Quackgrass biotypes collected from 15 locations exhibited differential response to primisulfuron at 20 g ha−1 in field experiments at Hudson, NY during 1990 and 1991. Quackgrass control ranged from 23 to 100% 77 days after application (DAA) in 1990 and from 38 to 100% 88 DAA in 1991. The biotype from Montpelier, OH was the most tolerant both years. Differential response of quackgrass biotypes from five locations was confirmed in greenhouse experiments. The primisulfuron rate required to reduce shoot regrowth by 50% in the greenhouse was estimated at 15, 15, 17, 17, and 37 g ha−1 for biotypes from Amherst, MA; Mahnomen MN; Fargo, ND; State College, PA; and Montpelier, OH, respectively. Quackgrass shoot regrowth was reduced more when primisulfuron was applied with the linear alcohol ethoxylate additive 1412-70 compared with Scoil, Sylgard 309, Agridex, or X-77.

Glyphosate was evaluated as a preharvest treatment for enhancing corn kernel dry down and quackgrass control. Glyphosate at 0.4, 0.8, 1.3, and 1.7 kg ae/ha was applied to corn before physiological maturity (kernel moisture 44 to 47%) and at physiological maturity (kernel moisture 35 to 39%). Three weeks after treatment, grain moisture of plants treated at physiological maturity was 2.3 to 6.9% less than that of plants treated before physiological maturity which was 2.2 to 5.5% less than that of untreated plants. Glyphosate did not increase corn kernel drying effectively under high humidity conditions. Glyphosate applied to pre-physiologically-mature corn controlled quackgrass 49 to 64% in the fall of 1984 and 69 to 91% in the fall of 1985. None of the glyphosate treatments reduced corn yield. Glyphosate applied preharvest above the corn canopy may increase the rate of corn kernel drying and may control fall quackgrass in the northern corn belt.