Most studies on weed population dynamics in farming systems have focused on the effects of different weed control strategies. Those studies usually assume that farmers, operating within a particular system, have a uniform management style. However, it is likely that weed management decision making also varies between farmers that operate within a system. In this study, the relationship between weed management behavior and the outcome of that behavior within an organic farming system is studied. It is hypothesized that differences in weed pressure between organic farms can be related to differences in farmers' weed management behavior. We explore which weed and general management factors are of main influence on the weed pressure, and investigate the influence of farmer's beliefs and knowledge on weed control techniques and the observed weed pressure. Preventive measures and timing of main soil tillage operation were identified as the weed management factors most influential for weed pressure. With the increasing number of preventive measures applied, weed pressure decreased, with a stale seedbed being the most important preventive measure. The weed pressure increased with the number of days after September 1st on which the main tillage operation was carried out. Because of this postponement of the tillage treatments, the growing season of weeds was extended and more species were able to reproduce before winter, thereby enhancing weed pressure. Field size, rather than weed pressure, determined the number of hand-weeding hours per ha; with increasing field size the amount of hand weeding per surface area was reduced. On farms with lower weed pressures a higher percentage of competitive crops were grown than on farms with higher weed pressures. The farmer's beliefs and knowledge on weed control techniques differed between farmers with different weed pressures. Market-oriented growers had a higher on-farm weed pressure than crop-growth–oriented growers. It was concluded that studies on weed management behavior and the effect of that behavior can lead to a better understanding of farming systems and to more effective weed management in those systems.

Bud dormancy is the primary mechanism by which the many perennial weeds escape herbicidal and mechanical control. We developed a 2,654-element Euphorbiaceae cDNA microarray using 1,886 sequenced cDNAs from the model perennial weed leafy spurge, 384 cDNAs from cassava, and 384 control genes from other plant, animal, and bacterial species. This array was used to follow changes in gene expression in root buds of leafy spurge following loss of paradormancy. The differential expression of several genes previously identified as being induced following loss of paradormancy was confirmed by microarray analysis. In addition, genes encoding an asparagine synthase, a phosphate-inducible protein, and a curculin-like (mannose-binding) lectin family protein were found to be rapidly up-regulated upon loss of paradormancy. Several genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were found to be rapidly down-regulated upon loss of paradormancy. The potential impact of flavonoid biosynthesis on auxin transport in response to bud growth is discussed.

Observational studies of weed emergence provide essential data for the creation and testing of predictive emergence models, with data ideally being collected from a wide range of sites representing a range of environments under which the seedlings of a given species emerge. The spring emergence of genetically engineered glyphosate-resistant volunteer canola was monitored in 20 farmers' commercial wheat fields over 2 yr, 2003 and 2004, in the southwestern region of Manitoba, Canada. Three different tillage systems, low-disturbance direct-seeded, high-disturbance direct-seeded, and conventionally tilled fields, were represented in this sample. Tillage system did not significantly influence the emergence periodicity of volunteer canola, but did influence total densities observed. Total volunteer canola densities in the surveyed fields were variable and ranged from 6 to 2,015 seedlings m−2. Conventionally tilled fields had the lowest densities of volunteer canola seedlings, and high-disturbance direct-seeded fields (no autumn tillage) had the highest densities. Volunteer canola is a relatively early spring emerging plant species requiring minimal accumulated growing degree days for emergence (calculated using a base temperature of 5 C). Emergence curves were steep, with a short window of volunteer canola emergence either prior to or within a spring-seeded wheat crop. To determine what proportion of autumn-broadcast canola seed (simulated harvest losses) would recruit the following spring and the influence of fall or spring tillage on this recruitment, a small plot experiment also was conducted at three sites. The following spring the percentage of canola seedlings that emerged ranged from 1.3 to 9.4% of the seed broadcast, depending upon the tillage treatment. The effect of tillage treatment on canola densities in the small plot experiment was similar to the field survey results.

Small broomrape is a parasite of several broadleaf plant species. Consequences of small broomrape infestation in host cropping systems include seed contamination, reduction in crop seed yield, and host plant death. The effect of small broomrape parasitism on the biomass partitioning of its primary host, red clover, has not been documented. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between small broomrape and red clover biomass accumulation. Total biomass of parasitized red clover plants was 15 to 51% less than nonparasitized red clover plants. Small broomrape parasitism reduced the amount of dry matter allocated to red clover inflorescences by 50 to 80%. Small broomrape dry matter accumulation was strongly related to total red clover–small broomrape dry matter accumulation. Small broomrape attachment number per red clover plant was a poor indicator of relative small broomrape dry weight accumulation. The results of this study indicated that small broomrape accumulated resources from red clover at the greatest expense to the economically important reproductive tissues.

