Field experiments in 1984 and 1985 near Headland, AL involved the influence of 18 integrated weed management systems incorporated from nine herbicide-tillage systems (H-T) and two row patterns on control of large crabgrass and Texas panicum, crop yield, and net returns in grain sorghum. The conventional-tillage system plus herbicide combinations; alachlor preplant incorporated (PPI), atrazine postemergence (POST), and paraquat POST directed, provided 90% or greater control of large crabgrass throughout the season and high sorghum yields in one of two years; and 90% or greater control of Texas panicum from mid-June through mid-August and high sorghum yields in both years. Results in 1984 and 1985 similar to those above were obtained with strip tillage plus herbicide combinations; alachlor PPI, atrazine POST, and paraquat POST directed; alachlor PPI and tridiphane plus atrazine POST; and tridiphane plus atrazine POST and paraquat POST directed. Row patterns did not consistently influence control of large crabgrass, Texas panicum, or sorghum yield. Economic net returns ranged from – $20 to $210 per hectare for the large crabgrass control systems in 1984; however, low sorghum yields in 1985 resulted largely in negative returns. Similar net returns were obtained in the Texas panicum experiment.

Studies on the efficacy and economic analysis of Texas panicum management systems in corn were conducted in Georgia on a loamy sand soil in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Management systems that included butylate, EPTC, atrazine plus tridiphane, atrazine plus pendimethalin, atrazine plus trifluralin, paraquat, or ametryn acceptably control Texas panicum. Corn yields were not affected significantly by the Texas panicum management systems. Overall net returns calculated for corn production indicated that systems which included postemergence applications of atrazine, pendimethalin, trifluralin, paraquat, ametryn, or cultivation alone gave the highest net returns. Systems which included butylate, EPTC, or tridiphane frequently had significantly lower net returns.

The effect of soil matric potential from −0.02 to <–1.5 MPa on Texas panicum growth in drainage lysimeters covered by an automatic rainfall shelter was measured in 1984, 1985, and 1986. Rate of tiller production was faster for plants established in April than June in 1984 and 1985, but not 1986. In 1985 and 1986, dry weight was greater, but total seed production was less for plants established in April than June. Irrigation when the soil matric potential was −0.02, −0.075, or −1.5 MPa did not affect rate of tiller production in 1984. Irrigation when the soil matric potential was −1.5 MPa decreased dry weight of plants but increased seed number per panicle compared to irrigation when the soil matric potential was −0.02 MPa in 1985 and 1986. Plants grown in lysimeters irrigated at soil matric potential <–1.5 MPa in 1985 and 1986 did not wilt at 8:00 a.m.; therefore, they were not watered after establishment. These nonirrigated plants averaged 0.9 and 0.4 kg dry weight and produced 92 200 and 16 100 seeds in 1985 and 1986, respectively.

Barnyardgrass, large crabgrass, and Texas panicum were evaluated in field experiments over 3 yr to measure their duration of interference and density on grain sorghum yield. When grain yield data were converted to a percentage of the weed-free control, linear regression predicted a 3.6% yield loss for each week of weed interference regardless of year or grass species. Grain sorghum grown in a narrow (61-cm) row spacing was affected little by full-season interference; however, in wide (91-cm) rows, interference increased as grass density increased. Data from the wide-row spacing were described by linear regression following conversion of grain yield to percentages and weed density to log10. A separate nonlinear model also was derived which could predict the effect of weed density on grain sorghum yield.

