between emergence and mulch properties have not been clearly defined. A theoretical framework for describing the relationships among mulch mass, area index, height, cover, light extinction, and weed emergence is introduced. This theory is applied to data from experiments on emergence of four annual weed species through mulches of selected materials applied at six rates. Mulch materials, in order from lowest to highest surface-area-to-mass ratio, were bark chips, Zea mays stalks, Secale cereale, Trifolium incarnatum, Vicia villosa, Quercus leaves, and landscape fabric strips. The order of weed species' sensitivity to mulches was Amaranthus retroflexus > Chenopodium album > Setaria faberi > Abutilon theophrasti, regardless of mulch material. The success of emergence through mulches was related to the capacity of seedlings to grow around obstructing mulch elements under limiting light conditions. Mulch area index was a pivotal property for quantitatively defining mulch properties and understanding weed emergence through mulches. A two-parameter model of emergence as a function of mulch area index and fraction of mulch volume that was solid reasonably predicted emergence across the range of mulches investigated.

The size, location, and variation in time of weed patches within an arable field were analyzed with the ultimate goal of simplifying weed mapping. Annual and perennial weeds were sampled yearly from 1993 to 1997 at 410 permanent grid points in a 1.3-ha no-till field sown to row crops each year. Geostatistical techniques were used to examine the data as follows: (1) spatial structure within years; (2) relationships of spatial structure to literature-derived population parameters, such as seed production and seed longevity; and (3) stability of weed patches across years. Within years, densities were more variable across crop rows and patches were elongated along rows. Aggregation of seedlings into patches was strongest for annuals and, more generally, for species whose seeds were dispersed by combine harvesting. Patches were most persistent for perennials and, more generally, for species whose seeds dispersed prior to expected dates of combine harvesting. For the most abundant weed in the field, the annual, Setaria viridis, locations of patches in the current year could be used to predict patch locations in the following year, but not thereafter.

Field experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effect of the rate and time of glyphosate application on weed emergence, survival, biomass, and Glycine max yield in reduced-tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT) glyphosate-resistant G. max planted in rows spaced 18 (narrow-row) and 76 cm (wide-row). Glyphosate was applied at 0.42, 0.63, and 0.84 kg ae ha−1 at V2, V4, R1, and R4 growth stages. On separate plots, 0.84 kg ha−1 glyphosate was applied at each growth stage with hand weeding. A weed-free check was maintained with preemergence imazethapyr plus metolachlor supplemented with hand weeding, and a nontreated check was included. Weed population density before glyphosate application ranged from 239 to 606 plants m−2 in RT and 33 to 500 plants m−2 in NT systems. Setaria faberi and Chenopodium album were the predominant species. Weed control efficacy and crop yield were influenced more by application time than by glyphosate rate. Glyphosate applied at V2, V4, and R1 gave season-long control of weeds in 18-cm rows. In 76-cm rows, glyphosate applied at V2, V4, and R1 gave almost complete control of weeds, but broadleaf weeds emerged after application at V2. The critical time of weed removal, the time beyond which weed competition reduced G. max yield by 3% or more compared to the weed-free check, was at R1 and V4 in 18-cm RT G. max in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and at V2 in 76-cm RT G. max in both years. The predicted critical time of weed removal in 18- and 76-cm NT G. max was R1 and V4, respectively, in 1996 and R1 in 1997. This research showed that there was variation in the onset of the critical time of weed removal between tillage systems, as well as within tillage systems across years. The results indicate a single glyphosate application can prevent yield loss in narrow-row, glyphosate-resistant G. max under favorable conditions, but application timing becomes more critical in wide rows because the critical period of weed removal occurs earlier. Late-emerging weeds may warrant a second glyphosate application in wide-row G. max.

Greenhouse, field, and laboratory experiments were conducted in northern Greece during 1996, 1997, and 1998 to study possible metribuzin resistance in Amaranthus retroflexus (redroot pigweed) and Chenopodium album (common lambsquarters) biotypes found in potato fields. The greenhouse experiments indicated that the suspected resistant biotypes (R) of both species were not controlled by metribuzin applied either pre- or postemergence at rates of 245, 490, 980, and 1,960 g ai ha−1 (the higher rate is eight times greater than the rate recommended for weed control in Solanum tuberosum [potato]). However, susceptible biotypes (S) were completely controlled by 245 g ai ha−1. Also, both R- and S-biotypes of either species were effectively controlled by prometryn applied either pre- or postemergence at 1.5 kg ai ha−1. The field trials confirmed that metribuzin applied either pre- or postemergence at rates of 490, 980, and 1,960 g ai ha−1 gave fair or partial control of the R-biotype of C. album, whereas prometryn applied preemergence at 1.5 kg ai ha−1 gave excellent control of this weed. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements performed in laboratory experiments indicated that photosynthetic electron transport in metribuzin-incubated leaves detached from plants of the R-biotypes was not affected, but it was inhibited in leaves detached from plants of the S-biotypes. Electron transport was inhibited by prometryn in leaves detached from both S- and R-biotypes of either species. These results show clearly that the biotypes of both species developed resistance to metribuzin, but they were not cross-resistant to prometryn.