Effects of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) on turfgrass seed germination were evaluated in the greenhouse. Glyphosate caused little effect on germination of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), and tall fescue (F. arundinacea Schreb.) when applied to the soil immediately before seeding or when applied directly over the seed on the soil surface. Paraquat sprayed directly over the seed on the soil surface prevented germination of most of the seeds of the three grass species. Covering seeds on the soil surface with clippings from grass turf sprayed with paraquat greatly reduced germination. About half of those that germinated either died later or were severely chlorotic. Covering seeds on the surface of the soil with clippings from turf that had been sprayed with glyphosate did not significantly reduce the number of seedlings established.

Field experiments were conducted to quantify functional relationships between giant ragweed density and sweet corn yield and ear traits. A rectangular hyperbolic model was fit to yield loss measured in terms of marketable ear mass, appropriate for the processing industry, and boxes of 50 marketable ears, relevant to the fresh market industry. The initial slope of the hyperbolic yield loss function (I), which describes the linear portion of yield loss as weed density (weeds per square meter) approaches zero, was 119 for loss of ear mass and 97 for loss of boxes of ears. Furthermore, 10 of 12 ear traits including green ear mass, husked ear mass, ear length, filled ear length, ear width, number of kernels per row, number of rows, kernel depth, kernel mass, and kernel moisture content were significantly affected by giant ragweed interference.

Several herbicides were sprayed on emerged London rocket (Sisymbrium irio L.), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), ragweed parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), and onion (Allium cepa L. ‘yellow granex PRR’), to determine selectivity. Onion yields were reduced with common sunflower and London rocket interference within 7 weeks after emergence. Oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] at 2.2 kg/ha controlled all but common sunflower under most field conditions and reduced the yield of onion in one experiment out of six. Methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] and bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) reduced the yields of onion in two of four experiments and three of six experiments, respectively. Both herbicides controlled most weed species, but only bromoxynil controlled annual sunflower adequately. Onion was injured when low temperature, low light intensity, and high relative humidity occurred within 3 days of the application of herbicides. Bioassays showed that oxadiazon persisted 5 months in soil in three of five experiments. Seeded London rocket populations reduced the growth of onion 20% within the first 4 weeks and 65% within 12 weeks after planting.

In six years of field studies, early-season releases of the native moth Bactra verutana Zeller were evaluated as a biological control for purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). Establishment from adult releases required at least 10 pairs of moths per release; establishment from larval release could be achieved with a single release of two or five newly-emerged larvae per shoot. When shoots averaged 4 or 7.5 cm high at the time of such releases, aboveground growth was reduced 32 to 62% after 30 days. Three to eight weekly releases of larvae reduced the topgrowth of nutsedge planted in rows of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Stoneville 213’) 30 to 68% 6 to 8 weeks after the last release. Weekly releases of about five larvae per shoot repeated three, four, or five times in 1976 and 1977 reduced nutsedge growth so that seed cotton yield equalled that of cotton in plots without nutsedge. MSMA (monosodium methanearsonate) applied at the rate of 2.2 kg/ha 5 and 7 weeks after cotton emergence gave greater control of purple nutsedge topgrowth and a yield of seed cotton equal to that resulting from three to five larval releases of about five larvae per shoot beginning when purple nutsedge averaged 7.5 cm high. When MSMA was applied at 7.5 and 8.5 weeks after cotton emergence, the addition of two early-season releases of larvae were also necessary to achieve nutsedge control and seed cotton yield equal to that produced by three to five releases of larvae.

Greenhouse and field experiments, at two locations in Georgia, evaluated the tolerance of several soft red winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) to postemergence applications of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one]. In the greenhouse, none of the cultivars growing in pots tolerated a 0.6 kg ai/ha treatment of metribuzin applied at the two-to three-tiller, six- to nine-tiller, or early-stem elongation growth stages. In nutrient culture, ‘McNair 1003’ was more tolerant to a 0.15 μg/ml concentration of metribuzin than other cultivars. Significant injury and yield reductions of wheat cultivars treated in the field with 0.6 and 1.1 kg/ha of metribuzin occurred. Differences between the cultivars were not uniform over all experiments. Increased injury was accompanied by higher rainfall and low temperatures subsequent to application. None of the wheat cultivars evaluated in the field experiments was injured by the 0.3 kg/ha rate of metribuzin. Acceptable selective weed control was obtained with this rate, indicating that metribuzin could be used in these soft red winter wheat cultivars.

