In greenhouse studies, flowering annual bluegrass Poa annua L. var. annua (winter annual) and P. annua L. var. reptans (short-lived perennial) were treated postemergence with rimsulfuron at 54 g ai/ha in such a manner as to permit herbicide interception only by the foliage, interception only by the soil, and interception by both foliage and soil, as would occur in a typical application. The foliar-only, soil-only, and soil + foliar applications provided 57, 73, and 84% control, respectively, as averaged over all other experimental variables. Greater efficacy of the soil-only and soil + foliar applications indicated the importance of root absorption for annual bluegrass control with rimsulfuron. Adjuvant addition was beneficial to postemergence activity only at 18 g/ha, which is below the registered rate. Adjuvant-based control improvement at this rate was inconsistent and generally independent of the adjuvant type. Adding Renex-30 to 18 g/ha of rimsulfuron did increase control on an average from 16 to 51%. Postemergence efficacy was also independent of the annual bluegrass variety and growth media (field soil vs. a sand–peat mixture). Preemergence activity of rimsulfuron against germinating annual bluegrass seeds was slightly greater in the sand–peat mixture than in the soil and with var. annua than with var. reptans, and on uncovered seed compared with 0.5-cm-deep growth media covered seeds.

Field studies were conducted to determine if varying carrier volume proportionally with herbicide dosage, thus maintaining constant herbicide concentration in the carrier, would change the response of sweet corn to glyphosate and of cotton to 2,4-D when compared with using a constant carrier volume where herbicide concentration would vary and be more dilute. For all the parameters measured, more sweet corn injury occurred if the concentration of glyphosate was constant in all volumes of spray. The glyphosate no-effect level for sweet corn was determined to be 0.046 kg/ha when using the variable carrier volume but was over four times greater (0.185 kg/ha) when applied at the constant carrier volume of 281 L/ha. Cotton response to 2,4-D was similar, with the constant herbicide concentration in the carrier at the lower volumes causing greater injury. The response of seed cotton yield was not different when comparing constant to variable carrier volume. The highly sensitive growth stage of cotton at the time of application (bud formation before blooming) may explain this result. These studies demonstrate the need to use carrier volumes that are proportional to the herbicide dosage, thus maintaining constant herbicide concentration in the carrier, when conducting simulated herbicide drift research. Failure to do so could underestimate the potential for injury.

A replacement series study was conducted in a greenhouse in 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the interference interactions among two rice cultivars and two red rice ecotypes. Plants were established in proportions of 3:0, 2:1, 1:2, and 0:3 (rice–red rice) plants/pot. Relative yield of Kaybonnet based on the shoot dry weight was lower than that of KatyRR or LA3, whereas PI 312777 was comparable to that of KatyRR and LA3. These results indicate that Kaybonnet was less competitive than PI 312777 when contrasted with KatyRR and LA3 red rice ecotypes. Kaybonnet (commercial rice cultivar) was dominated by both KatyRR (suspected rice × red rice cross) and LA3 (tall red rice ecotype) in tiller production, whereas PI 312777 (weed-suppressive cultivar) was comparable to either KatyRR or LA3. Both KatyRR and LA3 considerably reduced the leaf area of Kaybonnet. In contrast, PI 312777 reduced the growth of KatyRR, and its leaf area was comparable to that of LA3. The data suggest that high tillering capacity, as demonstrated by PI 312777, should be considered when breeding for rice cultivars that are competitive against weeds. This agronomic characteristic of rice may improve the success of reduced herbicide rate application programs.

Studies were conducted with one glyphosate-resistant and three conventional soybean cultivars to determine the effects of reducing row spacing from 76 to 38 and 19 cm, in combination with increased soybean population and herbicide applications (single and sequential), on sicklepod control and soybean yield. ‘Hutcheson’ was the only cultivar, and only under adverse conditions (1998), for which the 19-cm rows provided greater sicklepod control than the 38-cm rows. It was only under optimum conditions (1997), and only with conventional cultivars and sequential herbicide applications, that the 19-cm–row yield of 3,350 kg/ha was 21% greater than the 38-cm–row yield in medium population (455,375 plants/ha), and 21 and 64% greater than the 19- and 76-cm–row yield in low populations (241,000 plants/ha), respectively. In 1998, the same treatment showed similar late-season sicklepod control (> 80%) and a yield of 1,890 kg/ha, with no difference between the 19- and the 38-cm rows; but the yields were 15 and 24% greater than the yield of the narrow (19 and 38 cm) and that of the 76-cm row in low populations, respectively. Low populations with sequential applications in narrow rows and in the 76-cm row showed similar late-season sicklepod control (59 to 70%) and yield in 1998; but in 1997, the narrow rows showed 18 and 32% greater late-season control and yield than the 76-cm row, respectively. In 1997 and 1998, for ‘Hartz 5088RR’ (glyphosate resistant) with medium population and narrow rows, the single and sequential applications provided similar late-season sicklepod control (> 80%) and yield, and at least 10 and 24% greater yield than the narrow and the 76-cm rows in low populations, respectively.

