In greenhouse studies, the butyl ester of fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid} applied preemergence at 0.035 kg ai/ha gave 91% control of goosegrass (Eleusine indica Gaertn. ♯ ELEIN), 79% control of large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. ♯ DIGSA], and 73% control of giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm. ♯ SETFA). In field studies, the butyl ester of fluazifop at 0.56 kg ai/ha applied preemergence gave 79% control of goosegrass, 76% control of large crabgrass, and 53% control of giant foxtail. The butyl ester of fluazifop at 0.07 kg/ha gave 79 to 85% control of each grass at the pretillering stage in field studies. The same rate applied at the early tillering stage gave 84% control of goosegrass but only 53 and 58% control of large crabgrass and giant foxtail, respectively. Relative species response was similar from spray and leaf-spot applications of the herbicide. The butyl ester of fluazifop at 4 μg/plant when spot-applied to leaves of the three grasses at the tillering stage resulted in 65% control of goosegrass but only 20 and 25% control of large crabgrass and giant foxtail, respectively.

One and two postemergence (POE) applications of the butyl ester of fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy]phenoxy] propanoic acid} or sethoxydim (2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} following preemergence (PRE) application of fluometuron {N,N-dimethyl-N′-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] urea} were compared to a preplant-incorporated (PPI) application of trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] or pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] plus fluometuron PRE or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE for annual grass control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and net economic return to land, overhead, and management. One POE application of either fluazifop or sethoxydim following fluometuron PRE resulted in greater control of a high population of broadleaf signalgrass [Brachiaria platyphylla (Griseb.) Nash. # BRAPP] and greater yield and net return than a PPI application of trifluralin or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE. A second application of fluazifop or sethoxydim increased late-season control but did not increase yield or net return. In a high population of large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L. # DIGSA), fluometuron PRE plus two POE applications of fluazifop or sethoxydim resulted in grass control, lint yield, and net return similar to trifluralin or pendimethalin PPI plus fluometuron PRE. No differences in grass control, crop response, or net return were noted between PPI application of trifluralin or pendimethalin. Control of broadleaf signalgrass and large crabgrass with pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE was less than with pendimethalin PPI plus fluometuron PRE. In fields with a low population of large crabgrass, fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. # PANDI), and goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. # ELEIN], fluometuron PRE provided excellent season-long control. No benefits were obtained from addition of a grass herbicide. No treatments affected cotton maturity or fiber quality.

The effect of two dates of initial manual weeding, i.e., before flowering and after flowering, and of no weeding on yield of a local groundnut variety was studied during 1988 and 1989 at Minkoameyos, Yaounde, Cameroon, in comparison with chemical weed control method or control. The use of herbicides ametryn plus promotryn for weed control gave the best mean yield, followed by handweeding after flowering, and handweeding before flowering, in that order. The no weeding treatment had the lowest yield throughout the trial period.

The effect of sequential hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous methanol extracts of ‘Regal’ sweetpotato periderm on seed germination of sweetpotato, proso millet, and seven weed species was studied. The hexane extract, which contained the nonpolar components of the periderm tissue, was least inhibitory. It inhibited velvetleaf, proso millet, black nightshade, and redroot pigweed germination, and maximum inhibition was 56% for black nightshade at 200 mg of periderm extracted ml–1. The ethyl acetate fraction was inhibitory to proso millet, velvetleaf, black nightshade, goosegrass, tall morningglory, coffee senna, and redroot pigweed. The estimated I50 for ethyl acetate ranged from 17 mg periderm extracted ml–1 for black nightshade to 201 mg ml–1 for coffee senna. Sweetpotato, tall morningglory, and eclipta germination was not inhibited by this extract at the concentrations tested. The aqueous methanol extract was much more inhibitory than the hexane or ethyl acetate extracts, and there was considerable variation between species in response to this extract The I50 estimates for the aqueous methanol extract were 0.5, 0.6, 2.8, 4.4, 5.1, 9.6, 15.7, 21.0, and 25.8 mg ml–1 for velvetleaf, proso millet, black nightshade, goosegrass, sweetpotato, tall morningglory, eclipta, coffee senna, and pigweed, respectively.