The adsorption of 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) from aqueous solution by charcoal varied widely with the type of charcoal tested. However, adsorption in solution was directly related to the deactivating properties of the charcoals for the two herbicides in soil. Several charcoals deactivated residues of 0.3 ppmw of atrazine and 1.0 ppmw of diuron when they were present at concentrations of 30 to 50 ppmw in the soil. Activation of the charcoal was essential for the adsorption and deactivating properties. A simple laboratory test was developed for assessing activated charcoals for use in deactivation studies in soil.

I have chosen to begin with the proposition that more energy is expended for the weeding of man's crops than for any other single human task. Because it is one of man's principal occupations, the burden is intricately woven into the fabric of his family and community life and to lift it from the tangled skeins of his existence so that we may examine it, or judge it, is well nigh impossible. In the writings of Aristotle, there are these words which seem appropriate to the task ahead, “The search for Truth is in one way hard and in another easy, for it is evident that no one can master it fully nor miss it wholly.”

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) response was evaluated when propanil (3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide), thiobencarb {S-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl] diethylcarbamothioate}, butachlor [N-(butoxymethyl)-2-chloro-2′,6′-diethylacetanilide], oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one], bifenox [methyl-5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate], acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}, and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] were applied over-the-top at simulated drift rates at two growth stages during 1975 to 1979. No rate of butachlor or thiobencarb injured cotton. The order of phytotoxicity for the herbicides applied to cotyledonary cotton was propanil > metribuzin > bifenox > oxadiazon > acifluorfen > butachlor = thiobencarb. Herbicides injured cotton less at the five- or eight-node stage than at the cotyledonary stage. Injury was more severe in seasons of wet or cold weather during early plant development.

The phytotoxicity, adsorption, and mobility of metribuzin and ethyl-metribuzin3 were studied in five soils to determine if differential soil behavior could explain: a) the greater activity of both chemicals in western Oregon than in eastern Oregon, and b) the greater activity of metribuzin than ethyl-metribuzin under similar conditions. Metribuzin had higher activity on oats than ethyl-metribuzin in all soils and in quartz sand. Metribuzin was adsorbed less and moved more than ethyl-metribuzin in all soils. Activity of both herbicides decreased as sand content increased, and activity in quartz sand was lower than in soil. Activity of both herbicides increased in a bioassay in which leaching was prevented, indicating that leaching may be important in the loss of activity of metribuzin and ethyl-metribuzin. Lowest herbicide adsorption and greatest movement were observed in coarser textured soils.

The persistence and germinability of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host. # AEGCY) seed (caryopses) were studied over a five-year period between 1979 and 1984 at five locations in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Seed were buried in open-mesh packets and the sites were not disturbed for the duration of the study. Seed survival at burial depths of 5, 15, or 30 cm decreased rapidly over the first three years at all locations. By the third year, less than 7.4 ± 6.5% (mean ± SD) of the seed remained at 5 cm in the soil at all locations. By the third, fourth, and fifth year there was total loss of seed at one, two, and four sites at the 5-cm burial depth. Only three of five sites had total loss of seed at 30 cm after five years. The proportion of surviving seed that were germinable increased with time and was almost 100% after three years of burial. Because jointed goatgrass seed were relatively transient in the soil profile, fallowing of infested areas for a three-year period may significantly reduce populations of this weed or eradicate it, depending upon location.

Tillage and pendimethalin either alone or in combination were compared for weed management in two potato cultivars. The best weed management program consisted of a combination of pendimethalin and tillage. Pendimethalin alone did not adequately control weeds. Multiple cultivations gave better control than pendimethalin alone but not as good as pendimethalin and cultivation combined. The net returns using tillage, pendimethalin, and tillage plus pendimethalin for weed control averaged –$86, –$208, and $ 143/ha, respectively. Independent of their effect on weeds, cultivation had a significant negative effect and pendimethalin a significant positive effect on potato yields. Each cultivation reduced yields by 1.7% and pendimethalin increased yields by 4%. The cultivar ‘Red Pontiac’ was a better competitor with weeds than ‘Red Norland’.

