Proper management of glufosinate in glufosinate-resistant crop technologies is needed to mitigate the likelihood of resistance evolution. Antagonism may result from mixtures of glufosinate and other commonly used POST herbicides in soybean and cotton. Two experiments were conducted at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR, in 2015 and 2016 to evaluate mixtures of glufosinate + clethodim and glufosinate + glyphosate on barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, johnsongrass, and large crabgrass. Furthermore, droplet spectra analyses were conducted to determine if droplet size was associated with identification of herbicide interactions. Antagonism was dependent on the herbicide rates and the weed species. For barnyardgrass and large crabgrass control 4 wk after treatment, glufosinate + glyphosate was antagonistic at all rates evaluated. When large crabgrass was evaluated, some mixtures (e.g., 595 g ha–1 glufosinate + 76 g ha–1 clethodim) had a significant reduction in control relative to one of the herbicides applied alone. Glufosinate (451 and 595 g ai ha–1) + glyphosate (867 and 1,735 g ae ha–1) was antagonistic at all four possible rate combinations for broadleaf signalgrass control. Fewer instances of antagonism were observed for seedling johnsongrass control than for other species, but certain treatments were identified as antagonistic (e.g., glufosinate at 451 g ai ha–1 + clethodim at 76 g ai ha–1). Overall, antagonism was less likely and greater control was observed when the highest rates of both herbicides in a given mixture were used. The addition of glyphosate or clethodim to glufosinate can increase the volume median diameter and decrease the percentage volume of fines, compared to glufosinate alone. The droplet spectra analyses indicate that the glufosinate performance may be negatively affected by the addition of glyphosate or clethodim.

Acetyl co-enzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)-resistant rice allows quizlaofop-p-ethyl to be applied as a POST control of troublesome grass weeds. A field study was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley, LA, to evaluate the influence of a crop oil concentrate (COC), a silicon-based surfactant plus a nitrogen source (SNS), or a high-concentrate COC (HCOC) in overcoming the grass weed control antagonism of quizalofop-p-ethyl when mixed with bispyribac-Na. Quizalofop-p-ethyl was applied at 120 g ai ha−1, bispyribac-Na was applied at 34 g ai ha−1, and all adjuvants were applied at 1% vol/vol. Antagonistic interactions were observed at 14 d after treatment (DAT) when quizalofop-p-ethyl was mixed with bispyribac-Na with no adjuvant for control of barnyardgrass, the non–ACCase-tolerant rice cultivars ‘CL-111’ and ‘CLXL-745’, and red rice. At 14 DAT, antagonism of quizalofop-p-ethyl for control of barnyardgrass was observed when mixed with bispyribac-Na plus COC, SNS, or HCOC, with an observed control of 43%, 63%, and 86%, respectively, compared with an expected control of 95% for quizalofop-p-ethyl alone. However, the antagonism of quizalofop-p-ethyl when mixed with bispyribac-Na plus HCOC for barnyardgrass control at 14 DAT was overcome by 28 DAT, with an observed control of 91%, compared with an expected control of 97%. Synergistic or neutral interactions were observed at 14 and 28 DAT when COC, SNS, or HCOC was added to a mixture of quizalofop-p-ethyl plus bispyribac-Na for CL-111, CLXL-745, and red rice control. According to the results of this study, HCOC is the most effective adjuvant for quizalofop-p-ethyl and bispyribac-Na mixtures for control of weedy rice and barnyardgrass.