The effectiveness and profitability of weed control with herbicides and cultivation were determined in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner′) infested with Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. # PANTE), sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. # CASOB), and pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA). Highest peanut yield (4260 kg/ha) and net returns were achieved in 2 of 3 yr with benefin [N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] applied preplant incorporated followed by alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl) acetamide] and dinoseb [2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol] plus naptalam {2-[(1-naphthalenylamino)carbonyl] benzoic acid} applied at ground cracking, with two timely cultivations. Systems utilizing herbicides alone did not provide highest net returns, peanut yield, or weed control.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effect of mixing bromoxynil with clethodim, sethoxydim, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-P plus fenoxaprop-P, or quizalofop-P on annual grass control. Antagonism with mixtures of bromoxynil and graminicides was dependent upon species and the graminicide in the mixture. Goosegrass control was unaffected by mixing bromoxynil with any graminicide. Mixing bromoxynil with clethodim, sethoxydim, fluazifop-P, or fluazifop-P plus fenoxaprop-P had no effect on control of Texas panicum, but the rate of quizalofop-P required for 80% control was increased 240%. Mixing bromoxynil with clethodim or sethoxydim had no effect on control of large crabgrass or yellow foxtail, but the rate of fluazifop-P, fluazifop-P plus fenoxaprop-P, or quizalofop-P required for 80% control was increased 180 to 290%. Antagonism of large crabgrass and yellow foxtail control with mixtures of quizalofop-P and bromoxynil increased as the rate of bromoxynil increased. Antagonism toward large crabgrass and yellow foxtail was alleviated by applying bromoxynil 6 d before the graminicides or 3 or 6 d after the graminicides.

Postemergence treatments utilizing various combinations of fluazifop-P, paraquat, and 2,4-DB were compared to a preplant-incorporated (PPI) application of benefin followed by a ground-cracking application of alachlor and dinoseb plus naptalam and a postemergence application of 2,4-DB for weed control, peanut yield, and net economic return to land, overhead, and management. The greatest peanut yields (3-yr average of 4510 kg/ha) and net returns (3-yr average of $521/ha) were provided by a postemergence system that utilized one ground-cracking and one postemergence application of paraquat and one postemergence application of fluazifop-P and 2,4-DB. Seven postemergence systems provided equivalent or greater yield and net returns than the PPI and dinoseb plus naptalam system. Fresh weight reductions of Texas panicum, sicklepod, Florida beggarweed, and pitted morningglory from postemergence weed control systems were equivalent to reductions obtained from the PPI and dinoseb plus naptalam system. The addition of paraquat and 2,4-DB to the PPI and dinoseb plus naptalam system improved the 3-yr average peanut yield and net economic return by 510 kg/ha and $136/ha, respectively, compared to the same system without paraquat and 2,4-DB.

Bentazon reduced paraquat phytotoxicity to Texas panicum, sicklepod, Florida beggarweed, and peanut. Bentazon applied alone had minimal effect on these species. Smallflower morningglory was more sensitive to bentazon than to paraquat; the interaction of paraquat and bentazon varied from antagonistic to synergistic depending upon the specific combination of rates. Antagonism with tank-mixed combinations was also obtained by applying bentazon prior to paraquat, but not with the reverse. Studies with 14C-labeled herbicides revealed that each herbicide inhibited foliar penetration of the other. In field studies, adding bentazon to paraquat reduced crop injury. However, except for smallflower morningglory, weed control was also reduced.

Texas panicum was grown in controlled-environment chambers in 16 day/night temperature regimes ranging from 19/11 to 34/26 C. After 33 days, maximum plant height, leaf area, and dry weight occurred at 34/26 C. The greatest number of tillers and leaves occurred at 34/16 C. Partitioning of plant biomass into stems increased with increasing night temperature, while partitioning into leaves tended to decrease. Partitioning of biomass into roots decreased with increasing night temperature at day temperatures of 19 or 24 C but not at 34 C. Plant dry matter production (DMP) was highly correlated with both leaf area duration (LAD) and net assimilation rate (NAR) during the first 2 weeks of growth. During the subsequent 3 weeks, DMP was highly correlated with LAD but not with NAR. The low-temperature threshold for growth of Texas panicum was approximately 11 C. Texas panicum attained 25% of its maximum growth at an average daily temperature of 21 C, 50% at 24 C, and 75% at 26 C. Texas panicum is unlikely to become a highly competitive weed outside the southern and southwestern United States.

