Tiafenacil is registered in the United States for use in annual crops such as corn and soybean, but not on orchard crops. Field studies were conducted to determine orchard crop safety and efficacy of tiafenacil on important California orchard weeds. To evaluate crop safety, tiafenacil was applied at 74, 148, and 222 g ai ha−1 alone and with 38 g ai ha−1 of tolpyralate three times per year at the base of almond, pistachio, prune, and walnut trees. The first treatment was applied 2 mo after the trees had been transplanted. In all four tree crop experiments, treatments were applied once in May 2020, then three times again during the winter of 2021 and 2022 at 21-d treatment intervals. There were no visual foliar injury symptoms or treatment-related effects on tree trunk diameter change even at the highest tested rate of tiafenacil applied seven times over three growing seasons. In a separate study of weed control, in most instances, tiafenacil applied at 12 g ai ha−1 performed similarly to that of tiafenacil plus glufosinate. Control of glyphosate-resistant hairy fleabane with tiafenacil applied alone at 25 g ai ha−1 was 65% by 14 d after treatment. Tiafenacil applied at 50 g ai ha−1 to hairy fleabane performed similarly to glufosinate plus glyphosate. In a greenhouse study, tiafenacil applied at 12 g ha−1 provided 95% to 100% control of barnyardgrass and junglerice, and there was no significant difference between tiafenacil applied alone or with glufosinate. Saflufenacil applied alone or in a mixture with glufosinate was not as effective as the tiafenacil treatments for grass weed control. Based on experiments conducted over three growing seasons in four tree fruit and tree nut crops, tiafenacil crop safety appeared to be acceptable even at up to 2- or 3-fold the expected use rate.

Weed competition severely constrains cassava root yield in sub-Saharan Africa; thus, good weed control measures, including the use of herbicides, are increasingly important. Herbicide trials were conducted at five locations across eastern, western, and north-central Nigeria over two cropping seasons (2014 and 2015). Nineteen premixed PRE herbicides applied at different rates were evaluated for efficacy on weeds and selectivity on cassava. Manual hoe-weeding at 4, 8, and 12 wk after planting (WAP) and two S-metolachlor + atrazine treatments commonly used by cassava growers were included for comparison. Six of the 19 PRE herbicide treatments (indaziflam + isoxaflutole, indaziflam + metribuzin, flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone, isoxaflutole, acetochlor + atrazine + terbuthylazine, and terbuthylazine + S-metolachlor) consistently provided 80% to 98% broadleaf and grass weed control up to 8 wk after treatment. Overall, PRE herbicide treatments and cassava yield were significantly positively correlated. Herbicide treatments terbuthylazine + S-metolachlor, flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone, diflufenican + flufenacet + flurtamone (respectively, 60 + 60 + 60, 120 + 120 + 120, 90 + 360 + 120, and 135 + 360 + 180 g ha−1), acetochlor + atrazine + terbuthylazine (875 + 875 + 875 g ha−1), S-metolachlor + atrazine (870 + 1,110 g ha−1), oxyfluorfen (240 g ha−1), indaziflam + isoxaflutole (75 + 225 g ha−1), indaziflam + metribuzin (75 + 960 g ha−1), and aclonifen + isoxaflutole (500 + 75 g ha−1) contributed to yields exceeding twice the Nigerian national average of 8.76 tonnes ha−1. These treatments had root yields of 1.4 to 2 times higher than plots that had been hoe-weeded three times. There were some adverse herbicide treatment effects such as delayed cassava sprouting and temporary leaf bleaching observed in indaziflam and diflufenican + flufenacet + flurtamone treatments, whereas sulfentrazone caused prolonged leaf crinkling. The PRE applications alone at rates safe for cassava did not provide adequate season-long weed control; supplemental POST weed control is needed about 10 WAP for satisfactory season-long control.

Herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing concern globally; in response, new herbicide resistance traits are being inserted into crops. Isoxaflutole-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] will provide a new mode of action for use in this crop. Ten experiments were conducted over a 2-yr period (2017, 2018) to determine herbicide interactions between isoxaflutole and metribuzin on soybean injury, weed control efficacy, and soybean yield on a range of soil types. Soybean leaf-bleaching injury caused by isoxaflutole was most severe at sites with higher levels of rainfall after application. Control of weed species with isoxaflutole (52.5, 79, and 105 g ai ha−1) and metribuzin (210, 315, and 420 g ai ha−1) differed by site based on amount of rainfall after application. At sites where there was sufficient rainfall for herbicide activation, isoxaflutole at all rates controlled common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Amaranthus spp., common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) >90%; metribuzin at all rates controlled Amaranthus spp. and witchgrass (Panicum capillare L.) >80%. Control of every weed species evaluated was reduced when there was limited rainfall after herbicide application. The co-application of isoxaflutole + metribuzin resulted in additive or synergistic interactions for the control of C. album, Amaranthus spp., A. artemisiifolia, A. theophrasti, Setaria spp., barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv], and P. capillare. Isoxaflutole and metribuzin can be an effective management strategy for common annual broadleaf and grass weeds in Ontario if timely rainfall events occur after herbicide application.

Control of broadleaf weeds in caladium is difficult due in part to a lack of selective POST herbicides. Cultivation is not an option due to the dense canopy and potential for tuber injury. As a result, growers currently rely on preemergence (PRE) herbicide and hand-weeding. The objective of this research was to evaluate the control of four common broadleaf weeds of field grown caladium with POST applications of halosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, and trifloxysulfuron, and determine the tolerance of caladium cultivars ‘Florida Fantasy’ and ‘Florida cardinal’ to POST applications of halosulfuron. At 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), thifensufluron-methyl at 28 g ai ha−1 and trifloxysulfuron at 84 g ai ha−1 provided approximately 90 and 70% common purslane control, respectively, while halosulfuron at 210 g ai ha−1 provided 55% suppression. Trifloxysulfuron controlled ≥90% spotted spurge at 42 g ha−1, whereas the highest rate of halosulfuron and thifensulfuron-methyl only achieved 60% suppression. In field experiments, the evaluated sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides were less efficacious on hairy indigo and sharppod morningglory as control never exceeded 65 and 50%, respectively. In greenhouse experiments, the evaluated halosulfuron rates ranging from 26 to 420 g ha−1 did not significantly reduce caladium tuber weight from the nontreated control. Averaged over halosulfuron rates, ‘Florida Fantasy’ damage was 5 and 6% at 2 and 4 WAT, respectively, while ‘Florida Cardinal’ damage was 11%. We conclude that none of the herbicide treatments effectively controlled all species evaluated. Sequential treatments, higher rates, or tank-mixtures may be necessary to adequately control these species. We also conclude that caladium cultivars ‘Florida Fantasy’ and ‘Florida Cardinal’ have acceptable tolerance to POST applications of halosulfuron. Further research is needed to evaluate caladium tolerance to other SU herbicides.

Field studies at three sites in Georgia evaluated broadleaf weed and nutsedge management in peanut with PPI applications of imazethapyr and metolachlor and POST applications of paraquat in mixture with imazethapyr or bentazon. Imazethapyr at 36 g ai/ha applied PPI alone or in mixture with metolachlor at 2750 g ai/ha controlled coffee senna; entireleaf, ivyleaf, pitted, smallflower, and tall morningglories; bristly starbur; and prickly sida better than metolachlor applied PPI. Yellow nutsedge control was generally higher where metolachlor was applied PPI. Postemergence control of the aforementioned species and sicklepod was similar with paraquat plus imazethapyr and paraquat plus bentazon. Peanut yields with paraquat plus imazethapyr and paraquat plus bentazon were similar. With one exception, peanut yields from imazethapyr PPI systems were higher than metolachlor PPI systems when POST herbicides were not used. Inclusion of metolachlor with PPI application of imazethapyr increased yields only at one location.

