Seasonal changes in germination behaviour of meadow salsify seeds buried at different depths, and survivorship of seed and plant populations were investigated. Freshly matured seeds were mixed with sterilized soil, placed into nylon mesh bags, and buried at three soil depths in a meadow salsify-infested rangeland. Two germination peaks were observed: one in the fall, 2 to 3 mo after burial, and a second the following spring. Burial depth affected seed dormancy. The number of seeds with enforced dormancy, and innate or induced dormancy, increased with burial depth in the 1989 cohort, and the number with enforced dormancy increased in the 1990 cohort. Burial depth also affected seed survivorship. The survivorship curves for 1989 and 1990 seed cohorts were not different as indicated by the Logrank test. The seed population was nearly depleted after 9 to 10 mo of burial; less than 3 % of the buried seeds remained viable after 13 mo. About 50% of the plants monitored in a natural meadow salsify population in 1990 died before winter, and an additional 35% died during winter. The mortality of the remaining plants during the second growing season was very low. Only 12% of the 1990 cohort remained in October 1991. Mortality of meadow salsify plants was density-independent.

Citrus and avocado trees have occasionally been injured following use of 3–amino–1,2,4–triazole (amitrole) at rates of 12 or more lb/A for control of perennial weeds. The distribution of tree injury relative to sprayed areas as well as the known low volatility of amitrole has indicated that tree injury was not due to volatility. The initial occurrence of symptoms on sucker growth in the interior and on the top foliage rather than lower exterior foliage of the trees would seem to eliminate spray drift as a possible cause. This injury has appeared to be due to spray residues being leached into the soil and taken up by the roots of the trees.

Individual droplets of 14C-2,4-D dimethylamine (DMA) were applied to oriental mustard seedlings to determine the effect of droplet size and herbicide concentration on absorption and translocation 1 or 3 d after application. Absorption of 14C-2,4-D was generally not affected by droplet size which ranged from 198 to 2760 μm. However, the percentage of absorbed 14C-2,4-D that was translocated away from the treated leaf increased as droplet size decreased. Absorption of 14C-2,4-D either increased slightly or was not affected by increased herbicide concentration, but translocation of absorbed 14C-2,4-D was reduced as herbicide concentration increased. Absorption and translocation of 14C-2,4-D DMA were reduced when applied after a drop of 21.3 mM commercially formulated 2,4-D had been applied at the same location on the leaf. These results indicate that large amounts of 2,4-D, either in the form of large droplets or a more concentrated herbicide solution, inhibit translocation of 2,4-D from oriental mustard leaves.

Redstem is an important weed in California water-seeded rice fields because of its aquatic habit, wide distribution, interference with harvest, and resistance to the herbicide bensulfuron. Our objective was to understand the mechanisms of competition for light between rice and redstem, with the goal of improving redstem control. A replicated greenhouse experiment was done in 1993 and 1994. Rice was water-seeded at a rate of 400 seeds m−2, and redstem was seeded simultaneously at approximate densities of 0, 50, and 100 seeds m−2 in continuously flooded 0.77 m2 basins. Plants were harvested once at final harvest in 1993 and twice in 1994, with an additional nondestructive sampling 34 days after seeding (DAS). Despite slower early growth, redstem height exceeded rice height about 45 DAS. At the midseason harvest in 1994 (56 DAS), no effects of redstem competition on any rice response variables were detected. However, at final harvest (110 and 118 DAS, 1993 and 1994, respectively) redstem competition at both treatment densities reduced rice tiller density, panicle density, shoot drymass, and grain drymass. Redstem competition reduced rice growth only after penetrating the canopy. Shade cast by redstem through rice maturity decreased shoot and grain production and increased tiller mortality. Lodging caused by redstem further affected rice growth. Season-long competition from redstem at mean densities of 67 and 110 plants m−2 reduced rough rice yields 31 and 39%, respectively, making redstem the most competitive broadleaved rice weed yet studied. Improved understanding of rice-redstem interactions indicates that using alternative herbicides to bensulfuron is unlikely to increase yield losses to redstem, and that control may be improved by increasing rice plant densities or slightly delaying early season chemical control. Because these strategies are mechanistic, they may also be useful for controlling other rice weeds with growth patterns similar to redstem.