Weed size can nfluence herbicide performance and herbicide interactions in mixtures. To control a broad range of species in soybean or cotton, POST herbicide mixtures will likely be commonplace in Roundup Ready® XtendFlex® and Enlist™ technologies. The impact of weed size on herbicide interactions that could occur in Roundup Ready XtendFlex or Enlist crops was assessed in two field experiments conducted in 2015 and 2016 at the Northeast Research and Extension Center in Keiser, AR. Combinations of glufosinate, glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D were applied to either 10-cm or 30-cm weeds and evaluated for percent weed control, height reduction, and density reduction, collected 5 wk after treatment. Colby’s method was used to analyze treatments for herbicide interactions for control of barnyardgrass, Palmer amaranth, and pitted morningglory. Antagonism was identified with at least one treatment on all species. Almost all treatments were antagonistic for percent weed control, height reduction, and density reduction on barnyardgrass. When glyphosate in mixture with 2,4-D or dicamba was applied to 30-cm barnyardgrass, control declined 9% for both mixtures relative to glyphosate alone. Glufosinate plus glyphosate was antagonistic when applied to both 30-cm pitted morningglory and barnyardgrass. Glufosinate plus dicamba provided less control and density reduction of Palmer amaranth than what was expected from Colby’s equation. Overall, antagonism was more likely to be identified when applications were made to 30-cm weeds compared with 10-cm weeds. The utility of a given herbicide mixture will depend on the species present in the field and the size of those species at the time of application.

Understanding control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth with multiple herbicide sites of action, including synthetic auxins, is crucial for growers to minimize GR Palmer amaranth interference with crops. Field studies in 2013 and 2014 and a greenhouse study in 2014 were conducted in Stoneville, MS, to evaluate POST control of GR Palmer amaranth with 2,4-D alone and in mixtures with glyphosate and/or glufosinate. In the greenhouse study, control of 5- and 10-cm GR Palmer amaranth was 87% with 2,4-D at 0.84 kg ae ha−1. Dry weight reduction of GR Palmer amaranth was ≥81% with 2,4-D at 0.84 kg ha−1. In field studies, mixtures of glufosinate at 0.59 kg ai ha−1 and 2,4-D at 0.56 or 1.12 kg ae ha−1 controlled 5- to 10-cm GR Palmer amaranth 87% at 28 d after treatment (DAT). Averaged across glyphosate treatments, glufosinate applied alone applied to 5- to 10-cm GR Palmer amaranth reduced dry weight at 28 DAT to 20 g m−2 from 82 g m−2 and was comparable with that following 2,4-D applied alone at 1.12 kg ae ha−1 and mixtures of glufosinate plus 2,4-D at 0.56 and 1.12 kg ae ha−1. Mixtures of 2,4-D plus glufosinate provided ≥92% control of 15- to 20-cm GR Palmer amaranth at 28 DAT. When applied to 15- to 20-cm plants, mixtures of 2,4-D plus glufosinate reduced GR Palmer amaranth density to ≤5 plants m−2 compared with 65 plants m−2 where no 2,4-D or glufosinate was applied. Glufosinate and 2,4-D are viable control options for 5- to 10-cm or 15- to 20-cm GR Palmer amaranth. However, 2,4-D did not improve GR Palmer amaranth control when added to any herbicide mixture except glyphosate and glufosinate applied to 15- to 20-cm plants at the 28 DAT evaluation.

A study was conducted at three locations in Louisiana to evaluate the response of common Louisiana rice weed species to different rates of application of benzobicyclon herbicide. Benzobicyclon was applied at 31, 62, 123, 185, 246, 493, 739, 986, and 1,232 g ai ha–1 into flooded field conditions when ducksalad was at the first elongated-leaf stage. Barnyardgrass, false pimpernel, and yellow nutsedge control never exceeded 50% from any rate of benzobicyclon applied, averaged across evaluation timing. Ducksalad control, averaged across evaluation timing, was 83% when treated with 493 g ha−1 and did not increase when treated with higher rates of benzobicyclon. At 42 d after treatment (DAT), purple ammannia and Indian toothcup treated with 185 and 246 g ha–1 of benzobicyclon were controlled 58% and 81%, respectively, and did not differ in control compared with higher rates of benzobicyclon. All weeds were hand-harvested from each plot and separated by species at the conclusion of the study. No differences in fresh-weight biomass were observed for barnyardgrass, false pimpernel, purple ammannia, or yellow nutsedge. Treatment with benzobicyclon at ≥62 g ha–1 resulted in reduced ducksalad fresh weight 42 DAT compared with the nontreated sample. Indian toothcup fresh weight was reduced 77% to 96% compared with the nontreated sample when treated with benzobicyclon at 246 to 1,232 g ha–1.

