Weed removal experiments in dry edible beans were conducted during 1992 and 1993 at Crookston and Staples, MN. Ten manual weed removal treatments were studied to determine when a natural infestation of weeds first reduced dry bean yield, and when weed removal could be discontinued without further loss of seed yield. Major weeds in order of average biomass production on weedy check plots at dry bean harvest over locations and years were wild mustard, foxtail spp., redroot pigweed, common ragweed, wild buckwheat, hairy nightshade, and common lambsquarters. Hairy nightshade also emerged late in the growing season and could negatively affect harvest efficiency and stain navy beans. Weed removal treatments had little effect on dry bean stands or 100-seed weights of harvested dry bean seed. The critical period for weed control in dry beans was 3 to 5 or 6 weeks after planting (WAP). Thus, weed control practices should begin no later than 3 WAP and continue until at least 5 or 6 WAP for maximum dry bean yields.

Desmedipham applied at 0.5 kg ai/ha at the 4-leaf stage of common buckwheat controlled wild mustard over 90%. Desmedipham at 1.0 kg/ha at the 2- and 6-leaf stages also controlled wild mustard approximately 90%, at least in 1985, but significantly injured the crop. Fluorochloridone controlled wild mustard over 90% when applied preplant incorporated at 1.0 kg ai/ha or preemergence at 0.28 to 0.56 kg/ha. Fluorochloridone applied postemergence at 0.10 to 0.20 kg/ha also controlled wild mustard over 90% but injured common buckwheat by 41 to 57%.

Two furrow irrigated field experiments were conducted for two years at the Research and Extension Center, Powell, WY to determine the influence of various mixed densities and durations of wild oat and wild mustard interference in sugarbeet. Sugarbeet root yields were reduced by competition from all examined densities of wild oat and wild mustard, alone and in combination. Root yield reduction was less than additive with mixed densities of wild oat and wild mustard. Root yields decreased as the duration of interference after sugarbeet emergence from a mixed density of wild oat and wild mustard increased. Sucrose content of sugarbeet was not altered by competition. Based on regression analysis, the minimum time that a mixed density of 0.8 wild mustard and 1 wild oat/m of row can interfere with sugarbeet before causing an economic root yield loss was approximately 1.6 weeks after sugarbeet emergence.

Manure applied to cropland may serve as a source of weed introduction and dispersal. In 36 manure samples from 20 farms, apparently-viable seeds from 13 grasses and 35 broadleaf plants were found. Common lambsquarters was on more than half the farms, yellow foxtail on 35%, common chickweed and dandelion on 30%, and wild mustard, redroot pigweed, and barnyardgrass on 25%. Four farms had manure with no seeds at all; the remainder averaged 75 100 per 1000 kg manure. Twelve milking-cow and heifer barns on six farms with large velvetleaf infestations also were sampled with an average of 133 000 seeds per 1000 kg manure. Only one barn contained velvetleaf seeds. When compared to soil seedbank numbers, manure is not an important seed source for New York farms. However, problems may arise with imported feeds heavily infested with weed seed or which contain even small numbers of noxious weeds.

The relative sensitivity of various crops and weeds to celery root residue incorporated into soil was determined in greenhouse experiments. A range of concentrations was used to determine the percentage of celery residue needed to cause a 50% reduction in plant growth (I50). The most sensitive weed was spiny amaranth and the least sensitive was common purslane. The most sensitive crop was radish and the least sensitive was celery. Selectivity was calculated as crop I50/weed I50 and varied from a maximum of 13 for celery and spiny amaranth to a low of 0.4 for radish and common purslane. Selective weed suppression might be obtained when celery residue is present.