Field experiments conducted in 1992 and 1993 evaluated transplanted watermelon tolerance to ethalfluralin applied PPI, PRE (before transplanting), and POST (immediately after transplanting) at 1.2 or 2.4 kg ai/ha. Other treatments for comparison included the registered herbicides ethalfluralin POST-directed spray (PDS), ethalfluralin PDS followed by (fb) naptalam POST, bensulide plus naptalam PPI, and a nontreated check. All treatments controlled common lambsquarters and goosegrass 83 to 100% 2 and 6 weeks after treatment (WAT). Watermelon was injured 30 to 77% in 1992 and 14 to 83% in 1993 by ethalfluralin PPI or PRE at 1.2 or 2.4 kg/ha. Ethalfluralin POST was not injurious to watermelon. In 1992, watermelon treated with ethalfluralin POST at 1.2 and 2.4 kg/ha yielded 52 to 62% more fruit than watermelon from the nontreated check. In 1993, yield of transplanted watermelon treated with ethalfluralin POST was similar to that in the nontreated check.

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various densities of four fall-seeded small grain mulches and diphenamid (N,N-dimethyl-α-phenyl benzeneacetamide) on weed control, yield, and quality in no-till flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘McNair 944’). A greenhouse study investigated the effects of non-soil-incorporated mulch from the same small grains plus alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on various growth parameters of tobacco (‘Speight G-70’). None of the mulches used in the greenhouse study adversely affected growth of the tobacco. Mulch from rye (Secale cereale L. ‘Abruzzi’) killed about 2 weeks before transplanting plus diphenamid provided better annual broadleaf weed control (85%) than wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘McNair’), barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Keowee’), and no mulch. Oat (Avena sativa L. ‘Brooks’) mulch resulted in 80% broadleaf weed control. There were no differences in annual grass control (which was short lived) among mulches but control was lower in the no-mulch treatment. Rye mulch resulted in a 22% increase in the control of broadleaf weeds compared to no-mulch. Yield of the no-till tobacco did not differ among mulches and averaged 82% of that conventionally grown. The quality was not affected. The rye mulch did not affect the yield or quality of tobacco when compared to a nonmulch, noncultivated treatment. The 18% decrease in the no-till yield was apparently the result of the lack of tillage and increased weed interference and was not due to adverse effects from the rye.

Control of goosegrass and large crabgrass with different preemergence herbicides for the initial and sequential application was studied at four locations in Indiana. Pendimethalin at 1.1 kg ai ha-1 was used as the initial application in all treatments. Sequential treatments applied 6 wk after the initial treatment consisted of: 2.2 kg ha-1 benefin; 1.4/0.7 kg ha-1 benefin/trifluralin; 8.4 kg ha-1 bensulide; 11.8 kg ha-1 DCPA; 0.6 kg ha-1 dithiopyr; 2.2 kg ha-1 oxadiazon; 1.1 kg ha-1 pendimethalin; or 0.6 kg ha-1 prodiamine. Dithiopyr at 0.6 kg ha-1 with no initial application was also included. Highest large crabgrass control ratings were obtained through September with pendimethalin + pendimethalin, pendimethalin + dithiopyr, and dithiopyr alone postemergence. All other sequential applications tested improved control over a single application of 1.1 kg ha-1 pendimethalin, but rarely gave adequate season long control.

