Weed control and corn vigor were evaluated to determine the effects of application rate, timing, and other POST herbicides on primisulfuron activity. Corn injury caused by primisulfuron was very low. Weed control varied with species and stage of growth. Primisulfuron showed high activity on emerged johnsongrass, particularly with early postemergence (EP) and mid postemergence (MP) applications. However, these treatments did not provide full season control of this species due to regrowth from rhizomes and continuous germination of new seeds. Primisulfuron controlled giant foxtail with the EP timing (< 5 cm weed height), but not with MP and late postemergence (LP) applications. Common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed control was most effective with EP applications. Primisulfuron in combination with cyanazine, atrazine, cyanazine plus tridiphane, atrazine plus tridiphane, bentazon, 2,4-D, dicamba, or paraquat controlled common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed better than primisulfuron applied alone. Johnsongrass control decreased when primisulfuron was combined with paraquat or 2,4-D and giant foxtail control decreased when primisulfuron was combined with 2,4-D or dicamba.

Field experiments were conducted in Louisiana over 2 yr to evaluate the influence of full-season interference from johnsongrass, common cocklebur, or hemp sesbania at densities of 2.5, 0.5, and 2.0 plants m–1 of row, respectively, and simulated insect defoliation of soybean on weed and soybean growth. Defoliation at R2 (full bloom) and R5 (beginning seed development) soybean growth stages was accomplished by removal of zero, one, or two leaflets per soybean trifoliate, which approximated 0, 33, and 66% defoliation, respectively. Height and dry weight of all weeds were not affected by soybean defoliation level or defoliation stage. Soybean height 3 wk after defoliation at R5 was not influenced by weed interference, soybean defoliation level, or defoliation stage in either year. Averaged across soybean defoliation levels and stages in 1994, johnsongrass, common cocklebur, and hemp sesbania reduced soybean yields 30, 15, and 14%, respectively. In 1995, johnsongrass reduced soybean yield 35%. As soybean defoliation level increased, a linear decrease in soybean yield was observed. Averaged across weeds and soybean defoliation stages, 33 and 66% defoliation reduced soybean yield 6 and 20% in 1994 and 12 and 33% in 1995, respectively. Defoliation at R5 resulted in 10% lower yield than defoliation at R2 in one of two years. Yield reduction due to combinations of weeds and soybean defoliation was additive.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate factors affecting johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHA] control in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Essex’] with three foliarly-applied herbicides. In 1980, johnsongrass height at treatment time had little effect on control due to inadequate soil moisture. In 1981, a wet year, best control was achieved on 15- or 40-cm-tall johnsongrass. BAS-9052 {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} at 0.6 kg/ha gave good to excellent control at all growth stages. Two applications of 0.3 kg/ha of BAS-9052 in both years and PP-009 butyl {2-[4-[5-(trifluoromethyl-2-pyridinyloxy)] phenoxy] propanoate} in 1981 increased johnsongrass control compared to only one treatment. Mixing BAS-9052 with other herbicides significantly reduced johnsongrass control. Greenhouse studies to determine the effect of soil water on herbicide response indicated that drier soils decreased johnsongrass regrowth with PP-009 and increased regrowth with BAS-9052.

Imazaquin and imazethapyr were applied postemergence to soybeans for control of 8- to 12-leaf rhizome johnsongrass and pitted morningglory in the field. At 8 weeks, johnsongrass control was 70% with 70 g ai/ha imazaquin plus 105 g ai/ha imazethapyr but was no more than 50% with a single application of either herbicide. Imazaquin at 70 g/ha plus imazethapyr at 35 g/ha interacted synergistically to provide 90% pitted morningglory control, while 140 g/ha imazaquin controlled 77%. Imazaquin at 70 g/ha with imazethapyr from 18 to 105 g/ha controlled both weed species equal to or better than that obtained with 140 g/ha imazaquin.

