Imazethapyr at 0.05 to 0.14 kg ai/ha applied preplant incorporated, preemergence, and postemergence was evaluated alone and with complementary herbicides in the field for weed control in soybean. Imazethapyr controlled 90% or more smooth pigweed regardless of application method or herbicide rate. Imazethapyr at 0.05 kg/ha controlled jimsonweed 30% better postemergence compared to soil applications. Imazethapyr at 0.10 kg/ha controlled 90% or more velvetleaf regardless of application method. The addition of alachlor to soil-applied imazethapyr enhanced giant foxtail, jimsonweed, and velvetleaf control. Adding acifluorfen or bentazon to postemergence imazethapyr antagonized weed control. Adding sethoxydim to postemergence imazethapyr was not beneficial.

Field studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at Belleville and Pawnee, IL, to evaluate single and sequential applications of glufosinate on tolerance of glufosinate-resistant corn and annual weed control. Glufosinate caused 0 to 13% corn injury 7 days after treatment (DAT) and 0 to 6% corn injury 28 DAT. Injury was characterized as stunting with glufosinate. Glufosinate at 400 to 1,200 g ai/ha did not reduce final corn height or grain yield. At Pawnee in both years and at Belleville in 1996, a single application of glufosinate at 400 g/ha controlled giant foxtail, velvetleaf, ivyleaf morningglory, and common lambsquarters 85 to 100%. At Belleville in 1997, sequential applications of glufosinate provided greater weed control (87 to 100%) than a single application (0 to 63%) because of weed emergence after application. Weed control with a single application of glufosinate or with nicosulfuron plus bromoxynil was similar at both locations. Height and grain yield of glufosinate-resistant corn were not different from that of glufosinate-susceptible corn (isoline of glufosinate-resistant corn).

The weed control spectrum of clomazone, the influence of clomazone on the performance of other herbicides, and the performance of tank mixtures containing clomazone were evaluated from 1985 through 1987. Clomazone applied preemergence at 280 g ai/ha controlled 90 to 100% of barnyardgrass, giant foxtail, goosegrass, large crabgrass, seedling johnsongrass, prickly sida, and velvetleaf. Clomazone at reduced rates was more effective applied preemergence than preplant-incorporated for 10 of 23 weed species. Clomazone enhanced imazaquin activity on entireleaf morningglory and sicklepod in 1986. A tank mixture of clomazone, imazaquin, and metribuzin at half the labeled rates reduced soybean injury, increased soybean yield, and controlled weeds as well as the mixture at labeled rates.

The effect of methylated seed oil (MSO), the organosilicone adjuvant DC-X2-5394, and ammonium sulfate on the efficacy, absorption, and spray retention of primisulfuron applied alone or with atrazine, dicamba, and bentazon to shattercane and giant foxtail was evaluated. Primisulfuron efficacy on both species was reduced by the three tank-mix combinations. Atrazine antagonism was not explained by decreases in foliar absorption and/or spray retention. Reductions in primisulfuron absorption and/or foliar spray retention appeared to cause bentazon antagonism on both weeds and dicamba antagonism on shattercane. MSO, DC-X2-5394, and ammonium sulfate completely reversed dicamba and bentazon antagonism on shattercane and partially reversed bentazon antagonism on giant foxtail by increasing foliar absorption and/or spray retention. Compared with non-ionic surfactant, MSO and DC-X2-5394 consistently increased giant foxtail control with primisulfuron by increasing foliar absorption and/or spray retention.

Experiments were conducted in 1985 and 1986 to determine and compare the efficacy, phytotoxicity, and soil persistence of imazquin, imazethapyr, and clomazone in no-till double-crop soybeans. All herbicides controlled 93% or greater jimsonweed, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail. Imazaquin and imazethapyr controlled more common cocklebur and ivyleaf morningglory than clomazone. Soybeans were injured from imazaquin and imazethapyr applications in 1986 but yields were not reduced. First-order kinetics described the dissipation of each herbicide. Imazaquin and imazethapyr were more persistent in the soil than clomazone. Averaged over both years, half-lives of 10, 43, and 60 days were calculated for clomazone, imazaquin, and imazethapyr, respectively. Clomazone was not detected 10 to 20 cm in the soil profile. More imazethapyr was detected 10 to 20 cm in the soil profile than imazaquin in 1985. Slight corn injury (≤10%) was observed in 1987 following previous year applications of imazaquin to no-till double-crop soybeans but corn yields were not reduced.

