Responses of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Bragg’] and red rice (Oryza sativa L.) to postemergence applications of mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] amino] phenyl] acetamide} and bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] alone and in combinations were evaluated in greenhouse studies. Soybeans were tolerant to bentazon up to the highest tested rate of 2.0 kg/ha, but their height was reduced by mefluidide at 1.0 kg/ha. Soybeans were not injured by any tested combination of the two herbicides. Bentazon applied alone at rates of 5.0 kg/ha and above had a significant effect on red rice injury. Mefluidide applied at rates above 0.25 kg/ha severely reduced height and fresh weight of red rice. When these two herbicides were combined, a synergistic reaction occurred, and the combination was much more effective in controlling red rice than was either herbicide applied alone. The addition of a surfactant significantly increased the activity of the combination on red rice up to 0.25 kg/ha of mefluidide and at all rates of bentazon.

Field research was conducted in 1985 and 1986 to compare the efficacy of fluazifop and quizalofop on production of panicles and seeds of red rice. Single and first sequential treatments were applied to red rice in the early-tillering, midtillering, and panicle initiation stages of growth. Sequential treatments were applied 14 days after each earlier application to red rice in the midtillering, late-tillering, and early-heading growth stages, respectively. Both herbicides were applied singly or sequentially at 70, 140, and 280 g/ha. Sequential applications of fluazifop and quizalofop at 280 g/ha caused the greatest reduction of red rice panicle and seed production. Fluazifop at 280 g/ha applied sequentially reduced panicle production 75 to 80% and seed production 80%; 140 g/ha applied sequentially reduced seed production 83%. Quizalofop at 280 g/ha applied sequentially reduced panicle production 75 to 100% and seed production 91%. Sequential applications of either herbicide applied to red rice plants in the panicle initiation and early-heading growth stages were the most effective treatments.

The response of net photosynthetic rate to temperature and light, the rate of photorespiration, the compensation concentration for CO2, and the pathway of CO2 fixation in smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) were investigated using infrared gas analysis and 14CO2. Maximum net photosynthetic rates of whole shoots were 45 mg CO2 dm-2 hr-1 at 30 C and 7.8 klux. Intact whole shoots were not light saturated at 10 klux. The optimum temperature for net photosynthesis was between 30 C and 40 C. Photorespiration was low and the CO2 compensation concentration was 7 ppm. After a 5-sec exposure to 14CO2 in the light, label was detected in oxaloacetate, malate, and aspartate. It was concluded that smooth pigweed has the gross photosynthetic characteristics and CO2 fixation pathway typical of C4 or Hatch-Slack plants.

Hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H, 3H)-dione] effectively controlled herbaceous weeds in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation in 1975. Pine seedling height increased as a result of weed control following 1 to 3 kg/ha applications but phytotoxic symptoms were evident. A 1976 field study indicated activated charcoal root coatings may reduce phytotoxic action. Hexazinone at 3 and 4 kg/ha applied to either the foliage or the soil was toxic to potted pine seedlings in 1976. The addition of surfactant to hexazinone treatments at 2, 3, and 4 kg/ha increased pine phytotoxicity to unacceptable levels. When hexazinone was applied to soil at 2, 3, and 4 kg/ha, activated charcoal root coatings reduced pine mortality to acceptable levels on Norfolk sandy loam. Charcoal was less effective on Madison clay loam. Pine tolerance on both soils was acceptable at 2 kg/ha.

The critical period for weed control for many crops has been well investigated and the results have been used to develop better weed management recommendations. However, research is limited on the critical period for weed control for alfalfa, a perennial crop with multiple harvests. With the advent of new, more effective POST herbicides for alfalfa, an understanding of the critical period may further enhance forage yield. The objective of this study was to determine the critical period for weed control in spring-seeded alfalfa. Alfalfa was seeded conventionally at two locations in Pennsylvania in the spring of 2004 and 2005; glyphosate and glyphosate-resistant alfalfa were used for weed management. A surrogate weed, Japanese millet, was seeded at three planting rates to simulate varied levels of weed density. In the analysis, the critical period for weed control was identified for the 2004 seedings, but not for 2005. In 2004, the critical period varied by location, but began at the 0.5 trifoliate alfalfa growth stage and ended at the 7 trifoliate growth stage. When identified, the critical period was similar for both first-harvest yield and first-year cumulative yield. Higher weed density caused the critical period to begin earlier than under lower weed densities, but weed density had no effect on when the critical period ended. Under moderate to heavy weed populations, the critical period for weed control can increase herbicide use efficiency and maximize alfalfa returns, although under low weed severity, the critical period may not exist.

Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the response of winter wheat, and two diclofop-methyl–sensitive (OR and KG) and four diclofop-methyl–resistant (EP, GT, RBG, and JB) Italian ryegrass biotypes to the experimental herbicide mixture AE F130060 03 (an 8.3:1.7 mixture of the experimental sulfonylurea herbicides AE F130060 00 and AE F115008 00). AE F130060 03 at 15 or 18 g ha−1 without the safener AE F107892 reduced biomass of winter wheat 10 to 14%, whereas applications made with AE F107892 did not reduce wheat biomass. AE F130060 03 at 15 or 18 g ai ha−1 was more effective than diclofop-methyl in reducing biomass of one diclofop-methyl–sensitive Italian ryegrass biotype and all four diclofop-methyl–resistant biotypes. However, differential responses to AE F130060 03 at 15 and 18 g ha−1 occurred among diclofop-methyl–resistant biotypes. AE F130060 03 at 15 or 18 g ha−1 reduced biomass of OR, KG, EP, and GT from 61 to 84% but reduced biomass of RBG and JB biotypes only 35 to 52%. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism experiments were conducted to further investigate differential response of diclofop-methyl–sensitive KG and diclofop-methyl–resistant JB to AE F130060 00. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of AE F130060 00 in winter wheat treated with or without the herbicide safener AE F107892 were also included for comparison. Foliar absorption of [14C]AE F130060 00 was influenced only by plant species because Italian ryegrass biotypes absorbed at least three times more AE F130060 00 than did wheat 12, 36, and 72 h after treatment (HAT). No more than 9% of absorbed radioactivity translocated into shoots and roots of either species during the experiment. Greatest overall metabolism occurred in winter wheat treated with the safener AE F107892. Seventy-two HAT, relative amounts of parent AE F130060 00 in Italian ryegrass biotypes were nearly 1.8 times greater than that in wheat that received AE F107892 and nearly 1.5 times greater than that in unsafened wheat. However, obvious differences in herbicide metabolism between diclofop-methyl–sensitive KG and diclofop-methyl–resistant JB were not evident. We hypothesize that differential sensitivity to AE F130060 00 in these biotypes is most likely due to a less sensitive acetolactate synthase, although further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.

The foliar uptake of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) and its phytotoxicity in mixtures with several phenoxy herbicides were studied using bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Red Kidney’). The greatest accumulation of picloram occurred in the growing point, stem, and axillary buds. Transport from the treated leaf occurred within 6 hr and continued for at least 7 days. The effectiveness of herbicide combinations containing picloram was related to the particular plant part measured. A synergistic reduction in fresh and dry red kidney bean weight was obtained with (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D) or 2-[(4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy]propionic acid (mecoprop) when applied in combination with picloram, whereas 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB) and picloram gave an antagonistic response. An investigation of the antagonistic reaction of 2,4-DB with picloram indicated that picloram prevented the movement of 2,4-DB, while 2,4-DB increased both the distribution and the amount of picloram translocated from the point of application.

The methyl ester of diclofop [2-(4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy) propionic acid] was used in all of a series of experiments. When it was applied postemergence, it selectively controlled barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.] in sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L. ‘USH 9′). Tank-mixing diclofop with desmedipham [ethyl m-hydroxycarbanilate carbanilate (ester)] resulted in decreased control of barnyardgrass under greenhouse and field conditions. Losses in activity ranged from 10 to 80%. Delaying application of desmedipham following application of diclofop by 4 days in the greenhouse or in the field resulted in no reduction in barnyardgrass control. Increased rates of diclofop offset the antagonistic effect of desmedipham. Similar losses in activity occurred when Hoe-29152 {methyl-2-[4-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenoxy] propanoate} was tank-mixed with desmedipham.