Thiazopyr at 0.14, 0.28, and 0.42 kg ai/ha and pendimethalin at 1.1 kg ai/ha applied preemergence (PRE) were compared as components in weed management systems for no-till cotton. Mid- and late-season control of mixtures of large crabgrass, goosegrass, and fall panicum by thiazopyr at 0.28 kg/ha was 89 to 97% and 11 to 50%, respectively, compared with 11 to 38% midseason and 0 to 5% late-season control by pendimethalin. Thiazopyr at 0.42 kg/ha and pendimethalin controlled broadleaf signalgrass 44 and 0%, respectively, late in the season. Adding fluometuron PRE at 1.7 kg ai/ha had little to no effect on large crabgrass, goosegrass, and fall panicum control but increased broadleaf signalgrass control 47 to 79 percentage points compared with thiazopyr or pendimethalin alone. Late-season control of annual grasses by thiazopyr or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE followed by methazole plus MSMA early postemergence (POST)-directed and cyanazine plus MSMA late POST-directed was at least 95% at two locations and 80% at the third location. Common lambsquarters was controlled 54 and 95% in systems without and with fluometuron PRE, respectively. Acceptable control of ivyleaf, pitted, and tall morningglories at all locations and smooth pigweed at two of three locations was achieved only in systems with POST-directed herbicides. Adding POST-directed herbicides to systems with thiazopyr or pendimethalin plus fluometuron PRE increased cotton yield at two of three locations. Treatments had no effect on fiber quality.

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to evaluate early postemergence (POST) tank mixtures of SAN 582 with fluazifop-P, imazethapyr, or sethoxydim. In the greenhouse, SAN 582 synergistically improved barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, and johnsongrass control from imazethapyr and sethoxydim. Half-rates of imazethapyr and sethoxydim tank-mixed with SAN 582 controlled grass weeds as well as full rates of either herbicide applied alone. Grass weed control with imazethapyr increased up to 40% with the addition of SAN 582. In field experiments, SAN 582 increased grass control with imazethapyr to a lesser degree than observed in the greenhouse. In a multispecies study, grass weed control increased up to 15% when SAN 582 was tank-mixed with a reduced rate of imazethapyr, although the full rate of imazethapyr applied POST with or without SAN 582 controlled grass weeds 80% or less. The combination of SAN 582 with sethoxydim was synergistic for barnyardgrass and johnsongrass control in this experiment. When applied POST in soybean, SAN 582 plus fluazifop-P or sethoxydim controlled barnyardgrass throughout the season better than a single POST application of a graminicide.

In field studies in 1991, 1992, and 1993, rimsulfuron at 26 and 35 g ai/ha, sequentially at 26 g/ha, at 26 g/ha plus metribuzin at 280 g ai/ha, and metribuzin at 280 g/ha were evaluated POST for weed control in transplanted ‘Agriset’ tomato. Common lambsquarters was controlled by rimsulfuron at 35 g/ha. Rimsulfuron plus metribuzin gave consistent control of common ragweed, but jimsonweed control was inconsistent and goosegrass control was generally low. Rimsulfuron treatments caused slight (< 12%) temporary injury to new terminal growth of tomato. Yield of tomato fruit was consistently high in the metribuzin, metribuzin plus rimsulfuron, and rimsulfuron sequential treatments. In greenhouse studies, giant foxtail and large crabgrass control by rimsulfuron was above 95 and 85%, respectively, but goosegrass was not controlled. Height of four tomato cultivars was not reduced, but dry weight of ‘Floradade’ and ‘Sunbeam’ was reduced by rimsulfuron.

The butyl ester of fluazifop {[(±)-2-[4-[[5-trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy)propanoic acid} at 0.26 μM in nutrient solution inhibited root growth of hydroponically grown goosegrass (Eleusine indica Gaertn. ♯ ELEIN), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. ♯ DIGSA], and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm. ♯ SETFA). Treating the soil and plant foliage at 0.035 or 0.07 kg ai/ha did not result in greater phytotoxicity than exposing only the foliage of each grass to the herbicide. Foliar-applied fluazifop was retained on the foliage in similar amounts by each of the species. Translocation of 14C to all plant parts was detected 6 h after foliar application of the butyl ester of 14C-fluazifop to the grasses in the pretillering or tillering stage. The majority (90%) of 14C absorbed by each of the species remained in the treated leaf. In hydroponic studies, each species exuded 14C into nutrient solution following foliar application of the 14C-labeled herbicide. The exuded material was predominantly fluazifop with small amounts of compounds more polar than the butyl ester of fluazifop. Uptake and translocation studies suggest that the greater sensitivity of goosegrass to fluazifop may be related to higher concentrations of the herbicide present in plant tissue.