CGA 82725 {2-propynyl [2-[4-[(3,5-dichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)] phenoxy] propanoate}, haloxyfop {2-[4-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid}, sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}, and fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoic acid} were applied postemergence to Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. # PANTE), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA], and broadleaf signalgrass [Brachiaria platyphylla (Griseb.)Nash. # BRAPP] in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner’). Fluazifop applied at 280 and 410 g ai/ha, sethoxydim at 340 g ai/ha, haloxyfop at 140 g ai/ha, and CGA 82725 at 280 g ai/ha usually gave better control when applied to annual grasses in the two- to four-leaf stage than when applied at the six- to eight-leaf stage. Higher rates of application were required to provide acceptable weed control at the later stage of growth. Peanut yields were usually higher following the early applications, indicating that timing of application is important in obtaining improved yields.

Traditional weed control systems based on soil-applied herbicides and cultivations were compared with systems utilizing postemergence grass herbicides for Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckle. # PANTE) control in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner′) production. Maximum net returns ($150/ha) and peanut yield were achieved with traditional systems utilizing benefin [N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] applied preplant incorporated plus alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] and dinoseb [2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol] applied at ground cracking and two cultivations. The postemergence system using alachlor plus dinoseb applied at ground cracking and sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio) propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} applied postemergence also provided maximum net returns ($146/ha) and peanut yield.

Field experiments were conducted in 1982 and 1983 on a Dothan sandy loam (Plinthic Paleudult) at Headland, AL, to investigate minimum-tillage production of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiments included two peanut varieties: a) ‘Pronto’ (an earlier maturing Spanish type), and b) ‘Florunner’ (a later maturing runner type). Two row-spacing patterns were used: a) conventional 91-cm rows, and b) a modified twin 18-cm row pattern. A constant seeding rate (140 kg/ha) was used regardless of row spacing. Six herbicide systems were evaluated within each combination of variety and row spacing. The Florunner variety outyielded the Pronto variety across both years and weed management systems. Modified twin 18-cm rows outyielded conventional 91-cm rows across years and peanut varieties. Two of the six weed management systems were successful: 1) paraquat (1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridinium ion) + oryzalin (3,5-dinitro-N4,N4-dipropylsulfanilamide) (preemergence), paraquat (ground cracking), naptalam (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid) + dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) (postemergence); and 2) paraquat + pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] (preemergence), acetochlor [2-chloro-N(ethoxymethyl)-6’-ethyl-o-acetotoluidide] + dinoseb (ground cracking), and cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropionitrile} (early postdirected spray). Both systems provided the best overall control of Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. ♯ PANTE), Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC. ♯ DEDTO], and sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. ♯ CASOB) and were acceptable for use in minimum-tillage peanut production.

Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) was applied to peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner’) for Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. # PANTE) control at 0.07, 0.14, and 0.28 kg ai/ha under five application schedules; a single application at 0, 1, 3, or 5 weeks after ground cracking, or multiple applications at 1 + 5 weeks or 1 + 3 + 5 weeks after ground cracking. Peanuts were planted at two different times (normal and late). A herbicide application at the third week (normal planting), or the third or fifth week after ground cracking (late planting) provided acceptable Texas panicum control. Control generally increased with rate. However, increasing paraquat rates with single applications on late-planted peanuts or multiple applications to normal- and late-planted peanuts tended to reduce yield and grade. A single application of 0.07 or 0.14 kg/ha applied the third week after ground cracking consistently provided the best balance between Texas panicum control and crop safety.

Field studies were conducted in 1988 and 1989 under dryland and irrigated conditions to determine effects of various herbicides for use in peanuts on weed control and peanut yield under a reduced tillage system. Under dryland and irrigated conditions, sethoxydim + acifluorfen consistently controlled Texas panicum. Paraquat + bentazon controlled Texas panicum poorly under dryland conditions. Pendimethalin + metolachlor provided ≥ 80% Texas panicum control under irrigated conditions.

Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl. # PANTE) is a native of the Southwest, now increasing as a weed throughout the southern United States, whereas wild proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L. # PANMI) is an introduced weed currently increasing in importance in the northern Midwest. In controlled-environment chambers, both species produced more tillers, greater leaf area, and more total dry weight at 30/24 C day/night (simulated growing season temperature in Georgia) than at 24/18 C (simulated growing season temperature in Minnesota). Texas panicum accumulated more dry matter at 30/24 C than did wild proso millet, while wild proso millet accumulated more dry matter at 24/18 C than did Texas panicum. When the two species were grown together, Texas panicum was the superior competitor at 30/24 C while wild proso millet was superior at 24/18 C. Exposure to short photoperiods at an intermediate temperature of 27/21 C accelerated flowering and limited vegetative growth in both species. In the range of photoperiods (10 to 16 h) examined, wild proso millet always flowered earlier and, consequently, produced less vegetative growth than Texas panicum. Its responses to temperature and photoperiod indicate that wild proso millet probably would be competitively inferior to Texas panicum and other adapted grass weeds in the southern United States.

Studies were conducted from 1990 through 1994 near Tifton, GA, on the population dynamics of yellow nutsedge and certain annual weeds in peanut—corn and peanut—cotton rotations. Converse rotation sequences were included to eliminate year effects. Continuous fallow plots (noncrop) were included for comparison. Within each crop, including fallow, were 3 levels of weed management: low, moderate, and intensive. Weed densities and numbers of yellow nutsedge tubers were not affected by crop rotations, but they were affected by individual crops and weed management systems in each crop. Fallow plots, including those with intensive fallow weed management using tillage and nonselective herbicides, consistently contained more yellow nutsedge plants and tubers than other plots. Moderate and intensive weed control systems in peanut and cotton reduced yellow nutsedge densities and tubers, but only peanut yields were increased by intensive weed management. Weed management systems did not affect yellow nutsedge densities in corn, although yields were increased by moderate and intensive systems due to improved control of other weeds. Our results suggest that uninterrupted plantings of peanut, corn, or cotton with moderate levels of weed management are generally sufficient to suppress yellow nutsedge and allow for optimum crop yield. If fields are fallow, yellow nutsedge population densities and tubers will increase exponentially, even with intensive fallow weed management.

Field studies were conducted from 1985 to 1987 to evaluate postemergence herbicide systems with preemergence systems to control Texas panicum, Florida beggarweed, sicklepod, and pitted morningglory in peanuts. Adding paraquat at 0.14 kg ai/ha to postemergence herbicide systems reduced fresh weight of Florida beggarweed 92% (18% increase over the same systems without paraquat), sicklepod 95% (21% increase), and pitted morningglory 95% (11% increase). Herbicide systems containing paraquat improved peanut yields by 230 kg/ha and net returns by $52/ha over herbicide systems not containing paraquat. Fluazifop-P and sethoxydim systems reduced Texas panicum fresh weight (at least 96%) more than a preemergence system (92% reduction) that used benefin applied preplant incorporated and alachlor plus naptalam and dinoseb applied at cracking (GC) or a postemergence system that used alachlor and naptalam plus dinoseb GC and paraquat applied early postemergence (86% reduction). Systems containing fluazifop-P provided greater yields (4190 kg/ha) and net returns ($383/ha) than systems containing sethoxydim (4010 kg/ha, $305/ha) when averaged across all rates of application.