Turnipweed [Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All.] and Mexican pricklepoppy (Argemone mexicana L.) are increasingly prevalent in the northern cropping regions of Australia. The effect of different densities of these two weeds was examined for their potential to cause yield loss in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through field studies in 2016 and 2017. There was 72% to 78% yield reduction in wheat due to competition from R. rugosum. Based on the exponential decay model, 18.2 and 24.3 plants m−2 caused a yield reduction of 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Rapistrum rugosum produced a maximum of 32,042 and 29,761 seeds m−2 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. There was 100% weed seed retention at crop harvest. Competition from A. mexicana resulted in a yield loss of 17% and 22% in 2016 and 2017, respectively; however, plants failed to set seeds due to intense competition from wheat. Among the yield components, panicles per square meter and grains per panicle were affected by weed competition. The studies indicate a superior competitiveness of R. rugosum in wheat and a suppressive effect of wheat on A. mexicana. The results indicate that a wheat crop can be included in crop rotation programs where crop fields are infested with A. mexicana. High seed retention in R. rugosum indicates the possibility to manage this weed through seed catching and harvest weed seed destruction.

Field trials were conducted to determine potato response to parts per trillion (ppt) per weight concentrations of sulfometuron in soil. The herbicide was applied to achieve targeted, 0-d soil concentrations of 0, 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, and 960 ppt. Russet Burbank potatoes were planted immediately after application using standard agronomic practices. Based on midseason visual evaluations, root and tuber injury occurred with 0-d concentrations of only 7.5 ppt. Concentrations at or above 120 ppt caused a significant increase in number of tubers with deformities compared with the control. By the end of the growing season, 0-d concentrations between 120 and 240 ppt resulted in higher percentages of tubers with deformities, such as cracks, knobs, or folds. Using logistic models fit to U.S. No. 1 tuber yield and net return data, doses of 74, 156, and 324 ppt are predicted to result in 5, 10, and 20% U.S. No. 1 yield reductions, respectively. The model predicted a 20% net return loss, approximately $160/ha, occurring at 262 ppt, which is near the 240 ppt concentration determined by standard ANOVAs and means comparisons with single degree of freedom contrasts causing significant tuber quality and yield reductions in our study. Growers using the 240 ppt concentration as an indicator of a no-effect level would encounter actual losses too great to withstand. This modeling approach provides an initial attempt at giving growers the tools necessary for assessing potential losses.

Velvetleaf has been a major concern of Southern cotton growers, yet information on its competitiveness and seed production in cotton is lacking. Experiments were conducted in 1997 and 1998 at the Central Crops Research Station in Clayton, NC, to evaluate density-dependent effects of velvetleaf interference and seed production dynamics in conventional tillage cotton. Velvetleaf at densities of up to 3.5 plants m−1 of row did not influence cotton height until at least 4 wk after planting. Velvetleaf height increased as plant density increased throughout the season in 1997, but it was not affected until 9 wk after planting in 1998. Because of differences in environmental conditions, velvetleaf and cotton achieved maximum height later in 1998 than in 1997; however, velvetleaf seed production and cotton yields were higher in 1998 than in 1997 regardless of velvetleaf density. Velvetleaf density had no effect on the fresh weight, dry weight, and stem diameter of velvetleaf plants in 1997. But in 1998, all these parameters decreased significantly with increasing velvetleaf density. Velvetleaf seed production in 1998 was nearly twice that in 1997. Averaged over velvetleaf densities, the greatest number of seed were produced between nodes 6 and 20 in 1997 and between nodes 1 and 10 in 1998. In both years, cotton yield loss increased with velvetleaf density. Maximum yield loss was 84% at 3.5 velvetleaf plants m−1 of row. Yield losses of 5 and 10% were caused by 0.2 and 0.4 velvetleaf plants m−1 of row (1,930 and 4,110 plants ha−1), respectively, in 1997 and by 0.03 and 0.08 velvetleaf plants m−1 of row (360 and 850 plants ha−1), respectively, in 1998. To understand better the applicability of these results, we hypothesized that environmental variation caused differences in measured responses between 1997 and 1998. Therefore, kriging methods were used to fit correlations between observed rainfall and growing degree days (GDD) each year at the experiment site. Results based on climate data from 4 yr at 110 sites indicated that inference space was higher for GDD than for rainfall. The conditions observed at the experiment site in 1997 were deemed most appropriate for the recommendations made in the surrounding area.

