Herbicide-application equipment was combined with a sled tool-carrier to plant a test crop and apply a herbicide simultaneously to single rows as surface, subsurface, incorporated, and injected sprays. Results obtained, using the methyl ester of 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (amiben), indicated the equipment can facilitate the evaluation of the influence of method of application on the activity of herbicides applied to soil.

A new method for taking soil samples was devised. Vacuum is used to move the soil in an air stream from the sampling site into a sealed bag. Much of the hard, time-consuming work can be eliminated with this new method of sampling. No differences were noted in bioassay plants grown in samples of soil taken in the conventional manner, as compared to plants grown in samples taken with the vacuum device.

The influence of pH and incubation time on the detoxication of 11 herbicides incorporated into high organic matter soils was investigated. Five of the chemicals were detoxified at different rates at the various pH levels. Optimum pH levels for the detoxication of these chemicals were (a) pH 5.3 for 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), (b) 6.5 for 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (amitrole), and (c) pH 7.5 for S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate (vernolate).

Slow positive detoxication, without pH influence, was observed for 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) and 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (amiben). No detectable detoxication was observed for 4-amino-2,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), α,α,α-tri-fluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin), 5-bromo-3-isopropyl-6-methyluracil (isocil), or 2-methoxy-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (prometone).

A 0.25-mil mylar film was used as a part of an in-situ autoradiographic technique for studying 14C-labeled compounds in soil containing growing corn (Zea mays L., var. WF9 X Hy) roots. This technique facilitates herbicide movement studies in soils and plants while plants grow undisturbed.

Encroachment of woody species reduces the productivity of sphagnum moss (Sphagnum sp.) in acid bogs. Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench) and black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Willd.) were major species of concern to moss harvesters. Black chokeberry was controlled by spray applications in spring of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) at 1 lb/A. Leatherleaf was controlled by either fall or spring applications of picloram at 1 lb/A. No control was obtained with eight other herbicides tested. Sphagnum moss carried phytotoxic residues three growing seasons after picloram application.

Soil dispersion in an aqueous solution of sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium bicarbonate facilitates extraction of seeds by flotation with megnesium sulphate. The percentage viability of seeds collected in this manner subsequently can be determined with 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride. Extraction of seeds usually is 100% efficient and enumeration of viable seeds via the tetrazolium test is accomplished much more rapidly than with conventional methods.