Flax-leaf alyssum (Alyssum linifolium Steph. ex. Willd.) is a winter weed species in irrigated and dryland farming systems of Iran. Experiments were conducted to compare the cardinal temperatures of A. linifolium at different levels of drought, salt concentration, and pH. In all experiments, the dent-like model showed a better fit than the quadratic polynomial model. Alyssum linifolium produced the highest germination rates at pH 7 and a temperature of 20C in nonstress treatment. Minimum, optimum, and ceiling temperatures in the dent-like model were 4.1 (upper=26.8, lower=10.0) and 35C, and in the quadratic polynomial model were 3.3, 19.1, and 35.0C, respectively. At increased salinity and drought potential levels, the minimum temperature increased, while optimum and ceiling temperatures decreased. Seeds could germinate at up to 20 dS m−1 and −1 MPa, respectively, but germination rate and percentage significantly decreased. The seeds of this weed germinated across a wide range of pH values (4≤pH≥8), but the temperature range at which seeds could germinate was reduced. These data serve as guidelines for species-specific propagation protocols and agricultural decision support systems.

Field experiments were conducted at Vegreville, Alberta in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1988 to determine the effects of green foxtail and pale smartweed on yield of wheat, barley, and canola. There was considerable variation among years in the response of crop yield to both weeds and in the relationship between weed dry weight and weed density. Mostly relationships between crop yield and either weed density or dry weight were poor, suggesting that the weeds competed weakly with the crops. Thus density or dry weight may be poor predictors of crop yield losses due to green foxtail or pale smartweed. Where the crops emerged ahead of these weeds, and where soil moisture was not a limiting factor, crop yield losses were minimal and control with herbicides probably uneconomical. In some instances, growth and development of the weeds was suppressed by the crops to the extent that little or no weed dry matter was present at crop maturity. This was most evident with barley, and where the crops emerged ahead of the weeds.

Relationships between volunteer barley plant density and both pea and volunteer barley yield were determined in field experiments conducted over 2 yr at Vegreville and Lethbridge, Alberta. Nonlinear regression analysis indicated that severe pea yield losses due to volunteer barley occurred at both locations. Averaged over both years, pea seed yield losses per volunteer barley plant (initial slopes) varied from 1.7% at Vegreville to 5.4% at Lethbridge. Based on certain assumptions, economic thresholds calculated from the equations were approximately 2 and 6 volunteer barley plants m−2 at Lethbridge and Vegreville, respectively. Revenue from the volunteer barley seed partially alleviated the monetary losses caused by the reduced pea seed yield. The effects of pea density on pea and volunteer barley yield were inconsistent and marginal. This suggested that there was little advantage, in terms of increasing pea yield or reducing volunteer barley interference, to seeding pea above the recommended rate of 100 plants m−2.

Crop yield loss–weed density relationships critically influence calculation of economic thresholds and the resulting management recommendations made by a bioeconomic model. To examine site-to-site and year-to-year variation in winter Triticum aestivum L. (winter wheat)–Aegilops cylindrica Host. (jointed goatgrass) interference relationships, the rectangular hyperbolic yield loss function was fit to data sets from multiyear field experiments conducted at Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The model was fit to three measures of A. cylindrica density: fall seedling, spring seedling, and reproductive tiller densities. Two parameters: i, the slope of the yield loss curve as A. cylindrica density approaches zero, and a, the maximum percentage yield loss as A. cylindrica density becomes very large, were estimated for each data set using nonlinear regression. Fit of the model to the data was better using spring seedling densities than fall seedling densities, but it was similar for spring seedling and reproductive tiller densities based on the residual mean square (RMS) values. Yield loss functions were less variable among years within a site than among sites for all measures of weed density. For the one site where year-to-year variation was observed (Archer, WY), parameter a varied significantly among years, but parameter i did not. Yield loss functions differed significantly among sites for 7 of 10 comparisons. Site-to-site statistical differences were generally due to variation in estimates of parameter i. Site-to-site and year-to-year variation in winter T. aestivum–A. cylindrica yield loss parameter estimates indicated that management recommendations made by a bioeconomic model cannot be based on a single yield loss function with the same parameter values for the winter T. aestivum-producing region. The predictive ability of a bioeconomic model is likely to be improved when yield loss functions incorporating time of emergence and crop density are built into the model's structure.

