The objectives were to compare the growth of black and eastern black nightshade and develop predictive models for their growth. Black and eastern black nightshade were planted on June 3 and 23, and July 12 in 1988 and May 28, June 17, and July 10 in 1989. Exponential models were strongly correlated with the growth of both species across all planting dates. Eastern black nightshade produced more biomass than black nightshade, although weight of berries was equivalent. Leaf area per plant 60 d after planting was five times greater for eastern black nightshade than black nightshade. Eastern black nightshade responded to self-shading by increasing specific leaf area.

Resistance to the methyl ester of diclofop, an aryloxyphenoxypropionate graminicide, was shown for a wild oat (Avena fatua) population from Western Australia, and marked resistance to a range of aryloxyphenoxypropionate and cyclohexanedione graminicides was detected in a winter wild oat (Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana) population from South Australia. The A. sterilis biotype exhibited high levels of resistance to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides diclofop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, fenoxaprop, quizalofop, propaquizafop, and quinfurop and low levels of resistance to the cyclohexanedione herbicides sethoxydim, tralkoxydim, and cycloxydim. Ratios of LD50 values for responses of resistant and susceptible A. sterilis to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides were between 20 for propaquizafop and > 1,000 for fluazifop, and were between 2.5 and 3 for the cyclohexanedione herbicides. The LD50 value for diclofop for the A. fatua biotype was 442 g ai ha-1 which was 2.7-fold that of a susceptible control. Thirty-three percent of the plants survived at the registered rate of application.

Postemergence and commonly used preemergence plus postemergence herbicide programs were evaluated for weed control in conventional and no-tillage soybeans double cropped after winter wheat in the northern Mississippi River Delta. Broadleaf weed species present varied with tillage, location, and year. Large crabgrass was present in both tillage systems for all locations and years. Conventional tillage usually resulted in higher densities of large crabgrass, common cocklebur, and smooth pigweed. Soil-applied preemergence herbicides alone did not provide season-long ivyleaf and entireleaf morningglory or common cocklebur control in either tillage system. For weed control and soybean yields comparable to weed-free controls, postemergence broadleaf herbicides were required in both tillage systems following the soil-applied herbicide programs, alachlor plus linuron and alachlor plus metribuzin. Postemergence herbicide programs provided excellent season-long annual grass and broadleaf weed control when sethoxydim was applied separately from the broadleaf herbicides. Antagonism of large crabgrass control resulted when sethoxydim was tank mixed with postemergence broadleaf herbicides, compared to separate applications of the postemergence grass and broadleaf herbicides. In three out of four studies, soybean yields in handweeded controls were similar between tillage systems.

Shattercane seed survival during soil burial was highly dependent on attached glumes. Shattercane seed tightly enclosed by glumes averaged 5 and 53% germination after 4 mo of winter burial in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Shattercane caryopses (seed without glumes) survival averaged 0.5 and 17% compared to 17 and 41% when treated with seed fungicides in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Shattercane caryopses tannin and lignin contents were higher than for cultivated sorghum caryopses. Glume tannin was four times higher and glume lignin was five times higher than in the caryopsis. Shattercane seed survival was positively correlated with glume tightness, caryopsis lignin, and glume tannin. Tannin and lignin appear to function as barriers to microbial invasion resulting in higher shattercane seed resistance to overwinter demise. Attempts to isolate fungal inhibitors from shattercane seed were unsuccessful.

Bentazon reduced paraquat phytotoxicity to Texas panicum, sicklepod, Florida beggarweed, and peanut. Bentazon applied alone had minimal effect on these species. Smallflower morningglory was more sensitive to bentazon than to paraquat; the interaction of paraquat and bentazon varied from antagonistic to synergistic depending upon the specific combination of rates. Antagonism with tank-mixed combinations was also obtained by applying bentazon prior to paraquat, but not with the reverse. Studies with 14C-labeled herbicides revealed that each herbicide inhibited foliar penetration of the other. In field studies, adding bentazon to paraquat reduced crop injury. However, except for smallflower morningglory, weed control was also reduced.

