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.

Pathogenicity of four Colletotrichum coccodes isolates to potato, eastern black nightshade, and hairy nightshade was evaluated in greenhouse studies. Three Idaho isolates, AC-14, AC-28, and AC-44, and an isolate obtained from Mycogen Corporation, AC-Myc, produced lesions on potato foliage. Plants inoculated with AC-14, AC-28, and AC-44 also showed wilt symptoms similar to those produced by Verticillium dahliae as potatoes were beginning to senesce. Infection by AC-44 reduced tuber fresh weight and specific gravity. All isolates colonized eastern black and hairy nightshade, although some isolates caused little or no symptom development. Thus, both species may serve as sources of primary inoculum for C. coccodes isolates that are pathogenic to potatoes. Only AC-Myc substantially injured the leaves of both nightshade species. AC-Myc was more pathogenic to eastern black than to hairy nightshade, and to plants inoculated at the 3- to 4-leaf versus the 7- to 8-leaf stage.

Information on the effects of multiple weed management tactics in corn is needed to develop integrated weed management systems. The effectiveness and compatibility of an in-row cultivator as compared to a standard interrow cultivator used with reduced rates of a soil-applied herbicide, rotary hoeing, and/or a bioeconomic model for POST herbicide selection was examined. Weed control with a single rotary hoeing at corn emergence controlled annual weeds similarly to two rotary hoeings. One-third recommended use rate of alachlor controlled weeds similarly to a two-thirds rate. Reduced rates of alachlor controlled more weeds than rotary hoeing over 2 yr. The in-row cultivator required early-season weed control (rotary hoeing or reduced alachlor rate) for optimum efficacy. The in-row cultivator provided better weed control than the standard cultivator while the cost of operating the two cultivators was similar. Thus, the in-row cultivator was more efficient than the standard cultivator. Furthermore, less intensive early-season weed control was required with the in-row cultivator for maximum weed control as compared to the standard cultivator. Rotary hoeing plus the in-row cultivator provided similar weed control to other weed management tactics that required both soil-applied and POST herbicides. Gross margin was influenced more by corn yield than cost of weed management tactics.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Vernal′) was seeded broadcast or in drill rows spaced 18 cm apart in the same operation that EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate) was applied. For broadcast seeding, EPTC was applied as herbicide-treated crop seed, as granules mixed with crop seed, or as granules applied with the crop seed, but with the seed and granules carried in separate boxes on the seeder. For drill-row seeding, EPTC was applied between the rows in subsurface lines as a liquid or granular formulation; and within the rows as herbicide-treated seed, as granules mixed with the seed, or as granules carried in a box separate from the seed. Weed control and crop tolerance with the more effective simultaneous applications of EPTC were similar to those with conventional preplant-incorporated applications. To seed alfalfa (either broadcast or in drill rows) and apply EPTC in one operation, the methods wherein untreated seed and a granular formulation of EPTC were applied together but from separate boxes on the seeder were the most practical, because the mechanical components, the seed, and the formulated herbicide are all commercially available.

Spring-applied herbicides were evaluated in the field in 1982 through 1984 in western Nebraska for selective weed control in irrigated seedling alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Appollo’). Weed densities were least in plots treated preplant with benefin [N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] in combination with postemergence applications of 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid]. Combinations of sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} with bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and fluazifop-butyl {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoic acid} with bromoxynil provided less grass control than sethoxydim or fluazifop-butyl applied alone. Annual weeds did not reduce alfalfa stand density.

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.

Management systems for direct-seeded and transplanted sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Mono Hy D2′) were compared for weed control and sugarbeet selectivity from 1983 through 1985 in western Nebraska. Broadleaf weed density was similar, but yellow foxtail [Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. # SETLU] density was lower in transplanted compared to direct-seeded sugarbeets. Preplant soil-incorporated applications of cycloate (S-ethyl cyclohexylethylcarbamothioate) plus trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] at 3.3 plus 0.6 kg ai/ha or ethofumesate [(±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate] plus trifluralin at 2.2 plus 0.6 kg/ha was noninjurious to transplanted sugarbeets but caused severe injury to direct-seeded sugarbeets. The combination of cycloate or ethofumesate with trifluralin improved weed control over that obtained when cycloate or ethofumesate was used alone. By combining the improved weed control obtained from cycloate plus trifluralin or ethofumesate plus trifluralin with the transplanting crop establishment technique, a superior sugarbeet weed control program was developed.