Studies were conducted at Clayton, Lewiston, and Rocky Mount, NC, to evaluate weed and cotton response to herbicide systems in bromoxynil-resistant Stoneville BXN 47 cotton. Herbicide systems that included clomazone preemergence (PRE) controlled broadleaf signalgrass, common lambsquarters, common ragweed, goosegrass, large crabgrass, and prickly sida greater than 88%. Inconsistent Palmer amaranth control was observed with the addition of fomesafen PRE to clomazone PRE and pendimethalin preplant-incorporated (PPI) herbicide systems. Addition of bromoxynil early postemergence (EPOST) to clomazone and pendimethalin systems increased ivyleaf morningglory control to greater than 84% and provided higher yields than did the same systems without bromoxynil. Bromoxynil EPOST followed by (fb) cyanazine + MSMA late postemergence directed (LAYBY) improved weed control in clomazone and pendimethalin systems. Clomazone PRE and pendimethalin PPI with or without fomesafen PRE fb bromoxynil EPOST fb LAYBY herbicides controlled weeds and yielded equivalent to the standard herbicide system of pendimethalin PPI fb fluometuron PRE fb bromoxynil EPOST fb LAYBY.

Volunteer potato can be a host of serious pest problems in potato and could provide a source of inoculum for subsequent potato crops. Volunteer potato can also be difficult to control in many rotational crops. Potato shoots were removed once, twice, and throughout the growing season, beginning at early and late tuberization. Compared with no shoot removal, two or more shoot removal treatments reduced the number of tubers 42% or more. A single shoot removal treatment at early tuberization reduced tuber biomass 37%, compared with 65% when shoot removal was initiated several weeks later. Regardless of timing, a single shoot removal increased the number and biomass of small tubers (≤ 57 g each). Control tactics that remove or kill volunteer potato shoots require repeated application or integration with other management practices to suppress the weed.

A field study was conducted over 2 yr to evaluate red morningglory control and sugarcane injury with herbicides applied below the sugarcane canopy in late May to early June following the layby cultivation. Rainfall to activate herbicides was received within the first 2 wk after application at the two sites in 1997, but not at the two sites in 1998. Red morningglory control for most herbicides 21 d after treatment (DAT) in both years was at least 90% and was attributed to postemergence activity of the herbicides and limited weed reinfestation following cultivation and herbicide application. At 45 DAT, red morningglory control with sulfentrazone was maximized (87 to 100%) at 0.14 kg ai/ha at three of four sites. Control with azafeniden was less consistent and, to achieve the same level of control as for sulfentrazone, 0.42 kg ai/ha azafeniden was needed in 1997 and 0.84 kg/ha in 1998. The currently registered herbicides atrazine, diuron, metribuzin, and terbacil controlled red morningglory no more than 83%, 45 DAT at three of the four sites. Of these herbicides, terbacil was the least effective. Even in 1997 at one site when the herbicide was rainfall activated early, red morningglory control with sulfentrazone at 0.14 kg/ha and azafeniden at 0.42 kg/ha 45 DAT was still greater than with the currently registered herbicides. Sugarcane injury expressed as foliage discoloration 21 DAT was 7 to 18% for sulfentrazone at 0.14 kg/ha and 15 to 31% for azafeniden at 0.42 kg/ha. Plant recovery was rapid and none of the herbicide treatments evaluated reduced sugarcane stalk height or population in September.

“Pesta” is a granular, extruded product made from a cereal grain flour and any biological control agent. A strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, BRG100, which is a pathogen of green foxtail, has been formulated into a Pesta product. P. fluorescens BRG100 survived processing best in oat flour, and the addition of 20% (wt/wt) maltose extended the shelf life of the product to more than 32 wk. Field studies of 8-wk duration showed that a Pesta product containing BRG100 suppressed green foxtail emergence by as much as 90%. An optimally formulated and processed Pesta product has potential for the biocontrol of green foxtail.

