Water smartweed, an uncommon but troublesome perennial weed of the knotweed family (Polygonaceae), has been endemic with its terrestrial growth form in the area of Kato Nevrokopi in northern Greece, one of the most important potato-growing areas of the country. Two field trials were conducted in 2011 to study the response of water smartweed, wild buckwheat (an annual weed also of the knotweed family), and two potato cultivars (‘Agria' and ‘Banba') to various mixtures of metribuzin and pendimethalin, the two most commonly used herbicides for PRE weed management in potato in Greece. Herbicide mixtures consisted of pendimethalin plus metribuzin, pendimethalin plus rimsulfuron, metribuzin plus rimsulfuron, metribuzin plus prosulfocarb, metribuzin plus flufenacet, and pendimethalin plus metribuzin plus rimsulfuron applied preemergence. Metribuzin and pendimethalin were also applied alone. Water smartweed was difficult to control at the treatments and rates tested. Among all mixtures, a premixture of metribuzin plus prosulfocarb at 320 + 3,200 g ai ha−1 provided the greatest control of water smartweed (47%) and wild buckwheat (87%). Herbicide treatments did not cause detrimental effect on growth of either potato cultivar, and marketable tuber yield generally improved with application of mixtures when compared with metribuzin or pendimethalin applied alone. Control of water smartweed in northern Greece potato production remains a difficult problem to solve, suggesting that until new herbicides are registered for use in potato in Greece, other options of weed control should be sought.

Field research was conducted near Saint Joseph, LA, in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate Texasweed interference in drill-seeded rice. Season-long Texasweed interference at 1 plant m−2 was estimated to cause 5% yield loss. Yield loss from 10 and 50 plants m−2 was 31 and 61%, respectively. Yield loss was primarily due to a reduction in effective tillers per square meter. Thousand-grain weight of rice was not affected by season-long Texasweed interference. Path analysis indicated yield component compensation, i.e., a reduction in effective tillers per square meter probably caused an increase in grains per panicle. However, that effect was not strong enough to reverse the detrimental effect of reduced effective tillers per square meter on rice yield. The critical period of Texasweed interference to cause more than 5% yield loss was estimated to be between 0 and 6 wk after rice emergence.

Control of noxious weeds such as cogongrass depend heavily on chemical treatment, but success is limited unless integrated with other practices. Utilization of cover crops in the system is ideal to avoid the use of excess herbicide and replace vegetation that will resist cogongrass reinvasion. Greenhouse studies were conducted from 2013 through 2015 at Mississippi State University with the objective to evaluate ‘AG4934’ RR/STS soybean, Korean lespedeza, crimson clover and ‘Durana’ white clover tolerance to soil-applied imazapyr at selected rates and various planting times after application. Plastic containers filled with a mixture of 2:1 sand:topsoil were treated with imazapyr at 0, 70, 140 and 280 g ae ha–1. Legume species were planted 0, 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment (MAT). The factorial experimental design included legume species, imazapyr rate and planting time. At 6 weeks after each planting, the number of seedlings, average plant height and shoot biomass were measured. Statistical analysis revealed the imazapyr rate x planting time interaction was significant with respect to number of emerged seedlings, average height and shoot biomass per plant for each species. It was observed that the legumes planted at 0 MAT of imazapyr at 70 g ae ha–1 or higher reduced emerged seedlings, average height and biomass production. In general, seeds planted 1 MAT or later in combination with these same herbicide rates, showed less growth reductions than treatments seeded 0 MAT. In conclusion, sites treated with imazapyr rates from 70 to 280 g ae ha–1 for weed control, should not be seeded with legume ground covers less than 1 month after treatment to reduce emergence failure, plant height and biomass production.