In the rapid response (RR) biotype of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.), exposure to glyphosate elicits H2O2 production in mature leaves, resulting in foliage loss and reduced glyphosate translocation. When glyphosate is applied with POST herbicides intended to improve control of A. trifida, the RR to glyphosate has the propensity to antagonize these herbicide combinations. This research documents how transient changes in air temperature, soil moisture, and light intensity during a 6-d period surrounding herbicide application regulate induction of the RR and the effect on POST herbicide interactions with glyphosate. Air temperature had the greatest influence on H2O2 accumulation in leaf disks following treatment with glyphosate, as plants at 30 C produced more than twice the amount of H2O2 at 2.5 h after treatment compared with 10 C. Plants under field capacity conditions accumulated nearly 50% more H2O2 than those at one-third field capacity, while those under no shade had only 18% more H2O2 compared with those in a shaded environment. Despite these initial results, dry weight reduction at 21 d after treatment never differed by more than 8% between levels of environmental factors, thus indicating a negligible influence on glyphosate efficacy. The magnitude of glyphosate-induced antagonism was generally greater at 30 C (12% to 21% less than expected control) versus 10 C (11% to 16%) on atrazine, cloransulam, dicamba, and topramezone and was greater at field capacity (20% to 24%) versus one-third field capacity (11% to 15%) on cloransulam and topramezone. These results indicate air temperatures and soil moisture levels conducive to optimal plant growth accelerate the RR to glyphosate, thereby increasing the likelihood of glyphosate-induced antagonism on several translocated herbicides.

A study was conducted in three locations in Louisiana to evaluate interactions of imazethapyr at 0 and 70 g ai ha−1 mixed with propanil at 0, 1,120, 2,240, 3,360, and 4,480 g ha−1 for the control of red rice, barnyardgrass, and hemp sesbania. According to Blouin’s modified Colby’s, a synergistic response occurred for red rice treated with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 4,480 g ha−1 for all evaluations. Observed control was 93% to 95% compared with expected control of 81% to 87%. An antagonistic response occurred for barnyardgrass control with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 1,120 g ha−1 at 35 and 49 d after treatment (DAT), with control of 75% and 64%, respectively, compared with expected control of 89% and 78%. However, a neutral response occurred for barnyardgrass control when treated with all other imazethapyr plus propanil combinations. An antagonistic interaction occurred for hemp sesbania when treated with imazethapyr plus propanil at 3,360 and 4,480 g ha−1 at 21 DAT with an observed control of 89% compared with an expected control of 96%; however, a neutral response occurred at all other evaluation dates. An increase in rice yield was observed with an imazethapyr plus propanil at 4,480 g ha−1 mixture compared with a single application of imazethapyr or propanil at any rate evaluated.