Field and column experiments were conducted to determine the effect of controlled release formulations on weed control and leaching of alachlor and metribuzin on a Plainfield sand. Controlled release formulations including two starch encapsulations of both herbicides and a microencapsulation of alachlor were compared to emulsifiable concentrate and dry flowable formulations of alachlor and metribuzin, respectively. Herbicide movement was measured in laboratory columns and in the field throughout two growing seasons to a soil depth of 91 cm. Soybean injury and weed control were monitored. No significant differences in herbicide movement between starch-encapsulated and emulsifiable concentrate formulations were observed in either field or column experiments. Microencapsulation resulted in the greatest retention of alachlor in the soil surface in field and columns. Compared to the dry flowable formulation, starch encapsulation did not affect metribuzin distribution in the field but reduced leaching in columns. Controlled release formulations did not result in significant differences in weed control and soybean injury compared to the emulsifiable concentrate alachlor and dry flowable metribuzin formulations. Starch encapsulations had a limited effect on alachlor and metribuzin movement. Degradation appeared to be the primary mechanism for herbicide dissipation while leaching losses were minor.

Timing and application rates of herbicides were evaluated for control of duncecap and tall larkspur on mountain rangelands. Picloram, triclopyr, glyphosate, and metsulfuron were applied at three rates during three growth stages (vegetative, bud, and flower) to evaluate the rate by growth stage interaction. Picloram was equally effective over all growth stages when applied at 1.1 or 2.2 kg ae ha−1. Metsulfuron was most effective when applied in the vegetative stage; 0.035 kg ai ha−1 killed 95% of duncecap larkspur, but 0.14 kg ha−1 was required to kill the same percentage of tall larkspur. Glyphosate at ≤ 2.2 kg ai ha−1 was least effective when applied in the flower stage compared to earlier growth stages. Triclopyr showed variable control at rates from 1.1 to 4.5 kg ae ha−1.

Field studies were conducted in southern Ontario to determine the critical period of weed control in grain corn and the influence of weed interference on corn leaf area. The Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to data representing increasing durations of weed control and weed interference, respectively. The beginning of the critical period varied from the 3- to 14-leaf stages of corn development However, the end of the critical period was less variable and ended on average at the 14-leaf stage. Weed interference reduced corn leaf area by reducing the expanded leaf area of each individual leaf and accelerating senescence of lower leaves. In addition, weed interference up to the 14-leaf stage of corn development impeded leaf expansion and emergence in 1989.

Soybean varieties ‘Ripley’ (semidwarf determinate group IV) and ‘Douglas' (indeterminate group IV) were compared in an interference experiment with common cocklebur. A path analysis model was used to independently estimate interference effects of soybean density on common cocklebur growth and stem diameter, and interference responses of soybean density and seed production to common cocklebur size. Path analysis identified an early period of interference between soybean and common cocklebur, from 40 to 62 d after planting, and a late period, from 63 to 145 d after planting. Late interference measures were independent of early measures, since effects of early interference were statistically removed from estimates of late interference. The semidwarf determinate variety Ripley had early interference effects on common cocklebur 5.3 and 9.5 times greater than those of Douglas in 1987 and 1988, respectively. The Douglas variety had a stronger late interference effect on common cocklebur than Ripley. Soybean varieties were similar in response to common cocklebur interference. Path analysis of crop-weed interference may be useful in breeding crop varieties that suppress weed growth and thus require fewer weed control inputs.

Fluorescence spectroscopy offers several advantages over other methods of detection and quantitation of chemical compounds. This technique has been underutilized in detection and quantitation of herbicides. The fluorescence properties of 39 herbicides representing several major types of chemistry were determined. The fluorescence of analytical standards was measured in acetonitrile, acetonitrile + water, and acetonitrile + water + strong acid. Fourteen of the 39 herbicides fluoresced to some extent, and seven (bentazon, chloramben, difenzoquat, fluometuron, imazaquin, MCPA, and norflurazon) were identified as good candidates for further method development. The technical advantages and disadvantages of fluorescence spectroscopy of herbicides are discussed.