Growers desire more techniques to control weeds in horticultural crops that are grown organically and consumed directly, such as red raspberry. Abrasive grit emited via high air pressure is a new method for controlling weeds. Grit derived from corn cobs was examined for its efficacy during the year of raspberry establishment for 2 to 3 years at three sites (seven site-years) and compared with efficacy of hand-weeding as well as no weed control. Grit was applied once or twice weekly after raspberry transplantation in spring until weed emergence ceased in mid to late July. Weeds and raspberry growth were assessed in August. Grit was effective in controlling broadleaf weeds, averaging 94% control across site-years, but control of grass weeds was less than 10%. Total weed (broadleaf plus grass) control across site-years ranged from 51% to 96% and averaged 78%. Raspberry cane growth was affected by weeds, and grit-weeding at least partially alleviated these effects. Thus, abrasive grit allows growers to manage broadleaf weeds effectively without herbicides or soil tillage. However, additional research is needed to determine the correct amounts and timing of grit applications, as well as more efficacious types of grit, to control grass weeds.

A replicated field trial was conducted to determine the effective rates of tebuthiuron for control of individual tall larkspur plants in the mountains near Emery, UT, Cedar City, UT, and Yampa, CO. The size of larkspur plants was measured, and tebuthiuron was applied to the base of each plant at 0.1, 0.21, and 0.5 g product/1,000 cm2 of foliar crown cover. Tebuthiuron at 0.21 g/ 1,000 cm2 rate controlled 62% of the plants. Tebuthiuron at 0.5 g/1,000 cm controlled 78% of the plants (2.5 g for an average-sized plant of 5,000 cm2). The high clay content of the soils at Emery or high organic matter content of soils at Cedar City or Yampa did not adversely affect efficacy.

Field experiments were conducted in Alabama during 1999 and 2000 to test the hypothesis that any glyphosate-induced yield suppression in glyphosate-resistant cotton would be less with irrigation than without irrigation. Yield compensation was monitored by observing alterations in plant growth and fruiting patterns. Glyphosate treatments included a nontreated control, 1.12 kg ai/ha applied POST at the 4-leaf stage, 1.12 kg/ha applied DIR at the prebloom stage, and 1.12 kg/ha applied POST at 4-leaf and postemergence directed (DIR) at the prebloom cotton stages. The second variable, irrigation treatment, was established by irrigating plots individually with overhead sprinklers or maintaining them under dryland, nonirrigated conditions. Cotton yield and all measured parameters including lint quality were positively affected by irrigation. Irrigation increased yield 52% compared to nonirrigated cotton. Yield and fiber quality effects were independent of glyphosate treatments. Neither yield nor any of the measured variables that reflected whole plant response were influenced by glyphosate treatment or by a glyphosate by irrigation interaction.

A major debate is going on in the United States regarding the proper methods for crop pest management. One issue in this debate is whether weed control should be based largely on nonchemical or chemical means. This isn't the only issue that should be of interest to weed scientists, but it is important, and it illustrates the need to extend weed science research to influence public policy.

Fall applications of fenarimol on hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) provide effective preemergence Poa annua (L.) control and suppress Ophiosphaerella spp. pathogens; however, concerns exist for turf injury and root growth restrictions. Two 60-d greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of fenarimol at 0, 1.6, and 3.2 kg ai/ha per 30 d with and without trinexapac-ethyl (TE) at 0.017 kg ai ha/15 d on ‘TifEagle’ Bermudagrass. Turf color was enhanced by TE 14 d after initial treatment (DAIT) and was continually superior throughout the experiment. Fenarimol at 3.2 kg/ha per 30 d decreased turf color 14 DAIT, but was similar to nontreated turf on all other observation dates. Increased fenarimol rates applied twice caused approximately 10% injury at 42, 49, and 56 d after treatment; however, injury was acceptable after initial and repeat applications. TE reduced clipping yield an average 39% from six sampling dates. Initial fenarimol applications (without TE) reduced clippings by 37% 20 DAIT and repeated applications reduced clippings 40, 50, and 60 DAIT. Increased fenarimol rate linearly decreased root mass for turf treated with and without TE; however, Bermudagrass receiving TE averaged 23% enhanced root mass 60 DAIT over all fenarimol rates. Bermudagrass receiving fenarimol at 0, 1.6, and 3.2 kg/ ha per 30 d with TE averaged 27, 24, and 16% higher root mass, respectively, compared to turf receiving fenarimol without TE. Treatments had no influence on root length. Results indicate that two consecutive fenarimol applications at 1.6 and 3.2 kg/ha per 30 d may cause minor injury to TifEagle Bermudagrass and restrict root growth. Repeated TE applications, however, could decrease injury from fenarimol and enhance rooting relative to fenarimol applied exclusively.