Glyphosate application to the rapid-response (RR) biotype of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed ensues in loss of foliage via rapid tissue death, thereby reducing glyphosate translocation. Experiments were performed to determine if this GR response, in contrast to a non-rapid response (NRR) GR biotype, results in antagonism of the selective herbicides atrazine, cloransulam, dicamba, lactofen, and topramezone. Application of glyphosate at 1,680 g ae ha–1 in the greenhouse resulted in antagonism between all five selective herbicides for the RR biotype, whereas glyphosate applied at 420 g ha–1 was antagonistic only for cloransulam. Application of selective herbicides 2 d prior to glyphosate treatment avoided the antagonism observed in the RR biotype. In the field, glyphosate mixtures with dicamba and topramezone were antagonistic on the RR biotype across both 2015 and 2016 field seasons. Thus, the RR effectively reduces glyphosate efficacy but also has potential to diminish the activity of glyphosate mixtures with selective herbicides, and the degree of antagonism between these mixtures escalates at increasing glyphosate rates.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) caused an aggregation of the epicuticular wax layer of corn (Zea mays L.). R-25788 (2,2-dichloro-N,N-diallylacetamide) prevented this aggregation when applied in combination with EPTC. Neither EPTC, metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide], nor R-25788 changed the weight of chloroform extractable epicuticular wax on corn leaves. EPTC apparently does not block lipid synthesis in corn as it does in other plant species. Thus R-25788 does not protect corn from EPTC or metolachlor by overcoming such a block. EPTC did affect wax arrangement on the leaf surface and caused an increase in the cuticular transpiration of corn and predisposed corn to injury from subsequent postemergence applications of paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion). R-25788 protected corn against these deleterious effect.

Experiments were conducted to compare control of entireleaf morningglory with POST applications of DPX-PE350 applied with no adjuvant, a nonionic surfactant, or crop oil concentrate in spray volumes of 94, 235, and 375 L ha−1. Control was greater with a nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate than with no adjuvant and control with crop oil concentrate exceeded control with the nonionic surfactant. Spray volume had no effect on efficacy. DPX-PE350 was more effective when applied to foliage only or to soil plus foliage than when applied to soil only after emergence of entireleaf morningglory. Control from soil-only applications was lower on a silty clay soil than on a silt loam soil. Except for sicklepod, mixing DPX-PE350 with fluometuron or MSMA had little effect on weed control.

Large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA] control with BAS 9052 OH {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-one} was similar whether applied alone or in combination with acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}. Combinations of BAS 9052 OH and bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4-(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] gave decreased grass control compared to BAS 9052 OH alone. This antagonism between BAS 9052 OH and bentazon was eliminated by applying bentazon as a separate application 1.5 h or longer before the application of BAS 9052 OH. A 0.2 h interval between applications of the herbicides decreased large crabgrass control compared to control obtained with BAS 9052 OH applied alone, but the decrease was signifciantly less than occurred with a concurrent application of the two herbicides.

Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of the methyl ester of 14C-flamprop [N-benzoyl-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-DL-alanine] (hereafter referred to as flamprop-methyl) and 14C-barban (4-chloro-2-butynyl-m-chloro carbanilate) in wild oat (Avena fatua L.) were investigated to determine the basis of the synergistic interaction between the two herbicides. The mutual effects of the two herbicides were studied when they were applied together to wild oat at the two- and four-leaf stage. The addition of the commercial formulation of barban, barban formulation additives, technical barban, or the nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene-6-tridecylether resulted in varying degrees of increase in the absorption of 14C-flamprop-methyl. Translocation of 14C-flamprop-methyl following leaf application in wild oat was mainly acropetal. The addition of commercial barban to 14C-flamprop-methyl did not influence the pattern of 14C translocation. Metabolism of flamprop-methyl by wild oat at either leaf stage was not influenced by barban. Absorption of 14C-barban was increased by the addition of the commercial formulation of flamprop-methyl and by polyoxyethylene-6-tridecylether. The addition of flamprop-methyl did not influence the pattern of translocation and metabolism of 14C-barban in wild oat at either leaf stage. It is concluded that increased absorption of flamprop-methyl and barban by wild oat at the two- and four-leaf stages is the most important factor in the synergistic interaction between these herbicides. Translocation and metabolism of the herbicides do not seem to be important factors in the synergism observed.

