The effects of seven preemergence herbicides on turfgrass quality, clipping yield, root growth, thatch accumulation, and carbohydrate reserves of three turfgrasses were measured. Nearly all herbicides caused some effect on one or more of the turfgrasses at some point during the 8-yr experiment, especially during mid-summer stress periods. The most consistently injurious herbicide was bandane (polychlorodicyclopentadiene) which caused a marked reduction in turfgrass quality, poor rooting, and increased susceptibility to stripe smut (Ustilago striiformis West. Niesel.). Clipping yields were reduced only in red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ‘Pennlawn’) by bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(20mercaptoethyl)-benzenesulfonamide], siduron [1-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-3-phenylurea], and terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-tolyl methylcarbamate). Except for bandane, only siduron and terbutol caused significant reductions in root growth, and only in ‘Kenblue’-type Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Thatch accumulation was reduced in ‘Merion’ Kentucky bluegrass treated with benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α,-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) in ‘Kenblue’-type Kentucky bluegrass treated with bandane, benefin, bensulide, and terbutol; and in ‘Pennlawn’ red fescue treated with bandane, calcium arsenate, and terbutol. Carbohydrate reserves were not significantly different among treatments.

A field investigation was conducted to determine the influence of pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] and trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] herbicides on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Centennial’] — Bradyrhizobium japonicum symbiosis. Pendimethalin and trifluralin applied at rates of 1.1, 1.7, and 2.2 kg ai/ha delayed emergence and injured soybean seedlings grown on an Olivier silt loam. Nodule number, dry weight, and nitrogen (N2) fixation measured by acetylene (C2H2) reduction were decreased by all herbicide rates during the vegetative growth stages in 1984, with occasional decreases in nodulation noted during the late reproductive growth stage. Seedling injury was less severe in 1985 than in 1984, with most injury occurring at 1.7 and 2.2 kg/ha for both herbicides. Nodule number and dry weight in 1985 were decreased from vegetative through the early reproductive growth stages with little influence on N2(C2H2) fixation. Inhibitory effects of the herbicides on nodulation and N2(C2H2) fixation did not influence seed formation since seed yield was not affected either year.

Effects of ammonium and methylammonium on foliar uptake of 14C-thifensulfuron, in the presence of 0.2% nonionic surfactant by vol, into velvetleaf were investigated. Total 14C uptake into velvetleaf 24 h after treatment was only 15% without addition of nitrogen, but addition of 0.32 M NH4Cl, urea ammonium nitrate, or CH3NH2·HCl increased total 14C uptake to 31, 38, or 59%, respectively. Total 14C uptake 24 h after treatment was increased 3- and 4-fold by addition of 0.08 and 0.16 M CH3NH2·HCl, respectively, but was not increased further by greater CH3NH2·HCl concentrations. Although the increase in 14C uptake was followed by an increase in total 14C translocated, the relative amount of 14C translocated (expressed as a percentage of total 14C uptake) was not affected by nitrogen additives. Enhancement of uptake of 14C-thifensulfuron by CH3NH2·HCl was partially reversed by addition of 0.16 M CaCl2 to the application solution.

Diphenamid (N,N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide) severely inhibited adventitious roots in the shoot zone of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench., var. RS 610) and corn (Zea mays L., var. WF9 X B37) without decreasing foliage growth. Using diphenamid to inhibit shoot zone roots, the presence of adventitious roots was shown to increase foliage injury to corn, sorghum, or both when exposed to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l,l-dimethylurea (diuron), 2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine (ametryne), or 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil (terbacil) in the shoot zone. Inhibition of adventitious roots was associated with a decrease in uptake of 14C-diuron and 14C-ametryne in both corn and sorghum. Inhibition of the adventitious roots did not alter the response of corn or sorghum, as measured by top growth, when treated with dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), isopropyl-m-chlorocarbanilate (chlorpropham), S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), and α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin). The meristematic region of the sorghum shoot before emergence was more sensitive than other regions of the shoot to DCPA and chlorpropham. Injury from other application sites depended upon uptake from the treated area and movement to the meristematic region, where both herbicides appear to be acting.