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of DPX-PE350 on the efficacy of fluazifop-P, sethoxydim, and quizalofop. DPX-PE350 severely antagonized the activity of fluazifop-P on large crabgrass. Antagonism of sethoxydim and quizalofop was dependent on rate of graminicide and large crabgrass stage of growth at application. DPX-PE350 did not reduce control of johnsongrass with quizalofop. Sethoxydim alone controlled 36 to 71% more johnsongrass than sethoxydim mixed with DPX-PE350 at 35 to 105 g ai ha-1. Antagonism of fluazifop-P activity was dependent upon the rate of DPX-PE350 and fluazifop-P applied. Applying DPX-PE350 3 d after fluazifop-P or sethoxydim reduced antagonism. Grass species, growth stage, rate, and sequential application timing all appear to play a role in the severity of antagonism.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate weed control systems in a conservation tillage rotation of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] – cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Herbicide systems included fall and spring/summer inputs of high and low intensity. Tillage regimes were no-till (NT) and reduced-till (RT) systems; the latter included fall primary tillage followed by spring stale seedbed planting. Both tillage systems utilized controlled traffic lanes and wide, raised beds. Effective johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHA] control required intense herbicide inputs at one or both application periods, i.e., in the fall and/or spring/summer. Grain sorghum and cotton yields for the most intense weed control system, which included high inputs in both the fall and spring/summer, were not superior to systems that included high inputs in only one of the two application periods. Seedling johnsongrass emergence occurred before spring planting in RT (but not in NT) in 2 of 3 yr, and control measures were ineffective. After 3 yr, the predominant weeds were johnsongrass and browntop panicum (Panicum fasciculatum Sw. # PANFA).

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that johnsongrass control in corn causes increased maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV) disease severity because of increased movement of insect vectors from dying johnsongrass to the corn crop. Johnsongrass control treatments included 1) broadcast POST nicosulfuron, 2) directed POST imazethapyr, 3) mechanical control, and 4) no treatment. Disease severity in both a virus-susceptible and a virus-tolerant corn hybrid was evaluated. With the virus-susceptible hybrid, greater disease severity was observed where johnsongrass was controlled in the experimental area than where johnsongrass was not controlled. Increases in disease severity were independent of the method of johnsongrass control. Corollary studies conducted on the same site verified a double infection of corn with MDMV and MCDV and documented movement of blackfaced leafhoppers, the insect vector of MCDV, subsequent to treatment of johnsongrass.

Growth characteristics and competitive relationships of cotton and three perennial weeds (johnsongrass, purple nutsedge, and yellow nutsedge) were investigated at the USDA Cotton Research Station in Shafter, CA. In growth analysis experiments, yellow nutsedge and johnsongrass had highest values for height, biomass, leaf area production, growth rate, and photosynthetic efficiency. The weeds exhibited greater overall resource use and production efficiency than cotton, while cotton attained greater leafiness and canopy closure than weeds over the 10-wk experiment. Linear correlation indicated that most growth variables were significantly correlated with aggressivity (competitiveness); however, all correlation coefficients were less than 0.80. Stepwise multiple regression, using aggressivity as the dependent variable, defined 4 growth variables out of 12 that best described competitiveness. These were unit leaf rate (ULR), height, relative growth rate (RGR), and initial propagule weight (PWT). Thus, parameters of light utilization (ULR, height) and early establishment (RGR, PWT) were best predictors of competitive success in this system.

A rainfall simulator was used to deliver the equivalent of 1.3 cm of water in 0.25 h at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after POST applications of asulam to johnsongrass in greenhouse and field studies. Johnsongrass control responses were similar when asulam was applied with either a crop oil concentrate or a commercially blended organosilicone/crop oil concentrate premix. Rainfall 24 h after asulam application reduced johnsongrass control in greenhouse studies. Maximum visual johnsongrass control of 80, 69, and 69% was obtained in field studies when rainfall occurred 20, 14, and 8 h after asulam application, respectively. Based on reductions in johnsongrass dry weight, rainfree periods needed to insure maximum performance with asulam in field studies ranged from 3 to 16 h. Variation in critical rainfree periods was related to plant growth stage when asulam was applied and environmental conditions and is indicative of the inconsistency in johnsongrass control commonly observed with asulam.

