Throughout eastern Arkansas, Palmer amaranth resistant to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicides (Group 14 herbicides) has become widespread. Most PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth biotypes possess a target-site mutation, but a metabolic resistance mechanism to fomesafen (Group 14) has also been identified. Once metabolic resistance manifests, plants may also be tolerant to other herbicides and sites of action. To evaluate whether varying spray parameters affected control of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth in dicamba-tolerant crops, field trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station near Marianna, AR, and on-farm in Marion, AR. The experiment included split plot factors of dicamba rate, nozzle type, and carrier volume, with a whole plot factor of population. Dicamba was applied at 560 or 1120 g ae ha−1 through 110015 TTI or AirMix nozzles at 70 or 140 L ha−1 to PPO-resistant or PPO-susceptible Palmer amaranth. Palmer amaranth control 14 d after treatment (DAT) was influenced by an interaction between population and carrier volume. PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth control 14 DAT was 81% regardless of carrier volume, compared with 90% and 95% control at 70 and 140 L ha−1, respectively, of the PPO-susceptible population. An interaction between nozzle type and carrier volume influenced Palmer amaranth control 21 DAT, whereas AirMix nozzles at 140 L ha−1 controlled Palmer amaranth at a greater level (94%) than any other nozzle and carrier volume combination (≤90%). An interaction between population and dicamba rate influenced the relative density of Palmer amaranth 21 DAT. PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth density was less affected by dicamba at either rate than PPO-susceptible Palmer amaranth, relative to the nontreated check. Results concur with those of other research that suggest PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth is harder to control with dicamba. Otherwise, increasing carrier volume affected overall Palmer amaranth control to a greater degree than any other factor.

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L. # PANMI) was controlled in corn (Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3747’) with postemergence-directed herbicides applied following a standard preplant-incorporated application of butylate [S-ethylbis(2-methylpropyl)carbamothioate] plus dichlormid (2,2-dichloro-N,N-di-2-propenylacetamide) plus cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile}. Postemergence-directed applications of ametryn [N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine], cloproxydim {(E,E)-2-[1-[[(3-chloro-2-propenyl)oxy]imino]butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}, butyl ester of fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid}, butyl ester of fluazifop-p {(R)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid}, glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], methyl ester of haloxyfop {2-[4-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid}, and sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} in 40-cm-tall corn gave greater than 90% control of 5- to 15-cm-tall proso millet while causing little or no corn injury at selected rates. Season-long proso millet control was obtained with sethoxydim at rates as low as 56 g ai/ha with no visible corn injury. Unacceptable injury to 40-cm-tall corn occurred with all but the lowest rate of sethoxydim (56 g ai/ha) when a crop oil concentrate was used. Sethoxydim applied as a directed spray at rates up to 110 g ai/ha plus 1.25% (v/v) crop oil concentrate did not injure 60-cm-tall corn.

The phytotoxicity of the butyl ester of fluazifop to quackgrass was enhanced by the addition of a nonionic surfactant and an oil additive either alone or in mixture to the spray solution. The enhancement caused by the surfactant was consistently greater than that caused by the oil additive. A higher level of quackgrass control was achieved at the carrier volumes of 100, 200, or 400 L/ha, than at 800 L/ha. Quackgrass growth inhibition was greater following application of small herbicide droplets which averaged 0.25 μl compared to larger herbicide droplets at each herbicide application rate. When droplet concentration was varied and different doses of the herbicides applied to plants, no significant differences were noted at the highest dose. However, at intermediate dose treatments, the least concentrated droplets (2.5 μg/μl) were most phytotoxic. Herbicide droplets placed at basal areas of leaves were more phytotoxic than when placed at lamina apices and middle areas. This effect was most pronounced on adaxial rather than abaxial surfaces. In general, application of droplets to younger leaves resulted in greater phytotoxicity than treatment of older leaves.