Granule, and in some cases, tablet and ball formulations of bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil), dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid), picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), karbutilate [tert-butylcarbamic acid ester with 3(m-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea], and tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethyl urea} were applied to three areas within 30 km of College Station in the Claypan Resource area of Texas. Woody species growing in the area included blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica Muenchh.), post oak (Quercus stellata Wangenh.), yaupon (Ilex vomitoria Ait.), winged elm (Ulmus alata Michx.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa Nutt.), and tree huckleberry (Vaccinium arboreum Marsh.). Granules were applied either broadcast or in rows at several intervals. Tebuthiuron was the most effective herbicide on oaks, winged elm, and white ash. Tebuthiuron and picloram were equally and most effective on yaupon, mockernut hickory, and tree huckleberry. Tebuthiuron + picloram at 2.2 + 2.2 kg/ha was the most effective herbicide treatment on huckleberry. However, a mixture of tebuthiuron + picloram (1:1 w/w) was usually no more effective than the same rate of tebuthiuron in the mixture applied alone. Tablet and ball formulations of karbutilate and tablet formulations of tebuthiuron were generally equally as effective as granules. Applications of picloram and tebuthiuron granules in rows 1.8, 3.0, 4.6, or 6.1 m apart gave control equal to broadcast applications except for picloram on yaupon. On yaupon all row spacing treatments of picloram were less effective than the broadcast treatment, whereas with tebuthiuron the 6.1-m spacing was least effective. Picloram and tebuthiuron granules applied in rows, approximately at 1.8-m intervals with a tractor, were as effective as granules applied by hand in straight rows.

Competition studies in field trials were conducted between common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and table beets (Beta vulgaris L., var. Detroit Red) and between common purslane and snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Eastern Butter). Common purslane control was most critical during the first 2 weeks after beet and bean emergence. Common purslane control for longer than 2 weeks did not increase beet or bean yields. The longer common purslane was allowed to compete after beet or bean emergence, the more yields were decreased. Common purslane was a stronger competitor in beets than in beans. The faster and taller-growing bean plants provided more competition than did beets. Cultivation between rows until lay-by increased both beet and bean yields.

Seeds of dyers woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) readily germinated at temperatures from 3 to 25 C. Dyers woad seeds in their fruits, from which they do not normally dehisce, had greatly depressed germination compared to that of threshed seeds. The presence of dyers woad fruits in the same Petri dish markedly depressed germination and/or root elongation of threshed dyers woad seeds and the seeds of some competing broadleaf and grass species. The depression was especially evident on seeds of other species of Cruciferae. Similar reductions in germination or root elongation were obtained when water used to soak dyers woad fruits was used to wet germination substrates.

Planting row crops into a stale seedbed has gained popularity in recent years. This concept uses tillage either after harvest in the fall or early in the spring to smooth the seedbed and eliminate ruts and excess residue on the soil surface. Tillage is not used immediately before planting, thus conserving moisture, eliminating costly and time-consuming tillage trips at planting, and allowing more timely planting. While stale seedbed planting minimizes tillage to establish the crop, conservation is not the primary objective of this concept; rather, timely stand establishment following adverse weather conditions has been the driving force behind the popularity of stale seedbed programs. The stale seedbed approach has been used with success on a variety of soils in the southern U.S., but is best suited on the poorly-drained clay soils in the Mississippi River Delta. The system has been adapted for use in soybean, cotton, corn, and rice. A key component of a well-prepared stale seedbed is the absence of weeds at planting. Producers must keep in mind that weeds present and not controlled at planting have the potential to significantly impair stand establishment and crop yields. Although these weeds are often beginning to senesce by the time soybean planting occurs, they are still using soil moisture and shading newly emerging crop plants early in the season.