Velvetleaf, eastern black nightshade, wild mustard, common cocklebur, green foxtail, and yellow foxtail, grown for 4 weeks in nonaerated nutrient solution, developed satisfactorily compared to plants grown in soil. For experiments involving certain weed species grown in nutrient solution, aeration may be unnecessary.

During field experiments the Russian knapweed nematode formed no galls on artichoke, one sterile gall on American basketflower, and few nematodes in numerous small galls on southwestern basket flower in comparison with much higher nematode production per gall on Russian knapweed.

Greenhouse studies showed that the mixed function oxidase inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), tank-mixed with the sulfonylurea herbicides, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, and thifensulfuron, in the absence of effective adjuvants enhanced herbicide activity on both broadleaf and grass weed species. Effective adjuvants for nicosulfuron were K-3000 for common lambsquarters, Sylgard® 309 Surfactant for velvetleaf, K-2000 for barnyardgrass, and K-2000, K-3000, and Scoil® methylated seed oil for giant foxtail control. K-3000 and Sylgard 309 enhanced velvetleaf control with primisulfuron and thifensulfuron. The 28% urea and ammonium nitrate (UAN) was more effective as an adjuvant with thifensulfuron for velvetleaf than for common lambsquarters control. The enhancement of sulfonylurea herbicide activity with PBO was most apparent when other adjuvants were least effective.

Field experiments were conducted in 1997 and 1998 at the Prattville Experiment Field in Prattville, AL and the Wiregrass Substation in Headland, AL to determine if ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) additions to monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) affects weed control, reduces MSMA-induced cotton injury, lessens the fruiting and maturity delay on cotton caused by MSMA, and lessens MSMA-induced yield reductions in cotton. Treatments were applied before cotton was at the pinhead square stage and the weeds were 5 cm tall. Weeds evaluated were sicklepod, morningglory species, yellow nutsedge, and Texas panicum. ATS additions to MSMA occasionally enhanced control of all weeds 5 to 20%. However, the addition of ATS did not reduce crop injury caused by MSMA, the effects of MSMA on cotton maturity, or yield reductions caused by MSMA.

Field studies were conducted between 1990 and 1992 to determine tolerance of English pea at different growth stages to bentazon (0.56 kg ai/ha) and paraquat (0.14 kg ai/ha), applied alone and in combination. Initial crop injury with paraquat and paraquat plus bentazon averaged 37 and 21%, respectively. Crop injury dissipated by 21 d after treatment. Foliar injury at the different growth stages was equivalent but yields of peas treated at the six-node stage were reduced in two of four trials. Applying paraquat plus bentazon at the earlier growth stages consistently resulted in pea yields equivalent to those of plots receiving trifluralin plus handweeding or bentazon alone. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effect of paraquat plus bentazon on control of selected weeds common to pea production fields. Redroot pigweed, common purslane, and common lambsquarters mortalities were 100, 100, and 90%, respectively, with the bentazon plus paraquat combination. However, barnyardgrass and large crabgrass mortalities decreased 88 and 91%, respectively, when bentazon was added, compared to paraquat alone.

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to determine the potential for interaction among pyridate (0.5, 1.0 kg ai/ha), sethoxydim (0.22 kg ai/ha), and crop oil concentrate (COC) (1.25% v/v) applied alone or in two- and three-way combinations to transplanted cabbage. Additionally, the effect of applying sethoxydim and COC 1 and 2 d before and after application of pyridate was investigated. In greenhouse-grown cabbage, injury increased twofold and dry weight was reduced 15% when pyridate dose was doubled. Sethoxydim increased pyridate injury significantly, reducing dry weight 31%. When COC was applied with pyridate, injury increased and dry weight decreased linearly. Despite substantial crop injury 7 d after treatment with pyridate alone, pyridate + sethoxydim, and pyridate + COC, yields of field-grown cabbage were reduced significantly in 1 yr only when the three materials were combined. Pyridate injury decreased as time between sethoxydim + COC applications, before and after pyridate was applied, increased.

An established alfalfa stand infested with quackgrass received fluazifop-P, haloxyfop, or quizalofop at single applications of 0.28 ae kg ha-1 and sequential applications of 0.14 plus 0.14 ae kg ha-1 with the second treatment being made 16 d after the first. All herbicide treatments increased diffusive resistance and decreased transpiration of quackgrass compared to control plants. These effects became apparent 16 d or more after spraying. Visual injury symptoms were noted 8 to 10 d after treatment, several days prior to changes in diffusive resistance or transpiration. The alfalfa content of the first cutting was increased from herbicide treatment; however, total forage yield was reduced. Yields and composition of later cuttings were unaffected by the various herbicide treatments.

Previous research has shown that glufosinate and nicosulfuron at low rates can cause yield loss to grain sorghum. However, research has not been conducted to pinpoint the growth stage at which these herbicides are most injurious to grain sorghum. Therefore, field tests were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to determine the most sensitive growth stage for grain sorghum exposure to both glufosinate and nicosulfuron. Field test were designed with factor A being the herbicide applied (glufosinate or nicosulfuron). Factor B consisted of timing of herbicide application including V3, V8, flagleaf, heading, and soft dough stages. Factor C was glufosinate or nicosulfuron rate where a proportional rate of 656 g ai ha−1 of glufosinate and 35 g ai ha−1 of nicosulfuron was applied at 1/10×, 1/50×, and 1/250×. Visible injury, crop canopy heights (cm), and yield were reported as a percent of the nontreated. At the V3 growth stage visible injury of 32% from the 1/10× rate of glufosinate and 51% from the 1/10× rate of nicosulfuron was observed. This injury was reduced by 4 wk after application (WAA) and no yield loss occurred. Nicosulfuron was more injurious than glufosinate at a 1/10× and 1/50× rate when applied at the V8 and flagleaf growth stages resulting in death of the shoot, reduced heading, and yield. Yield losses from the 1/10× rate of nicosulfuron were observed from V8 through early heading and ranged from 41% to 96%. Yield losses from the 1/50× rate of nicosulfuron were 14% to 16% at the flagleaf and V8 growth stages respectively. The 1/10× rate of glufosinate caused 36% visible injury 2 WAA when applied at the flagleaf stage, which resulted in a 16% yield reduction. By 4 WAA visible injury from either herbicide at less than the 1/10× rate was not greater than 4%. Results indicate that injury can occur, but yield losses are more probable from low rates of nicosulfuron at V8 and flagleaf growth stages.

Northern highbush blueberry is an important fresh market product in New Jersey where the plant was first domesticated in the early 20th century. Because of the short period for safely and timely applying postemergence (POST) herbicides, reliance on residual herbicides that provide season-long control of weeds is essential for blueberry growers to minimize the detrimental effect of weed competition on berry yield and quality and bush growth. Field studies were conducted from 2018 to 2020 in Chatsworth, New Jersey, on ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Duke’, and ‘Elliott’ blueberry cultivars growing on sandy acidic soil to evaluate weed control and crop tolerance in response to repeated annual applications of indaziflam at 73 or 146 g ai ha−1 applied in fall or spring. The efficacy of indaziflam treatments were compared to those of fall-applied dichlobenil at 3,300 g ai ha−1 or a spring-applied mix of diuron at 1,800 g ai ha−1, oryzalin at 3,360 g ai ha−1, and mesotrione at 210 g ai ha−1. Indaziflam at the currently labeled rate of 73 g ai ha−1 provided ≥85% and season-long control of horseweed, Canadian toadflax, and large crabgrass with fall applications on dormant blueberry, whereas spring applications were less effective. Whereas minor (≤8%) and transient leaf crinkling was noted in response to spring-applied indaziflam at 146 g ai ha−1, a fall application never caused leaf crinkling greater than that observed in the nontreated weedy and weed-free controls, regardless of rate. No negative effects on plant growth or fruit production were observed from indaziflam applied at 73 or 146 g ai ha−1 in fall or spring. Findings of this study suggest that indaziflam applied at 73 (1× commercial use rate) and 146 g ai ha−1 is safe to use on blueberry grown on New Jersey sandy acidic soils despite restrictions for using this herbicide on such soils.