Studies were conducted to measure the foliar activity of sethoxydim (BAS 9052 OH) {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} and RO-13-8895 {acetone-O-[D-2-[p-[(α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy] phenoxy] propionyl] oxime} as affected by adjuvants, soil moisture, and growth stage of grasses, and to compare the responses of three grass species to these herbicides. The activity of both herbicides was increased by adjuvants. The activity of sethoxydim was not significantly affected by soil moisture. Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. ♯3 ELEIN] and broadleaf signalgrass [Brachiaria platyphylla (Griseb. ♯ BRAPP) Nash] control was greater with RO-13-8895 at the high than at the low soil moisture level. Soil moisture did not influence large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. ♯ DIGSA] control, since it was relatively tolerant to RO-13-8895. Both herbicides gave greater control at early than at late growth stages. When averaged over all variables, sethoxydim gave greater large crabgrass control than RO-13-8895, but RO-13-8895 gave greater goosegrass and broadleaf signalgrass control than sethoxydim.

Sensitivity of 49 tomato cultivars and four weeds to DPX-E9636 was determined in greenhouse experiments. Cultivar tolerance varied from completely tolerant to intolerant. The most efficacious application method in greenhouse experiments was early POST for the weeds tested (yellow nutsedge, prostrate eclipta, and paraquat-resistant and -sensitive American black nightshade). Paraquat-resistant American black nightshade was 123 times more sensitive to DPX-E9636 than the paraquat-sensitive biotype. Under field conditions and at 0, 36, or 72 g ai/ha applied one week after transplanting, tomato cultivars showed no response to DPX-E9636 in visual vigor ratings 3 wk treatment, or in shoot fresh or dry weight 4 wk after treatment.

Preemergence applications of herbicides were evaluated for their effect on establishment of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) with competition from either smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl. # DIGIS] or goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. # ELEIN]. When ‘Meyer’ and ‘Belair’ zoysiagrass plugs were grown in sand and treated in the greenhouse, none of the herbicides reduced root weight or length. When plugs were grown in a Sassafrass sandy loam, bensulide {O,O-bis(1-methylethyl)-S-[2-[(phenylsulfonyl)amino] ethyl] phosphorodithioate} and simazine (6-chloro-N,N′-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) reduced root weight, and simazine reduced root length of Belair, but not Meyer. In smooth crabgrass-infested field plots, more stolons were produced from Meyer plugs treated with simazine, oxadiazon {3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one}, and siduron [N-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-N′-phenylurea] than plugs treated with bensulide, metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one], or the untreated control. At the end of two growing seasons, metribuzin-treated plots had significantly less zoysiagrass than other plots. Oxadiazon, DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate), and siduron enhanced the field establishment rate where Meyer zoysiagrass was competing with high populations of smooth crabgrass.

Twenty days after rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘IR28’) emergence, water was withheld from the stress treatment for 20 days while the control was kept well-watered by furrow irrigation. In the control plots, rice leaf water potential at 0800 hours was –5.5 bars and leaf length 30 cm on the 12th day of stress. In the stress treatment, leaf water potential decreased to –8 bars and leaf length to 20 cm, when no weeds competed with rice. With maximum weed competition, rice leaf water potential decreased to –18 bars and leaf length to 15.5 cm. on the 20th day of stress, dawn (0600 h) leaf water potential of rice in the stress treatment was reduced from –8 bars when no weeds competed with rice to –19 bars when competition was maximum. The weed species had higher water potential values than the rice in both control and water-stress treatments.