Studies were conducted to observe the effect of full and reduced rates of postemergence (POST) herbicides on seedling and rhizome johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) at different growth stages. Herbicides and labeled rates included primisulfuron at 40 g/ha, nicosulfuron at 35 g/ha, fluazifop-P at 210 g/ha, and clethodim at 140 g/ha. Contour graphs to predict johnsongrass control at different growth stages and herbicide rates were developed. Excellent seedling and rhizome johnsongrass control was obtained with reduced rates of herbicides applied at the three- to five-leaf stages. Primisulfuron at 20 g/ha resulted in 90% or greater control of seedling johnsongrass in the three- to four-leaf stage. Rhizome johnsongrass at this growth stage required 30 g/ha of primisulfuron for the same level of control. Nicosulfuron at 17.5 and 26.3 g/ha provided 90% or greater control up to the four-leaf stage of seedling and rhizome johnsongrass, respectively. Fluazifop-P and clethodim were more effective than primisulfuron and nicosulfuron. Fluazifop-P at 105 g/ha resulted in 90% or greater control of seedling and rhizome johnsongrass up to the seven- and five-leaf stages, respectively. Clethodim at 35 g/ha controlled seedling johnsongrass at least 90% up to the eight-leaf stage. Clethodim at 70 g/ha provided 90% or greater control of rhizome johnsongrass if applied at the three- to four-leaf stages.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine host status of weed species for Rhizoctonia solani AG-1, which causes Rhizoctonia foliar blight of soybean. Weed species were barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, common cocklebur, entireleaf morningglory, hemp sesbania, itchgrass, johnsongrass, large crabgrass, northern jointvetch, prickly sida, purple nutsedge, redweed, sicklepod, and smooth pigweed. Seedling weeds were inoculated with suspensions containing intraspecific group IA and IB isolates of the fungus. In the first study, sclerotia of IA were recovered from tissue of all weeds except smooth pigweed, and mycelia of IA were recovered from all except smooth pigweed and redweed. In that study, neither microsclerotia nor mycelia of IB were recovered from sicklepod, barnyardgrass, or large crabgrass, and only microsclerotia were recovered from itchgrass and purple nutsedge. In the second study, sclerotia of IA, microsclerotia of IB, and mycelia of each isolate were recovered from all weed species. In other studies, R. solani spread from at least six of seven weed species to a noninfected soybean plant growing in close proximity. These studies emphasize the importance of weed control, not only for reducing plant competition and increasing yield, but also for the potential impact on development of RFB.

In two separate field experiments conducted over time, at-planting preemergence (PRE) applications of sulfometuron at 110 to 150 g ai/ha followed by March applications of sulfometuron at 30 g/ha or metribuzin at 2,580 g ai/ha at the start of the initial (plant cane) growing season controlled more bermudagrass and johnsongrass emerging in sugarcane from rhizome and stolon pieces than standard at-planting followed by March applications of atrazine at 2,240 g ai/ha (no control), metribuzin at 2,580 g ai/ha, or pendimethalin at 2,240 g ai/ha. Treatments containing at-planting applications of imazapyr at 280 g ai/ha or thiazopyr at 560 g ai/ha did not provide levels of control similar to sulfometuron. Crop injury in excess of 10% occurred only when imazapyr at 280 g/ha (18 to 42%) or sulfometuron at 30 g/ha (11 to 32%) was applied in March to emerging sugarcane. Sugarcane stalk numbers, stalk heights, and ultimately cane and sugar yields were increased when compared to the standards with all sulfometuron treatments and when thiazopyr was applied at planting and again in March.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate postemergence (POST) soybean injury and weed control with CGA-277476 and cloransulam-methyl alone and in tank mixtures. In the field, visible soybean injury was 12 to 14% from CGA-277476 and 9 to 13% from cloransulam-methyl 7 d after treatment. Tank mixtures of either herbicide with acifluorfen or acifluorfen plus thifensulfuron were more injurious than CGA-277476 or cloransulam-methyl applied alone. Both CGA-277476 and cloransulam-methyl reduced velvetleaf dry weight 82%, and cloransulam-methyl reduced common ragweed dry weight 92%. Neither herbicide adequately controlled common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, nor eastern black nightshade. The addition of acifluorfen to the spray solution improved common ragweed, common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and eastern black nightshade control with CGA-277476 and improved common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and eastern black nightshade control with cloransulam-methyl. Tank mixing thifensulfuron with CGA-277476 or cloransulam-methyl increased common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed control. In the greenhouse, CGA-277476 at 20 g ai/ha reduced velvetleaf dry weight 98%, and 79 g/ha was required to reduce common ragweed dry weight 93%. Cloransulam-methyl at 4.4 g ai/ha reduced velvetleaf dry weight 98% and common ragweed dry weight 94% at 8.8 g/ha. Chlorimuron reduced yellow nutsedge dry weight more than CGA-277476 or cloransulam-methyl. Antagonism of POST graminicide activity by CGA-277476 was grass species and graminicide related. CGA-277476 reduced giant foxtail control by clethodim but not by quizalofop. Cloransulam-methyl tank mixed with clethodim or quizalofop controlled giant foxtail.