There is an ever-larger need for designing an integrated weed management (IWM) program largely because of the increase in glyphosate-resistant weeds, not only in the United States but also worldwide. An IWM program involves a combination of various methods (cultural, mechanical, biological, genetic, and chemical) for effective and economical weed control (Swanton and Weise 1991). One of the first steps in designing an IWM program is to identify the critical period for weed control (CPWC), defined as a period in the crop growth cycle during which weeds must be controlled to prevent crop yield losses (Zimdahl 1988).

Dermatitis from poison ivy is an important health problem, and considerable effort is devoted to the control of this virulent weed. Triclopyr, metsulfuron, and two fixed-ratio tank mixtures of triclopyr and metsulfuron were evaluated across a series of rates for poison ivy control. The objective was to test whether tank mixtures are more effective than triclopyr alone. Triclopyr, metsulfuron, and 9 : 1 and 8 : 2 (by weight) mixtures of these two herbicides, respectively, were applied at eight rates to 1-yr old, pot-grown poison ivy plants. Rates ranged in phytotoxicity from none to death. Percentage of control as determined from plant fresh weight reduction relative to a nontreated control was determined at 1 and 4 mo after treatment (MAT). Data were subjected to ANOVA followed by nonlinear regression. Rates required for 95% control at 1 MAT, control of regrowth at 4 MAT, and the costs of these treatments were determined for the herbicides applied alone and the mixtures. Triclopyr alone and metsulfuron alone were consistently the least and the most expensive treatments, respectively. The mixtures were intermediate to these extremes.

Advances in statistical software allow statistical methods for nonlinear regression analysis of dose-response curves to be carried out conveniently by non-statisticians. One such statistical software is the program R with the drc extension package. The drc package can: (1) simultaneously fit multiple dose-response curves; (2) compare curve parameters for significant differences; (3) calculate any point along the curve at the response level of interest, commonly known as an effective dose (e.g., ED30, ED50, ED90), and determine its significance; and (4) generate graphs for publications or presentations. We believe that the drc package has advantages that include: the ability to relatively simply and quickly compare multiple curves and select ED-levels easily along the curve with relevant statistics; the package is free of charge and does not require licensing fees, and the size of the package is only 70 MB. Therefore, our objectives are to: (1) provide a review of a few common issues in dose-response-curve fitting, and (2) facilitate the use of up-to-date statistical techniques for analysis of dose-response curves with this software. The methods described can be utilized to evaluate chemical and non-chemical weed control options. Benefits to the practitioners and academics are also presented.

Greenhouse dose–response studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of PRE and POST applications of saflufenacil on blue mustard, flixweed, Palmer amaranth, redroot pigweed, and tumble pigweed. Weed species did not differ in their responses to saflufenacil applied PRE. Averaged across species, PRE application of saflufenacil at 6 to 30 g/ha reduced weed biomass 82 to 98%, but biomass did not differ among rates of 12 g/ha or higher. POST application of saflufenacil reduced weed biomass by 92%, averaged across species and rates. On the basis of regression analysis, the 90% plant biomass reduction for saflufenacil applied PRE and POST was 9 and 6 g/ha, respectively. Saflufenacil applied PRE reduced population density by 77 to 98%, averaged across weed species; a rate of 9 g/ha reduced population density 90% (DR90) on the basis of regression analysis. Averaged across species, POST application of 6 to 30 g/ha reduced population density by 63 to 93%, but regression analysis indicated that the DR90 value was greater than 30 g/ha. Averaged across rates, saflufenacil reduced the population density of flixweed, Palmer amaranth, redroot pigweed, tumble pigweed, and blue mustard by 49, 64, 67, 73, and 78%, respectively.