In a special symposium on weed biology presented at the 1975 annual meeting of the Weed Science Society of America, Parka (37) reviewed the trend of published papers in WEED SCIENCE related to weed biology over the 20-yr period, 1952 to 1972. His data indicated a steady increase from 9.2 to 17.2% of published papers directly related to weed growth and development. My recent assessment of similarly classified papers in 1978, 1979, and 1980 showed a remarkable increase to 21.9, 24.3, and 27.2%, respectively. Further, the more recent papers on weed growth and development also include crop-effect data, i.e., the association of weed growth with crop competition.

Postemergence control of broadleaf weeds in canola with DPX A7881 was studied under controlled-environment and field conditions. DPX A7881 controlled weeds of the Cruciferae family such as wild mustard, field pennycress, and flixweed, which are not controlled with existing herbicides used for weed control in canola. Weed control was better when DPX A7881 was applied at the two-leaf than at the six-leaf stage of the weeds. At the two-leaf stage, control of flixweed was achieved with 15 g ai/ha of DPX A7881; 20 to 30 g ai/ha was required for control of wild mustard and field pennycress. Control of redroot pigweed required 30 g ai/ha. Common lambsquarters was not controlled in this study with DPX A7881 up to 60 g ai/ha. Control of weeds with DPX A7881 increased canola yields in this study without altering the important quality components: oil content, 1000-kernel weight, and green seed content. DPX A7881 provides a postemergence alternative to existing herbicides for broadleaf weed control in canola.

In the greenhouse, glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 0.6 kg ae/ha applied directly to seeds alone or seeds on the soil surface reduced germination and shoot dry weight of common rye (Secale cereale L. ♯3 SECCE). Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) applied similarly at 0.6 kg ai/ha reduced germination and shoot dry weight of downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. ♯ BROTE) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Daws' ♯ TRZAX). Metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5 (4H)-one] at 0.6 kg ai/ha applied to seeds, soil, or seeds and soil had very little effect on germination, but significantly reduced shoot dry weight of common rye, downy brome, wheat, and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host. ♯ AEGCY). Pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] at 0.6 kg ai/ha, and propham (isopropyl carbanilate) at 3.4 kg ai/ha plus extender (p-chlorophenyl-N-methylcarbamate) at 0.4 kg ai/ha substantially reduced shoot height and dry weight of all species, regardless of application method, with pronamide completely inhibiting shoot elongation and dry-weight production in three of the four species.

Laboratory studies were conducted to measure the relative volatility of triallate [S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl) diisopropylthiocarbamate] from soils and to determine the effect of surfactants on triallate mobility. Significant volatilization occurred from continuously moist soils under constant air exposure but triallate did not volatilize more rapidly than herbicides which do not respond to incorporation. Volatilization rates from Ray silt soil fell in the order of propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide) > triallate > alachlor [2-chloro-2′, 6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] and from Drummer silty clay loam were propachlor > alachlor > triallate. In suspension studies soils reversibly adsorbed 93 to 98% of the triallate in aqueous solution. With soil at field moisture capacity, the concentration of triallate in soil solution was 13 ppbw without surfactant and 14 ppbw with 3 parts emulsifier blend to 1 part of triallate (w/w). With this level of emulsifier 92% of triallate applied to the soil surface remained in the upper 3 cm of soil following a 15.2-cm simulated rainfall. Without surfactant 99% remained in the upper 3 cm of soil. Lower triallate mobility in moist soils observed in this study coupled with the strong dependence of triallate bioactivity as reported by others strongly suggests that deactivation by dry surface soils rather than volatility is primarily responsible for the triallate response to incorporation.

