Herbicide applications performed with pulse width modulation (PWM) sprayers to deliver specific spray droplet sizes could maintain product efficacy, minimize potential off-target movement, and increase flexibility in field operations. Given the continuous expansion of herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth populations across the southern and midwestern United States, efficacious and cost-effective means of application are needed to maximize Palmer amaranth control. Experiments were conducted in two locations in Mississippi (2016, 2017, and 2018) and one location in Nebraska (2016 and 2017) for a total of 7 site-years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of a range of spray droplet sizes [150 (Fine) to 900 μm (Ultra Coarse)] on lactofen and acifluorfen efficacy for Palmer amaranth control. The results of this research indicated that spray droplet size did not influence lactofen efficacy on Palmer amaranth. Palmer amaranth control and percent dry-biomass reduction remained consistent with lactofen applied within the aforementioned droplet size range. Therefore, larger spray droplets should be used as part of a drift mitigation approach. In contrast, acifluorfen application with 300-μm (Medium) spray droplets provided the greatest Palmer amaranth control. Although percent biomass reduction was numerically greater with 300-μm (Medium) droplets, results did not differ with respect to spray droplet size, possibly as a result of initial plant injury, causing weight loss, followed by regrowth. Overall, 900-μm (Ultra Coarse) droplets could be used effectively without compromising lactofen efficacy on Palmer amaranth, and 300-μm (Medium) droplets should be used to achieve maximum Palmer amaranth control with acifluorfen.

Experiments were conducted to determine 14C absorption, translocation, and metabolism by pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA) and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] foliarly treated with 14C-acifluorfen [5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoic acid] or 14C-lactofen [(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-dinitrobenzoate]. Seventy-one to 84% of applied 14 C-acifluorfen was recovered in leaf water wash of ivyleaf morningglory compared to 32 to 46% from pitted morningglory. Sixty-four percent of applied 14C-lactofen was recovered in leaf water wash 96 h after treatment in both morningglory species. Thirty-five to 37% more 14C from applied 14C-acifluorfen was found in pitted morningglory treated leaves than ivyleaf morningglory treated leaves. Less than 28% of applied 14C-lactofen was extracted from treated leaves of either morningglory species. Translocation and metabolism of 14C-acifluorfen and 14C-lactofen were minimal in both morningglory species.

Three-day-old soybean seedlings were treated with acifluorfen via liquid culture [50 μM in dark, 1 μM in light (200 μE·m–2·s–1)]. Root elongation in the dark was inhibited only slightly (6%) after 96 h. In the light, acifluorfen inhibited root elongation after 48 h; after 96 h, inhibition was 32%. Hypocotyl length was not affected in either the light or dark. Soluble hydroxyphenolic content per axis was unaffected in the dark but was reduced by about 13 to 25% at 24 to 96 h in the light. Extractable phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activity per axis was unaltered by herbicide in the dark. A brief transient increase in PAL activity (4 to 24 h) in axes of light-grown seedlings in the presence of acifluorfen was followed by reduced enzyme levels compared to light-grown controls at 72 and 96 h. Although light is required for maximal herbicide action, there was no effect on anthocyanin or chlorophyll accumulation or on the chlorophyll a/b ratio in hypocotyls or light-grown seedlings.

Field experiments were conducted during 1985 and 1986 to determine the response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Coker 156’], pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. # IPOLA), and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] to acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}, fomesafen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide}, and lactofen {(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-dinitrobenzoate}. Acifluorfen and lactofen were more phytotoxic to soybean 15 days after treatment (DAT) than fomesafen. All herbicides at low rates controlled 80% or more pitted morningglory. However, only the high rates (0.6 kg ai/ha) of acifluorfen and fomesafen controlled 80% or more ivyleaf morningglory 90 DAT. Full-season competition from untreated pitted morningglory reduced soybean seed yields 44 and 22% in 1985 and 1986, respectively, compared to 58 and 49% with untreated ivyleaf morningglory. Soybean seed yields were higher in plots receiving acifluorfen or fomesafen applications than lactofen applications.