A method was developed for quantitative determination of miserotoxin, a poison in timber milkvetch (Astragalus miser Dougl. ex Hook.). The presence and concentration of miserotoxin was determined in eight varieties of timber milkvetch. The seasonal variation in the concentration of the poison was followed in variety oblongifolius (Rydb.) Cron. Miserotoxin occurred primarily in the leaves with smaller amounts in the roots, flowers, and seeds. The poison level in leaves and stems decreased rapidly after seed dispersal. Miserotoxin was found in varieties oblongifolius (Rydb.) Cron., serotinus (Gray) Barneby, and hylophilus (Rydb.) Barneby, but was not found in varieties miser Dougl. ex Hook., tenuifolius (Nutt.) Barneby, crispatus (Jones) Cron., praeteritus Barneby, and decumbens (Nutt.) Cron. The three varieties containing miserotoxin were poisonous to 1-week-old chicks (Gallus domesticus, Arbor Acre 50 × Vantress hybrids); the other five varieties were not poisonous.

Purple nutsedge is a troublesome C4 weed, characterized by high photosynthetic efficiency, compared to C3 weeds. As its dispersal is based on vegetative growth, accurate prediction of its growth could help in arriving at favorable management decisions. This article details the development and validation of predictive models of purple nutsedge spatial growth, based on temperature (thermal model), and temperature and radiation (photothermal model) measurements. Plants were grown in six experiments in the summers of 2008, 2009, and 2010, under different temperature and radiation conditions. Results indicate that under optimal temperatures, radiation becomes the main growth-limiting factor, and is highly related to the final leaf-cover area (R2 = 0.89). Comparison of the thermal and photothermal models showed that under all conditions, including varied temperature and radiation, the photothermal model performs significantly better, with differences in root-mean-square error values reaching up to 0.073, compared to 0.195 with the thermal model. Validation experiments confirmed the ability of the photothermal model to predict purple nutsedge spatial growth accurately.

Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L., var. MSU 126 × 5460) were treated with 5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (pyrazon) applied to the soil. The pyrazon was labeled with either 3H in the phenyl ring, or with 14C at the 4 and 5 positions of the pyridazinone ring. The disappearance of pyrazon and the appearance of metabolites in the soil and shoots were examined 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after treatment. The total recoverable radioactivity decreased with time, but there was a greater loss of 3H-labeled compounds than 14C-labeled compounds from the soil. Thin-layer chromatography of the soil and shoot extracts revealed the presence of one metabolite in the soil and three metabolites in the plant. By co-chromatography with known pyrazon derivatives and by comparison of the labeling (14C, 3H, or both), the metabolites in the shoot were identified as N-(2-chloro-4-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone)-glucosamine (hereinafter referred to as N-glucosyl pyrazon), 5-amino-4-chloro-3(2H)-pyridazinone (hereinafter referred to as ACP), and ACP-complex. The other moiety in the ACP-complex was not identified. The metabolite in the soil was identified as ACP, and was detectable 2 weeks prior to its appearance in the shoot, suggesting that it was absorbed from the soil.

Secondary plant metabolites may influence plant–plant interactions and plant invasions. Distinguishing such chemicals requires integrating varying chemical ecology approaches, information on the amounts and persistence of specific chemicals in nature, and measures of effects (e.g., phytotoxicity assays) to judge the importance of the chemicals (e.g., allelochemicals). The invasive plant croftonweed has caused substantial ecological and economic losses in China. We examined contents and degradation of croftonweed chemicals in the soil and their potential phytotoxic effects on conspecific and five allospecific plant species. Soils in which croftonweed was grown had four phytotoxins: DEHP, DBP, DTD, and HHO. All chemicals were detected in croftonweed-invaded soil, with contents ranging from 0.013 (for DEHP) to 0.353 (for DTD) µg g−1 of soil. All four compounds were degraded rapidly in 1 wk. Combinations of the chemicals inhibited seed germination or seedling growth of four of the six plants, including croftonweed itself, at mean contents found in the soil. The putative allelochemicals degraded rapidly in the soil, and the low levels of allelochemicals observed in the soil may be sufficient to affect seed germination and plant growth.

