Field trials were conducted to compare on-site visual evaluations with color-infrared photography (CIR), and near-infrared (NIR) videography (video) and hand-held radiometry (HHR) for detecting and mapping dicamba injury in cotton. CIR, video, and HHR detected 48%, 42% and 36%, respectively, of the injured crop area as defined by visual evaluation (injury ratings >0 on a scale of 0 to 9). The remote techniques were unable to differentiate crop injury that did not involve the entire plant canopy. Reflectance measurements in the visible red (R) (630–690 nm) and NIR (760–900 nm) wavelengths were taken and used in herbicide dosage prediction equations. Predicted herbicide dosages were significantly, positively correlated (P≤0.01) with physical measures of herbicide present. These studies suggest that remote detection and mapping of moderate and severe herbicide injury is possible. Further, NIR videography, with near-real-time capability and low cost may be the system of choice for this type of application.

Field experiments were conducted in Oklahoma to determine the effects of winter wheat seeding date and cheat infestation level on cultural cheat control obtained by increasing winter wheat seeding rates and decreasing row spacing. Seeding rate and row spacing interactions influenced cheat density, biomass, or seed in harvested wheat (dockage) at two of three locations. Suppressive effects on cheat of increasing wheat seeding rates and reduced row spacings were greater in wheat seeded in September than later. At two other locations, increasing seeding rate from 67 to 101 kg ha–1 or reducing row spacings from 22.5 to 15 cm increased winter wheat yield over a range of cheat infestation levels.

A 4-yr study (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989) was conducted on the same field plots at Shafter, CA to evaluate the efficacy of prometryn in controlling black nightshade on planting beds of cotton. Two rates (1.7 and 2.2 kg ai ha–1) were applied at two times (mid March before the preplant irrigation and early April at cotton planting) each year. Incorporation of prometryn into moist planting beds with a powered rotary tiller operated at 10 cm deeper resulted in excellent control of black nightshade under low to moderate weed pressure in 1985 and 1987. Control of nightshade with early and late applications of 1.7 kg ha–1 of prometryn under high weed pressure in 1988 was only 70% at harvest, and yield losses of cotton averaged 25%. Yields of cotton treated with 2.2 kg ha–1 of prometryn in 1988 were not significantly different from weed-free plots. Only the late application of 2.2 kg ha–1 of prometryn prevented significant cotton losses under extreme weed pressure in 1989. Cotton yield losses with the other prometryn treatments ranged from 78 to 100%. Losses of cotton in weedy-check plots that received only cultivation ranged from 22% in the absence of rain or irrigation at cotton planting in 1987 to as much as 100% when rain fell in 1988 or plots were irrigated at planting in 1989. Plots hoed one time 4 wk after cotton planting yielded an average of 84% as much seed cotton as weed-free plots. In an attempt to determine why the efficacy of prometryn declined between 1985 and 1989, several experiments were conducted in 1988 to 1990 to discover reasons for this poor control of nightshade. Because efforts failed to provide evidence for the movement of the herbicide with water, the development of weed resistance to prometryn, or accelerated degradation of this herbicide in soil, increasing weed seed populations in soil were believed to have contributed greatly to the declining nightshade control from prometryn. The fact that prometryn applied and incorporated into flat soil provided excellent control of nightshade in 1990 under sprinkler irrigation indicated that both soil moisture and incorporation techniques limited activity of prometryn in planting beds in 1988 and 1989. Incomplete control of nightshade plus good soil moisture at planting contributed to the high weed populations in 1988 and 1989.

Alfalfa seed yield and Canada thistle densities were measured in 10 fields in southern Alberta to assess the effect of thistles on seed yield. Thistle density and seed yield from each field were fitted to the Weibull, hyperbolic, and linear equations and a random coefficient and linear equation were used to obtain an “average yield loss curve”. Estimated average losses in alfalfa seed yield were >34% and >48% at thistle densities of 10 and 20 shoots m–2, respectively.

Field experiments were conducted to determine if aldicarb, disulfoton, or phorate applied in-furrow at 0.84 or 1.12 kg ai ha–1 affected cotton response to clomazone applied PPI or PRE at rates ranging from 0 to 1.12 kg ai ha–1. Disulfoton and phorate greatly reduced clomazone-induced chlorosis, stunting, and death of cotton seedlings. Compared with no insecticide or with dimethoate applied POST, aldicarb did not affect cotton response to clomazone. A clomazone rate by insecticide interaction was not observed for cotton yield. Clomazone reduced cotton yield at one of five locations. Insecticides affected yield at three locations, where highest yields were from cotton treated with aldicarb. In a separate experiment with 0.56, 1.12, and 2.24 kg ha–1 of phorate applied in-furrow and 1.12 kg ha–1 of clomazone applied PPI, phorate at all rates protected cotton from clomazone phytotoxicity.