Experiments were conducted to determine the productivity, inter-, and intraspecific competitive ability of giant foxtail accessions resistant (PCW1) and susceptible (AC1) to acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors. Under noncompetitive conditions in the field, shoot dry biomass, plant height, and leaf area over time were similar between the PCW1 and AC1 accessions. The instantaneous relative growth rate and instantaneous net assimilation rate did not differ between the accessions; however, the instantaneous leaf area ratio was slightly greater for the AC1 accession than the PCW1 accession. The seed yield was similar between the PCW1 and AC1 accessions. Addition series experiments were conducted in the field to determine the intraspecific competitive ability of the PCW1 and AC1 accessions. Regression surface analysis of reciprocal mean shoot dry biomass and seed yield indicated that the relative competitive ability of the PCW1 and AC1 accessions was similar. Replacement series experiments were conducted in the greenhouse with or without corn to determine the interspecific competitive ability of the accessions. The relative growth rate, shoot dry biomass, and seed yield of the PCW1 and AC1 accessions were greater without than with corn competition. The relative competitive ability of the PCW1 and AC1 accessions was similar with or without corn competition based on shoot dry biomass or seed yield. These results indicated that the intra- and interspecific competitive ability of the PCW1 and AC1 giant foxtail accessions are similar and suggest that resistance to ACCase inhibitors has not reduced the relative fitness of the PCW1 accession.

In 1992 and 1993, rimsulfuron alone at 17, 35, and 70 g ai/ha, and at 35 g/ha plus metribuzin at 280 g ai/ha, respectively, was evaluated PRE and POST for weed control in potato. Rimsulfuron at 35 g/ha PRE and POST controlled common lambsquarters and giant foxtail and when combined with 280 g/ha metribuzin, controlled common ragweed and jimsonweed. Rimsulfuron and rimsulfuron with metribuzin caused slight to moderate chlorosis in new terminal growth of potato but chlorosis disappeared within 3 wk. Potato height, tuber yields, and tuber quality were not affected by rimsulfuron alone or with metribuzin.

Field experiments were conducted in 1996, 1997, and 1998 to evaluate weed control and corn tolerance from soil-applied RPA 201772. Treatments alone and in tank mixtures with other corn herbicides were applied preemergence (PRE) at two locations with conventional tillage and at early preplant (EPP) and PRE application timings in no-tillage corn. RPA 201772 was applied alone and in tank mixtures with one-half the typical field rates of other PRE corn herbicides. In conventional tillage experiments in 1996, 1997, and at one location in 1998, all treatments containing RPA 201772 provided > 90% control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, and velvetleaf. In two no-tillage experiments, common lambsquarters and velvetleaf control was > 90%, regardless of application timing. However, control of redroot pigweed and common ragweed varied among years and application timings. Weed control was more variable from herbicide treatments applied EPP compared with the PRE application timing. Giant foxtail control in both tillage systems was rate, timing, and year dependent. RPA 201772 rates higher than 79 g/ha controlled giant foxtail > 85% at three of five locations. At one location, tank mixtures with RPA 201772 increased giant foxtail control. Corn injury occurred in one of two conventional tillage locations and at the no-tillage location in both 1996 and 1997. Injury was most commonly observed in coarse-textured soils with low clay and organic matter and was more severe with higher rates of RPA 201772. Increased corn injury was also observed when RPA 201772 was combined with acetochlor plus dicloramid or BAYFOE 5043 plus metribuzin. Corn injury from RPA 201772 occurred at application rates above the proposed rate for use on corn. In some cases, severe injury to corn reduced corn yield. Injury to corn from RPA 201772 was not unique to any tillage system and was site, year, and rate dependent.

The effects of tracking by tractor wheels on the emergence of common weed species of central Iowa were studied near Ames, IA, in 1996 and 1997. Seedling emergence in tracked and nontracked interrow areas, soil water content, and soil temperature were monitored for 8 to 10 wk after planting of soybean (Glycine max). Compared to nontracked interrow areas, a single wheel-tracking pass at crop planting increased the cumulative number of seedlings of giant (Setaria faberi) and yellow foxtails (S. glauca) by 187%, common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) by 102%, and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) by 30%. There was little effect of wheel traffic on velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) emergence. After planting, soil water content to a depth of 5 cm was higher in tracked areas than in nontracked areas, but after 6 wk there was no difference. Soil temperature at 4- to 5-cm depth was similar in tracked and nontracked interrows. Compaction from wheel traffic apparently did not create a physical impediment to emergence; rather, it altered micro-environmental conditions in ways that stimulated weed germination and emergence.