If decision-aid software models of weed emergence and growth are ever to help producers better time weed management, these models must be able to predict perennial weed shoot emergence from vegetative propagules. In this research, Cirsium arvense shoot emergence from adventitious root buds in spring was modeled using degree-day heat sums. Fractional C. arvense shoot emergence was best modeled as a logistic dose–response function of degree-day heat sum as follows: Y = 1.108/(1+[X/488.344]−5.161) where Y = fractional C. arvense shoot emergence (0 to 1) and X = heat sum in degree-days above 0 C after day 91 of the year (April 1) with an upper limit of 800 degree (C) days (r2 = 0.83). This empirical model was validated by graphing observed vs. model-predicted C. arvense shoot emergence using two independently gathered data sets, one of C. arvense emergence in autumn chisel-plowed Triticum aestivum (r2 = 0.82) and the other in no-till fallow (r2 = 0.63). The model slightly overestimated emergence at low fractional emergence (< ∼7% at 0.1 fractional emergence) and underestimated emergence at high fractional emergence (10 to 20% at 0.8 to 1.0 fractional emergence). Below an emergence fraction of 0.8, the model adequately estimated observed emergence to within about 10% of the predicted regression line. Using the model, about 1% and 80% of C. arvense shoots should emerge from adventitious root buds after a heat sum accumulates of about 197 and 587 C d, respectively, starting from day 91 of the year. Consequently, farmers should begin monitoring C. arvense patches for emergence and height growth after about 197 C d accumulate and expect to control C. arvense before about 587 C d accumulate, which is when about 80% of shoots have emerged.

The herbicides, S-ethyl hexahydro-1 H-azepine-l-carbothioate (molinate) applied preemergence and 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide (propanil) applied as a contact spray at several dates, were evaluated for control of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli (L) Beauv.) in water-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L., var. Caloro) flooded continuously to a shallow (3 inch) depth. Propanil applied when barnyardgrass had 6 to 9 inches of leaves exposed gave higher yields than earlier or later applications. Molinate gave the best barnyardgrass control when it was applied as a granule, incorporated, and applied onto dry soil. Molinate controlled the three major phenotypes of barnyardgrass. Germinating barnyardgrass seed were severely inhibited in growth by molinate concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm while germinating rice seed were not inhibited until the concentrations were greater than 5 ppm. Low concentrations of molinate stimulated shoot growth of both rice and barnyardgrass.

African turnipweed (Sisymbrium thellungii O. E.Schulz) is an emerging problematic broadleaf weed of the northern grain region of Australia. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature, light, salinity, pH, seed burial depth, and the amount of wheat crop residue on germination and emergence of two Australian S. thellungii weed populations (population C, cropped area; population F, fence line). Both populations behaved similarly across different environmental conditions, except in the residue study. Although the seeds of both populations of S. thellungii could germinate under complete darkness, germination was best (~95%) under light/dark conditions at the 20/10 C temperature regime. Both populations of S. thellungii germinated over a wide range of day/night temperatures (15/5, 20/10, 25/15, and 30/20 C). Osmotic stress had negative effects on germination, with 54% seeds (averaged over populations) able to germinate at −0.1MPa. Complete germination inhibition for both populations was observed at −0.8MPa osmotic potential. Both populations germinated at sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 mM, beyond which germination was completely inhibited. There were substantial reductions in seed germination, 32% (averaged over populations) under highly acidic conditions (pH 4.0) as compared with the control (water: pH 6.4). Seed germination of both populations on the soil surface was 77%, and no seedlings emerged from a burial depth of 1 cm. The addition of 6 Mg ha−1 of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue reduced the emergence of the C and F populations of S. thellungii by 75% and 64%, respectively, as compared with the control (no residue). Information gathered from this study provides a better understanding of the factors favorable for germination and emergence of S. thellungii, which will aid in developing management strategies in winter crops, especially wheat, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Threehorn bedstraw is an important dicotyledonous weed of winter crops in southern Australia, which can be difficult to control in some field crops. Knowledge of the germination ecology of this weed would facilitate development of effective weed control programs. Seed germination in the laboratory was greater for seeds that after-ripened while buried in the soil relative to those that after-ripened on the soil surface. The timing of greatest seed germination in the laboratory was found to coincide with the period of low temperature in the field. Seed germination of threehorn bedstraw was moderately sensitive to salt stress but moderately tolerant to osmotic stress. Seeds of threehorn bedstraw germinated over a broad range of pH from 4 to 10. No seedlings emerged from seeds placed on the soil surface. Maximum seedling emergence occurred at depths of 1 to 2 cm (89 to 91%) and declined at greater depths.

Quackgrass is a problematic agricultural weed in the temperate zones of the world and is difficult to control without herbicides or intensive tillage. However, it may be possible to control quackgrass with less environmental impact by combining multiple low-intensity control methods. A pot experiment was conducted in July to October 2012 and repeated in June to September 2013 to investigate the effect of rhizome fragmentation, competition from white clover, shoot-cutting frequency, and cutting height on quackgrass. Rhizome fragmentation was expected to result in more, but weaker, quackgrass shoots that would be more vulnerable to shoot cutting and competition. However, by 20 d past planting, rhizome fragmentation did not change the total number of quackgrass shoots per pot, because an increase in main shoots was offset by a decrease in tiller numbers. Rhizome fragmentation did not reduce quackgrass biomass acquisition during the experimental period. Although rhizome fragmentation did reduce total fructan content, it did not enhance the effect of clover competition, shoot-cutting frequency, or shoot-cutting height. Clover competition by itself reduced quackgrass shoot numbers by 72%, rhizome biomass by 81%, and belowground fructan concentration by 10 percentage points, compared with no competition. The more frequently quackgrass shoots were cut, the less biomass quackgrass acquired, and a high shoot-cutting frequency (each time quackgrass reached 2 leaves) resulted in a lower belowground fructan concentration than a low shoot-cutting frequency (at 8 leaves). However, in pots without competition, a higher shoot-cutting frequency resulted in more quackgrass shoots. A lower shoot-cutting height (25 mm) had more impact when shoot cutting was more frequent. In conclusion, rhizome fragmentation did not reduce the number of quackgrass shoots or rhizome biomass, but competition from white clover, a high shoot-cutting frequency, and a low shoot-cutting height strongly suppressed quackgrass biomass and fructan acquisition.

Metabolic resistances to atrazine (atz-R) and mesotrione (meso-R) occur in several waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] populations in the United States. Interestingly, although metabolic atz-R but mesotrione-sensitive A. tuberculatus populations have been reported, an Amaranthus population has not been confirmed as meso-R but atrazine-sensitive, implying an association between these traits. Experiments were designed to investigate whether the single gene conferring metabolic atz-R plays a role in meso-R. An F2 population was generated from a multiple herbicide–resistant A. tuberculatus population from McLean County, IL (MCR). A cross was made between a known meso-R male clone (MCR-6) and a herbicide-sensitive female clone from Wayne County, IL (WCS-2) to develop an F1 population. Survival of MCR-6 plants following atrazine POST treatment (14.4 kg ha−1) indicated the male parent was homozygous atz-R. F1 plants were intermated to obtain a segregating pseudo-F2 population. Dose–response and metabolic studies conducted with mesotrione using F1 plants indicated intermediate biomass reductions and metabolic rates compared with MCR-6 and WCS. F2 plants were initially treated with either mesotrione (260 g ha−1) or atrazine (2 kg ha−1) POST, and after 21 d of recovery, vegetative clones from surviving resistant plants were subsequently treated with the other herbicide. When mesotrione was applied first, the meso-R frequency was 8.2%, and when atrazine was applied first, the atz-R frequency was 75%. However, the meso-R frequency increased to 16.5% following preselection for atz-R, and 100% of surviving meso-R plants were atz-R. Our findings indicate that the gene conferring metabolic atz-R is also involved with the meso-R trait within the population tested.

It has been only in comparatively recent years that any appreciable work has been conducted on equipment for the application of chemicals in the soil. Most of the early work was devoted primarily to methods of applying anhydrous ammonia and liquid solutions as fertilizers. In most of this work the principal injection tool consisted of a chisel-type applicator that released the chemical at a single point in the soil. In recent years, investigators have attempted to devise efficient and uniform methods of subsurface distribution. Hedman and Turner reported on a chisel-type applicator equipped with a “fishtail” to give more lateral spread to anhydrous ammonia. Arya and Pickard studied the effect of high pressures and velocities on the application of anhydrous ammonia, which was also single-point injection. Certain problems associated with the application of fungicides and herbicides in the soil have been discussed by Owen and Becker and Costel.

Metazachlor degradation in soil was studied in fields of spring barley, turnips, brussels sprouts, and leeks. Metazachlor in soil was transformed into 2-hydroxy-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl methyl)-acetamide (compound 2), 2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-acetamide (compound 3), and 4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-dimethylbenzenamine) (compound 4). Soil concentrations of compound 4 were always lower than 0.1 ppm. The half-life of metazachlor in the 0- to 10-cm soil layer was 1 to 3 mo. Metazachlor and compounds 2, 3, and 4 were not detected in the 10- to 20- and 20- to 30-cm soil layers. Metazachlor and metabolites (compounds) 2, 3, and 4 were not detected in barley grain or in the edible part of the vegetables. The sensitivity limit for these compounds was 0.02 ppm.