Responses of six morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) and two Cassia spp. to 13 preemergence applied herbicides were determined at two locations in southern Alabama. Pitted (I. lacunosa L.), cypressvine (I. quamoclit L.), and willowleaf morningglories (I. wrightii Gray) were readily controlled with metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one]; entireleaf [I. hederacea (L.) Jacq. var. integriuscula Gray], tall [I. purpurea (L.) Roth.], and ivyleaf morningglories [I. hederacea (L.) Jacq.] were not controlled. Norflurazon [4-chloro-5-(methylamino)-2-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone] controlled cypressvine morningglory, but did not adequately control the other morningglory species. Perfluidone {1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl] methanesulfonamide} gave acceptable control of cypressvine and willowleaf morningglories, but gave poor control of other morningglory species. Sicklepod (C. obtusifolia L.) was controlled better than coffee senna (C. occidentalis L.) with 2.2 kg/ha diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] and 2.2 kg/ha cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropionitrile} controlled sicklepod better than coffee senna at one location each. Oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] was more effective in controlling coffee senna than sicklepod. Induction of population shifts toward incidental species of these genera seems unlikely based on the herbicides included in these experiments. In most cases the incidental species were more readily controlled than the prominent weed species.

The effects of herbicide–adjuvant combinations and times of application on weed density and corn yield were determined in a 3-yr field study. At a given rate and time of application of bentazon/atrazine, Assist and Merge were equally effective adjuvants. Assist would be the adjuvant of choice for bentazon/atrazine rather than Merge because of its currently lower cost. Weed density depended on the rate and time of application of bentazon/atrazine. In general, bentazon/atrazine applied at early stages (7 d after emergence) of the development of corn seedlings or at high or intermediate rate (1.6 or 0.8 kg ai/ha) maintained low weed densities, with a relatively small range of variation over years. Delay in time (14 or 21 d after emergence) or reduction in herbicide rate (0.4 kg ai/ha) increased the risk of high weed pressure, although it was not always associated with yield loss. The best time for the application of postemergence herbicide appears to be a few days prior to the onset of the critical period of weed control.

Data obtained from two experiments were used to identify and describe factors affecting crop loss due to weeds in forage stands. Timothy (Phleum pratense L. ‘Champ′) was established in presence or absence of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Bruce′), red clover (Trifolium pratense L. ‘Florex′), broadleaf weeds, and grass weeds. Botanical composition, soil water, soil nutrients, light interception, and plant cover were determined 4 and 6 weeks after seeding, and crop yield was determined at periodic forage harvest dates. Principal components analyses permitted the extraction of 12 factors and regression analyses demonstrated that these factors can be used to describe crop yield. Each factor can be estimated either by obtaining the rotated factor scores or by selecting a representative variable that can be substituted for the rotated factor scores in the regression models. The approach described in this paper should be tested with other crops and other weed complexes. It is suggested to use weed density in combination with weed and crop cover data to predict crop loss.

The contribution of nitrogen (N) fertilizer placement to management of annual weeds in spring wheat grown under two tillage systems was examined at sites located in three ecoregions of the northern Great Plains from 1994 to 1996. The effect of three different fertilizer placements on narrowleaf and broadleaf weed emergence, growth, and N uptake were determined in a no-till and a conventional tillage system. Fertilizer was broadcast, subsurface-banded in the spring prior to seeding, or side-banded at the time of seeding. Tillage system generally did not influence weed and crop response to fertilizer placement. Broadcast-applied fertilizer was more effective than banded fertilizer in promoting wild oat and broadleaf weed emergence and growth over the growing season. Weed densities, biomass, and N uptake measured early in the growing season averaged 20 to 40% less, and grain yield of wheat at maturity averaged 12% higher where fertilizer was side-banded compared to broadcast. In contrast, the addition of fertilizer, regardless of placement, was detrimental to green foxtail because of enhanced crop competitiveness. Banding fertilizer at recommended rates can be an effective cultural practice for managing weeds in no-till and conventional tillage wheat-cropping systems in semiarid to subhumid regions of the northern Great Plains, but it is not reliable when used as the sole method of weed management.