In 1993, a wild mustard population growing in a canola crop near Wetaskiwin, AB was poorly controlled by ethametsulfuron after only one previous use of the herbicide. Controlled environment experiments were conducted to compare the response of this suspected resistant population (R) with that of a known susceptible population (S) collected near Vegreville, AB to increasing rates of ethametsulfuron, metsulfuron, chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, HOE 075032, imazamethabenz, imazethapyr, metribuzin, and 2,4-D. The R wild mustard population was highly resistant to ethametsulfuron, slightly resistant to low rates of metsulfuron but not resistant to any of the other herbicides tested. This suggests that the mechanism of resistance may differ from that reported for other sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides. Since resistance was documented after only 2 yr of ethametsulfuron use, the initial frequency of resistance to this herbicide in wild mustard populations may be very high. Dry weight of untreated plants did not differ significantly between the S and R populations suggesting little or no differences in competitiveness between them.

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to examine the interaction of sethoxydim or fluazifop-P tank mixed with chlorsulfuron or thiameturon for selective weed control in safflower. Under greenhouse conditions, the addition of chlorsulfuron to sethoxydim or fluazifop-P slightly improved the control of green foxtail above that achieved with either herbicide alone. Control of wild oat and wild mustard was similar with the tank mixes and each herbicide alone. In the field, control of wild oat with sethoxydim or fluazifop-P was not altered by adding chlorsulfuron or thiameturon in tank mixes. Similarly, control of common lambsquarters and wild mustard with chlorsulfuron or thiameturon was not affected by adding either sethoxydim or fluazifop-P in tank mixes. Plant height, date of flowering, seed yield, and quality data indicated that safflower tolerated these herbicides applied alone or in combination. Sethoxydim or fluazifop-P tank mixed with chlorsulfuron or thiameturon provide a postemergent alternative for selective control of grass and broadleaf weeds in safflower.

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.

Field studies were conducted to study the interaction of sethoxydim or fluazifop-P with clopyralid and/or ethametsulfuron applied as tank mixtures to canola. Control of the indicator species barley, broadbean, and wild mustard with the tank mixtures was comparable to, or sometimes better than, that attained with each herbicide alone. Canola tolerated all herbicides applied individually and all tank mixtures of these herbicides except fluazifop-P and ethametsulfuron. Tank mixtures of fluazifop-P and ethametsulfuron, with or without clopyralid included in the mixture, suppressed early growth of canola in two of four tests and reduced seed yield in one. Sethoxydim, clopyralid, and ethametsulfuron combined in tank mixtures provide an effective POST alternative for selective control of grass and broadleaf weeds in canola.

Field studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at three locations throughout southern Ontario with the objective of developing dose-response curves of RPA 201772 for weed control and crop tolerance in corn. The biologically effective doses required to control redroot pigweed, velvetleaf, and wild mustard were 100, 90, and 80 g/ha, respectively. Yellow foxtail was controlled with 100 to 120 g/ha, while rates for common lambsquarters varied from 60 to 130 g/ha, depending on the year and location. Wild buckwheat control was poor (> 30%) at all of the doses tested. RPA 201772 did not reduce corn grain yield; however, temporary crop injury was evident on coarse sandy soils.

Barnyardgrass and many broadleaf weeds were severely stunted by POST applications of isoxaben. Most grasses were only moderately affected by isoxaben at rates up to 1 kg/ha. POST activity was enhanced by soil interception, but evident with foliar interception alone. Cell swelling in stems and in interveinal leaf lamina was observed after foliar application. A radiotracer study in redroot pigweed showed that only a small amount (3.3% of applied) of isoxaben entered the leaf following foliar application, and that little (0.08% of applied) isoxaben migrated beyond the point of application. The potential of isoxaben as a POST herbicide may be limited, in part, by poor absorption and translocation.