Imidazolinone herbicides injure currently available commercial field corn cultivars; however, cultivars resistant to these herbicides have been developed. Sicklepod, Texas panicum, and annual morningglory control using AC 263,222 (36 and 72 g ai/ha), imazethapyr (36 and 72 g ai/ha), or nicosulfuron (35 g ai/ha) applied POST at 2,4, and 6 wk after planting were evaluated in imidazolinone-tolerant corn. Studies were conducted at Attapulgus and Plains, Georgia from 1992 through 1993. Nicosulfuron and AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha controlled Texas panicum at least 87% when applied 2 wk after planting. Imazethapyr did not consistently control Texas panicum or sicklepod, regardless of application rate. AC 263,222 at both rates and nicosulfuron controlled sicklepod at least 86% when applied 2 wk after planting; however, later application or application under dry conditions generally resulted in reduced control. All herbicides controlled the entireleaf and pitted morningglory complex at least 84% when applied 2 wk after planting. Imidazolinone-tolerant corn was tolerant to all herbicides, regardless of rate and timing, and generally yielded greater when weeds were controlled early in the season.

Field experiments were conducted from 1985 to 1987 to evaluate herbicide systems for minimum-tillage and conventional-tillage peanut production. While acceptable weed control could be achieved in both tillage systems, minimum-tillage systems generally had to be more herbicide intensive. Preemergence or preplant-incorporated within-the-row applications of either ethalfluralin or pendimethalin plus postemergence applications of paraquat and sethoxydim provided Texas panicum control equivalent to preplant-incorporated applications of ethalfluralin or pendimethalin. Early-postemergence paraquat applications improved Florida beggarweed and pitted morningglory control in conventional-tillage systems at least 15% compared to the same systems without paraquat Control of bristly starbur and sicklepod in conventional-tillage systems did not increase with paraquat application. Broadleaf weed control did not differ between tillage systems, except pitted morningglory control was lower in the minimum-tillage system. Conventional-tillage peanuts produced yields 800 to 1900 kg/ha higher, depending on herbicide system, and also provided greater net returns than minimum-tillage peanuts. The greater yield and net returns in conventional- versus minimum-tillage systems were not attributed to weed control or disease problems.

Thirteen field trials were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate postemergence (POST) weed control with single applications of bromoxynil at 420 or 560 g ai/ha, glufosinate at 291 or 409 g ai/ha, glyphosate at 1,120 g ai/ha, pyrithiobac at 36 or 72 g ai/ha, or sulfosate at 1,120 g ai/ha. Additional treatments evaluated included two applications with glufosinate at both rates in all possible combinations, two applications of glyphosate, and two applications of sulfosate. Weeds were 2 to 5 cm or 8 to 10 cm tall for annual grass and broadleaf weeds whereas yellow nutsedge and glyphosate-resistant corn were 8 to 10 cm tall. All herbicide treatments controlled 2- to 5-cm common cocklebur, Florida beggarweed, jimsonweed, ladysthumb smartweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, pitted morningglory, prickly sida, redroot pigweed, smooth pigweed, and velvetleaf at least 90%. All herbicide treatments except pyrithiobac at either rate controlled 2- to 5-cm common lambsquarters, common ragweed, and tall morningglory at least 90%; pyrithiobac at the lower rate was the only treatment that failed to control entireleaf and ivyleaf morningglory at least 90%. Bromoxynil and pyrithiobac at either rate controlled 2- to 5-cm sicklepod 33 to 68% whereas glufosinate, glyphosate, and sulfostate controlled ≥99%. Glyphosate and sulfosate applied once or twice controlled hemp sesbania less than 70% and volunteer peanut less than 80%. Bromoxynil and pyrithiobac were the least effective treatments for control of annual grass species and bromoxynil controlled Palmer amaranth less than 80%. Glufosinate controlled broadleaf signalgrass, fall panicum, giant foxtail, green foxtail, large crabgrass, yellow foxtail, seedling johnsongrass, Texas panicum, and glyphosate-resistant corn at least 90% but controlled goosegrass less than 60%. Glyphosate and sulfosate controlled all grass species except glyphosate-resistant corn at least 90%. In greenhouse research, goosegrass could be controlled with glufosinate POST plus a late POST-directed treatment of prometryn plus monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid.