Weed management programs in ‘Superior’ potato with PRE and POST rimsulfuron treatments were investigated during 1992, 1993, and 1994 in Virginia on a State sandy loam soil. Common ragweed control by PRE combinations of metolachlor with linuron or metribuzin was higher when treatments included PRE or POST rimsulfuron. Common lambsquarters control was 93 to 96% by treatments that included POST rimsulfuron. In the absence of PRE herbicides, POST applications of 35 g ai/ha rimsulfuron plus 280 g ai/ha metribuzin controlled weeds comparable to sequential applications of this combination. Potato recovered from occasional terminal leaf chlorosis caused by rimsulfuron, rimsulfuron plus metribuzin, and organophosphate insecticides combined POST with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin. These studies demonstrate that rimsulfuron can be a useful component of weed management programs that include metolachlor, linuron, and metribuzin.

Effects of temperature, relative humidity, and light on MSMA phytotoxicity to wild-type and arsenical herbicide-resistant biotypes of common cocklebur grown from seed collected in Mississippi were evaluated. In growth chamber studies, 20-d-old plants were sprayed with 0.5 kg ai/ha of MSMA, and after 7 d, fresh weight and chlorophyll content were measured to estimate phytotoxicity. All three environmental factors influenced the level of weed resistance. In studies with day/night temperatures of 30/25 C and 500 μmol/m2/s PPFD light with a 14-h photoperiod, phytotoxicity of MSMA at 40% relative humidity was minimal, but was significantly greater at 60 and 90% relative humidities. The resistant (R) biotype was affected less than the susceptible (S) biotype at the higher relative humidities. The level of resistance estimated by fresh weight reduction was greatest at 30/25 C, but was most pronounced at 35/30 C using chlorophyll measurements. Resistance was lowest at 25/20 C by either measurement. MSMA phytotoxicity occurred at light intensities of 75, 500, and 750 μmol/m2/s PPFD; however, biotypic response was greatest at 500, followed by 750 μmol/m2/s PPFD. Resistance of the (R) biotype to MSMA was not significant at 75 μmol/m2/s, suggesting that differentiation between the biotypes for MSMA sensitivity would be difficult under low light.

Velvetleaf control and sugarbeet response to POST triflusulfuron applied alone and in combination with desmedipham plus phenmedipham, nonionic surfactant, and urea ammonium nitrate (50:50) were evaluated in the greenhouse (velvetleaf only) and field. In a second field study, the effect of POST applications of triflusulfuron, desmedipham plus phenmedipham, ethofumesate, endothall, or combinations of these herbicides on sugarbeet root yield and quality was determined in the absence of weeds. Triflusulfuron controlled velvetleaf only when nonionic surfactant (NIS) was added to the spray solution. Desmedipham plus phenmedipham plus triflusulfuron gave greater velvetleaf control than triflusulfuron in the absence of NIS in the field. However, adding desmedipham plus phenmedipham to triflusulfuron plus NIS decreased velvetleaf control in the greenhouse. Adding desmedipham plus phenmedipham to triflusulfuron plus NIS increased visible sugarbeet response compared to triflusulfuron plus nonionic surfactant or desmedipham plus phenmedipham 14 d after the last POST application in 1994. In the absence of weeds, POST herbicide applications that included triflusulfuron did not reduce sugarbeet root yield more than other POST herbicides.

Efficacy of several acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides was evaluated for yellow nutsedge control over a 3-yr period on a State sandy loam and in the greenhouse. Herbicides were applied POST to yellow nutsedge at actual or anticipated commercial rates. Yellow nutsedge control was above 77% from MON 12000 and chlorimuron. Control ranged from 41 to 89% from primisulfuron, pyrithiobac, and rimsulfuron. Control from nicosulfuron and imazethapyr was 58% or less while thifensulfuron and CGA-152005 had almost no activity on yellow nutsedge. In greenhouse studies, MON 12000 controlled yellow nutsedge better than did chlorimuron, and imazethapyr gave better control than in the field.

Weed control by rye, crimson clover, subterranean clover, and hairy vetch cover crops was evaluated in no-tillage corn during 1992 and 1993 at two North Carolina locations. Weed biomass reduction was similar with rye, crimson clover, and subterranean clover treatments, ranging between 19 and 95% less biomass than a conventional tillage treatment without cover. Weed biomass reduction using hairy vetch or no cover in a notillage system was similar averaging between 0 and 49%, but less than other covers approximately 45 and 90 d after planting. Weed biomass was eliminated or nearly eliminated in all cover systems with PRE plus POST herbicide treatments. Weed species present varied greatly between years and locations, but were predominantly common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, redroot pigweed, and broadleaf signalgrass. Corn grain yield was greatest using PRE herbicides or PRE plus POST herbicides, averaging between 16 to 100% greater than the nontreated control across all cover treatments depending on the year and location.

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.

Chlorimuron and imazethapyr applied with nonionic surfactant, crop oil concentrate, or organosilicone-based adjuvant were evaluated for purple nutsedge control in the field. Additional experiments compared chlorimuron and imazethapyr control of purple nutsedge when applied with crop oil concentrate at two growth stages. Chlorimuron controlled purple nutsedge better than did imazethapyr in most experiments. Chlorimuron performed better when applied with crop oil concentrate than with nonionic surfactant or organosilicone-based adjuvant. Imazethapyr control with the organosilicone-based adjuvant or crop oil concentrate was similar and greater than imazethapyr with nonionic surfactant. Control was greater when herbicides were applied to 2- to 6-cm tall purple nutsedge compared with plants 8 to 10 cm tall in two of three trials.

At a northern Iowa location, populations of 145, 203, 62, and 37 velvetleaf plants/m2 emerged in the four years following seed production by 0.4 velvetleaf plants/m2 growing in soybean. Annual velvetleaf densities in areas with no seed input averaged less than 6 plants/m2. At a central Iowa location, verticillium wilt reduced velvetleaf seed production, resulting in an average increase of 9 plants/m2 in the two years following seed production compared to the control treatment. This type of information is necessary to develop economic optimum thresholds, but the variability between locations demonstrates the difficulty in predicting crop and weed responses to management strategies implemented early in the growing season.

Imidazolinone herbicides injure currently available commercial field corn cultivars; however, cultivars resistant to these herbicides have been developed. Sicklepod, Texas panicum, and annual morningglory control using AC 263,222 (36 and 72 g ai/ha), imazethapyr (36 and 72 g ai/ha), or nicosulfuron (35 g ai/ha) applied POST at 2,4, and 6 wk after planting were evaluated in imidazolinone-tolerant corn. Studies were conducted at Attapulgus and Plains, Georgia from 1992 through 1993. Nicosulfuron and AC 263,222 at 72 g/ha controlled Texas panicum at least 87% when applied 2 wk after planting. Imazethapyr did not consistently control Texas panicum or sicklepod, regardless of application rate. AC 263,222 at both rates and nicosulfuron controlled sicklepod at least 86% when applied 2 wk after planting; however, later application or application under dry conditions generally resulted in reduced control. All herbicides controlled the entireleaf and pitted morningglory complex at least 84% when applied 2 wk after planting. Imidazolinone-tolerant corn was tolerant to all herbicides, regardless of rate and timing, and generally yielded greater when weeds were controlled early in the season.

Field studies were conducted over 3 yr to evaluate rhizome johnsongrass control with asulam applied POST at 3.7 kg ai/ha 3 d before fertilization (DBF) or 0, 3, 7, 10, or 14 d after fertilization (DAF). Liquid fertilizer (18-6-12) was applied with injector knives at 0, 112, or 224 kg N/ha 5 cm on each side of a 60-cm line of rhizome johnsongrass present on 1.8-m-wide conventional sugarcane beds. Johnsongrass response to timing of asulam application after fertilization varied among years but was not affected by fertilizer rate. Johnsongrass control with asulam applied 3 DBF was greater than applications made 0, 3, or 7 DAF. With one exception, differences in johnsongrass control following fertilization and asulam application times were also reflected in the biomass of treated johnsongrass and its regrowth harvested 6 and 10 wk after asulam application, respectively. Reduced johnsongrass control associated with asulam application following fertilization was related to stress from root/rhizome injury during fertilizer placement rather than the quantity of fertilizer applied.

Shattercane accessions were collected from 33 corn fields previously treated with nicosulfuron or primisulfuron. In a greenhouse study, we found no resistance to primisulfuron among the accessions. However, 15% of the accessions were more tolerant to primisulfuron than the most susceptible accessions. Shattercane survival among the 33 accessions ranged from 0 to 39% at 40 g ai/ha. While most accessions emerged uniformly, 26% of the accessions had 5 to 38% emergence after primisulfuron treatment. Delayed emergence could facilitate herbicide avoidance.

A semi- and high-density apple and peach orchard was established at Blacksburg, VA. Starting 1 yr after transplanting, tree rows were treated with paraquat, 2,4-D, or amitrole plus simazine for 4 yr. Thereafter, diuron, simazine, or terbacil was applied in conjunction with paraquat or glyphosate. During the 12th growing season, young trees planted between existing trees failed to make proper growth. Oat bioassay of soils collected from treated rows revealed that the tree row topsoil (0 to 7.5 cm) produced less oat biomass than did deeper row soils (to 30 cm) or soils of corresponding depths from adjacent non-treated tall fescue sod alleyways. Poor growth of trees may have been related to other factors (competition from older trees, drought conditions, etc.) since herbicide residues in the upper 7.5 cm would have little effect on tree roots below this depth. After 3 yr the trees developed normally. Tree rows became heavily infested with weeds 1 yr following cessation of 23 yr of consecutive herbicide treatments.

Field studies were conducted on a Black Belt region clay soil to evaluate pyrithiobac injury to cotton and potential carryover to grain sorghum, soybean, and wheat. Pyrithiobac was applied PPI, PRE, POST at pinhead square, or POST at first bloom at rates of 70, 140, or 280 g ai/ha to cotton. Cotton injury was 7% or less at all rates and application timings. Cotton yield was not reduced by any treatment. The PRE application to cotton, averaged over rates, reduced yield of wheat planted in the fall compared to the POST pinhead square application or the nontreated check. Pyrithiobac at 140 g/ha applied PPI to cotton the previous year reduced soybean yield; at all other rates and timings no soybean yield reduction occurred compared to the nontreated check. Pyrithiobac at all rates applied PPI to cotton caused grain sorghum injury the following year. The 280 g/ha PPI application delayed grain sorghum maturity; however, this did not translate into a yield reduction.

A telephone survey of Montana residents was undertaken to determine their knowledge of noxious weeds, their attitudes toward noxious weeds, how they use the outdoors with respect to spreading noxious weeds, and the best methods to distribute information to those most unaware about noxious weeds. Most Montanans (76%) thought that noxious weeds were a serious or very serious problem. Respondents from central (67%) and southwestern (59%) Montana were more likely to evaluate the noxious weed problem as serious than respondents from western (37%) or southeastern (33%) Montana. Most Montanans (80%) could name a problem associated with noxious weed invasion. Farmers and operators of non-farm machinery knew more problems associated with weeds than people not involved in these activities. Respondents knew ways weeds spread (89%) but many could not think of ways to prevent weed spread (70%) or identify activities they participate in that might spread weeds (64%). Television (89%) and newspaper stories (85%) were mentioned most often as the most effective ways to distribute information about noxious weeds.

Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of tank-mixing the sodium salt of dicamba (Na-dicamba) with imazethapyr on the efficacy and foliar absorption of imazethapyr, applied with non-ionic surfactant (NIS) or methylated seed oil (MSO), by shattercane, giant foxtail, and large crabgrass. The effects of various salt formulations of dicamba and the addition of ammonium sulfate on efficacy, 14C-absorption and on foliar spray retention by the same species were also evaluated. Na-dicamba antagonized imazethapyr efficacy by reducing 14C-absorption. Using MSO instead of NIS prevented antagonism when Na-dicamba was applied at 70 and 140 g/ha and reduced the severity of the antagonism at greater application rates by greatly increasing 14C-absorption compared to NIS. Reductions in 14C-absorption and spray retention were due to the salt formulations of dicamba rather than the parent acid. The addition of ammonium sulfate prevented dicamba antagonism of imazethapyr toxicity to grassy weeds by maintaining 14C foliar absorption and spray retention at normal levels.

Invasions by non-native plants threaten the preservation of many plant and animal species and communities throughout North America. These pest species compete with and displace native plants and animals and may substantially alter ecosystem functions (e.g., fire occurrence and frequency, nutrient cycling). Awareness of these threats among wildland managers has greatly increased in the last decade. In a recent poll of National Park superintendents, 61% of 246 respondents indicated non-native plant invasions were moderate or major problems at their parks. Likewise, over 60% of Nature Conservancy stewards nationwide polled in 1992 indicated weeds were among their top 10 management problems, listing nearly 200 problem species. Over 12% indicated weeds were their worst problem. Weed control programs are now in place in wildlands across the continent, employing techniques ranging from manual removal, mechanical methods, prescribed fire, judicious use of herbicides, the release of biological control agents, and encouragement of native competitors. The most successful endeavors follow an adaptive management strategy in which plans based on the goals of the preserve are developed, weeds that interfere with those goals are identified and prioritized, and control measures are selected and implemented where appropriate. Emphasis is placed on preventing new weeds from becoming established and on early detection and elimination of incipient infestations. Managers must focus on the vegetation or community desired in place of the weeds and periodically re-evaluate whether their programs are moving them toward this objective. Control of weeds in wildlands poses unusual problems not ordinarily met in other systems which offer challenging research opportunities for weed scientists and ecologists.

The effects of chlorimuron, imazaquin, imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, and thifensulfuron were evaluated on a population of smooth pigweed in Painter, VA with no history of treatment with acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor herbicides. Imazethapyr and nicosulfuron gave the greatest smooth pigweed control, and subsequently were used in field and greenhouse studies to investigate susceptibility of smooth pigweed and livid amaranth populations to ALS-inhibitor herbicides. Approximately 5 million smooth pigweed plants from Painter were treated with imazethapyr or nicosulfuron from 1992 to 1994 and no ALS-inhibitor-resistant plants were identified. In the greenhouse, the response of smooth pigweed from Painter, VA, Marion, MD, and Oak Hall, VA and livid amaranth from Warren County, NJ to imazaquin or imazethapyr and nicosulfuron was investigated. Smooth pigweed from Marion and Oak Hall and livid amaranth from NJ had histories of treatment with ALS-inhibitors. Painter smooth pigweed control was 81 to 97% by imazethapyr and nicosulfuron while control of the Marion and Oak Hall populations was 3 and 18% by imazaquin at 560 and 1120 g ai/ha, respectively, and control by nicosulfuron at 35 g ai/ha was 50 to 73%. Control of livid amaranth from Warren County, NJ was 8 to 15% by imazethapyr at 560 g ai/ha, and was 30 to 58% by nicosulfuron at 35 g/ha.

Field experiments conducted at four locations in Georgia and two locations in Florida during 1992 and 1993 evaluated AC 263,222 application rates and timings, systems, and mixtures for weed control, peanut injury, and yield. All rates of AC 263,222 applied early POST (EPOST) or POST controlled Ipomoea morningglories and smallflower morningglory at least 90%, and purple and yellow nutsedge at least 81%. Florida beggarweed and sicklepod control generally was highest when metolachlor was applied PPI followed by AC 263,222 applied EPOST at 71 g/ha, AC 263,222 at 27 or 36 g/ha plus bentazon plus paraquat applied POST, or with bentazon plus paraquat applied EPOST followed by AC 263,222 applied POST at 36 or 53 g/ha. Acifluorfen and acifluorfen plus bentazon reduced Florida beggarweed and sicklepod control at several locations when applied in mixture with AC 263,222. Common ragweed and hairy indigo control were 85 to 95% with bentazon plus paraquat applied EPOST followed by AC 263,222 applied POST at 36 or 53 g/ha. Highest peanut yields were obtained with treatments providing high levels of weed control.