The translocation and root exudation of leaf-applied sublethal concentrations of 14C-labeled clopyralid (3,6-dichloropicolinic acid) and 14C-labeled 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] were compared in Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. horridum Wimm. and Grab. ♯ CIRAR] at the rosette stage over a period of 9 days. The rate of absorption and export of 14C out of the treated leaf was similar for both herbicides. However, the distribution of the herbicides throughout the plant was very different. After 9 days, 15 vs. 3% of the applied 14C from 14C-clopyralid vs. 14C-2,4-D, respectively, was isolated from the foliage of the treated leaf. In the roots, twice as much 14C was recovered from the 14C-clopyralid treatments as from the 14C-2,4-D treatment at all sampling times, with 33 vs. 15% being recovered, respectively, after 9 days. When the plants were grown hydroponically, 20% of the 14C-clopyralid vs. 48% of the 14C-2,4-D was recovered in the nutrient solution during a 9-day period. No metabolites of either herbicide were recovered from the foliage, root system, or nutrient solution. Large differences in translocation of these herbicides may account for the unequal toxicity to young Canada thistle plants.

Foliage-only, soil-only, and foliage plus soil applications of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide}, and metsulfuron {2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoic acid} were used to determine the contribution of soil spray deposit to the control of Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. ♯ CIRAR] under greenhouse conditions. Herbicide reaching the soil contributed significantly to the suppression of secondary shoot growth, particularly when pots were watered from above. In subirrigated pots, the herbicides showed activity if they were sprayed on moist soil, but not if they were sprayed on dry soil. These results suggest that it is important to shield the soil during postemergence applications of herbicides in greenhouse experiments in order to avoid overestimating foliar activity.

The objective of this field research was to compare relative effectiveness and profitability of alternative herbicides applied to the same plots for four consecutive years for controlling and reducing dense Canada thistle infestations in no-till spring wheat. Chlorsulfuron at 30 g ai ha−1 plus nonionic surfactant or clopyralid plus 2,4-D at 70 plus 280 g ae ha−1, respectively, applied annually for 4 yr controlled Canada thistle and was more effective for gradually reducing Canada thistle stands than 2,4-D at 560 g ae ha−1, MCPA plus bromoxynil at 280 plus 280 g ae ha−1, or tribenuron at 20 g ai ha−1. Chlorsulfuron and clopyralid plus 2,4-D also controlled Canada thistle ≥ 90% earlier (by 2 yr) than other treatments. Stochastic dominance analysis, a form of economic analysis, predicted that either chlorsulfuron or clopyralid plus 2,4-D would be preferred by farmers to the untreated check, MCPA plus bromoxynil, or 2,4-D treatments. Chlorsulfuron also would be preferred to clopyralid plus 2,4-D by risk-neutral farmers, whereas clopyralid plus 2,4-D would be preferred to chlorsulfuron by highly risk-averse farmers, those who are most likely to pick only consistently effective herbicides.

The ability of Medicago sativa to suppress weed growth may provide a viable alternative to chemical weed control and allow crop producers to reduce herbicide inputs. Quantitative information regarding the suppressive effect of M. sativa on weed populations in current cropping systems is lacking. A survey was conducted in Manitoba, Canada, in 1993 and 1994 to investigate weed populations in commercial cereal fields that had been preceded by either M. sativa hay or cereal grain crops. A total of 117 fields were surveyed; approximately half from each field type. Principle component analysis indicated that the inclusion of M. sativa in crop rotations resulted in weed communities different from those of continuous cereal fields. Naturally occurring populations of Avena fatua, Cirsium arvense, Brassica kaber, and Galium aparine were lower in cereal fields that had previously contained M. sativa than in cereal fields that had been preceded by a cereal crop. Lower field uniformity values for C. arvense and Avena fatua indicated that these weeds were also more patchy in the M. sativa rotations. Population differences between field types were nonsignificant for Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, and Polygonum convolvulus, and although populations of Taraxacum officinale and Thlaspi arvense were greater in M. sativa/cereal fields than in continuous cereal crops. No consistent effect of field type on Setaria viridis populations was observed. These results show that M. sativa effectively suppressed some, but not all, of the weeds found in the study area. Including M. sativa hay crops in crop rotations can be part of an integrated weed management strategy for weeds such as A. fatua, B. kaber, and C. arvense.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the influence of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and surfactant concentration on Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. # CIRAR] control. Five, 10, and 30% (v/v) solutions of the commercial formulation of glyphosate (356 g ae/L glyphosate and 178 g ai/L MON 0818) applied in 2-μl droplets to Canada thistle leaves at an equal dose per plant did not reduce plant growth, whereas a 2.5% solution reduced growth by 76%. Varying the glyphosate and the polyethoxylated tallow amine surfactant (MON 0818) concentrations independently showed that low glyphosate and MON 0818 concentrations controlled Canada thistle better than high concentrations. High glyphosate concentration (108 μg/μl), high MON 0818 concentration (54 μg/μl), and large droplet size (2 μl) reduced 14C-glyphosate absorption and translocation compared with low glyphosate concentration (9 μg/μl), low MON 0818 concentration (4.5 μg/μl), and small droplet size (0.2 μl). High glyphosate and high MON 0818 concentrations may cause rapid tissue toxicity resulting in reduced translocation and poor perennial weed control.

Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense [L.] Scop. # CIRAR] is a major weed problem in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. ‘Norcen’) seed production in northern Minnesota. Several systemic herbicides applied with selective applicators (roller and ropewick) were evaluated for Canada thistle control in birdsfoot trefoil. Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), and glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] controlled Canada thistle better than MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] and dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid). Glyphosate and MCPA did not injure birdsfoot trefoil foliage or bloom, whereas, picloram, clopyralid, and dicamba injured both. Although selective applications of glyphosate controlled Canada thistle for a short term with the least birdsfoot trefoil injury, long-term Canada thistle control in birdsfoot trefoil does not appear feasible with selective herbicide applications.

Three wash techniques, each with 1, 10, or 95% (v/v) ethanol:water were used to measure foliar absorption of 14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], 14C-3,6-dichloropicolinic acid, and 14C-chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} in Tartary buckwheat [Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn. ♯3 FAGTA], Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. ♯ CIRAR], and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Galt’). For the herbicides and species tested, the most suitable common procedure for determining absorption consisted of a double or triple rinse with or immersion in 10% ethanol. Wiping the treated leaves with cotton balls moistened with the solvent was much less effective. Efficiency of herbicide removal by a given solvent was not related consistently to solubility of the herbicide in the solvent.

Both 14C-clopyralid (3,6-dichloropicolinic acid) and 14C-chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzensulfonamide} were readily absorbed by Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. ♯ CIRAR] leaves, with 99 and 75%, respectively, of the applied doses absorbed 144 h after application. Absorbed 14C-clopyralid was rapidly exported from the treated leaves, whereas 14C-chlorsulfuron was translocated much more slowly. After 144 h, 29% of the applied 14C-clopyralid and 5% of the applied 14C-chlorsulfuron were recovered in the roots and developing root buds of Canada thistle plants. Smaller amounts of the two herbicides were absorbed and translocated in perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L. ♯ SONAR) than in Canada thistle. More 14C-clopyralid than 14C-chlorsulfuron was absorbed and translocated out of treated leaves of perennial sowthistle, but equal amounts, 3 to 4% of the applied doses, were recovered in the roots and root buds 144 h after application. Foliar applications of clopyralid, followed by removal of the treated shoot 24, 72, or 144 h after application, markedly reduced shoot regrowth in both Canada thistle and perennial sowthistle. Similar treatment with chlorsulfuron did not prevent shoot regrowth in either species.

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of tillage level on weed control and yield of asparagus grown on a sandy loam soil under sprinkler irrigation. Without herbicides, horseweed and kochia populations increased in no-till asparagus production over a 3-yr period, compared to asparagus that was rototilled either once in the spring or once in the spring and again at layby. Without herbicides, hairy nightshade populations increased most when asparagus was rototilled both in the spring and at layby. Volunteer asparagus was controlled best when herbicides and tillage were combined in the spring and again at layby. Common groundsel was controlled without herbicides by rototilling both in the spring and at layby. Diuron at 1.4 kg ai/ha plus prodiamine at 1.4 kg/ha or metribuzin at 0.9 kg/ha plus norflurazon at 2 kg/ha controlled all weeds under all three tillage levels when split-applied in the spring and at layby. Tillage level had no effect on total asparagus spear number or weight if tillage was performed in mid March before asparagus emergence.

Response of clones of Canada thistle from North America and leafy spurge from North America and Eurasia to treatment with chlorsulfuron, clopyralid, and glyphosate was determined. Roots of Canada thistle plants from different locations responded differentially to injury from chlorsulfuron and clopyralid but not to glyphosate. Clones of Canada thistle varied significantly in response to all herbicide treatments. Roots of leafy spurge plants from different locations were differentially susceptible to injury from glyphosate. Clones of leafy spurge varied significantly for all responses to each herbicide. The differential effects of chlorsulfuron, glyphosate, and clopyralid on clones of Canada thistle and leafy spurge suggest that genetically-based differences may account for the failure of the herbicides to kill all plants within collection locations or between collection locations. Cross tolerance to the herbicides was not found in leafy spurge or Canada thistle.

Bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] was evaluated for Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. # CIRAR] control and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. ‘Norcen’) tolerance. Bentazon applied in split applications controlled more Canada thistle than a single application of equal rate in both greenhouse and field studies. Bentazon applied four times reduced the level of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) in the roots of both greenhouse- and field-grown Canada thistle and increased birdsfoot trefoil injury more than bentazon applied in a single application of equal rate. All bentazon treatments caused unacceptable injury when birdsfoot trefoil was grown for seed.

The effect of reduced water availability on glyphosate efficacy and adventitious shoot growth in male and female clones of Canada thistle was studied. Water availability was regulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in hydroponically grown plants or by withholding water from soil-grown plants. In hydroponic media, there was 50% more adventitious shoot growth from male plants than from female plants. Both PEG and foliarly applied glyphosate reduced the number of adventitious shoots, regardless of gender. In soil, the same number of adventitious shoots formed on untreated male and female plants. However, when glyphosate was applied to plants growing under dry conditions, there was 75% more adventitious shoot growth from males than females. Distribution of glyphosate was similar in male and female plants. Approximately 23% of applied 14C-glyphosate was transported throughout Canada thistle plants within 10 d of treatment regardless of gender or moisture condition. Gender differences in capacity for vegetative reproduction may alter the sex ratio of Canada thistle populations in the field following glyphosate application.

Phytotoxicity of chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} in cell cultures of Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. # CIRAR] was approximately 30-fold greater than in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L. # EPHES) cultures. Differences in chlorsulfuron phytotoxicity in these two species were attributed to large differences in cellular metabolism of the herbicide. Leafy spurge cells metabolized all of the applied 14C-chlorsulfuron within 72 h of treatment, while Canada thistle metabolized less than 2%. Acid hydrolysis of the metabolic products isolated from leaf disks and cell cultures of leafy spurge yielded a radioactive product that cochromatographed with a 2-chlorobenzenesulfonamide standard. Therefore, metabolic transformation occurred on the heterocyclic portion of the molecule. A major metabolite was further characterized as 2-chloro-N-[[4-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]aminocarbonyl]-benzenesulfonamide by cochromatography with the authentic standard.

The effectiveness of single and repeated annual preharvest glyphosate applications (1 to 2 wk before crop harvest) to reduce Canada thistle populations was evaluated in field experiments near Bezanson, AB, Scott, SK, and St. Albert, AB. Single applications of glyphosate at 0.45 to 1.8 kg/ha at Bezanson and St. Albert reduced Canada thistle shoot density by more than 75% but in the three experiments at Scott 1.8 kg/ha was required to consistently obtain a similar reduction. Four consecutive, annual applications of glyphosate at 0.45 kg/ha or more did not eliminate Canada thistle but reduced shoot densities by more than 98% at Bezanson. At Scott, similar reductions occurred in two of three sites following two consecutive, annual preharvest applications of glyphosate at the same rates. In the third Scott site the 1.8 kg/ha rate of glyphosate provided a similar reduction but lower rates did not. At Bezanson, barley yields following the first, second, and third applications of glyphosate at 0.45 kg/ha or more were 14% greater than check plots where MCPA was applied in the spring. Yields of wheat seeded 1 yr after a single application of glyphosate at St. Albert were 26% greater than from unsprayed checks. Barley yields seeded 1 yr after each glyphosate application at Scott were not affected because Canada thistle populations were sparse.

The objectives of this study were to determine how the timing of weed management treatments in winter wheat stubble affects weed control the following season and to determine if spring herbicide rates in corn can be reduced with appropriately timed stubble management practices. Field studies were conducted at two sites in Ohio between 1993 and 1995. Wheat stubble treatments consisted of glyphosate (0.84 kg ae/ha) plus 2,4-D (0.48 kg ae/ha) applied in July, August, or September, or at all three timings, and a nontreated control. In the following season, spring herbicide treatments consisted of a full rate of atrazine (1.7 kg ai/ha) plus alachlor (2.8 kg ai/ha) preemergence, a half rate of these herbicides, or no spring herbicide treatment. Across all locations, a postharvest treatment of glyphosate plus 2,4-D followed by alachlor plus atrazine at half or full rates in the spring controlled all broadleaf weeds, except giant ragweed, at least 88%. Giant foxtail control at three locations was at least 83% when a postharvest glyphosate plus 2,4-D treatment was followed by spring applications of alachlor plus atrazine at half or full rates. Weed control in treatments without alachlor plus atrazine was variable, although broadleaf control from July and August glyphosate plus 2,4-D applications was greater than from September applications. Where alachlor and atrazine were not applied, August was generally the best timing of herbicide applications to wheat stubble for reducing weed populations the following season.

The freezing resistance of overwintering buds of four perennial weed species was evaluated in artificial freezing experiments conducted in the winters of 1986 and 1987. Survival, dry weight of surviving shoots, and number of shoots produced/surviving section were determined at −4, −8, −12, −16, and −20 C for Canada thistle roots, leafy spurge roots, leafy spurge crowns, perennial sowthistle roots, and quackgrass rhizomes. The temperature required to reduce survival (LT50) and total dry weight (GR50) by 50% was determined. The response to freezing temperatures varied among species and in some cases between years. The LT50 was −7, −13, colder than −20, −17, and colder than −20, and the GR50 was −5, −11, −14, −15, and −13 for Canada thistle roots, leafy spurge roots, leafy spurge crowns, perennial sowthistle roots, and quackgrass rhizomes, respectively. The relative susceptibility to freezing among species appears to be directly related to the depth at which the overwintering buds generally are located.

Site-specific weed management recommendations require knowledge of weed species, density, and location in the field. This study compared several sampling techniques to estimate weed density and distribution in two 65-ha no-till Zea mays–Glycine max rotation fields in eastern South Dakota. The most common weeds (Setaria viridis, Setaria glauca, Cirsium arvense, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Polygonum pensylvanicum) were counted by species in 0.1-m2 areas on a 15- by 30-m (1,352 points in each field) or 30- by 30-m (676 points in each field) grid pattern, and points were georeferenced and data spatially analyzed. Using different sampling approaches, weed populations were estimated by resampling the original data set. The average density for each technique was calculated and compared with the average field density calculated from the all-point data. All weeds had skewed population distributions with more than 60% of sampling points lacking the specific weed, but very high densities (i.e., > 100 plants m−2) were also observed. More than 300 random samples were required to estimate densities within 20% of the all-point means about 60% of the time. Sampling requirement increased as average density decreased. The W pattern produced average species densities that often were similar to the field averages, but information on patch location was absent. Weed counts taken on the 15- by 30-m grid were dependent spatially and weed contour maps were developed. Kriged maps presented both density and location of weed patches and could be used to establish management zones. However, grid-sampling production fields on a small enough scale to obtain spatially dependent data may have limited usefulness because of time, cost, and labor constraints.

We examined effects of supplementary nitrogen on young Canada thistle stands in Alberta, Canada. Urea applied at 70 or 100 kg N ha–1 increased shoot population densities, mostly through increased root growth in the top 20 cm of soil rather than through released root bud dormancy. Nitrogen fertilization, therefore, may increase the severity of a Canada thistle infestation. In 1-yr-old stands, the number of emerged and unemerged root buds/m of root was higher near the soil surface in fertilized plots than in unfertilized plots, and no underground shoots were detected at the time of sampling. In 2-yr-old stands, more unemerged root buds/m of root were found at depths below 20 cm in fertilized plots than in unfertilized plots, and twice as many underground shoots/m of root occurred between 20 and 40 cm in fertilized plots as in unfertilized plots. However, no effect of nitrogen on the number of emerged root buds was detected. Nitrogen treatment increased shoot production only for those replanted root fragments from deeper than 60 cm in 1-yr-old stands and deeper than 160 cm in 2-yr-old stands.

Clopyralid at 0.3 or 0.6 kg ae ha–1 applied once or twice during the asparagus harvest season for two consecutive years did not significantly reduce the number of spears or total weight of asparagus harvested. In a second study, clopyralid applied at 0.3 kg ha–1 twice during the harvest season and once at layby for two consecutive years did not reduce asparagus yield in the first year of treatment. In the second year, the number and weight of asparagus spears was reduced. Clopyralid applied during the harvest season caused some epinastic growth of asparagus after layby. Clopyralid applied to emerged asparagus spears slightly increased the number of cull spears harvested, but was less damaging than 2,4-D or dicamba.

Literature on the effectiveness of grazing animals (especially cattle, goats, and sheep) in controlling weeds is reviewed. Availability of animals and the ability to fence them onto or off weed infestations are essential. Weeds of pastures are the most suitable subjects for control, although weeds of arable crops, forestry, and waste places are sometimes amenable to control by grazing animals. Although grazing animals themselves often cause weed problems in pasture, adjusting grazing timing or intensity or both can sometimes redress the balance. Increasing sheep or cattle stocking rates prevents animals from grazing selectively and can help control some weeds. Adjusting grazing pressure can also improve the growth of desirable pasture species so that these are more competitive and able to resist invasion of annual or biennial weeds. Introducing a different class of stock, like sheep into a cattle system or goats into a sheep system can control many weeds. Goats are capable of browsing on and controlling spiny or poisonous brush weeds, including gorse and poison ivy, without suffering adverse effects. Examples are given of the use of grazing animals for weed control in crops and forestry.