A population level, two-compartment, temperaturedependent model that predicts date of seedling johnsongrass flowering was formulated. The model consisted of a fourparameter poikilotherm rate equation to describe development rate as a function of temperature and a temperature-independent Weibull function to distribute flowering times for the population. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of temperature, nitrogen availability, and water availability on development of seedling johnsongrass. Development was most sensitive to temperature while the effect of nitrogen concentration and water availability was minimum and inconsistent. The model was tested against three independent field data sets and provided accurate prediction of flowering dates for each data set.

Field studies were conducted over 2 yr to evaluate rhizome johnsongrass control with tank mixtures and sequential applications of bromoxynil at 1.7 kg ai/ha and the graminicides clethodim, fluazifop-P, and quizalofop-P. When compared with the graminicide alone, bromoxynil reduced johnsongrass control 28 days after treatment (DAT) 20, 36, and 55% when applied in combination with clethodim, fluazifop-P, and quizalofop-P, respectively. Application of bromoxynil 7, 3, and 1 d before or 1, 3, and 7 d after all graminicides reduced antagonism when compared with the bromoxynil plus graminicide mixtures. Based on johnsongrass control 28 DAT, antagonism was precluded when bromoxynil was applied 3 d before clethodim and 7 d before fluazifop-P and quizalofop-P. Application of bromoxynil 3 and 7 d after quizalofop-P and 7 d after clethodim also precluded antagonism. The antagonistic tank mixtures of bromoxynil and graminicides reduced cotton yield 17% because of reduced johnsongrass control compared with graminicides alone. A 3-d or greater application interval between bromoxynil and the graminicides was necessary to maximize cotton yield.

Glyphosate and adjuvant combinations were applied to rhizome johnsongrass at vegetative and reproductive growth stages to evaluate control and rainfastness in field studies. Using a rainfall simulator delivering 1.3 cm of water in 15 min, plots received either no rainfall or rainfall 15 or 60 min after glyphosate was applied at 2.1 kg ai/ha in combination with the nonionic surfactants Kinetic® HV at 0.25% (v/v) or Induce® at 1.0% (v/v) or the silicone surfactant Break-Thru® at 0.125% (v/v). Regardless of adjuvant, rainfall 15 or 60 min after application reduced johnsongrass control compared with no rainfall. Johnsongrass control 14 d after treatment at the reproductive stage was at least 89% with no rainfall, but no more than 53 and 65% with rainfall at 15 and 60 min, respectively. Based on initial weed control, adjuvants did not consistently improve rainfastness. Johnsongrass regrowth did not occur when glyphosate was applied with either adjuvant. In contrast, for glyphosate applied to johnsongrass in the vegetative stage, addition of Break-Thru improved control over Induce at both 15- and 60-min rainfall timings in one of two experiments. With no rainfall, addition of Kinetic HV and Break-Thru increased johnsongrass control in only one experiment. For application at the vegetative stage, johnsongrass regrowth averaged across rainfall timings was no more than 10%. In other field experiments, glyphosate at 1.4 kg/ha plus nonionic surfactants, silicone surfactant, crop oil concentrate, methylated seed oil, or a blend of silicone surfactant and methylated seed oil were equally effective in reducing johnsongrass regrowth when applied after seedhead emergence. Improved control of vegetative johnsongrass with some adjuvants was not reflected in decreased regrowth.