Adjuvants are used to improve spray delivery, to increase spray retention on weed foliage, and to enhance foliar penetration by postemergence herbicides for increased herbicide efficacy. Numerous factors govern adjuvant efficacy, including the specific herbicide, plant species, and environmental conditions. Adding superior surfactants as adjuvants to a sethoxydim tank mix with Na-bentazon may overcome the Na-bentazon antagonsim of sethoxydim activity by facilitating increased sethoxydim absorption and by masking the antagonism similar to increasing the sethoxydim rate. Herbicides such as Na-bentazon contribute alkaline or alkaline earth cations that can form salts of a weakly acidic herbicide such as sethoxydim that are not absorbed readily by the plant. Adding abundant ammonium from ammonium sulfate or other sources may prevent and/or may overcome this antagonism.

EPTC applied at the time of ‘Saranac AR’ alfalfa establishment resulted in higher levels of crop injury from the octanoic acid ester of bromoxynil applied postemergence compared to alfalfa in areas not treated with EPTC. EPTC applied at 1.7 or 3.4 kg ai ha-1 did not injure alfalfa. At Rock Springs, PA, 0.54 kg ai ha-1 bromoxynil caused 28, 43, and 55% foliar injury in areas treated with 0, 1.7, and 3.4 kg ai ha-1 EPTC, respectively. A similar interaction was observed at Landisville, PA, although the level of injury due to bromoxynil was less severe. EPTC also predisposed ‘WL 316’ alfalfa to bromoxynil injury in greenhouse experiments.

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of the dimethylamine salt of MCPA {[(4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] acetic acid} pretreatment, darkness from 1 day prior to treatment until harvest, and exogenous sucrose on diclofop {2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxyl] propanoic acid} glucose, and sucrose uptake and translocation by wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Uptake of 14C-diclofop label by wild oat foliage was not influenced by MCPA pretreatment, constant dark treatment, or the addition of exogenous sucrose. Total 14C-diclofop and 14C-glucose label uptake and translocation were similar whether 5 cm of the treated leaf tip were placed in distilled water or 1% (w/v) sucrose. Downward translocation of 14C-diclofop, 14C-sucrose, and 14C-glucose label in the phloem of wild oat was reduced similarly by MCPA, constant dark treatments, or a combination of the two. Upward translocation of 14C-diclofop label was greater and exudation of 14C-diclofop label into the ‘tip’ solution was less than that of 14C-sucrose or 14C-glucose label, regardless of MCPA or constant dark treatments. Downward translocation of 14C-diclofop label was reduced as much by MCPA topically applied to the wild oat leaf 1 cm above, 1 cm below, or with the diclofop as with the MCPA broadcast pretreatment.

Interaction of glyphosate and 2,4-DB was evaluated in greenhouse and laboratory studies with respect to control of four species of annual morningglory. The greenhouse study included smallflower, pitted, palmleaf, and ivyleaf morningglory at three growth stages: seedling, juvenile, and vining. A series of glyphosate rates (0.28 to 1.26 kg ae/ha) and 2,4-DB (0.022 and 0.045 kg ae/ha) were applied alone, and in all possible two-way tank mixtures. Morningglory response to both glyphosate and 2,4-DB applied alone was species- and growth stage-dependent. All combinations were either additive or synergistic for control of pitted, palmleaf, and ivyleaf morningglory. Response of smallflower morningglory ranged from antagonistic to synergistic. Absorption and translocation of 14C-2,4-DB was independent of the addition of glyphosate in all four species. By contrast, absorption of foliar-applied 14C-glyphosate and translocation of 14C from treated leaves to other plant parts were enhanced by the addition of 2,4-DB in all species except palmleaf morningglory. In palmleaf morningglory, 14C-glyphosate absorption and translocation were independent of the addition of 2,4-DB. Absorption and translocation data were in agreement with greenhouse studies.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine effects of adding (NH4)2SO4 or urea ammonium nitrate containing 30% N (UAN) and/or substituting BCH 81508 S for crop oil with sethoxydim and sethoxydim plus bentazon applied to corn and large crabgrass. Control was similar with sethoxydim plus crop oil and sethoxydim plus BCH 81508 S. Adding (NH4)2SO4 or UAN moderately improved control with sethoxydim in some experiments. Both (NH4)2SO4 and UAN increased control when added to sethoxydim plus bentazon, with UAN being the more effective ammonium fertilizer. Large crabgrass control with sethoxydim plus bentazon was enhanced more with 1.4 and 2.8 kg/ha (NH4)2SO4 than with 5.6 kg/ha. Substituting BCH 81508 S for crop oil with sethoxydim plus bentazon also increased corn and large crabgrass control. Adding ammonium fertilizers plus substituting BCH 81508 S for crop oil with sethoxydim plus bentazon eliminated antagonism on corn and partially alleviated antagonism on large crabgrass.