Response of seedling alfalfa to four herbicides applied at the 2nd, 4th, and 8th trifoliate leaf stages was evaluated in 1988 and 1989. There was no interaction between the herbicides and alfalfa growth stages at the time of herbicide application in either year. Bentazon did not reduce alfalfa height or yield of the first cutting in either year. The dimethylamine salt of 2,4-DB and bromoxynil reduced first-cutting alfalfa yield in 1988 and 1989, respectively, and the butoxyethanol ester of 2,4-DB reduced first-cutting alfalfa yield both years. Each herbicide affected one or more measurements of alfalfa quality in at least one year.

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the control of eastern black nightshade and velvetleaf in tomato with bentazon, metribuzin, pyridate, and acifluorfen. Metribuzin controlled velvetleaf but not eastern black nightshade, whereas pyridate controlled eastern black nightshade but not velvetleaf. A combination of metribuzin + pyridate controlled both weeds, but caused tomato injury 4 wk after application. Bentazon neither controlled the weeds nor injured the crop. Acifluorfen controlled both eastern black nightshade and velvetleaf. Diammonium phosphate and oxysorbic (5 POE) improved bentazon and acifluorfen activity against velvetleaf. Although initial crop injury from some treatments applied prior to fruit initiation was severe, the crop recovered and there were no reductions in fruit weight compared with the control. However applying acifluorfen with oxysorbic (5 POE) during fruit development reduced yield 50%.

Thirty-six postemergence-directed (PDIR) herbicide treatments, applied with a precision PDIR sprayer, were evaluated for wild-proso millet (PANMI) control in sweet corn field trials in Wisconsin from 1987 to 1990. The performance of butylate and cyanazine (B + C), applied to suppress PANMI early in the season and to provide a height differential between corn and PANMI, greatly influenced PANMI control with PDIR treatments. PDIR treatments controlled PANMI greater than 90% when PANMI was effectively suppressed by B + C, but poor PANMI suppression reduced PDIR herbicide efficacy. Generally, PDIR treatments of paraquat or sethoxydim most effectively controlled PANMI. Paraquat alone at 545 g ha–1 or combined with simazine or sethoxydim at 57 and 114 g ha–1, and sethoxydim at 170 and 227 g ha–1 plus an adjuvant controlled PANMI greater than 95%. PDIR applications of ametryn, linuron, sethoxydim at 57 to 227 g ha–1 alone, sethoxydim at less than 114 g ha–1 plus an adjuvant, and sethoxydim at 114 g ha–1 tank mixed with either of four other herbicides controlled less than 86% of PANMI. Tank mixing a photosynthetic inhibitor or sethoxydim with paraquat did not improve PANMI control compared with paraquat alone. PANMI control with sethoxydim plus an adjuvant at 114 g ha–1 was similar to 227 g ha–1. There was no difference in PANMI control with sethoxydim applied with crop oil concentrate or BCH-815. With the exception of glyphosate at 318 g ha–1 and sethoxydim at 227 g ha–1 plus an adjuvant, PDIR treatments did not injure sweet corn in 1987, 1988, or 1990. However, sethoxydim in 1989 at all rates severely injured corn.

Stands of four-year-old loblolly pines grown with and without herbaceous competition were compared to determine whether early increases in soil moisture and plant water status had been maintained throughout the first four years. Non-weeded stands tended to have greater soil moisture than weeded stands, although these differences were never statistically significant (P > 0.05). Plant water potential was remarkably similar between treatments, as were photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. The increase due to weed control in foliage production early in stand development apparently caused a depletion in available soil moisture to levels similar to non-weeded stands. Therefore, the direct benefit of increased soil resources with weed control is short lived.