Field research was conducted at Arlington, WI in 1984 and 1985 to determine the influence of application timing on weed control with atrazine and metolachlor in conservation tillage corn production systems. Early preplant treatments controlled fewer weeds than preemergence or early preplant/preemergence sequential treatments in a chisel plow system. Velvetleaf control was only 50% late in the growing season with early preplant atrazine compared with 88% with an early preplant/preemergence sequential treatment of the same amount of atrazine. In the no-till system, early preplant applications of atrazine and/or metolachlor had reduced weed control late in the growing season compared with preemergence and early preplant/preemergence sequential treatments of the same amount of herbicide. Giant foxtail control 110 d after corn planting was only 73% with an early preplant treatment compared with 99% when the same amount of herbicide was evenly divided between early preplant and preemergence applications.

Field research was conducted at Arlington, WI, and Janesville, WI, in 1986 and 1987 to evaluate the effect of conventional-tillage, chisel plow, and no-till systems on the density and control of annual weed species in solid-seeded soybean. Common lambsquarters densities were not greatly influenced by tillage systems, but redroot pigweed densities were generally highest in the chisel plow system. Conventional tillage always had greater velvetleaf densities than no-till and no-till always had greater giant foxtail densities than conventional tillage. Giant foxtail and redroot pigweed became more difficult to control when tillage was reduced, while velvetleaf became less of a problem. This response was not observed with all herbicide treatments evaluated and several herbicide treatments provided excellent weed control. Soybean yield was not affected by tillage systems under weed-free conditions and differences in soybean yield appeared to be due to differences in weed control.

Experiments were conducted from 1992 through 1994 to determine the effect of 0 to 12 Mg ha−1 of surface wheat residues (SWR) on giant foxtail density and crown node length, and soybean yield. Giant foxtail density decreased as SWR increased from 0 to 12 Mg ha−1. SWR of 6 to 12 Mg ha−1 reduced giant foxtail density by 2 to 50 % compared to bare soil. The crown node of giant foxtail was 2 cm above the soil surface with 12 Mg ha−1 of SWR. Frost in 1992 injured soybean more than weeds in plots with SWR while soybean in soil with no SWR was not injured. In absence of frost in 1993 and 1994, yield of weedy soybean increased 20 to 29%, respectively, with the increase of SWR from 0 to 6 Mg ha−1. In weed-free plots, soybean yield was similar across all SWR levels. These results confirm the hypothesis that high levels of SWR increased soybean yield in weedy plots because of decreased giant foxtail infestation.

Field experiments were initiated to determine the efficacy of fluazifop as influenced by growth stage for green, yellow, and giant foxtail, large crabgrass, and Japanese millet. Additionally, the influence of air temperature and simulated rainfall on fluazifop efficacy for green foxtail and Japanese millet was determined by greenhouse and growth-room experiments. In both 1983 and 1984, fluazifop activity was reduced as the growth stage increased from 3- to 5- to 7-leaf for all species. Significant differences among species in susceptibility to fluazifop were evident with the descending order of tolerance: green foxtail > large crabgrass > yellow foxtail > giant foxtail > Japanese millet. Increasing the air temperature from 18 to 30 C reduced fluazifop control of green foxtail at herbicide rates less than 0.14 kg ai/ha but did not affect Japanese millet. A 1- to 2-h rain-free interval was required for optimum control of green foxtail and Japanese millet at 0.07 kg/ha fluazifop; the interval was reduced to 45 and 15 min, respectively, when fluazifop rates were 0.14 kg/ha. The longer rain-free interval required for optimum control of green foxtail compared to Japanese millet may reflect a slower rate of herbicide absorption in green foxtail.

Field studies were conducted in 1992 and 1993 to evaluate the efficacy of EPTC plus R-29148 (EPTC+) plus cyanazine and alachlor plus cyanazine. Materials were applied PPI and PRE to corn at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of labeled rates in an aqueous solution (sprays) and as herbicide-impregnated fertilizer. EPTC+ plus cyanazine at all rates applied as sprays or as herbicide-impregnated fertilizer controlled 89% or more of giant foxtail. Velvetleaf and common lambsquarters control was less when alachlor plus cyanazine was applied as herbicide-impregnated fertilizer than when applied as sprays. When sprayed, alachlor plus cyanazine applied PPI controlled 95% giant foxtail only at the 100% rate without cultivation, but at all rates with cultivation. Alachlor plus cyanazine applied as impregnated fertilizer at 50, 75, and 100% labeled rates controlled 88% or more of giant foxtail when these treatments received a interrow cultivation. PRE treatments of alachlor plus cyanazine applied as herbicide-impregnated fertilizer were less effective in 1992 than in 1993 because of lack of timely precipitation following application.