Field experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the herbicidal activity of phenyl isothiocyanate (ITC) on yellow nutsedge, Palmer amaranth, and large crabgrass in tomato grown on two polyethylene-mulched types. Treatments included two mulch types (low density polyethylene [LDPE] mulch and virtually impermeable film [VIF] mulch) and phenyl ITC at 0, 15, 75, 150, 750, and 1,500 kg ha−1. A standard rate of methyl bromide/chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ha−1 under LDPE mulch was included for comparison. Regardless of mulch type, phenyl ITC at 1,452 (±133) and 1,719 (±426) kg ha−1 was required for broad-spectrum weed control equivalent to methyl bromide in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Tomato injury was ≥ 44% at the highest phenyl ITC rate of 1,500 kg ha−1 at 2 wk after transplanting (WATP) both years, irrespective of mulch type. Greater crop injury was observed from 750 kg ha−1 of phenyl ITC in 2006 (≥ 27%) than in 2007 (≤ 10%). The greater injury in 2006 was attributed to a higher phenyl ITC concentration because holes in the plastic mulch for transplanting were punched at the time of transplanting in 2006; whereas, in 2007 holes were punched 2 d before transplanting, allowing 2 d of aeration before transplanting. Tomato marketable yield at all rates of phenyl ITC was lower than with methyl bromide in 2006. However, in 2007, marketable yield in plots treated with phenyl ITC at 750 kg ha−1 was equivalent to methyl bromide. Overall, VIF mulch was no more effective than LDPE mulch at increasing weed control or improving the marketable yield of tomato either year.

Glyphosate plus flumioxazin tank mixtures have become popular in the nursery production and landscape maintenance industries in the southeastern United States. Research was conducted to compare the efficacy of such a mixture relative to the components applied alone. Glyphosate, flumioxazin, and glyphosate plus flumioxazin (2 : 1, w/w) were applied POST in container trials to four weed species at a series of rates that ranged from no effect to death. Regression analyses revealed that control data from all three treatment series could be described by the four-parameter, log-logistic model. With respect to glyphosate and flumioxazin applied alone, analysis revealed that across all four species, a lower rate of flumioxazin was required for 90% control than of glyphosate. The rate of the mixture required for 90% control was generally intermediate to the components applied alone and ranged from 0.36 kg ha−1 for hairy bittercress to 1.52 kg ha−1 for eclipta. Glyphosate alone was more cost effective than either flumioxazin alone or the mixture for the POST-applied control of all four species. The popularity of the tank mixture might be the result of flumioxazin-based PRE activity that was not measured in this study.

Both prodiamine and flumioxazin are used in the nursery production and landscape maintenance industries in the southeastern United States for preemergence weed control. Research was conducted to determine whether a tank mixture of these two herbicides would be more effective than either component applied alone. Prodiamine alone, flumioxazin alone, and a 72 : 28 (by weight) prodiamine–flumioxazin mixture were each applied at a series of rates to containers filled with a pine bark–sand substrate that is typical for nursery production in the southeastern United States. Our intent was to have a rate range that hopefully extended from ineffective to lethal for each treatment series. Subsequent to treatment, containers were overseeded with either large crabgrass, spotted spurge, or eclipta. Percent control was determined by comparing treated weed foliage fresh weight to that of the appropriate nontreated control at 6 and 12 wk after application. ANOVA followed by nonlinear regression was used to evaluate the interaction of prodiamine and flumioxazin when combined and to determine the rate of each treatment series required for 95% control (if applicable) for each of the three weed species. Results varied with weed species. The mixture was synergistic and more cost effective than either of the components applied alone in controlling spotted spurge. With respect to large crabgrass control, the mixture was additive and slightly more cost effective than the components. Eclipta could only be controlled with flumioxazin, and this control was antagonized by the addition of prodiamine.