Vapors of 11 dinitroaniline herbicides from soil were trapped in a Florisil column under controlled laboratory conditions for a 3-hr period. No vapor losses of nitralin [4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline] and oryzalin (3,5-dinitro-N4,N4-dipropylsulfanilamide) were detected at the highest temperature, 50 C, from moist Lakeland sand with an air flow of 50 ml/min; whereas, under the same conditions vapor losses approached 25% for benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine] and trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine). Vapor losses for the remaining herbicides studied were moderate with values ranging between 2 and 13%. Volatility of all herbicides increased with increasing temperatures of 30, 40, and 50 C. Vapor losses for each herbicide from Hagerstown clay loam, Littleton silt loam and Lakeland sand were statistically different for five of the 11 herbicides.

Effects of a natural mixed stand of giant green foxtail [Setaria viridis var. major (Gaudin) Pospichel # SETVM] and fall panicum [Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. # PANDI] on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Union’ and ‘Essex′] biomass and seed yield were investigated during 1981, 1982, and 1983. Plots maintained weed free for 2 weeks after soybean emergence produced yields equal to those maintained weed free for the season despite any grass reinfestation. Grasses growing naturally with soybeans for 8 weeks after soybean emergence did not reduce crop yields. Weeds not removed after 8 weeks reduced soybean yields by decreasing the number of pods per plant. Under drought conditions, yield reduction due to grass competition did not occur until 12 to 16 weeks after soybean emergence. Hand-established densities of 1 grass plant/7.5 cm of crop row reduced soybean yield by 0 to 11%. Natural grass infestations reduced soybean yield by 21 to 41%.

Showy crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth) was grown in a controlled-environment greenhouse with a day/night temperature of 32/26C at full sunlight and under 40, 60, or 90% shade. Shading significantly reduced height, dry-matter accumulation, leaf production, leaf-area expansion, axillary-branch development, reproductive development, and the partitioning of plant biomass into stems. Shading increased the partitioning of plant biomass into leaves and the leaf area ratio. Constant shading or shading from 0 through 25 days after planting reduced the leaf area duration (LAD) proportionally more than the net assimilation rate (NAR). Shading from 25 to 67 days after planting reduced NAR and LAD equally. In other experiments reducing the day/night temperature below 32/26C significantly reduced plant height, leaf area, and the rate of leaf production. Dry-matter production decreased significantly at temperatures below 29/23C, because of substantial reduction in LAD. Showy crotalaria flowered and produced seed at temperatures ranging from 23/17C to 32/26C. The results indicate that the geographical distribution of showy crotalaria in the United States probably will continue to increase.

Hydrolysis and adsorption of the sulfonylurea herbicides rimsulfuron and primisulfuron were investigated under laboratory conditions. Degradation in aqueous solutions was determined between pH 3 and 8 and between 5 and 35 C. Rimsulfuron degraded faster than primisulfuron. Half-lives at different temperatures at pH 4 ranged from 0.16 to 5.8 d for rimsulfuron and from 0.47 to 16.1 d for primisulfuron. Primisulfuron hydrolysis at 30 C decreased with increasing pH, but rimsulfuron decreased up to pH 7, then increased, suggesting rapid degradation in alkaline conditions. Adsorption, measured in six Colorado soils, was complete within 2 h in all soils. Adsorption isotherms were determined by batch equilibration of 75 to 600 μg L−1. Rimsulfuron was adsorbed in amounts 3.7 to 7 times higher than primisulfuron, with adsorption distribution coefficients (Kd) ranging from 0.1 to to 1.18 for primisulfuron and from 0.71 to 5.1 for rimsulfuron. Adsorption of both herbicides was slightly correlated with soil clay content, and primisulfuron adsorption was also correlated with organic matter content.

Clomazone at 0.7 kg ai/ha or more, applied early preplant, completely controlled weeds before planting of no-till soybeans. Under low weed density (57 plants/m2 in untreated control) in 1985, grass weed control was nearly complete and not affected by clomazone application time. Late-season broadleaf weed control was less with preemergence application of clomazone at 1.1 or 1.4 kg/ha than with an early preplant or early preplant-preemergence split application of the same clomazone rate. Addition of metribuzin at 0.2 kg ai/ha overcame this control deficiency. Under greater weed densities (330 plants/m2 in untreated control) during 1986 and 1987, early preplant-preemergence split applications gave the greatest control of both grass and broadleaf weeds throughout the growing season. Preemergence application of clomazone failed to completely control common lambsquarters emerged at the time of application. Early preplant applications failed to maintain redroot pigweed control throughout the season. Differences in soybean yield were attributed to differences in weed control. No significant carryover of clomazone residue was detected through greenhouse or field bioassays.