Two species of annual nightshades were commonly found as agronomic weeds in Minnesota. Eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum Dun.), the most common species, was found throughout the southern half of the state. Hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides Sendt. ♯3 SOLSA) was found only in a few scattered locations. Eastern black nightshade seedling emergence began in mid-April or early May, and more than 80% of the total yearly emergence occurred before June. Hairy nightshade emergence began in May, but less than 70% of its total yearly emergence occurred before June. Eastern black nightshade berries first contained viable seeds 4 to 5 weeks after flowering of the plants and a week or more before the berries began to turn black. Hairy nightshade generally required a week longer than eastern black nightshade for viable seed production after flowering.

Weed management experiments with kidney beans were conducted at one irrigated site in 1991 and at two irrigated sites near Staples, MN during 1992. Green foxtail was the most difficult weed to control at the three research sites which agrees with survey results from dry bean growers regarding their worst weed problems. Hairy nightshade increased rapidly when weed management methods were reduced. Dry bean seed yields were highest in cultivated check plots on the farmer's field and in conventional practices plots at the Irrigation Research Center. Net economic returns, averaged over 1991 and 1992, for producing kidney beans at the Irrigation Research Center were $899/ha using conventional practices, $791/ha with cover crop practices, $734/ha with cultivated checks, $690/ha with herbicides only, and $208/ha on weedy checks. Kidney beans are an economical crop for North Central growers, but adequate weed management technologies are necessary for profitable production.

Under irrigated field conditions at Prosser, WA, Russian thistle [Salsola kali (L.) var. tenuifolia Tausch. ♯3 SASKR] began to emerge by mid-March each year and usually had completed its emergence by May 1. Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L. ♯ CHEAL) was the next to appear, usually during the third or fourth week of March. Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. ♯ ECHCG], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE), hairy nightshade (Solarium sarrachoides Sendt. ♯ SOLSA), black nightshade (5. nigrum L. ♯ SOLNI), eastern black nightshade (S. ptycanthum Dun.), and cutleaf nightshade (S. triflorum Nutt. ♯ SOLTR) generally began to emerge during the first 2 weeks of April and emergence generally peaked mid-April to mid-May. Russian thistle and cutleaf nightshade had the most restricted emergence patterns, whereas seedlings of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, hairy nightshade, and black nightshade emerged each month from April through September. Shallow tillage at monthly intervals increased the overall emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, black nightshade, and eastern black nightshade; decreased the emergence of barnyardgrass; and had no effect on the emergence of Russian thistle, cutleaf nightshade, or hairy nightshade.

Field studies were conducted to evaluate potato injury and weed control with postemergence-directed (PDIR) bromoxynil, glufosinate, or monocarbamide dihydrogen sulfate (MCDS). All three herbicides controlled hairy nightshade, common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and kochia ≥ 85%, depending on rate, with either mid- or late-PDIR treatment. Bromoxynil or MCDS caused 5 to 6% more initial injury with mid- than with late-PDIR treatment, but total yield and yield of U.S. #1 tubers were not reduced by either herbicide. PDIR glufosinate caused moderate injury at 0.84 kg ha−1, the rate needed for acceptable (≥ 85%) weed control. Total yield was reduced 10% and U.S. #1 yield was reduced 30% by PDIR glufosinate at 0.84 kg ha−1. Thus bromoxynil and MCDS showed potential for use as PDIR treatments in potatoes, but glufosinate did not.