Various soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Amsoy’] losses during harvesting with a combine were studied in relation to different weed densities, weed species, and growing weeds (early harvest) versus desiccated weeds (late harvest). Average soybean losses from shattering and stubble, stalk, and threshing losses were 7.8, 0.9, 2.0, and 1.4% of total yields, respectively. All harvest losses except threshing losses were significantly greater on late as compared with early harvested soybeans. The major loss from weeds in soybeans was reduced yields due to competition; whereas, harvesting losses were associated with high soybean yields and low weed yields. Soybean harvesting losses were 19% greater on plots containing a predominance of broadleaf compared with grass weeds. Average harvesting losses of 12.1% of total soybean yields ranged with treatments from 8.8 to 15.5%. Average gathering losses were 10.7% and threshing losses 1.4% of total soybean yields.

Prickly lettuce is an annual weed that germinates in both the fall and the spring. It is often found in no-till soybeans and winter wheat in Ontario, Canada, as well as along the edges of fields. Field studies were conducted from 2001 to 2004 to estimate crop yield losses, and to characterize the phenology and seed production of prickly lettuce in relation to time of emergence. Prickly lettuce had a large impact on soybean yield, with losses of 60 to 80% at densities of 50 plants m−2 or more. Prickly lettuce density estimated to cause a 10% soybean yield loss varied from 0.2 plants m−2 in 2002 to 1.2 plants m−2 in 2003 and 2004. In winter wheat, prickly lettuce at densities up to 200 plants m−2 caused no detectable yield loss in this study. Plants that emerged in the fall generally were larger, flowered earlier. and produced more seeds than those emerging in spring, but size and fecundity were strongly density-dependent. The number of flowers produced per plant could be estimated from the height of the main stem. Seed production per plant ranged from 2,200 to 67,000 in soybeans, and up to 87,000 in a noncrop area at the edge of the field. Winter wheat harvest interrupted prickly lettuce flowering, and only about 25 to 30% of the plants present in the wheat crop survived harvest and flowered in untreated stubble. These plants produced less than 4,000 seeds per plant. Postharvest control with glyphosate, mowing, or cultivation prevented prickly lettuce seed production in wheat stubble. This study suggests that prickly lettuce populations could build up quickly in continuous no-till soybeans, but rotation with winter wheat and control of plants at the edge of the field would help to limit population growth.

The rates of degradation of 14C-benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) and 14C-DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) were significantly faster in thatch than in soil from a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf. These results suggest that herbicides applied preemergence in turf will persist for shorter periods of time because of the carbon-enriched medium (thatch) and that higher rates or more frequent applications may be required to maintain concentrations at effective levels.

As a first step toward developing a genomics-based research program to study growth and development of underground adventitious shoot buds of leafy spurge, we initiated a leafy spurge expressed sequence tag (EST) database. From the approximately 2,000 clones randomly isolated from a cDNA library made from a population containing growth-induced underground adventitious shoot buds, we have obtained ESTs for 1,105 cDNAs. Approximately 29% of the leafy spurge EST database consists of expressed genes of unknown identity (hypothetical proteins), and 10% represents ribosomal proteins. The remaining 60% of the database is composed of expressed genes that show BLASTX sequence identity scores of ≥ 80 with known GenBank accessions. Clones showing sequence identity to a Histone H3, a gibberellic acid-responsive gene, Tubulin, and a light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein were shown to be differentially expressed in underground adventitious shoot buds of leafy spurge after breaking of dormancy. RNA encoding a putative cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK)-activating kinase, a gene associated with cell division, and Scarecrow-like 7, a gene involved in GA signaling, were present at similar levels in dormant and growth-induced underground adventitious shoot buds. These data show how even a small EST database can be used to develop a genomics-based research program that will help us identify genes responsive to or involved in the mechanisms controlling underground adventitious shoot bud growth and development.