Glyphosate-resistant junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] is a problematic weed in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] crops in Australia. Due to limited herbicide options in mungbean, there is an increased interest in developing integrated management strategies for the sustainable control of E. colona. Pot experiments were conducted in a screenhouse in 2017 and 2018 by growing E. colona plants (glyphosate-resistant [GR] and glyphosate-susceptible [GS] biotypes) alone (1 plant pot−1) and in competition with 4 and 8 mungbean plants pot−1. Both biotypes were developed from a single population using the clone method. The growth and seed production of both GR and GS biotypes were similar in response to mungbean competition. Averaged over biotypes, there was a reduction in the growth and seed production of E. colona as crop plants increased. Compared with the weed plants grown alone, crop interference reduced E. colona height by 17% to 19%, tiller numbers by 69% to 82%, total shoot biomass by 85% to 91%, and inflorescence numbers by 74% to 91%. When E. colona was grown with 8 mungbean plants pot−1, leaf weight ratio increased by 42% compared with plants grown alone. Compared with weed plants grown alone, mungbean interference (4 and 8 plants pot−1) reduced weed seed production by 85% to 95%. These reductions were similar for both biotypes (GR and GS), suggesting that there was no fitness penalty associated with resistance. The results of this study suggest that mungbean interference can reduce E. colona growth and seed production, but it should not be considered as a stand-alone strategy to manage E. colona and similar species in mungbean. These results also highlight the need for integrating crop competition with other management strategies to achieve complete and sustainable management of this weed.

Distribution and degradation of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) at 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppmw in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings were investigated using 14C-ring-labeled simazine dispersed in agar medium. Simazine readily entered red pine roots and moved rapidly into stem and needles. Accumulation was greatest in roots, next in stems, and least in needles. Significant differences in simazine uptake by roots were observed among concentrations between 5 and 20 ppmw in the incubation medium. Radiochromatographic scans revealed that a small amount of simazine was degraded to three unknown compounds by both fresh and boiled homogenates from whole plants, needles, stems, and roots. There were no observable differences in the amount of simazine degraded by homogenates of each separate plant part.

The relationship between susceptibility of certain plant species to 4,6-dinitro-o-sec-butylphenol (DNBP) and their capacity to accumulate externally supplied P32, and to form ATP in leaf disks was studied. A correlation was found between susceptibility of the species to DNBP and their capacity for P32 accumulation and ATP synthesis. Therefore, it was postulated that susceptibility depends upon the level of ATP in the tissues.

The seed weevil (Microlarinus lareynii Jacquelin duVal) and the stem weevil (M. lypriformis Wollaston) were introduced into the United States and the West Indies to control puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.) and Jamaica feverplant (T. cistoides L.). In 14 yr these weevils have partially controlled these weeds in most areas where weevil establishment has occurred. However, indigenous parasitoids, predators, and cold weather affect weevil densities. Presently a coldhardy strain of seed and stem weevils has become established in Nevada and promise control in colder areas.

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) control by 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt (paraquat) was increased from 12% without surfactant to 73 to 94% with 17 of 22 surfactants. Paraquat toxicity was greatest at 0.06 and 0.12% surfactant concentrations and decreased at higher concentrations. The less effective surfactants were less water-soluble and more lipophilic than related, more effective ones.