Glyphosate-based, ready-to-use weed control products frequently contain diquat (typically, 0.04 by weight relative to glyphosate) under the supposition that the diquat, “makes glyphosate work faster.” However, in light of the known modes of actions of glyphosate and diquat, we hypothesize that diquat may be antagonistic to glyphosate activity. Greenhouse experiments using longstalked phyllanthus were conducted to test this hypothesis. Glyphosate was applied at a series of rates, ranging from 0.11 to 1.12 kg ae/ha, either alone or tank-mixed with either 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 diquat. Onset of visual injury was more pronounced with the glyphosate + diquat tank mixtures compared with glyphosate alone. However, long-term control, as expressed by regrowth suppression, was greater with glyphosate alone. Regression analysis indicated that, at marginally effective glyphosate rates, the amount of glyphosate must be increased by approximately 60% to compensate for the diquat-based antagonism. Absorption and translocation studies using 14C-glyphosate revealed that the antagonism of diquat toward glyphosate can be attributed to reduced translocation of absorbed glyphosate.

The critical period for weed control (CPWC) is a period in the crop growth cycle during which weeds must be controlled to prevent yield losses. Knowing the CPWC is useful in making decisions on the need for and timing of weed control and in achieving efficient herbicide use from both biological and economic perspectives. An increase in the use of herbicide-tolerant crops, especially soybean resistant to glyphosate, has stimulated interest in the concept of CPWC. Recently, several studies examined this concept in glyphosate-resistant corn and soybean across the midwestern United States. However, these studies presented various methods for data analysis and reported CPWC on the basis of a variety of crop- or weed-related parameters. The objectives of this study are (1) to provide a review of the concept and studies of the CPWC, (2) to suggest a common method to standardize the process of data analysis, and (3) to invite additional discussions for further debate on the subject. Wide adoption of the suggested method of data analysis will allow easier comparison of the results among sites and between researchers.

Yellow starthistle is an invasive plant species common in the semiarid climate of central Idaho and other western states. Early detection of yellow starthistle and estimation of its infestation potential in semiarid grasslands have important scientific and managerial implications. Weed detection and delineation of infestations are often carried out by using ground survey techniques. However, such methods can be inefficient and expensive in detecting sparse infestations. The distribution of yellow starthistle over a large region may be affected by various landscape variables such as elevation, slope, and aspect. These exogenous variables may be used to develop prediction models to estimate the potential for yellow starthistle invasion into new areas. A nonlinear prediction model has been developed using a polar coordinate transformation of landscape characteristics to predict the likelihood of yellow starthistle occurrence in north-central Idaho. The study region included the lower Snake River and parts of the Salmon and Clearwater basins encompassing various land-use (range, pasture, and forest) categories. The model provided accurate estimates of yellow starthistle incidence within each specified land-use category and performed well in subsequent statistical validations. This prediction model can assist land managers in focusing their efforts by identifying specific areas for survey.

Spreading dogbane is a common perennial weed in wild blueberry fields. It is highly competitive and spreads rapidly once established. Herbicides can provide effective control of spreading dogbane, but application timing is important. The emergence pattern, ramet height, and flowering time of spreading dogbane were observed in 2008 and 2009, and thermal-based emergence, growth, and development models were developed and used to estimate optimum herbicide application timing. Spreading dogbane emergence and height were described with a three-parameter, sigmoid, nonlinear regression model, whereas flowering was described with a four-parameter, Weibull, nonlinear regression model. Spreading dogbane ramets initiated emergence soon after the biofix date of April 1. Peak emergence tended to occur at 420 growing degree days (GDD). Spreading dogbane reached its peak height by about 558 GDD. The maximum number of flowers per plant was reached at approximately 750 GDD. This study suggested that POST herbicides should be applied between 486 and 535 GDD to maximize efficacy. This time frame occurs after peak emergence and during early floral bud development.

Although foliar herbicide absorption has been studied intensively, there is currently no standardized method for data analysis when evaluating herbicide absorption over time. Most peer-reviewed journals require the treatment structure of data be incorporated in the analysis; however, many herbicide absorption studies published in the past 5 yr do not account for the time structure of the experiment. Herbicide absorption studies have been presented in a variety of ways, making it difficult to compare results among studies. The objective of this article is to propose possible nonlinear models to analyze herbicide absorption data and to provide a stepwise framework so that researchers may standardize the analysis method in this important research area. Asymptotic regression and rectangular hyperbolic models with similar parameterizations are proposed, so that the maximum herbicide absorption and absorption rate may be adequately modeled and statistically compared among treatments. Adoption of these models for herbicide absorption analysis over time will provide a standardized method making comparison of results within and among studies more practical.