Canada thistle and dandelion are troublesome weeds found throughout the northern United States. Carbohydrate concentrations in roots of these plants change in response to freezing temperatures as plants prepare to overwinter. Herbicides applied in the fall provide more effective control of these weeds than does treatment applied in early spring. Experiments were conducted near Scottsbluff, NE, from 1999 to 2001 to examine changes in glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans in roots of Canada thistle and dandelion in response to the fall-applied herbicide. Dicamba applied 10 d after the first fall frost reduced the quantities of low degree-of-polymerization (DP) fructans and provided better control of Canada thistle and dandelion than did dicamba applied 11 d before the first frost. Dicamba and dicamba plus SAN 836H fall-applied were more effective in controlling Canada thistle and dandelion than was 2,4-D fall-applied. As the rate of dicamba and dicamba plus SAN 836H increased, the quantities of low-DP fructans in plant roots declined, and plant control increased. Activity of fructan 1-exohydrolase in roots of Canada thistle was increased by dicamba fall-applied and was closely associated with decline in the quantities of low-DP fructans.

The herbicide 5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (pyrazon) had a ten-fold greater inhibitory effect on the growth of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) than on sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.), Production of dry matter was inhibited by accumulations of pyrazon in the tissues. When these accumulations reached a level approximately twice that which affected dry matter production, plants wilted, collapsed, and died. Pyrazon failed to affect the structural integrity of either chlorophyll or the chloroplast, but inhibited the Hill reaction of chloroplasts isolated from both sugar beets and common lambsquarters. The I50 value was 6 × 10−6 M pyrazon. There was no difference between sugar beets and common lambsquarters in the degree of inhibition in oxygen evolution by leaf discs placed in pyrazon. When plants were cultured in vivo with pyrazon, the rate of oxygen evolution was correlated with herbicide accumulations in the leaf tissues. Sugar beet leaves contained only one-third to one-fifth the level present in common lambsquarters. The rates of respiration of roots and leaf discs of both species were not affected by pyrazon treatments in vivo or in vitro.

Widespread use of crop yield loss models based on weed density has been limited on account of spatial and temporal variability. Furthermore, research characterizing crop yield loss associated with two or more weed species is lacking for many cropping systems. Therefore, research was conducted to characterize giant foxtail and common lambsquarters leaf area, height, and shoot volume in soybean, to quantify the relative competitive ability of giant foxtail and common lambsquarters in a mixed–weed species environment, and to assess weed density, weed relative leaf area, and weed relative volume as predictors of soybean yield loss. Based on weed density, coefficient estimates of percent soybean yield loss as giant foxtail or common lambsquarters densities approached zero differed between years. In contrast, coefficient estimates of maximum soybean yield loss were similar between years. Based on weed relative leaf area, estimates of giant foxtail or common lambsquarters damage coefficients differed between years. Similarly, estimates of maximum soybean yield loss associated with common lambsquarters leaf area differed between years, whereas estimates of maximum soybean yield loss associated with giant foxtail leaf area did not change over time within a growing season or between years. Based on weed relative volume, estimates of giant foxtail or common lambsquarters damage coefficients differed between years. Similarly, estimates of maximum soybean yield loss associated with common lambsquarters volume differed between years, whereas estimates of maximum soybean yield loss associated with giant foxtail volume did not change over time within a growing season or between years. Based on weed density, weed relative leaf area, or weed relative volume, giant foxtail was more competitive than common lambsquarters in terms of soybean yield loss. Temporal variability of weed density, weed relative leaf area, and weed relative volume indicates that additional parameters may be required to accurately predict weed–crop interactions in a multiple–weed species community.

Field experiments were conducted to study the feasibility of using trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) and nitralin [4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline] for the selective control of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] from rhizomes and seed in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Lee’]. Both herbicides were incorporated into the soil at 0.56 to 3.36 kg/ha with two disk cultivations immediately after application. Most effective johnsongrass control on Dundee silty clay loam (sicl) followed treatments of nitralin or trifluralin at 1.68 to 3.36 kg/ha, but 2 years or more of continuous treatment were required for acceptable control. Trifluralin at 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha on Sharkey clay and at 0.56 to 2.24 kg/ha on Bosket fine sandy loam (fsl) provided better average johnsongrass control over a 2-year period than nitralin at the same rates, but soybean yields after both herbicides at the same rates were equal. Immediate incorporation of trifluralin or nitralin in all three soils at 1.12 to 2.24 kg/ha for 2 successive years effectively controlled johnsongrass from rhizomes without soybean injury and with greatly increased soybean yields.