Reductions in yields of processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘H2653’ and ‘Earlirouge′) caused by interference from eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum Dun. # SOLPT) and hairy nighthsade (S. sarrachoides Sendt. # SOLSA) were estimated for transplanted and seeded tomatoes at two locations in southern Ontario. Tomato yield losses were significantly greater in seeded than in transplanted tomatoes. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates of seeded tomatoes decreased more rapidly with increased nightshade density than did those of transplanted tomatoes. Percent yield losses also differed between sites. Seeded tomatoes grown at high density in twin rows (33 300 and 45 000 plants/ha) had higher yields and lower percent yield losses than did tomatoes grown at low density in single rows (12 500 to 22 500 plants/ha). Nightshade dry weight and seed production decreased per plant but increased per unit area with increasing nightshade density. Nightshade dry weights and seed production did not vary with site or method of tomato establishment. A hyperbolic model provided an excellent fit to data on both tomato yield losses and nightshade seed production as a function of nightshade density.

Eight accessions of weedy nightshades representing five species were evaluated for response to four herbicides applied preemergence in growth chamber studies and four herbicides applied postemergence in greenhouse studies. Species differed in susceptibility to all herbicides evaluated. The largest differences were found with postemergence applications of chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide}; hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides Sendt. ♯ SOLSA) was relatively susceptible, but eastern black nightshade (S. ptycanthum Dun.) was very tolerant. S. ptycanthum, however, was one of the more susceptible species. It was always more susceptible than black nightshade (S. nigrum L. ♯ SOLNI) to all other herbicides evaluated.

Field experiments were conducted near Scottsbluff, NE, to evaluate the selectivity of sequential POST applications of ethofumesate and triflusulfuron for weed control in sugarbeet. When applied alone ethofumesate and triflusulfuron reduced common lambsquarters, hairy nightshade, and redroot pigweed density while triflusulfuron also reduced kochia density compared with an untreated control. Combining ethofumesate with desmedipham plus phenmedipham increased sugarbeet injury compared with desmedipham plus phenmedipham. Combining triflusulfuron with desmedipham plus phenmedipham increased kochia control but did not increase sugarbeet injury over that obtained with desmedipham plus phenmedipham. Weed control and sugarbeet injury from herbicides generally were unaffected by application in 97 or 182 L/ha of water carrier. However, herbicide control of hairy nightshade in 1993 was greater with 97 than 182 L/ha of water carrier.

Field studies were conducted to evaluate preemergence weed control in irrigated potatoes with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin or three-way mixtures of rimsulfuron plus metribuzin plus EPTC, metolachlor, or pendimethalin. Redroot pigweed control was ≥ 96% with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin at 18 g ai/ha + 140 g/ha, and common lambsquarters control was ≥ 97% with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin at 26 g/ha + 210 g/ha. Hairy nightshade control with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin ranged from 58 to 99%, and green foxtail control ranged from 50 to 98%. EPTC, metolachlor, or pendimethalin rates required for acceptable green foxtail and hairy nightshade control in combination with a given rate of rimsulfuron plus metribuzin varied with environmental conditions. Potato tuber yield generally improved with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin application.

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to examine weed control with, and potato tolerance to, rimsulfuron or rimsulfuron + metribuzin applied POST. In greenhouse trials, hairy nightshade control with rimsulfuron applied POST at 9 to 35 g/ha was ≥ 90%, but cutleaf nightshade control was < 30%. In field studies, rimsulfuron at 18 to 35 g/ha provided ≥ 85% control of hairy nightshade, redroot pigweed, tumble pigweed, and shepherd's-purse; 75 to 82% control of volunteer oats; and 25 to 87% control of common lambsquarters. Common lambsquarters control was increased to 92 to 100% when rimsulfuron at 18 to 35 g/ha was applied in combination with metribuzin at 280 g/ha. Hairy nightshade and redroot pigweed control usually were not improved by adding metribuzin to the rimsulfuron spray mixture and tumble pigweed and shepherd's-purse control were improved only slightly. Volunteer oat control with rimsulfuron sometimes was antagonized by the addition of metribuzin to the spray mixture. In weed-free trials, yield of potatoes grown for the fresh market or to produce seed tubers was not reduced by rimsulfuron at rates as high as 70 g/ha.