Interference between jimsonweed and soybean was investigated. Jimsonweed growing within the soybean row had little influence on vegetative characteristics of soybean during the first 12 wk of the growing season. The influence of an individual jimsonweed plant was first detected 10 wk after planting and extended 20 cm within the row. At harvest, interference extended 50 cm from individual jimsonweed plants, and yield within the 1.2 m of row surrounding a single jimsonweed plant was reduced 12%. Jimsonweed spaced 60 cm apart within the row reduced yield 18%. Soybean interference with jimsonweed growth increased steadily during the season, reducing the size of jimsonweed plants within the soybean row 80 to 93% compared with jimsonweed plants free of soybean interference. Jimsonweed grown within the soybean rows produced an average of 4900 seeds per plant whereas jimsonweed grown crop-free produced nearly 69 000 seeds per plant.

Field trials were conducted from 1986 to 1988 at Clarkedale, AR, to evaluate selective POST grass herbicides for johnsongrass control in soybeans. Herbicide treatments were trifluralin PPI followed by single and sequential POST applications of fenoxaprop, fluazifop, quizalofop, or sethoxydim. In 1986, sequential applications of sethoxydim and fenoxaprop controlled more johnsongrass 4 WAT than single treatments. In 1987 and 1988, all herbicides except fenoxaprop controlled more than 79% of johnsongrass. The number of johnsongrass stems was reduced by cultural practices and herbicides after 2 yr. The lowest cost of control and the highest average net return over the 3-yr period was obtained with quizalofop.

Research was conducted to determine the role of uptake, distribution, and metabolism of quinclorac in differential sensitivity of southern crabgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. At 0.5 h, quinclorac uptake was 85% in southern crabgrass and 66% in bluegrass. Uptake and distribution differed between species. By 128 h, Kentucky bluegrass had uniformly distributed quinclorac and exuded 17% into the nutrient solution. Metabolism of quinclorac was limited to less than 3.6% of the applied 14C in the two species, at 128 h. Selectivity of quinclorac may be influenced by differences in uptake, distribution, and exudation by the roots but not by metabolism.

In the field, 14 soft red winter wheat cultivars responded differently to 1.1 kg ai ha–1 diclofop, 1.7 kg ai ha–1 BAY SMY 1500, and 0.42 kg ai ha–1 metribuzin applied POST. Diclofop and metribuzin did not injure any cultivar more than 10% on a silty clay soil. However, BAY SMY 1500 injured ‘Pioneer 2551’ and ‘Coker 983’ 39 and 21%, respectively, in March. All other cultivars were injured less than 10% by BAY SMY 1500. Early injury did not translate into yield loss in the cultivar tolerance study. In an application timing study for Italian ryegrass control, late-season ratings indicated better control with two-leaf applications than with PRE applications for all treatments. Delaying application to the three-tiller stage reduced control with BAY SMY 1500 or metribuzin, but not with diclofop. On the sandier soil at this location, wheat injury with 0.28 or 0.43 kg ha–1 metribuzin or 2.2 kg ha–1 BAY SMY 1500 was sufficient to reduce wheat yield compared with other treatments, despite good Italian ryegrass control.

Field studies were conducted to compare the short- and long-term control of hemp dogbane by POST applications of Dowco 433, clopyralid, and 2,4-D amine. Dowco 433 at 140 g ae ha–1 controlled 81 to 93% of weeds at 8 wk after treatment. Good control (79 to 89%) was also achieved with 560 g ae ha–1 2,4-D amine at 8 wk after treatment. Twelve months after treatment, control of hemp dogbane averaged 65 to 75% where Dowco 433 was applied at rates of 140 g ha–1 or higher. Similar results were obtained with 2,4-D amine at 560 g ha–1. Control with clopyralid was minimal. Weed height and dry weight were reduced with all treatments except clopyralid. The effect of early versus late application was also evaluated in two studies. In certain situations, control 8 wk after treatment was greater when application was made during the early reproductive growth stage as opposed to the vegetative growth stage.

In the greenhouse, soil applications of primisulfuron (40 g ai ha–1) reduced growth of emerged rhizome johnsongrass plants more than nicosulfuron (40 g ai ha–1). Both herbicides reduced growth more when applied to foliage only; a further decrease in growth did not occur for applications to both soil and foliage. Primisulfuron did not completely prevent regrowth of johnsongrass with any application method. Nicosulfuron prevented regrowth when applied to the foliage and to both soil and foliage. In single-year field studies in corn at four dryland sites and two irrigated sites, 50:50 split applications of primisulfuron (40 g ai ha–1) and nicosulfuron (35 g ai ha–1) approximately 2 wk apart provided the most consistent rhizome johnsongrass control compared with early or late single applications when visually rated 8 wk after the first application. Nicosulfuron treatments were more effective than primisulfuron treatments at both dryland sites the first year and at one of two dryland sites the second year. Primisulfuron and nicosulfuron at the irrigated site the first year were equivalent in efficacy. Nicosulfuron was more effective than primisulfuron at the irrigated site the second year. Primisulfuron or nicosulfuron treatments more than doubled corn yields at the dryland sites both years regardless of application timing. Split applications of primisulfuron or nicosulfuron provided the highest yields (approximately 80% increase over untreated plots) at the irrigated site the first year. All treatments provided equivalent yield increases (approximately 50%) the second year.

