This paper presents a framework in which the spatial and temporal domain of weed populations can be analyzed using geographically referenced information. The regional framework for analysis is based on the premise that the domain of a weed species or an assemblage of species can be described in terms of the space and time in which they survive. Published maps of the spatial distribution of individual weed species were converted to digital records defining their geographic domain. Digital records were imported into a geographically referenced data system. Assemblage maps were produced by intersecting domains of individual species. The assemblage maps show areas with similar intensity of the occurrence of species selected for analysis. The most intense occurrence of summer annual species, for example, exists in a relatively small area of the Midwest. The framework presented in this paper is a concept for a tool to evaluate, manage, and manipulate weed distribution data at the regional scale. Analysis at the regional scale is a perspective substantially different from the plot or field-scale analysis traditionally used to study and manage weed populations. Regional analysis has application to weed science by increasing the understanding of regional patterns of weed infestation and the factors that regulate them. This information will be useful to the herbicide industry, plant ecologists, resource managers, and agricultural policy makers.

Studies were conducted from 1990 through 1994 near Tifton, GA, on the population dynamics of yellow nutsedge and certain annual weeds in peanut—corn and peanut—cotton rotations. Converse rotation sequences were included to eliminate year effects. Continuous fallow plots (noncrop) were included for comparison. Within each crop, including fallow, were 3 levels of weed management: low, moderate, and intensive. Weed densities and numbers of yellow nutsedge tubers were not affected by crop rotations, but they were affected by individual crops and weed management systems in each crop. Fallow plots, including those with intensive fallow weed management using tillage and nonselective herbicides, consistently contained more yellow nutsedge plants and tubers than other plots. Moderate and intensive weed control systems in peanut and cotton reduced yellow nutsedge densities and tubers, but only peanut yields were increased by intensive weed management. Weed management systems did not affect yellow nutsedge densities in corn, although yields were increased by moderate and intensive systems due to improved control of other weeds. Our results suggest that uninterrupted plantings of peanut, corn, or cotton with moderate levels of weed management are generally sufficient to suppress yellow nutsedge and allow for optimum crop yield. If fields are fallow, yellow nutsedge population densities and tubers will increase exponentially, even with intensive fallow weed management.

Rose rosette disease, lethal to multiflora rose and indigenous to North America, has been proposed as a biocontrol agent for multiflora rose, a noxious weed in the central and eastern United States. Studies in experimental plots showed that the disease can be intensified by grafting infected shoots onto plants in established stands (i.e., augmentation). The rate of disease spread in augmented plots was significantly faster compared to epidemics in nonaugmented plots at 5 locations. Augmentation provided effective control 3 to 5 yr after implementation. Risk to ornamental rose seems to be low under conditions of this study. Plots to assess risk of the disease to ornamental roses, located at distances greater than 100 m from augmentation sites, showed no infection during the 3 yr of this study.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the following: if treating henbit or downy brome with glyphosate increased populations of Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi and Pythium ultimum in soil and rhizosphere soil; if treating henbit or downy brome with glyphosate increased root colonization and infection by F. solani f. sp. pisi or P. ultimum; and, if henbit and downy brome are hosts of F. sohni f. sp. pisi or P. ultimum. Pythium ultimum populations increased only in soil containing glyphosate-treated henbit. Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi and P. ultimum populations increased in rhizosphere soil from glyphosate-treated henbit, while only P. ultimum populations increased in rhizosphere soil from glyphosate-treated downy brome. These results suggest that peas planted in soil where either downy brome or henbit had been treated with glyphosate could be exposed to higher populations of F. solani f. sp. pisi and P. ultimum. Root colonization and infection, plant height, and root weight data indicated that henbit and downy brome are alternate hosts of P. ultimum. F. sohni f. sp. pisi colonized, but did not readily infect roots of downy brome and henbit.

Experiments were conducted in 1993 and 1994 to determine persistence of pyrithiobac as determined by bioavailability following different application times in a silty clay. Pyrithiobac was applied at PPI, PRE, pinhead square (PHS), and first bloom (FB) application timings. Greenhouse studies were also conducted in 1993 and 1994 to determine pyrithiobac persistence under controlled conditions on a sandy loam soil. Slope comparison indicated no difference in degradation patterns in the field for any application timing of pyrithiobac within years; thus, application timings were combined for 1993 and 1994. Slope comparison also indicated no difference in slope between 1993 and 1994; thus, years were combined to determine pyrithiobac persistence. The initial concentration was 30 ηg g−1. The half-life of pyrithiobac was 62 d in the field. Analysis of covariance indicated no difference in slope for the 1993 and 1994 greenhouse studies, and years were combined to determine the half-life. The initial concentration was 43 η g−1. The half-life was 43 d in the greenhouse study.

Fluometuron adsorption and dissipation under field and laboratory conditions, and distribution within the soil profile was determined in 3 soils from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia that are representative of the cotton-growing regions of the southeastern United States. Fluometuron adsorption was correlated with organic matter, but not with clay content or soil pH. First-order kinetics explained fluometuron dissipation under field and controlled conditions (r 2 ≥ 0.82). Field dissipation of fluometuron was slower under dry conditions. Fluometuron was not detected below 15 cm in the soil profile in any soil, and concentrations in the 8- to 15-cm soil zone were < 15 ppbw 112 d after treatment. Fluometuron dissipation was more rapid in soil from the 0- to 8-cm depth in Tennessee soil than in Mississippi soil under controlled conditions. Dissipation was more rapid under field conditions than under laboratory conditions at 2 of 3 locations. Fluometuron half-lives in soils from the 0- to 8-cm depth ranged from 9 to 28 d under field conditions and from 11 to 43 d in the laboratory. Fluometuron dissipation in soils from 30- to 45- and 60- to 90-cm depths was not different among soils, with half-lives ranging from 58 to 99 d under laboratory conditions. Fluometuron half-life was positively correlated with soil depth and inversely correlated with organic matter. These data indicate that organic matter, soil depth, and environmental conditions affect fluometuron dissipation.