An experiment was established in 1961 to determine the influence of bearmat (Chamaebatia foliolosa Benth.) competition on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) survival and growth. Ponderosa pine seedlings were planted in bearmat which was: (A) untreated, (B) sprayed with a mixture of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], and (C) eliminated by a combination of herbicide, clipping sprouts, and trenching to prevent root and rhizome invasion. Ponderosa pine survival after 19 yr averaged 9%, 66%, and 90%, respectively, for the three treatments. Tree height after 19 yr averaged 1.6, 1.9, and 5.7 m for treatments A, B, and C, respectively. Soil moisture use was initially less on the herbicide-treated than on the untreated plots, but bearmat quickly sprouted after application to compete with the pine seedlings for moisture. After 19 yr the bearmat was more dense and appeared to be more vigorous on the sprayed plots than on those receiving no treatment. We estimate that 75% reduction in net wood production could result after 50 yr on this site from bearmat competition.

Optimum germination of fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida Willd.) occurred at alternating temperatures of 10 to 20 C. Seeds were able to germinate (15%) in NaCl concentrations of 5000 ppmw. Light was important in seed germination; however, its absence could be overcome by adding 30 ppmw GA3 (gibberellic acid) to the germination medium. Optimum pH for germination was between 5.8 and 7.0. Depth of planting influenced seedling emergence; the greatest emergence occurred when seeds were planted on the soil surface; emergence was lower when seeds were buried at any depth in the soil. Osmotic potentials of −13 bars and greater reduced germination, but 6% of the seeds germinated at −15 bars. Fringed sagebrush seedlings tolerated average plant water potentials of −10 to −19 bars and died when water potentials were decreased to −22 bars. Mature fringed sagebrush plants were capable of producing from 16500 to 190000 seeds/plant.

The influence of water stress on toxic alkaloid concentrations in threadleaf groundsel (Senecio longilobus Benth.) was investigated in a controlled environment by monitoring leaf xylem water potential during a 32-day period, and then analyzing for alkaloid concentration by plant part. Total plant alkaloid concentration increased with increasing severity of water stress. The most severe water stress (−2.0 MPa) for the 32-day period increased alkaloid concentration by 4.6 times, compared to the least stress imposition (−1.0 MPa). Averaged across watering regimes, alkaloid concentrations (percent dry weight) were highest in threadleaf groundsel roots (0.088%) and occurred in similar concentrations in stems (0.046%) and leaves (0.050%). These results indicate the importance of considering the influence of plant water stress when investigating secondary plant compounds.

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are often the replacement crop when cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is abandoned because of stand failure in the southern United States. Injury from cotton herbicides may be reduced if the soybean planting is delayed more than 4 weeks after cotton planting or if the original herbicide-treated area is fully tilled and a new seedbed formed. Planting delay intervals were compared with five cotton preemergence herbicides on Calloway silt loam at one location. Seedbed-preparation methods were included in a similar experiment at two locations on Sharkey silty clay. Herbicides compared were fluometuron [1,1-dimethyl-3-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)urea], norflurazon [4-chloro-5-(methylamino)-2-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone], cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl] amino]-2-methylpropionitrile}, perfluidone {1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-phenylsulfonyl)phenyl] methanesulfonamide}, fluridone {1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone}, and diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea]. Seedbeds compared were no-till and conventional (fully tilled). Soybean planting delays after cotton planting were 20, 29, and 56 days (first year), and 15 and 29 or 15 and 30 days (second year). We found in the 2-yr studies that fluridone severely damaged soybeans both years. Fluometuron and diuron also caused damage the second year when we experienced wet, cool conditions in the spring. Most injury occurred on the clay, with yield reductions occurring even after the 30-day delay. Norflurazon was most injurious at this location. The no-tillage planting method resulted in the least herbicide injury on the silt loam and the conventional tillage method was better on the clay. Detailed studies with fluometuron under incubation conditions showed that degradation was inhibited most by low temperatures and high soil moisture.

Four herbicides were applied in the spring and fall over a 3-yr period to Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.) ‘Common′] in the Mountain Region and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ‘Common′] in the Piedmont Region of Georgia at different frequencies of treatments for summer and winter weed control. Large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] was controlled throughout the 3-yr period from spring treatments of bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] at 11.2 kg/ha and oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] at 4.5 kg/ha in the first year followed by 5.6 kg/ha for bensulide and 2.3 kg/ha for oxadiazon the following 2 yr. To control large crabgrass with benefin (N- butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) it was necessary to apply 3.4 kg/ha for 2 consecutive yr before rates could be reduced to 1.7 kg/ha. Oxadiazon was the only herbicide that controlled goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] completely. Control was excellent throughout the 3-yr period when oxadiazon was applied at full rate in the spring of the first year with no additional treatments during the following 2 yr. Optimum control of winter weeds was obtained throughout the 3-yr period when herbicides were applied at full rates for the spring and fall treatments the first year followed by one-half rates at similar dates the following 2 yr. Bensulide treatments increased cover of corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis L.) and hop clover (Trifolium agrarium L.); DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) and benefin increased spur weed (Soliva spp.) and wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.); and oxadiazon increased wild parsnip and thymeleaf sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia L.).

Manuscripts about weeds, herbicides, growth regulators, or related topics will be considered for publication in Weed Science. Each manuscript should contain original material that constitutes a logical unit of related subject matter. Progress reports, unreplicated experiments, and field experiments not repeated in time are not acceptable. Each acceptance is made with the understanding that the manuscript has not been and will not be published elsewhere other than as an abstract.