Greenhouse studies revealed that glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 3.4 kg/ha or picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) at 0.3 kg/ha more effectively reduced further growth of honeyvine milkweed [Ampelamus albidus (Nutt.) Britt.] when treated at a height of 30 cm than did 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 1.1 kg/ha or dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) at 0.6 kg/ha. Glyphosate or picloram applications were also more effective than 2,4-D or dicamba applications in reducing amount of regrowth that occurred after treated plants were cut at the soil surface. Glyphosate plus 2,4-D, glyphosate plus dicamba, glyphosate plus picloram or 2,4-D plus picloram combinations also effectively reduced further growth of treated plants and subsequent regrowth after plants were initially harvested. Greenhouse studies revealed that glyphosate plus ethephon [(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid] at 1.7 plus 0.6 kg/ha or glyphosate plus ammonium sulfate at 1.1 plus 6.7 kg/ha were no more effective than glyphosate alone at 1.7 kg/ha. Dowco 290 (3,6-dichloropicolinic acid) at up to 2.2 kg/ha did not effectively inhibit growth of honeyvine milkweed.

The effect of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) on the antagonism of sethoxydim, haloxyfop, or the methyl ester of haloxyfop activity by bentazon was evaluated in greenhouse and field trials on yellow and giant foxtail. Including UAN in the spray solution in the absence of bentazon did not enhance the activity of any of the three grass herbicides. However, adding UAN to sethoxydim or haloxyfop in the presence of bentazon decreased the bentazon antagonism of grass activity. Conversely, UAN increased bentazon antagonism of the activity of haloxyfop methyl ester. The differential effect of UAN was not linked to effects on spray solution pH.

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of application rate, growth stage, and tank-mixing azimsulfuron or bentazon on the activity of cyhalofop, clefoxydim, and penoxsulam against two morphologically distinct Echinochloa species from rice fields in Greece. Mixtures of penoxsulam with MCPA were also evaluated. Cyhalofop (300 to 600 g ai/ha) applied at the three- to four-leaf growth stage provided 62 to 85% control of early watergrass but 41 to 83% control of late watergrass averaged over mixture treatments. Control ranged from 37 to 80% for early watergrass and from 35 to 78% for late watergrass when cyhalofop was applied at the five- to six-leaf growth stage averaged over mixture treatments. Mixtures of cyhalofop with azimsulfuron or bentazon reduced efficacy on both species irrespective of growth stage or cyhalofop application rate compared with cyhalofop alone. Clefoxydim (100 to 250 g ai/ha) applied alone at the three- to four-leaf growth stage provided 98 to 100% control of early watergrass and 91 to 100% control of late watergrass; when clefoxydim was applied alone at the five- to six-leaf growth stage the control obtained was 91 to 100% for early watergrass and 79 to 100% for late watergrass. Mixtures of clefoxydim with azimsulfuron or bentazon reduced efficacy on late watergrass at the early growth stage and on both species at the late growth stage. Penoxsulam (20 to 40 g ai/ha) applied alone provided 94 to 100% control of both species at both growth stages. Mixtures of MCPA with penoxsulam reduced efficacy on late watergrass at the early growth stage and on both species at the late growth stage. Mixtures of penoxsulam with azimsulfuron or bentazon reduced efficacy only on late watergrass at the late growth stage.