Field studies in 1988 and 1989 evaluated POST herbicides alone and in tank-mixtures for tropic croton control in peanut. Acifluorfen + 2,4-DB, acifluorfen + bentazon, acifluorfen + bentazon + 2,4-DB controlled > 90% of tropic croton when applied at 2 or 4 wk after crop emergence. Paraquat + bentazon controlled 55% at 2 wk and 24% at 4 wk after crop emergence. Imazethapyr and imazethapyr + 2,4-DB controlled < 24% tropic croton at either 2 or 4 wk after crop emergence. Acifluorfen + 2,4-DB, acifluorfen + bentazon, and acifluorfen + bentazon + 2,4-DB controlled at least 90% of the common lambsquarters, common ragweed, and morningglory species. Greatest yields and net returns were obtained with acifluorfen + bentazon + 2,4-DB applied 2 wk after crop emergence. Yields were higher with acifluorfen + bentazon + 2,4-DB and imazethapyr applied at 2 wk after crop emergence than at 4 wk after crop emergence. All other herbicide treatments provided equivalent yields among application timings. Only acifluorfen + 2,4-DB provided equivalent net returns at either application timing. All other herbicide treatments provided lower net returns with applications made at 4 wk than at 2 wk after crop emergence.

Wild oat, a competitive weed in corn, can be controlled by atrazine applied postemergence but at rates causing carryover problems on high pH soils rotated to susceptible crops. Experiments at Fargo, ND and Barnesville, MN were established in corn using atrazine rates ranging from 0.14 to 0.84 kg ai ha–1 supplemented with cyanazine to provide 1.68 kg ai ha–1 total triazine herbicide. Atrazine at 0.84 kg ha–1 plus cyanazine at 0.84 kg ha–1 controlled 2- to 3-leaf wild oat 40 to 55%, but control increased to 90 to 95% by adding tridiphane at 0.56 or 0.84 kg ai ha–1. In greenhouse experiments, tridiphane synergistically increased wild oat control by atrazine and cyanazine. Tridiphane applied 1 or 2 d before atrazine or before an atrazine-cyanazine mixture generally controlled wild oat similar to the tridiphane-triazine tank mix.

Growth and development of bigroot morningglory was observed and quantified. Emergence occurred 75 ± 5 growing degree days (GDD) after seeding. Flower and seed production began 630 ± 20 GDD after emergence and continued until the first frost killed the shoots. Seedlings needed approximately 460 GDD of growth to become perennial. In the second year of growth, plants emerged in early May and flowered within 425 ± 50 GDD. Shoot dry weight accumulation in first-year plants was 3.5 g for the first 600 GDD after which a fifteenfold increase in dry weight occurred. Root growth followed the same pattern, however the large increase in dry weight occurred approximately 300 GDD later than that of the shoots. The root:shoot ratio was 0.2 to 0.3 for the first 900 GDD and increased to greater than 1.0 by the final harvest.

Two field experiments were conducted from 1986 to 1988 to determine efficacy of herbidices and plant growth regulators for red rice control and suppression in water- and drill-seeded rice. Molinate applied PPI with fenoxaprop applied at panicle initiation (PI) of rice controlled 94 and 86% of red rice in water- and drill-seeded rice, respectively, compared with 79 and 49%, respectively, for molinate PPI alone in the two cultures. Although this treatment injured rice slightly (< 30%), rice so treated produced high yields with improved grain quality. Sequential treatments of molinate PPI followed by sethoxydim applied at PI or amidochlor applied at > 90% heading produced comparable rice yields with improved red rice control or suppression and grain quality in both cultures, compared with PPI molinate. Drill-seeded rice treated with molinate PPI followed by fenoxaprop applied at late boot or MH (maleic hydazide) applied 7 d after heading produced higher yield than rice treated with molinate PPI.