Weed control in Florida citrus is primarily based on herbicides. Saflufenacil, a POST-applied herbicide is recently registered for broadleaf weed control in citrus. Saflufenacil has very limited grass activity; therefore, it should be tank mixed with graminicides or broad-spectrum herbicides to increase the spectrum of weed control. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted at two locations (Polk County and Orange County, FL) to evaluate the efficacy and potential antagonism or synergy of saflufenacil and sethoxydim applied alone or tank mixed, and various two- and three-way mixes with glyphosate or pendimethalin. The results suggested that tank mixing saflufenacil and sethoxydim had neither synergistic nor antagonistic effect on broadleaf and grass weed control, respectively. Tank mixing pendimethalin with saflufenacil and sethoxydim improved broadleaf and grass weed control and reduced weed density and biomass, compared with saflufenacil or sethoxydim applied alone or tank mixed at 45 and 60 d after treatment (DAT). Glyphosate tank mixed with saflufenacil and sethoxydim provided > 90% control of broadleaf and grass weeds at 15 DAT, reduced density ≤ 8 plants m−2, and reduced biomass < 95 g m−2 at 60 DAT. Glyphosate applied alone was less effective than it was when tank mixed with saflufenacil and sethoxydim or pendimethalin for broadleaf and grass weed control, indicating an additive effect of tank mixture on glyphosate efficacy. It is concluded that saflufenacil can be tank mixed with sethoxydim for control of broadleaf and grass weeds without antagonism on the efficacy of either herbicide; however, tank mixing saflufenacil and sethoxydim with glyphosate or pendimethalin provided long-term, broad-spectrum weed control in Florida citrus.

Although glyphosate controls many plant species, certain broadleaf weeds in Nebraska's cropping systems exhibit various levels of tolerance to the labeled rates of this herbicide, including ivyleaf morningglory, Venice mallow, yellow sweetclover, common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, kochia, Russian thistle, and field bindweed. Therefore, two field studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 at Concord and North Platte, NE, to evaluate performance of (1) seven preemergence (PRE) herbicides and (2) glyphosate tank mixes applied postemergence (POST) at three application times for control of eight weed species that are perceived as problem weeds in glyphosate-resistant soybean in Nebraska. The PRE herbicides, including sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron, pendimethalin plus imazethapyr, imazaquin, and pendimethalin plus imazethapyr plus imazaquin provided more than 85% control of most weed species tested in this study 28 d after treatment (DAT). However, sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron and pendimethalin plus imazethapyr plus imazaquin were the only PRE treatments that provided more than 80% control of most weed species 60 DAT. In the POST glyphosate tank-mix study, the level of weed control was significantly affected by the timing of herbicide application; control generally decreased as weed height increased. In general, glyphosate tank mixes applied at the first two application times (early or mid-POST) with half label rates of lactofen, imazamox, imazethapyr, fomesafen, imazaquin, or acifluorfen, provided more than 80% control of all species that were 20 to 30 cm tall except ivyleaf morningglory, Venice mallow, yellow sweetclover, and field bindweed. Glyphosate tank mixes applied late POST with lactofen, imazethapyr, or imazaquin provided more than 70% control of common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, kochia, and Russian thistle that were 30 to 50 cm tall. Overall, glyphosate tank mixes with half label rates of chlorimuron or acifluorfen were the best treatments; they provided more than 80% control of all the studied weed species when applied at early growth stages. Results of this study suggested that mixing glyphosate with other POST broadleaf herbicides, or utilizing soil-applied herbicides after crop planting helped effectively control most problematic weeds in glyphosate-resistant soybean in Nebraska.