Round-leaved mallow interference in spring wheat and flax was investigated under field conditions in southern Manitoba. Additionally, the growth of mallow alone and in a wheat crop was compared. In six of seven trials, wheat yield losses due to mallow interference were not significant. In a seventh trial, where mallow densities of up to 237 plants m−2 were recorded, wheat yields were reduced up to 15%. In contrast, significant flax yield losses occurred in each of three trials where maximum mallow densities ranged from 21 to 52 plants m−2. From the regression equations it was calculated that 20 mallow plants m−2 caused flax yield losses of 33, 9, and 10% in 1987, 1988, and 1989, respectively. Periodic sampling of mallow plants growing alone and in wheat, and regression analysis of these data using a logistic function as a biological model of plant growth indicated that mallow growth was severely suppressed by wheat By the eighth week after emergence, the lamina area and shoot dry matter of mallow plants growing in wheat was less than 3% of plants growing alone. Similarly, in wheat, mallow produced less than 1% of the seed produced by plants growing alone. This extreme suppression of mallow growth corresponded with an 80 to 90% decrease in photosynthetically active radiation penetrating the wheat canopy for approximately six continuous weeks, beginning 4 wk after crop emergence.

Field studies were conducted over 3 yr to investigate the effect of chemicals on field beans density and weed control. Predominant weed species were common lambsquarters, fumitory, henbit, corn poppy, prostrate knotweed, and wild mustard. All herbicide treatments except linuron injured field beans. Mean field beans survival at harvest was 78% in alachlor and 84% in alachlor containing treatments. Only 5% survived atrazine at 1.9 kg ai ha−1. Ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, simazine, terbutylazine plus terbutryn, and trifluralin treatments produced plant survival values of 56, 82, 86, 74, and 71%, respectively. Chemical control of the main weed species overshadowed the detrimental effect on field beans density, and thus most herbicide treatments except alachlor resulted in increased dry beans yield. The best overall results occurred with linuron, simazine, terbuthylazine plus terbutryn, and pendimethalin which increased dry beans yields 76, 63, 56, and 40%, respectively, over the control plots. Common lambsquarters was the dominant weed, and prostrate knotweed and corn poppy were the most difficult and the easiest species to control, respectively.

Field experiments were established in 1989 and 1990 at the Southern Piedmont Conservation Research Center near Watkinsville, GA, to determine effects of coastal bermudagrass density on cotton in a conservation tillage system. Cotton height, canopy width, leaf area indices, and seed cotton yields were determined at coastal bermudagrass densities of 0 to 3600 kg ha−1 as achieved by herbicide inputs. Soil water measurements were recorded in cotton plots with a range of coastal bermudagrass densities using time domain reflectometry. Cotton growth and yields were reduced by coastal bermudagrass competition both years of the study. At the highest coastal bermudagrass density of 3600 kg ha−1, cotton height was reduced compared to cotton alone as early as 5 wk after planting. Seed cotton yields were reduced 25% at the highest coastal bermudagrass densities both years of the study. At the 15-cm soil depth, coastal bermudagrass significantly reduced soil water in cotton. Soil water in cotton at 30, 45, and 60 cm was not affected by coastal bermudagrass.

Leafy spurge is a serious problem because of the speed with which it spreads and the difficulty of controlling it with available means. A rangeland economics model was developed to estimate the economic impacts of leafy spurge infestation on both ranchers and regional economies. A leafy spurge-induced carrying capacity reduction of about 580 000 animal unit months (AUMs), or enough for 77 000 cows, reduced ranchers' annual net income nearly $9 million. Ranchers did not spend another $14 million on input costs, which reduced regional business activity. The regional impacts are about $75 million in reduced business activity for all sectors. These impacts on rancher incomes and regional economies suggest the potential economic returns of leafy spurge control could be substantial.

Common and Drummond goldenweed are troublesome subshrubs that often invade rangelands in southern Texas. Both species produce a profusion of conspicuous golden-yellow flowers in the fall. Common goldenweed flowers from late September to mid-October, whereas Drummond goldenweed flowers from mid-November to early December. Plant canopy reflectance measurements made on both species showed that they had higher visible (0.63- to 0.69-μm waveband) reflectance than did associated plant species and bare soil during flowering. Flowering common and Drummond goldenweed plants had a yellow image on conventional color (0.40- to 0.70-μm) aerial photographs that made them distinguishable from associated plants and soil. Computer analyses of the conventional color film transparencies showed that common and Drummond goldenweed infestations could be quantified from associated vegetation and soil. Flowering common goldenweed plants could also be detected on conventional color aerial video imagery.