The effect of spray carrier volume on the antagonism of sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} by bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] was investigated under greenhouse and field conditions. In the laboratory, the spray droplet overlap between components of a sequential spray application increased from 17 to 50% as carrier volume was increased from 94 to 374 L/ha, respectively. Carrier volume had a significant influence on treatments of sethoxydim alone and sethoxydim sequentially applied with bentazon, but not on the tank mixture of the two herbicides. Carrier volumes of 94 and 187 L/ha used to deliver sethoxydim alone and the sethoxydim/bentazon sequential treatment were superior to the use of 374 L/ha for the control of large crabgrass [Digitaria sanquinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA], fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. # PANDI), and goosegrass (Eleusine indica Gaertn. # ELEIN). There was no difference in grass control between sethoxydim alone and the sequential treatment except at carrier volumes of 187 L/ha or more with which the sequential treatment was less effective. Rates of 0.06 and 0.11 kg ai/ha of sethoxydim were influenced more by changes in carrier volume than 0.22 kg/ha in both the alone and sequential treatments.

Four herbicides were applied in the spring and fall over a 3-yr period to Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.) ‘Common′] in the Mountain Region and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ‘Common′] in the Piedmont Region of Georgia at different frequencies of treatments for summer and winter weed control. Large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] was controlled throughout the 3-yr period from spring treatments of bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] at 11.2 kg/ha and oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] at 4.5 kg/ha in the first year followed by 5.6 kg/ha for bensulide and 2.3 kg/ha for oxadiazon the following 2 yr. To control large crabgrass with benefin (N- butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) it was necessary to apply 3.4 kg/ha for 2 consecutive yr before rates could be reduced to 1.7 kg/ha. Oxadiazon was the only herbicide that controlled goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] completely. Control was excellent throughout the 3-yr period when oxadiazon was applied at full rate in the spring of the first year with no additional treatments during the following 2 yr. Optimum control of winter weeds was obtained throughout the 3-yr period when herbicides were applied at full rates for the spring and fall treatments the first year followed by one-half rates at similar dates the following 2 yr. Bensulide treatments increased cover of corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis L.) and hop clover (Trifolium agrarium L.); DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) and benefin increased spur weed (Soliva spp.) and wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.); and oxadiazon increased wild parsnip and thymeleaf sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia L.).

Two applications of benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α,-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine], prosulfalin N-[[4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrophenyl]sulfonyl]-S,S-dimethylsulfilimine, and napropamide [2-(α-naphthoxy)-N,N-diethylpropionamide] provided full-season large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] control in turfgrass. Benefin was applied at 3.3 kg/ha in March and 2.2 kg/ha in May while other herbicides were applied at 2.2 kg/ha in March and May. Satisfactory goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] control was obtained with a single March treatment with prosulfalin, but two applications of napropamide in March and May were required for similar control. None of the herbicide treatments severely injured common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] or Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.) ‘Common’] in these studies. Prosulfalin at 6.6 kg/ha applied as single treatment or 3.3 kg/ha in each of two applications resulted in moderate injury to Kentucky bluegrass in 1 of 2 yr.

Oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] at 2.2 to 4.4 kg/ha controlled goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] without injuring bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], but severely injured overseeded common ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. common) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ‘Medalist VI′) for a 5 – to 6-week period after treatment in the spring and thus reduced turf quality. The transition was poor because ryegrass was killed faster than bermudagrass could initiate new spring growth. The combination of bensulide [O, O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] and oxadiazon applied as a single treatment at 6.7 + 1.7 kg/ha controlled goosegrass as effectively as did oxadiazon applied alone at 2.2 kg/ha or higher rates and did not injure the turf, so the transition from cool-season grass to bermudagrass was uniform. Aeration of an overseeded bermudagrass turf after applications of oxadiazon did not significantly decrease goosegrass control.

The absorption and translocation of sethoxydim {2[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} as influenced by bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] were studied in goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. ♯3 ELEIN]. The presence of bentazon in the treatment emulsion decreased foliar absorption of 14C applied as 14C-sethoxydim by about half. Significantly less 14C was found in the treated leaf, shoot tissue above the treated leaf, shoot tissue below the treated leaf, and roots of plants treated with a mixture of 14C-sethoxydim and bentazon than with 14C-sethoxydim alone. After 6 h, 3.5% of applied 14C was recovered from plant parts other than the treated leaf in the absence of bentazon, compared to 1.1% of that applied in combination with bentazon. The difference in foliar absorption between the two treatments may account for the antagonistic interaction between these herbicides observed in the field.