Information from taxonomic treatments and comparisons of accessions from numerous locations grown in the field and greenhouse were combined and summarized to produce a key and descriptions of common agricultural nightshades in North America (Solanum americanum Mill., S. nigrum L., S. ptycanthum Dun., and S. sarrachoides Sendt.). Quantitative and qualitative descriptions of key characters and photographs of important morphological structures are provided to facilitate field identification. Problems with nomenclature among these species are discussed, and a system of common names that would standardize usage is proposed.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Vernal′) seeded in April in rows 55 cm apart and kept free of weeds produced 820 kg/ha of seed during the year of seeding. Competition from a dense popualtion (40 plants/m of row) of mixed species of annual weeds reduced the seed yield to 45 kg/ha. Competition from a dense population (55 plants/m of row) of broadleaf weeds, a light population (4 plants/m of row) of broadleaf weeds, or a heavy population (75 culms/m of row) of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.] reduced yields to 80, 310, and 160 kg/ha, respectively. A weed management system, consisting of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) or profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine] applied at or before planting, 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid] applied postemergence, trifluralin (α,α,α- trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) incorporated with the soil when the alfalfa was 20 cm tall, interrow tillage, and a modest input of hand labor brought the crop to harvest free of weeds, and the yields of alfalfa seed were similar to those from plots kept weed-free by hand labor only. When weeds within the rows were controlled by hand labor only, labor inputs as great as 930 h/ha were required to bring the crop to harvest free of weeds, whereas labor inputs of 7 to 17 h/ha removed all surviving weeds when effective weed management systems had been applied.

Field trials were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the influence of weed size and the number of glyphosate or glufosinate applications on weed control and sugarbeet yield. Glyphosate at 840 g/ha or glufosinate at 390 g/ha was applied one, two, or three times, beginning when the average weed height was 3, 10, 15, or 25 cm. Two sequential applications of glyphosate applied to 10-cm weeds or three sequential applications of glufosinate applied to 3-cm weeds provided weed control comparable to three sequential applications of desmedipham plus phenmedipham plus triflusulfuron plus clopyralid. Weed control and sugarbeet root yield were optimal for two postemergence applications of glyphosate and for three applications of glufosinate. Glyphosate provided greater control of redroot pigweed and common lambsquarters than glufosinate. Sugarbeet sucrose yield with both glyphosate and glufosinate weed control programs was nearly 10,000 kg/ha. Compared with two sequential applications of glyphosate, sucrose yield of glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet was reduced 15% by three sequential applications of desmedipham plus phenmedipham plus triflusulfuron plus clopyralid. Sucrose yields were similar between three sequential applications of glufosinate and three applications of desmedipham plus phenmedipham plus triflusulfuron plus clopyralid.

Field studies were conducted in Arizona and California to evaluate the performance of glyphosate-tolerant lettuce and to determine the critical time of weed removal. Glyphosate was applied as a single or as a sequential application at 840 g ae/ha. Single glyphosate applications were made to lettuce at the two-, four-, six-, and eight-leaf stages. Sequential applications were made to lettuce at the two- or four-leaf stage followed by (fb) a second application 14 d after the first. Weed control efficacy, weeding times, and lettuce yield were all measured. Overall, glyphosate applied postemergence (POST) provided better weed control than the commercial standards bensulide or pronamide applied preemergence. Single glyphosate applications at the four-leaf stage and sequential applications at the two-leaf stage fb a second application 14 d later provided excellent control of most weeds, including redroot pigweed. Estimates of the critical time of weed removal were 26 to 29 d after emergence. Glyphosate treatments caused no adverse effects on lettuce. Lettuce head fresh weights in the glyphosate treatments were equal to or higher than those in bensulide or pronamide treatments. For crops such as lettuce, with few effective herbicides, the development of glyphosate-tolerant lettuce offers the opportunity to develop effective POST weed control programs.