There is an urgent need to accelerate the development and implementation of effective organic-compliant herbicides that are environmentally safe and that help the producer meet increasing consumer demand for organic products. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acetic acid (5%), acetic acid (30%), citric acid (10%), citric acid (5%) + garlic (0.2%), citric acid (10%) + garlic (0.2%), clove oil (45.6%), and corn gluten meal (CGM) compounds as natural-product herbicides for weed control. The herbicides were applied to the broadleaf weeds stranglervine, wild mustard, black nightshade, sicklepod, velvetleaf, and redroot pigweed and to narrowleaf weeds crowfootgrass, Johnsongrass, annual ryegrass, goosegrass, green foxtail, and yellow nutsedge. The herbicides were applied POST at two weed growth stages, namely, two to four and four to six true-leaf stages. CGM was applied PPI in two soil types. Citric acid (5%) + garlic (0.2%) had the greatest control (98%) of younger broadleaf weeds, followed by acetic acid (30%) > CGM > citric acid (10%) > acetic acid (5%) > citric acid (10%) + garlic (0.2%), and clove oil. Wild mustard was most sensitive to these herbicides, whereas redroot pigweed was the least sensitive. Herbicides did not control narrowleaf weeds except for acetic acid (30%) when applied early POST (EPOST) and CGM. Acetic acid (30%) was phytotoxic to all broadleaf weeds and most narrowleaf weeds when applied EPOST. Delayed application until the four- to six-leaf stage significantly reduced efficacy; acetic acid was less sensitive to growth stage than other herbicides. These results will help to determine effective natural herbicides for controlling weeds in organic farming.

Because of the increasing number of glyphosate-resistant weeds, alternate herbicide-resistant crops and herbicides with different modes of action are required to protect crop yield. Glufosinate is a broad-spectrum POST herbicide for weed control in glufosinate-resistant crops, including soybean. The objective of this study was to compare herbicide programs with glufosinate applied singly at late-POST (LPOST) or sequentially at early POST (EPOST) followed by (fb) LPOST applications and PRE herbicides fb EPOST/LPOST glufosinate alone or tank-mixed with acetochlor, pyroxasulfone, or S-metolachlor in glufosinate-resistant soybean. A field experiment was conducted at the South Central Agriculture Laboratory in Clay Center, NE, in 2012 and 2013. Glufosinate applied in a single LPOST or sequential EPOST fb LPOST application controlled common lambsquarters, common waterhemp, eastern black nightshade, green foxtail, large crabgrass, and velvetleaf ≤ 82% and resulted in a weed density of 6 to 10 plants m−2 by the end of the season. Flumioxazin-, saflufenacil-, or sulfentrazone-based premixes provided 84 to 99% control of broadleaf and grass weeds tested in this study at 15 d after PRE application and a subsequent LPOST application of glufosinate alone controlled broadleaf and grass weeds 69 to 93% at harvest, depending on the herbicide program and weed species being investigated. The PRE application of sulfentrazone plus metribuzin fb EPOST glufosinate tank-mixed with acetochlor, pyroxasulfone, or S-metolachlor controlled the tested broadleaf and grass weeds ≥ 90%, reduced density to ≤ 2 plants m−2, and reduced weed biomass to ≤ 10 g m−2 and produced soybean yields of ≥ 4,450 and 3,040 kg ha−1 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Soybean injury was 0 to 20% from PRE or POST herbicides, or both and was inconsistent, but transient, during the 2-yr study, and it did not affect soybean yield. Sulfentrazone plus metribuzin applied PRE fb glufosinate EPOST tank-mixed with acetochlor, pyroxasulfone, or S-metolachlor provided the highest level of weed control throughout the growing season and increased soybean yield compared with a single LPOST or a sequential EPOST fb LPOST glufosinate application. Additionally, these herbicide programs provide four distinct mechanisms of action that constitute an effective weed-resistance management strategy in glufosinate-resistant soybean.