The effect of rainfall on the performance of a tank mixture of desmedipham [ethyl m-hydroxycarbanilate carbanilate(ester)] and phenmedipham (methyl m-hydroxycarbanilate m-methylcarbanilate) applied postemergence to redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE), wild mustard (Sinapsis arvensis L. ♯ SINAR) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was evaluated in field studies. The occurrence of 1 mm of rain immediately after herbicide application significantly decreased the control of redroot pigweed and wild mustard. A rainfall quantity of 1 mm also reduced injury symptoms on sunflower. Simulating a 12.7-mm rain less than 18 h after desmedipham and phenmedipham application effectively reduced toxicity to redroot pigweed and sunflower. Toxicity to these two species increased at a lesser rate than for wild mustard as the time interval prior to rain was increased. A rain-free period of 6 h was predicted for near-maximum control of wild mustard with these herbicides.

Velvetleaf, eastern black nightshade, wild mustard, common cocklebur, green foxtail, and yellow foxtail, grown for 4 weeks in nonaerated nutrient solution, developed satisfactorily compared to plants grown in soil. For experiments involving certain weed species grown in nutrient solution, aeration may be unnecessary.

High herbicide costs and uncertainty about annual weed control at planting have limited adoption of no-till spring wheat production systems in the northern Great Plains. Chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and CGA-131036 at 10 to 20 g ai ha–1 plus nonionic surfactant generally controlled both emerged kochia and wild mustard equally well (>80%) whether or not combined with glyphosate at 250 g ha–1 plus nonionic surfactant. In two of three trials persistent phytotoxic residues of these sulfonylurea herbicides in soil controlled both weeds better in midseason and early summer 1 yr after treatment than did glyphosate, which has only foliar activity. While the absolute net returns of different treatments varied among herbicides, relative net returns were insensitive to changes in either herbicide or wheat price. Herbicide use tended to boost net returns for no-till spring wheat in years with good weather but depressed net returns in a drought year. Chlorsulfuron at 10 and 20 g ha–1 increased net returns in all three trials. Metsulfuron and combinations of either metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron with glyphosate had variable effects on net returns.

Triazine-resistant (TR) biotypes of weeds normally susceptible (S) to triazine herbicides first were documented in Ontario in 1974. By 1988, at least nine weed species had TR biotypes, and at least 50% of the corn-producing areas were infested. Corn has been grown the longest in the southwestern Ontario, but TR weeds are only a minor problem there. Predominant agronomic practices in the southwest include crop rotation, atrazine use on 60% of corn land, use of other postemergence herbicides, interrow cultivation, little silage corn, and little manure returned to the land. Corn, particularly grain corn, is new as a large hectareage crop in eastern Ontario. However, more than 75% of corn land in that area is infested with two or more TR weed species. Predominant agronomic practices in the east include continuous corn, nearly all fields are atrazine treated, use of postemergence herbicides is not common, cultivation is rare, 25% of the corn is for silage, and manure from corn silage is returned to all cultivated land. Adequate herbicide programs exist to control TR weeds in corn and other crops. However, the spread from field to field and from farm to farm is often rapid, particularly in eastern Ontario.

Field studies were conducted in Saskatchewan to evaluate the effect of herbicides on annual canarygrass (Phalaris canariensis L.) and associated weeds. Bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) at 0.35 kg ai/ha, tank mixes of bromoxynil at 0.28 kg/ha plus the ester of MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] at 0.28 kg ae/ha, linuron [N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea] at 0.28 kg ai/ha plus MCPA amine at 0.56 kg/ha, or propanil [N-(3,4-dichlorophenyI)propanamide] at 1.0 kg ai/ha plus MCPA ester at 0.28 kg/ha resulted in annual canarygrass seed and dry matter yields equal to the unsprayed check and excellent wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L. # SINAR) and cow cockle (Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. # VAAPY) control. Metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] at 0.21 kg ai/ha plus MCPA amine at 0.56 kg/ha reduced the crop stand in 1 out of 5 yr and seed yield every year. Postemergence application of difenzoquat (1,2-dimethyl-3,5-dipheny1-1H-pyrazolium) at 0.84 kg ai/ha or flamprop [N-benzoyl-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-DL-alanine] at 0.53 kg ai/ha, or preplant-incorporated triallate [S-(2,3,3-trichloro-2-propenyl)bis(1-methylethyl)carbamothioate] at 1.40 kg ai/ha optimized wild oat (Avena fatua L. # AVEFA) control with seed yields. Diclofop {(±)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy)propanoic acid} at 0.70 kg ai/ha severely damaged annual canarygrass in all years. Triallate applied at 1.40 kg/ha preplant or preemergence incorporated marginally reduced the crop stand and seed yield compared to the untreated controls in tolerance tests.