The weed control spectrum of clomazone, the influence of clomazone on the performance of other herbicides, and the performance of tank mixtures containing clomazone were evaluated from 1985 through 1987. Clomazone applied preemergence at 280 g ai/ha controlled 90 to 100% of barnyardgrass, giant foxtail, goosegrass, large crabgrass, seedling johnsongrass, prickly sida, and velvetleaf. Clomazone at reduced rates was more effective applied preemergence than preplant-incorporated for 10 of 23 weed species. Clomazone enhanced imazaquin activity on entireleaf morningglory and sicklepod in 1986. A tank mixture of clomazone, imazaquin, and metribuzin at half the labeled rates reduced soybean injury, increased soybean yield, and controlled weeds as well as the mixture at labeled rates.

Studies were conducted of one of the structural factors that influences microroughness on johnsongrass leaves. Bicellular trichomes, 47 ± 5 μm long, represented 4 to 5% of all epidermal cells. They secreted a mucilagenous material that covered 8 ± 4% of the leaf surface. Bicellular trichomes occurred in longitudinal rows, intermixed with intercostal cork-silica cells, between rows of stomata. Numbers of bicellular trichomes present per unit area were inversely related to numbers of intercostal cork-silica cells. The trichomes were the panicoid type that are reported not to secrete salts. Johnsongrass trichomes, however, could be induced to discharge salt in the mucilage-type secretions when plants were grown in a soil mixture that was high in lime. Not all secretory constituents were identified, but carbohydrates and callose were found in addition to possible low concentrations of protein. The apical or cap cell of the trichomes stained positively for lipid, protein, and polysaccharide and negatively for pectin, polyphenols, steroids, and alkaloids. The presence of trichomes increases leaf surface microroughness, but the secretion covers wax crystals, decreasing leaf microroughness and likely providing another barrier to herbicide entry through the cuticle. Bicellular trichomes on grain sorghum were similar to those on johnsongrass and also discharged secretions on the leaf surface.

The performance of BAS 9052 {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} was evaluated when applied postemergence to rhizome and seedling johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHA] in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Bragg’ and ‘Centennial’] when the soybeans had four or five trifoliate leaves (V3 to V4 stages) or when they had six to eight trifoliate leaves (V5 to V7 growth stages). The degree of weed control was more strongly associated with rainfall conditions than with the size of the johnsongrass. An exponential equation was used to describe the relationship of soybean seed yield to BAS 9052 rate. BAS 9052 applications of 0.28 kg ai/ha provided an estimated 98% of the potential soybean yield increase when rainfall was adequate but, 0.41 kg ai/ha was required when the plants were grown under moisture stress. Soybean yields were increased by 260 kg/ha when BAS 9052 was applied at the V3 to V4 compared to the V5 to V7 growth stage.

Preemergence control of itchgrass in sugarcane with nonincorporated pendimethalin and prodiamine increased as rate for each herbicide increased from 2.2 to 3.4 kg ai ha-1. Itchgrass control at 3.4 kg ha-1 was similar for both herbicides, ranging from 78 to 94% (86% mean) for pendimethalin in six field experiments and 83 to 91% (86% mean) for prodiamine in three experiments. Incorporated trifluralin at 2.2 kg ha-1, the standard, gave 99% mean control of itchgrass. None of the nonincorporated treatments with pendimethalin or prodiamine consistently prevented a decrease in the sugarcane stalk population at harvest. Asulam applied postemergence at 3.7 kg ae ha-1 controlled itchgrass that survived the preemergence herbicides, and sugarcane stalk populations were maintained. Preemergence control of johnsongrass with nonincorporated treatments of pendimethalin or prodiamine at 2.8 kg ha-1, in a mixture with atrazine at 2.2 kg ai ha-1, ranged from 86 to 95% (89% mean) for pendimethalin and 80 to 95% (88% mean) for prodiamine. Metribuzin at 2.2 kg ha-1, the standard, gave 97% mean control of johnsongrass. Mixtures of pendimethalin with metribuzin or terbacil generally gave more effective control of johnsongrass than mixtures with atrazine. When used in conjunction with other herbicides, nonincorporated pendimethalin and prodiamine were effective alternatives to soil-incorporated treatments for weed control in sugarcane.