Field studies were conducted from 1982 to 1984 to evaluate the effectiveness of SC-0224 (trimethylsulfonium carboxymethylaminomethylphosphonate) and glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] for quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. # AGRRE] control. The herbicides were compared 1) in different rates and carrier volumes, 2) on several spring and fall application dates, and 3) with varying time intervals between application and moldboard plowing. Glyphosate and SC-0224 controlled quackgrass equally well at carrier volumes of 25 to 400 L/ha. Both herbicides generally provided similar control as fall and spring applications and with time intervals of 12 to 96 h between application and plowing. Occasionally the low rate of SC-0024 gave less quackgrass control the next season than the same rate of glyphosate. Adding nonionic surfactant at 0.5% (v/v) did not influence the phytotoxicity of these herbicides at the rates and carrier volumes tested. These herbicides controlled quackgrass comparably and greater than 85% when applied under appropriate environmental conditions.

Toxicities of the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], SC-0224 (trimethylsulfonium carboxymethylaminomethylphosphonate), and SC-0545 (trimethylsulfoxonium carboxymethylaminomethylphosphonate) were similar to hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Centurk 78′) at equal dosages, carrier volumes, carrier water qualities, and sulfuric acid concentrations in the greenhouse and field at Lincoln, NE. Toxicity of HOE-00661 [ammonium (3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)-methylphosphinate] was less than the other herbicides at equal dosages. Rate of development of injury to wheat was similar at 0.4 kg/ha for glyphosate, SC-0224, and SC-0545, but greater for HOE-00661 up to 4 days after application and less thereafter. Reductions in carrier volume from 190 to 96 L/ha resulted in improved phytotoxicities for glyphosate, SC-0224, and SC-0545 at 0.1 kg/ha and HOE-00661 at 0.4 kg/ha. Addition of 0.25% (v/v) concentrated sulfuric acid to 190 L/ha of well water carrier resulted in improved phytotoxicities for glyphosate, SC-0224, and SC-0545 at 0.1 kg/ha and HOE-00661 at 0.4 kg/ha. Carrier water with reduced levels of polyvalent cations resulted in increased phytotoxicities of glyphosate, SC-0224, and SC-0545 at 0.1 kg/ha in 190 L/ha. Phytotoxicity of HOE-00661 was not affected by carrier water quality. Glyphosate, SC-0224, and SC-0545 at equal rates and HOE-00661 at a 4 X rate showed similar toxicity to wheat.

Two biotypes of field bindweed differing in their susceptibility to glyphosate were used to determine if diluent or carrier volume and additional surfactant could overcome differences in intraspecific response to glyphosate. In greenhouse studies, glyphosate (formulated product) was applied at 1.68 kg/ha in three diluent volumes (142, 189, and 237 L/ha), with and without 1 % (v/v) additional amphoteric surfactant. Nonparametric and ordinal categorical analyses indicated that field bindweed biotype, diluent volume, and surfactant significantly increased glyphosate phytotoxicity 7 DAT. Only biotype and volume were significant 21 DAT. The tolerant biotype was less injured at the 189 and 237 L/ha volumes than the susceptible biotype. Field bindweed injury was similar at a diluent volume of 142 L/ha for both biotypes. These greenhouse studies suggest that control of field bindweed may be improved with glyphosate by using low spray volume in concert with additional surfactant.

Phytotoxicity of fluazifop-butyl {butyl 2-[4-[(5-trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl)oxy] phenoxy] propanoate}, haloxyfop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-[(3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl)oxy)phenoxy] propanoate}, and sethoxydim {2-[1-ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} increased as carrier volume was decreased from 570 to 24 L/ha. Addition of crop oil concentrate to the spray solution increased phytotoxicity, especially at carrier volumes of 190 L/ha and above. Sorghum plants were treated with the same amount of active ingredient in a single 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, or 24-μl droplet. Smaller, more concentrated droplets were more phytotoxic than larger, more dilute droplets, with or without crop oil concentrate. Application site of single herbicide droplets also influenced phytotoxicity. In general, application of concentrated droplets to metabolically active leaf tissue resulted in maximum phytotoxicity.

Weed control in reduced-tillage corn (Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3732′) with butylate [S-ethyl bis(2-methylpropyl) carbamothioate] and EPTC (S-ethyl dipropyl carbarnothioate) was not reduced when these herbicides were applied jointly with dry or liquid fertilizer. In most cases, application with fertilizer resulted in weed control similar to that observed when the herbicide was applied in water at 285 L/ha. Butylate applied as a granular formulation also gave weed control similar to the spray at 285 L/ha. Application in 95 L/ha of water consistently resulted in reduced weed control. Corn injury was not greatly influenced by application method, and differences in corn yield appeared to be due to differences in weed control. Growth chamber bioassays indicated that both butylate and EPTC dissipated more rapidly when applied in 95 L/ha of water than the other application methods, which may explain differences in weed control observed in the field.

Experiments were conducted at Urbana, IL, in 1983 and 1984 to determine the effect of adjuvants, adjuvant rate, and carrier volume on postemergence weed control with bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] and sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Williams’]. Little difference was observed between a petroleum oil:emulsifier blend (83:17, v/v) (POC) and a soybean oil: emulsifier blend (85:15, v/v) (SBOC) in enhancing control of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik. # ABUTH) with 0.6 or 1.1 kg ai/ha bentazon. Application of bentazon in a carrier volume of 94 L/ha provided velvetleaf control equivalent to that applied in 187 L/ha. Increasing the adjuvant rate from 2.3 to 11.7 L/ha increased visible soybean injury but had no effect on velvetleaf control with bentazon. Control of giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm. # SETFA) with 0.1 kg ai/ha sethoxydim was enhanced more by POC than by SBOC. Phytotoxicity of sethoxydim was not altered by changes in carrier volume or adjuvant rate under conditions of adequate soil moisture in 1983. Under limiting soil moisture in 1984, giant foxtail control with sethoxydim increased slightly when the adjuvant rate was increased from 4.6 to 11.7 L/ha, and carrier volume was increased from 47 to 187 L/ha.

Bromoxynil efficacy, uptake, translocation, and spray retention were investigated when bromoxynil was applied in conventional water volumes of 234 L ha−1 and in simulated sprinkler irrigation at 127 000 L ha−1 to common lambsquarters. Bromoxynil controlled common lambsquarters similarly regardless of water volume, whereas injury to spearmint, a tolerant crop, was greatest using low water volume. Spray retention was 18 and 38 times greater on common lambsquarters and spearmint, respectively, when bromoxynil was applied in 234 L ha−1 than 127 000 L ha−1. Two weeks after applying bromoxynil in 127 000 L ha−1 water volume, common lambsquarters dry weight was 60% of the nontreated check where only soil was treated but was 5% of the nontreated check where only leaves were treated. Roots of lambsquarters absorbed 22% of 14C-bromoxynil applied to hydroponic solution by 7 d, but only 2% was translocated to the shoots. Percent absorption and translocation of foliar-applied 14C-bromoxynil were 15 and 6% greater, respectively, from 0.0096 g L−1 than from a 1.2 g L−1 bromoxynil solution by 24 h after application. Uptake of bromoxynil was 13% greater through lower than upper leaf surfaces. These results suggest efficacy of bromoxynil applied in large spray volumes is, in part, due to root uptake, efficient foliar uptake and translocation, and uptake from lower leaf surfaces.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the influence of plant density and spray volume on the retention, spray deposition, efficacy, and translocation of the amine salt of triclopyr in purple loosestrife. More spray solution was retained on leaves at 935 Lha−1 than at 94 Lha−1 at populations of 0, 4, or 8 nontarget neighbors. Spray coverage decreased with decreasing height within the plant canopy when spray cards were placed in the top, middle, and soil surface adjacent to the central target plant. Within a population, spray card coverage generally increased as spray volume increased. Regrowth from the crown was affected by spray volume, and uniform spray coverage of the plant was required for adequate control of vegetative regrowth and was achieved with spray volumes of 374 and 935 L ha−1 spray volume. Regrowth of purple loosestrife was greater at 94 Lha−1 at all three plant populations indicating that less herbicide penetrated the canopy to reach the basal portion of the plant. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the translocation of radiolabelled triclopyr to roots and crowns of purple loosestrife. Only 0.3 to 1.4% of absorbed 14C-labelled material was translocated to roots and crowns. Low spray volumes and dense stands of purple loosestrife would likely result in poor control because inadequate amounts of triclopyr reach the basal portion of the plant and translocate to vegetative propagules.

Foliar-applied herbicides were evaluated in one greenhouse and five field studies for control of silver beardgrass (Andropogon saccharoides Swartz. # ANOSA). In the greenhouse, terbutryn [N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N′-ethyl-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine] and the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] at 3.4 kg ai/ha each consistently controlled silver beardgrass from 7 to 75 days after treatment. Field studies were conducted to investigate silver beardgrass control as influenced by herbicides and timing of herbicide application. Generally, glyphosate at 1.1 and 1.7 kg/ha satisfactorily controlled silver beardgrass with little or no permanent damage to the existing bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. # CYNDA] turf. Decreasing water carrier volume from 374 to 187 L/ha did not affect phytoactivity of terbutryn at 3.4 kg/ha or glyphosate at 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, or 1.1 kg/ha.

Field and greenhouse research was conducted during 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the effects of carrier volume, surfactant concentration, and treatment date on glyphosate [N - (phosphonomethyl)glycine] toxicity to annual-grass weeds and volunteer small grains. Glyphosate phytotoxicity increased as carrier volume was decreased from 190 to 24 L/ha. The presence of a surfactant in the spray solution did not influence grass control when glyphosate was applied in a carrier volume of 24 L/ha. When glyphosate was applied in 48 or 95 L/ha, the presence of surfactant resulted in better grass control than glyphosate without surfactant. When applied in 190 L/ha, glyphosate with 0.5% (v/v) surfactant gave better grass control than glyphosate alone or commercially formulated glyphosate. When glyphosate was applied to plants under water stress, little control was achieved regardless of plant growth stage. Glyphosate application to grass after head initiation also resulted in reduced control. Maximum weed control with glyphosate was attained when applications were made to seedlings growing actively because of adequate soil moisture and favorable temperatures.

MKH 6562 is a new acetolactate synthase inhibitor herbicide that would provide an alternative to control wild oat. Three experiments were conducted at Scott, SK, Canada, from 1996 to 1999 to evaluate MKH 6562 rates (20 and 30 g ai/ha), carrier volumes (30, 50, and 100 L/ha), time of applications (two- to three-leaf and three- to four-leaf stages of wild oat), and broadleaf weed herbicide tank mixtures. Reduced wild oat control (lower visual rating of percent control and higher fresh weight) often occurred when MKH 6562 was applied at a rate of 20 vs. 30 g/ha, with carrier volumes of 30 vs. 50 and 100 L/ha, and at the three- to four-leaf vs. two- to three-leaf stages of wild oat. Wild oat control generally was lower for MKH 6562 tank mixed with dicamba + mecoprop + MCPA 1:1:4.4 and bromoxynil + MCPA 1:1 compared with MKH 6562 applied alone or tank mixed with other broadleaf herbicides. MKH 6562 tank mixed with MCPA, and to a lesser extent 2,4-D, resulted in decreased wild oat control when applied at the three- to four-leaf stage of wild oat, but not at the two- to three-leaf stage. Wheat grain yield usually was not affected by MKH 6562 rate and carrier volume. Yield was 7% lower when MKH 6562 was tank mixed with dicamba + mecoprop + MCPA or fluroxypyr + 2,4-D and was 8% lower when MKH 6562 was applied in a mixture with 2,4-D formulations or bromoxynil + MCPA at the three- to four-leaf stage compared with the two- to three-leaf stage. Similar yields were achieved when MKH 6562 was applied alone at both leaf stages of wild oat. Wild oat control and wheat yield with MKH 6562 were as good as or better than with ICIA 0604 and imazamethabenz and were as good as or poorer than with CGA 184927. MKH 6562 provides adequate control of wild oat in wheat when applied early with the recommended carrier volume. Satisfactory control may be achieved with reduced rates if wild oat infestations are light.

The pH and hardness of water used as agrochemical carrier can influence herbicide efficacy. The objective of this research was to determine the role of carrier water pH and hardness on saflufenacil efficacy and solubility. Saflufenacil was mixed in eight different carrier waters with one of five pH levels (4.0, 5.2, 6.5, 7.7, 9.0) or one of three hardness levels (0, 310, 620 mg L−1) and applied POST to common lambsquarters and giant ragweed in a field experiment and to field corn in a greenhouse experiment. Solubility testing was also completed on saflufenacil mixed in the five pH levels used in the field and greenhouse experiments. Water hardness did not influence the efficacy of saflufenacil on common lambsquarters, giant ragweed, or field corn. Control of giant ragweed or common lambsquarters in field experiments was reduced by up to 56% when saflufenacil was applied in water with a pH of 4.0 compared with water with a pH of 7.7. When nonsoluble saflufenacil was removed from the spray solution, saflufenacil efficacy on field corn in the greenhouse was reduced by 61% or more when applied in water with a pH of 4.0 than when applied with water with a pH of 5.2 or higher. When nonsoluble saflufenacil was applied with the soluble saflufenacil in the spray solution, at least a 7% reduction in control of field corn was observed when applied in water with pH of 4.0 as compared with saflufenacil applied in water with pH of 5.2 or higher. Solubility of saflufenacil was (1) 10.1 mg L−1 in water with a pH of 4.0, (2) 3,461.4 mg L−1 in water with a pH of 7.7, and (3) > 5,000 mg L−1 at a pH of 9. Some degradation of parent saflufenacil was detected in the pH at 9.0 treatment, with only 90% of added product being recovered after 3 d of storage. This research provides information on how saflufenacil efficacy and solubility is influenced by carrier water pH and potentially explains some differences noticed between field applications of saflufenacil.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of application factors and standing Triticum aestivum stubble on herbicide spray deposition and efficacy in a simulated no-till environment. Spray deposition on weeds was reduced in the presence of stubble, and deposition losses on Amaranthus hybridus were greater than those on Setaria faberi. Spray penetration through stubble was significantly enhanced with electrostatic charging of a fine hydraulic spray. The combination of 45 kV electrostatic charge and 50 cm nozzle spacing produced maximum spray deposition on weeds and resulted in a 96% and 345% increase in deposition on A. hybridus and S. faberi, respectively, compared to the uncharged controls. Deposit reduction from standing stubble was greater at travel speeds of 16 km h−1 (36 to 52%) than 8 km h−1 (9 to 38%). On a dry weight and plant density basis, weeds retained more spray than was retained by stubble, yet stubble, at average densities, was capable of capturing 9 to 12% of total applied spray dose per unit area. Bounce studies of individual droplets of water or imazethapyr plus adjuvant mixture demonstrated that T. aestivum straw had a general affinity for all spray droplets, exhibiting no rebound even for 800-µm water droplets. Setaria faberi foliage exhibited poor retention of droplets: both 350- and 800-µm water droplets as well as 800-µm droplets of imazethapyr plus adjuvant mixture rebounded. Only 350-µm herbicide mixture droplets were retained by S. faberi. Amaranthus hybridus retained all droplets. In broadcast spraying, British Crop Protection Council “Medium” quality sprays were poorly retained by S. faberi compared to “Fine” sprays, whereas A. hybridus retained both sprays equally well. However, imazethapyr spray deposits resulting from coarser sprays were more efficacious on S. faberi than fine spray deposits, a difference that was not observed for A. hybridus.