Black medic is a troublesome weed in commercial strawberry fields in Florida. It emerges during crop establishment from the planting holes punched in plastic mulches that are installed on raised beds. Clopyralid is registered for posttransplant applications at 140 to 280 g ae ha−1 but growers typically report suppression, not control. An outdoor potted experiment was designed to model the black medic dose-response curve and determine the effect of plant size at application on control. Two plant sizes were selected: designated small (0.5- to 1-cm stem length) and large (3- to 6-cm stem length). Dose-response curves were generated using a log-logistic four-parameter model. At 22 d after treatment (DAT), there was a significant interaction between clopyralid rate and black medic growth stage on both epinasty (P = 0.0022) and chlorosis (P = 0.0055). The effective dosage to induce 90% (ED90) epinasty were 249.5 and 398.3 g ha−1 for the small and large growth stages, respectively. The ED90 for chlorosis was 748.2 for the small growth stage, whereas the estimated value for the large was outside the measured range. For necrosis there was no significant effect of growth stage, and the ED90 was 1,856.3 g ha−1. The aboveground dry biomass ED90 for the small growth stage was 197.3 g ha−1, and the estimated ED90 value for the large was not within the measured range. Results indicate that clopyralid adequately controls black medic when applied at maximum label rates when stems were 0.5 to 1 cm long but not when plants were larger. Poor efficacy typically observed in commercial fields is likely due to black medic plant size or lack of herbicide coverage via shielding by strawberry plants.

Glyphosate-based, ready-to-use weed control products often contain pelargonic acid (PA) at a concentration equivalent to that of the glyphosate. It remains unclear what benefit, if any, this combination provides. Greenhouse experiments using large crabgrass, yellow nutsedge, longstalked phyllanthus, and prostrate spurge were conducted to determine whether the addition of PA improved weed control efficacy compared to glyphosate alone. Glyphosate was applied at a series of rates, ranging from 0.11 to 1.12 kg ae/ha, either alone or with an equal rate of PA. Addition of PA to glyphosate was synergistic only in longstalked phyllanthus and yellow nutsedge, and this synergism was manifested only as an increase in the amount of early (i.e., 5 to 7 d after treatment) visual injury. Conversely, longer-term control and control of regrowth was either not affected or reduced by the addition of PA. We conclude that the addition of PA to glyphosate in ready-to-use weed control products is neither warranted nor justified. However, we also note that the increase in early injury that was observed in only two of the four species evaluated could be an important attribute for the consumers for which these products are targeted.

Dermatitis from poison ivy is a significant health problem. Considerable effort is devoted to the control of this invasive and virulent weed in urban areas. Glyphosate, triclopyr, 2,4-D, a 1 : 1 mixture of glyphosate and 2,4-D, and a 9 : 1 mixture of glyphosate and triclopyr were evaluated for poison ivy control. Each of these three herbicides and two mixtures were applied at nine or ten rates, which ranged in phytotoxicity from none to death. Poison ivy plants had been propagated and container-grown. Percent control, as determined from plant fresh weight reduction, was determined at 1 and 4 mo after treatment (MAT). Data were subjected to ANOVA followed by nonlinear regression. Rates required for 95% control at 1 and 4 MAT and the associated costs were determined for each of the three herbicides and two mixtures. Acceptable control (i.e., ≥ 95%) at 1 and 4 MAT could be obtained at a much lower cost with either triclopyr or 2,4-D than with either glyphosate alone or with the two glyphosate-containing mixtures. Nonlinear regression also was used to evaluate whether the two mixtures were interactive (i.e., synergistic or antagonistic) or not (i.e., additive). Glyphosate plus triclopyr was synergistic for control at both 1 and 4 MAT. Glyphosate plus 2,4-D was synergistic for control at 4 MAT only. However, for both mixtures, synergism was only evident at rates that controlled poison ivy ≤ 80%. Both mixtures were noninteractive at rates required for acceptable control.