Paraquat was applied at 0.28 and 0.56 kg ai ha-1 to winter wheat at five growth stages at 0800, 1300, and 1600 hr to determine whether growth stage or time of application influenced winter wheat response to paraquat. Paraquat bioactivity was affected by growth stage. Biomass reduction by paraquat was 84% when winter wheat was in the 1 to 3 leaf stage, but only 68% when application was delayed until tillering. Paraquat bioactivity continued to decrease at later growth stages. The time of day when paraquat was applied did not affect its bioactivity on winter wheat.

Clomazone is used in the Central Great Plains for weed control during fallow in a winter wheat-fallow rotation. Improved precipitation storage during non-crop periods has stimulated new crop rotations such as winter wheat-corn or proso millet-fallow. The objective of this study was to determine if clomazone applied in the fall after winter wheat harvest would injure succeeding spring-planted crops. Greenhouse studies indicated crop tolerance to clomazone was in the order of safflower > corn > proso millet > barley > winter wheat. Clomazone did not affect grain yields of safflower, corn, or proso millet grown at two field sites with different soil textures (silt loam and sandy loam), nor germination of seed from treated plants of these crops. A no-till production system with clomazone increased grain yields for all crops compared to the conventional system where tillage replaced clomazone for fallow weed control.

Jointed goatgrass is a serious weed in winter wheat, and presently no herbicides are available for its selective control. This study examined the effect of time of emergence and removal on jointed goatgrass interference in winter wheat, as well as its rate of development and soil water extraction. The goal of this study was to suggest cultural practices that minimize jointed goatgrass interference in winter wheat. Jointed goatgrass development was identical to ‘Vona’ winter wheat in two crop seasons, even though precipitation differed drastically between seasons. Depth of soil water extraction of both species was also similar. Jointed goatgrass at 18 plants m−2 reduced grain yield 27 and 17% when emerging 0 and 42 d after Vona, respectively. The relationship between time of jointed goatgrass emergence after winter wheat and grain yield loss was Y = 30.6–0.29X (X = days, r = 0.72), indicating that plants emerging in late fall still caused yield loss. Removing jointed goatgrass by early March prevented winter wheat grain yield loss. The interference data suggests that producers assess infestation levels and plan control measures in early March.