In the greenhouse, soil applications of primisulfuron (40 g ai ha–1) reduced growth of emerged rhizome johnsongrass plants more than nicosulfuron (40 g ai ha–1). Both herbicides reduced growth more when applied to foliage only; a further decrease in growth did not occur for applications to both soil and foliage. Primisulfuron did not completely prevent regrowth of johnsongrass with any application method. Nicosulfuron prevented regrowth when applied to the foliage and to both soil and foliage. In single-year field studies in corn at four dryland sites and two irrigated sites, 50:50 split applications of primisulfuron (40 g ai ha–1) and nicosulfuron (35 g ai ha–1) approximately 2 wk apart provided the most consistent rhizome johnsongrass control compared with early or late single applications when visually rated 8 wk after the first application. Nicosulfuron treatments were more effective than primisulfuron treatments at both dryland sites the first year and at one of two dryland sites the second year. Primisulfuron and nicosulfuron at the irrigated site the first year were equivalent in efficacy. Nicosulfuron was more effective than primisulfuron at the irrigated site the second year. Primisulfuron or nicosulfuron treatments more than doubled corn yields at the dryland sites both years regardless of application timing. Split applications of primisulfuron or nicosulfuron provided the highest yields (approximately 80% increase over untreated plots) at the irrigated site the first year. All treatments provided equivalent yield increases (approximately 50%) the second year.

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in North Carolina during the summer of 1992 to ascertain the reasons for stunted growth of corn noticed occasionally in fields treated POST with nicosulfuron to control dense infestations of johnsongrass. Treatments consisted of nicosulfuron at 35 g ai/ha sprayed POST, either over-top or post-directed only to johnsongrass in a single early application or in sequential applications of 17.5 g/ha. Checks included a hand-weeded, paraquat post-directed to johnsongrass, and non-weeded. Nicosulfuron provided satisfactory control of johnsongrass irrespective of whether applied once or sequentially. Corn yield in nicosulfuron-treated plots was as much as three times greater than in non-treated plots depending on hybrid and location. In the absence of johnsongrass interference, nicosulfuron caused a corn yield reduction of 6 to 9%. However, in the presence of johnsongrass interference, an additional 16 to 26% reduction in yield occurred with a POST application of nicosulfuron. Reductions in corn plant height and dry matter accumulation also were noticed for nicosulfuron treatments compared to post-directed application of paraquat and hand removal of johnsongrass.

Postemergence applications of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron were compared to preplant glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine for quackgrass control in reduced tillage and no-till corn. The level of quackgrass control was reduced by no-till practices. At 6 wk after planting, glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine were most effective in controlling quackgrass. Quackgrass biomass 12 wk after planting indicated that the performance of the herbicides were generally similar, although primisulfuron was less effective in no-till. One year after corn planting, levels of quackgrass control in the tilled plots were the same as or better than in the no-till treatments. Atrazine plus simazine was the most effective herbicide treatment over tillage systems, while primisulfuron was the least effective.

Michigan soybean producers have observed that glyphosate efficacy is sometimes reduced in tank mixtures with foliar manganese (Mn) fertilizers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of Mn formulation, Mn application timing, tank mixture adjuvants, and Mn rate on glyphosate efficacy. Three Mn formulations, manganese sulfate and ethylaminoacetate chelate (Mn-EAA), manganese sulfate and lignin sulfonate chelate (Mn-LS), and manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO4) reduced glyphosate efficacy in greenhouse and field bioassays, but Mn ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Mn-EDTA) did not. Mn-EAA applied less than 3 d before glyphosate reduced glyphosate efficacy on velvetleaf but not giant foxtail or common lambsquarters. The antagonism increased as the interval between treatment applications was shortened but did not appear when Mn was applied to velvetleaf 1 d or more after glyphosate. Including the adjuvants ammonium sulfate (AMS), EDTA, or citric acid in the glyphosate–Mn tank mixture increased control of giant foxtail and velvetleaf but only matched the efficacy of the glyphosate plus AMS control in three combinations: AMS with Mn-LS on velvetleaf, citric acid with MnSO4 on giant foxtail, and EDTA with Mn-EAA on giant foxtail. AMS increased the glyphosate efficacy in Mn tank mixtures as much as, or more than, citric acid and EDTA, with two exceptions: EDTA with Mn-EAA on giant foxtail and citric acid with MnSO4 on velvetleaf. Control of velvetleaf declined as the amount of Mn from Mn-EAA, Mn-LS, and MnSO4 in the tank mixture increased.