Field studies were conducted during the 2003 through 2005 growing seasons to evaluate postemergence herbicides and timing of application for horse purslane, smellmelon, and Palmer amaranth control in peanut. Acifluorfen provided inconsistent control of the three weed species. Bentazon failed to control Palmer amaranth, horse purslane, and smellmelon (< 65%), whereas 2,4-DB controlled horse purslane and smellmelon less than 70%. Diclosulam applied early postemergence (EPOST) controlled Palmer amaranth at least 77% but horse purslane control varied from 27 to 73% when applied EPOST and was less than 50% with the late postemergence (LPOST) application. Diclosulam controlled smellmelon less than 65%. Imazethapyr and imazapic controlled Palmer amaranth and smellmelon at least 70% but controlled horse purslane less than 65%. Lactofen controlled Palmer amaranth and horse purslane at least 93% with the EPOST application but had inconsistent control (40 to 100%) when applied LPOST. Smellmelon control with lactofen was also inconsistent. Removal of weed interference with all herbicides except bentazon provided peanut yields greater than the nontreated check.

Cotton gins in Arkansas, western Tennessee, and western Mississippi were sampled for weed seed contamination of gin trash in fall 2007. A total of 473 samples were collected, with 453 samples from Arkansas. The objectives of this research were to determine the weed species most frequently found in gin trash and determine what means gin operators are using to dispose of gin trash. There were 25 weed species found in the gin trash samples—11 grass and 14 broadleaf weeds. Grass and broadleaf weeds were present in 41.4 and 8.5% of the samples, respectively. The most frequently found species were large crabgrass (19.0%), barnyardgrass (14.0%), goosegrass (12.9%), red sprangletop (8.2%) and Palmer amaranth (4.2%). Viable seeds of barnyardgrass, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, and prickly sida were present in the surface layer (0- to 25-cm depth) of gin trash piles after 1 yr of composting. Viable Palmer amaranth seeds were present in the surface layer of gin trash piles after 2 yr of composting, but no germinable seeds were found deeper than 25 cm following 1 yr of composting. Gin trash disposal involved application of the material to crop fields during the fall or winter months; composting followed by application of the compost as mulch or a soil amendment to gardens, flower beds, or crop fields; use as cattle feed; and coverage for landfills to reduce erosion and encourage growth of vegetation. Because of the demonstrated potential for weed seed dispersal via gin trash, including composted material, development of technologies to ensure disposal of a gin-trash product free of viable weed seed are justified.

Field studies were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine the effects of herbicides applied below suggested use rates on weed management, yield, and estimated net return of peanut in both narrow and wide row-spacing regimes. In the single row-spacing regime study, diclosulam at 6 g/ha (1/4×) (1/4 labeled use rate) plus flumioxazin at 26 g/ha (1/4×) applied PRE followed by (fb) imazapic POST at 17, (1/4×), 35, (1/2×), or 70, (1×) g/ha was the lowest herbicide input that provided at least 80% control of sicklepod, yellow nutsedge, Florida beggarweed, and hairy indigo at 21 d after treatment (DAT). By 42 DAT, weed control was ≥ 80%, similar to herbicide treatments applied at labeled rates. In the twin row-spacing regime study at Jay, FL, and Citra, FL, in 2003, yellow nutsedge control was lowest (83 to 85%) from diclosulam applied at 1/4× in combination with flumioxazin at 1/4× PRE and flumioxazin at 1/4× or 52 g/ha (1/2×) PRE alone. All other herbicide treatments provided > 90% control. Diclosulam at 13 g/ha (1/2×) fb imazapic at 1/2× and flumioxazin at 1/4× fb imazapic at 1/2× was the lowest rate combination that provided > 80% control of sicklepod. Florida beggarweed control was > 90% with all rate combinations except diclosulam PRE alone, diclosulam at 1/4× PRE fb imazapic at 1/4× POST, and imazapic at 1/4× alone POST. Net return in the single-row spacing regime was highest for flumioxazin at 105 g/ha (1×) PRE alone, diclosulam at 1/4× applied with flumioxazin at 1/4× PRE alone or fb imazapic at 1× ($1,114, $1,094, and $990/ha, respectively). The twin row-spacing regime net return was highest with diclosulam PRE alone at 1/4, 1/2, or 26 g/ha (1×) ($2,063, $1,846, $1,734/ha, respectively). Diclosulam applied with flumioxazin at 1/2× fb imazapic at 1/2× was the lowest herbicide tank-mix input providing high net return at $1,162/ha.