Inulin or a closely related analog was the major available carbohydrate component of western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii Torr.) roots. Fructose, glucose, sucrose and other gluco-fructosans made up the remaining carbohydrate fraction. Reductions in ironweed vigor as a result of annual mowing were caused by a decrease in dry weight of the root system rather than a permanent decrease in carbohydrate percentage. Use of carbohydrate percentage in predicting a physiological condition of ironweed was regarded as questionable. Carbohydrate content of roots was not necessarily related to stage of growth. Treatment of ironweed with 2,4-D did not permanently affect carbohydrate levels in the roots. Changes in root carbohydrate content after 2,4-D treatment were not considered decisive in killing ironweed.

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is an invasive perennial weed infesting range and recreational lands of North America. Previous research and omics projects with E. esula have helped develop it as a model for studying many aspects of perennial plant development and response to abiotic stress. However, the lack of an assembled genome for E. esula has limited the power of previous transcriptomics studies to identify functional promoter elements and transcription factor binding sites. An assembled genome for E. esula would enhance our understanding of signaling processes controlling plant development and responses to environmental stress and provide a better understanding of genetic factors impacting weediness traits, evolution, and herbicide resistance. A comprehensive transcriptome database would also assist in analyzing future RNA-seq studies and is needed to annotate and assess genomic sequence assemblies. Here, we assembled and annotated 56,234 unigenes from an assembly of 589,235 RNA-seq-derived contigs and a previously published Sanger-sequenced expressed sequence tag collection. The resulting data indicate that we now have sequence for >90% of the expressed E. esula protein-coding genes. We also assembled the gene space of E. esula by using a limited coverage (18X) genomic sequence database. In this study, the programs Velvet and Trinity produced the best gene-space assemblies based on representation of expressed and conserved eukaryotic genes. The results indicate that E. esula contains as much as 23% repetitive sequences, of which 11% are unique. Our sequence data were also sufficient for assembling a full chloroplast and partial mitochondrial genome. Further, marker analysis identified more than 150,000 high-quality variants in our E. esula L-RNA–scaffolded, whole-genome, Trinity-assembled genome. Based on these results, E. esula appears to have limited heterozygosity. This study provides a blueprint for low-cost genomic assemblies in weed species and new resources for identifying conserved and novel promoter regions among coordinately expressed genes of E. esula.

When applied in enough water to wet tubes of dry Pullman silty clay loam top soil to a depth of 22 inches, dimethylamine salts of 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid (2,3,6-TBA) and polychlorobenzoic acid (PBA) were leached to about 20 inches; an amine salt of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and the sodium salt of 2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid (fenac) leached to 15 inches; esters of fenac, 3-phenyl-1,1-dimethylurea (fenuron), 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (monuron) and amine salts of 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyl)propionic acid (silvex) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4,5-T) leached to approximately 9 inches. Esters of silvex, 2,4,5-T, and 2,4-D remained in the top 3 inches of soil. The leaching with additional water was in the same general order as just given.

Tillage regimes can influence weed population dynamics and, consequently, the choice of appropriate weed management practices. Studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 in a long-term (36-yr) grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] experiment at Texas A&M University, College Station, to determine the impact of long-term no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT) systems on weed species dynamics. Higher densities of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.], prostrate spurge [Chamaesyce humistrata (Engelm. ex A. Gray) Small], waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], and henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.) were recorded in the NT system compared with the CT system. Further, the NT system showed greater weed diversity (Shannon-Wiener index, H = 0.8) and species richness (S = 6.2), compared with the CT system (H = 0.6, S = 4.2). Seedling emergence of some dominant weed species was also delayed in the NT system. In the CT system, 50% emergence of S. halepense (8.5 C base temperature) and waterhemp (10 C base temperature) occurred at 59 and 63 growing degree days (GDD), respectively, whereas 68 and 75 GDD, respectively, were required in the NT system. Further, a greater proportion (61%) of the viable seedbank was present at the top 5 cm of the soil in the NT system compared with the CT system (46%). Overall, findings from this 36-yr-long tillage experiment have revealed that the NT system had greater weed densities (especially of the perennial weed S. halepense) and a high proportion of weed seeds (particularly small-seeded annuals) on the topsoil layer, corroborating some earlier reports that were based on short-term investigations. Findings indicate that growers transitioning to NT systems should be mindful of potential shifts in weed species dominance and develop appropriate management tactics.