A single dominant mutation conferring resistance to aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) and cyclohexanedione (CHD) herbicides was incorporated into a quantitative model for the population development of wild oat. The model was used to predict the times required to develop field resistance in a number of different scenarios. Field resistance was defined as a threshold of four plants m−2 surviving herbicide treatment, and in most scenarios, a very large proportion of these plants were resistant. The model predicts that plow cultivation could delay the development of resistance relative to tine cultivation. With an initial seed bank of 100 seeds m−2 and annual use of AOPP/CHD herbicides, which kill 90% of susceptible but no resistant plants, field resistance develops in 15 yr with annual tine cultivation 10 cm deep but only after 23 yr with annual plowing 20 cm deep. The model predicts that herbicide rotation can dramatically increase the times required for field resistance to develop in a tine cultivation system. With annual use of AOPP/CHD herbicides, field resistance develops in 15 yr, whereas using alternative modes of action 1 in 2 yr delays field resistance to 28 yr. The model predicts that resistance can be delayed for at least 66 yr if three herbicides, each with a different mode of action, are rotated and each herbicide causes 90% mortality. The model predictions on the number of years required for field resistance to develop are not highly sensitive to the initial density of the seed bank (range modeled = 102 to 104), the mutation rate for resistance (10−4 to 10−7 per generation), the rate of outcrossing (0.1 to 100%) or the herbicide kill rate (80 to 95%).

A model of competition for light between peanut and three broadleaf weed species has been developed to run with the PNUTGRO model. The model simulates shading of the peanut canopy by reducing the total daily PAR received by the peanuts in a manner that realistically represents timing and quantity of light capture by the weeds. Data were collected in nursery plots of Florida beggarweed, sicklepod, and wild poinsettia in 1989, 1990, and 1991. These data provided the values for the critical parameters: maximum attenuation of PAR by the weed, time when the weed overtops the peanut canopy, time when maximum attenuation is reached, and the distance of influence of the weed. Florida beggarweed overtopped the peanut canopy 52 DAP, and reduced PAR reaching the peanuts 45% by 73 DAP. Sicklepod overtopped the peanut canopy 42 DAP and reached an attenuation of 41% 79 DAP. Wild poinsettia overtopped the peanut canopy 44 DAP, and had an attenuation value of 39% 85 DAP. The distances of influence were 162, 150, and 192 cm for Florida beggarweed, sicklepod, and wild poinsettia, respectively. Observed yield losses in the distance of influence were 26, 27, and 22%, respectively. The model predictions accounted for at least 90% of the yield losses observed in field studies. The model also proved capable of simulating competitive differences between morphologically and phenologically different populations of Florida beggarweed. Simulation models will play an important role in reducing the expenditure of time and resources required to document yield losses due to weeds in peanuts.

Differences in emergence, height, and leaf number between corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and seven dicotyledonous weed species were measured until plants reached 15 cm in height or for 40 days, whichever occurred first, under several temperature regimes. Corn grew faster than the weeds at all temperatures. Initially soybean grew more rapidly than the weeds, but when they reached 15 cm in height the growth rate of weeds exceeded that of soybean. A positive and highly significant curvilinear relationship between plant height and leaf number was obtained for several temperature regimes for each species. Equations were derived for determining leaf number from plant height for each species.

Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.), a submersed aquatic weed, has seriously interfered with many water uses in the TVA reservoirs. More than 150 test plots were treated with 34 herbicides from 1960 through 1965. More effective results were obtained with granular preparations of butoxyethanol ester, 2-ethyl hexanol ester, and propylene glycol butyl ether ester of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and liquid preparations of propylene glycol butyl ether ester and potassium salt of 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (silvex).

The two most effective control methods found from field tests were (a) lowering the lake levels enough to permit complete drying of stems and root crowns and (b) applying butoxyethanol ester of 2,4-D in a 20% granular form. Applications of this herbicide to about 3,700 acres at rates of 20 and 40 lb/A gave results that varied from excellent control in protected embayments to poor control in moving water on these large impoundments.