Field experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to (i) evaluate annual weed control with nicosulfuron applied at rates of 17 to 70 g ai/ha with several additives and (ii) evaluate annual weed control with nicosulfuron applied at rates of 17 to 105 g/ha at three corn growth stages. In 1988, in the adjuvant study, giant foxtail control increased linearly with no additive or with urea ammonium nitrate as the rate of nicosulfuron increased. Petroleum oil concentrate, nonionic surfactant, and a combination of either petroleum oil concentrate or nonionic surfactant with urea ammonium nitrate applied with nicosulfuron increased giant foxtail control to 90% or greater regardless of rate both years. Nicosulfuron at all rates with no additive and in combination with all additives controlled 93% or more of redroot pigweed and Pennsylvania smartweed both years. Corn grain yield was related to the level of giant foxtail control. In the rate by corn growth stage study, giant foxtail, redroot pigweed, and Pennsylvania smartweed control was 90% or greater regardless of nicosulfuron rate or application stage both years. Corn grain yield was related more to the duration of weed competition than the level of weed control with grain yield 8 to 12% lower with nicosulfuron applied at the V7 growth stage compared with the V3 or V5 growth stage.

Continuous corn was grown for 5 consecutive yr using conservation tillage methods in the Maryland Piedmont. Herbicide treatments were applied annually at common usage rates and were compared for their effects on weed cover, species stability, and grain production. Weed flora dominance shifted from giant foxtail the first year to smooth pigweed the following year. Smooth pigweed then dominated the flora for the duration of the study. Horsenettle was ubiquitous in all treatments but never became competitive. Canada thistle occurred in measurable densities in all plots that had not received atrazine applied preemergence. Grain yields were correlated negatively with densities of smooth pigweed in 1983 (r = −0.58, P = 0.01), and Canada thistle in 1983 and 1984 (r = −0.63 and −0.62, respectively; P = 0.05). Grain yields were correlated positively with midseason precipitation (r = 0.85, P = 0.01).

The objectives of this research were to compare the weed control efficacy of liquid, granular, and microencapsulated formulations of preemergence herbicides in moldboard plow, chisel plow, ridge tillage, and no-tillage corn and soybean production systems, and to determine whether herbicide formulation can influence herbicide interception and retention on surface corn residue. Common lambsquarters populations were threefold higher in corn than in soybeans. A mixed population of giant foxtail and green foxtail was highest in the chisel plow and lowest in the ridge tillage system as were total weed numbers. Percent weed control was not influenced by tillage when considered across all herbicide treatments. Weed control was not influenced by herbicide formulation in the moldboard plow, chisel plow, or ridge tillage systems, but granular herbicide applications provided better weed control than liquid applications in the no-tillage system and across various rates of corn residue in an experiment with no tillage variables. Two- to threefold less granular-applied herbicide was intercepted by surface corn residue at the time of application compared to liquid-applied herbicide. Increasing amounts of postapplication rainfall decreased the difference among formulations with regard to both total soil reception of the herbicide and resultant weed control. There was no consistent advantage for the microencapsulated formulation over the other herbicide formulations. Surface corn residue controlled many weeds without the aid of a herbicide and actually contributed to overall weed control even where herbicides were applied. This suggests that the binding of preemergence herbicides on surface crop residue may not be the cause of weed control failures in reduced-tillage systems as is often assumed to be the case.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the interactions of tillage systems with imazaquin and imazethapyr on weed control and soybean injury and yield. Control of jimsonweed, common cocklebur, ivyleaf morningglory, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail from imazaquin and imazethapyr in conventional tillage was generally equal to or greater than control in no-tillage. However, under limited rainfall, weed control in no-tillage was generally equal to or greater than control in conventional tillage. Reductions in soybean heights due to herbicide treatment were evident in both tillage systems in 1985 and 1986 but not in. Soybean yields were reduced in 1985 from imazaquin at 140, 210, and 250 g/ha and imazethapyr at 105 and 140 g/ha. Yields were not reduced in 1986 and. Imazaquin and imazethapyr appear to provide adequate control of jimsonweed, common cocklebur, ivyleaf morningglory, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail in conventional and no-till systems.