Tolerance of direct-seeded pepper under clear plastic mulch to herbicides applied pre- and post-emergence was investigated in 1991 and 1992. Weed control of herbicides applied preemergence was also studied. Paprika cultivar ‘Buketen’ and canning cultivars ‘Piquillo de Lodosa’ and ‘Pico de Mendavia’ were seeded in the field in Zaragoza, Spain, in a loamy soil. Percent emergence, plant mortality after the postemergence treatment, dry weight of plants, and fruit weight were recorded. Pepper was tolerant to diphenamid and napropamide applied preemergence but these herbicides did not control broadleaf weeds. Clomazone, when applied preemergence resulted in chlorotic seedlings and at 2 kg ai/ha reduced the final stand, but was selective when applied at the 6 to 8-leaf stage of the crop. Pepper was tolerant to diethatyl-ethyl when applied preemergence. However, diethatyl-ethyl applied postemergence caused severe phytotoxicity symptoms, and when mixed with diphenamid, fruit ripeness in 1992 was delayed. Weed control during the crop emergence period was better when diethatyl-ethyl was used mixed with diphenamid or napropamide.

Field studies were conducted over 3 yr to investigate the effect of chemicals on field beans density and weed control. Predominant weed species were common lambsquarters, fumitory, henbit, corn poppy, prostrate knotweed, and wild mustard. All herbicide treatments except linuron injured field beans. Mean field beans survival at harvest was 78% in alachlor and 84% in alachlor containing treatments. Only 5% survived atrazine at 1.9 kg ai ha−1. Ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, simazine, terbutylazine plus terbutryn, and trifluralin treatments produced plant survival values of 56, 82, 86, 74, and 71%, respectively. Chemical control of the main weed species overshadowed the detrimental effect on field beans density, and thus most herbicide treatments except alachlor resulted in increased dry beans yield. The best overall results occurred with linuron, simazine, terbuthylazine plus terbutryn, and pendimethalin which increased dry beans yields 76, 63, 56, and 40%, respectively, over the control plots. Common lambsquarters was the dominant weed, and prostrate knotweed and corn poppy were the most difficult and the easiest species to control, respectively.

Field experiments were conducted at two locations during 1984 and 1985 to determine how time of wild oats and wild mustard control influenced spring wheat yield and net economic return. Wheat yield and economic return were greatest when both weed species were controlled with diclofop plus bromoxynil at the 2-leaf wheat stage. Delaying the application of herbicides or controlling only wild oats with diclofop or only wild mustard with MCPA reduced wheat yield and economic benefit from the herbicide treatment. Wild oats and wild mustard competed equally for limiting growth factors in a greenhouse experiment.

Experiments in controlled-environment chambers indicated that high temperature, 30 C, increased the phytotoxicity of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) to wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L. # SINAR) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE) compared to low temperature, 10 C, during and after treatment. Bromoxynil phytotoxicity generally was higher at relative humidities of 90 to 95% compared to 40 to 60%, but relative humidity had less influence on bromoxynil phytotoxicity than did temperature. A simulated rain immediately after bromoxynil treatment reduced control of both species, but the reduction was of no practical importance for wild mustard. The data indicate that wild mustard and redroot pigweed control would be reduced by bromoxynil application during a period of low temperatures or to plants in advanced growth stages.