Absorption and translocation of 14C-fluroxypyr were determined for leafy spurge at various growth stages, under differing relative humidity and temperature conditions, and when applied with picloram or 2,4-D. Absorption of 14C-fluroxypyr was greater in vegetative plants (39%) than in flowering or postflowering plants (25%), while total translocated to roots averaged 2% of applied herbicide regardless of growth stage. Greater 14C-fluroxypyr absorption and translocation occurred in plants exposed to high relative humidity (>90%) compared to low humidity (<30%) for 6 h or longer following treatment. Absorption and translocation to roots was independent of temperature (18 or 24 C). Absorption and translocation declined by 50% when applied with picloram or 2,4-D. However, absorption and translocation of 14C-picloram or 14C-2,4-D were not affected by fluroxypyr. Fluroxypyr would likely be used in a leafy spurge control program only during environmental conditions adverse to control with picloram such as unseasonably warm or cold temperatures or in areas with a high water table.

The relationships between the actual amount of spring-applied trifluralin detected in soil at seeding, initial injury to flax, and crop growth and yield were investigated in southern Manitoba over three growing seasons. As the amount of trifluralin in the soil increased, flax density and dry matter production decreased, such that at a soil concentration equivalent to 1 kg ai ha−1 trifluralin, the two were reduced by 40 and 49%, respectively. Recovery from early-season injury was characterized by enhanced crop growth rates (CGRs) and net assimilation rates (NARs) of surviving plants during the remainder of the growing season. Maximum recovery occurred in plots where trifluralin levels in the soil were between 0.8 and 1 kg ha−1 at seeding. During the interval between stem elongation and bud initiation, CGRs and NARs of flax in the trifluralin-treated plots exceeded those of flax in the untreated plots by up to 1.5 and 1.2 times, respectively. Additionally, the number of branches per plant increased linearly as trifluralin amounts in the soil increased. Flax seed yield was decreased by trifluralin as described by the equation: flax seed (% of untreated control) = 104.9 - 13.3[trifluralin detected (kg ha−1) at seeding]. Based on this equation, trifluralin levels in the soil of up to 0.7 kg ai ha−1 caused less than a 5% reduction in flax yield under weed-free conditions.

It has been suggested that soil treated with a herbicide and subsequently carried by wind and deposited on plant foliage can cause crop injury. This study compared foliar uptake and translocation of herbicides applied to plants as an aqueous solution or in herbicide-treated soil. Leaves of 3-wk-old seedling alfalfa, grape, and pea were treated with 14C-labeled thifensulfuron, chlorsulfuron, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and bromoxynil. Significant amounts of all herbicides were absorbed by pea, alfalfa, and grape from the aqueous solutions, whereas very limited absorption occurred from herbicide-treated soil. Prolonged and multiple exposure to herbicide-treated soil did not increase herbicide uptake. High relative humidity enhanced herbicide absorption from aqueous solutions but not from herbicide-treated soil. All herbicides except bromoxynil were readily translocated in alfalfa, grape, and pea. Limited quantities of herbicides were absorbed from herbicide-treated soil by plant foliage, and this small amount is unlikely to cause crop damage.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) response was evaluated when quinclorac was applied prior to cotton emergence (preemergence) and to cotton in the cotyledon and pin-head square stages in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Quinclorac applications at 9, 17, 35, 70, and 140 g ha−1 prior to cotton emergence had little effect on cotton growth, with only 140 g ha−1 causing stand reduction or stunting. Quinclorac application to cotton in the cotyledon stage caused more damage, and 70 g ha−1 caused crop injury. Greatest phytotoxicity was observed when quinclorac was applied to cotton at pin-head square, with all rates including 9 g ha−1 causing injury. Cotton injury consisted of leaf strapping and malformation of reproductive structures. Regression analysis revealed yield was reduced by quinclorac applications to cotton in the cotyledon or pin-head square stage. The approximate regression equation to predict cotton yields after pin-head square application of quinclorac was [yield] = [yield with no injury] − 10(quinclorac rate in g ha−1).