Volunteer potatoes are difficult to control in onions and can greatly reduce onion growth and yield. Herbicides and cultivation were evaluated for control of simulated volunteer potatoes in onions in 1996 and 2000. Three interrow cultivations did not control potatoes in the onion row and the remaining plants reduced onion yield 50 and 73% compared with the hand-weeded checks. Three applications of oxyfluorfen (0.2 + 0.17 + 0.17 kg ai/ha) or bromoxynil plus oxyfluorfen (0.2 + 0.17 kg ai/ha) at the two-, three-, and four- to five-leaf stages of onions followed by a cultivation after each application reduced potato tuber weight 69 to 96% and tuber number 32 to 86% compared with cultivation alone and prevented onion yield loss associated with potatoes. Ethofumesate applied preemergence at 0.6 kg/ha followed by postemergence ethofumesate plus bromoxynil and cultivation reduced potato tuber weight 90% and tuber number 68% compared with cultivation alone, and onions yielded equal to hand-weeded checks. Two applications of fluroxypyr (0.3 kg ai/ha) plus bromoxynil (0.2 kg ai/ha) at the two- and three-leaf stages of onions followed by a cultivation after each application reduced potato tuber weight by greater than 90%, but onion yields were reduced 38 to 66%.

In 1998, Indian regulatory agencies approved the registration of CGA 184927, MON 37500, and fenoxaprop for postemergence control of isoproturon-resistant littleseed canarygrass. Herbicides used in rice and wheat before 1998 were generally mixed with sand or urea and were applied by hand. Foliar pesticide spray applications consisted primarily of insecticides and fungicides that were applied to high-value crops. These pesticides were often sprayed to runoff with backpack sprayers that were equipped with single hollow-cone or flood nozzles. Applicators walked through the fields, swinging the wands in sweeping motions resulting in uneven pesticide distribution and overapplication. The newly registered postemergence herbicides were applied with the same equipment and in the same fashion. After these applications, control of littleseed canarygrass was strikingly inconsistent, and the growers blamed the lack of control on the manufacturers. It was later clear that basic understanding of the application techniques was lacking. In response to this, an application training workshop was organized and conducted in India and Nepal in 2000. The workshops focused on teaching the participants how to use and fabricate multiple-nozzle booms, the importance of flat-fan nozzles, calibration, drift avoidance, and applicator safety. To date, approximately 3,000 farmers, extension agents, scientists, and industry representatives have attended more than 30 workshops. The participants were unanimously enthusiastic about the value of the workshops. Although simplistic, the adoption of this technology will significantly decrease the amounts of herbicides applied and will increase efficacy and efficiency.

Field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate reduced-rate split-applied treatments of imazamethabenz and ICIA 0604 for wild oat control in hard red spring wheat. Single herbicide treatments were applied at standard timing to wild oat at the two- to four-leaf stage. The first split-applied treatments were made when most of the wild oat had emerged but prior to the two-leaf stage. The second split-applied treatments were made after the surviving wild oat had visibly recovered and prior to the two-leaf stage of late-emerging wild oat. Split applications of imazamethabenz or ICIA 0604 allowed the herbicide rate to be reduced by half while maintaining or improving wild oat control. Both imazamethabenz and ICIA 0604 were most effective with methylated vegetable oil adjuvants. Wheat yield and net returns were greatest for half-rate split applications of imazamethabenz and ICIA 0604 in both years, likely because of less early-season wild oat competition and reduced wheat injury caused by ICIA 0604.

Field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the influence of mesotrione postemergence application rate, application timing, and addition of atrazine on corn injury, weed control, and corn grain yield. Corn injury in the form of leaf bleaching ranged from 0 to 15% at 7 d after treatment (DAT). In general, most of the bleaching injury rapidly dissipated with slight (≤ 8%) to no corn injury observed at 28 DAT. Control of common cocklebur with mesotrione at 14 DAT ranged from 79 to 98% for all treatments over both years. Applying mesotrione at 140 g/ha, at the early postemergence (EPOST) timing, or in combination with atrazine provided the greatest control of common cocklebur at 14 DAT. Application rate of mesotrione was the only factor that was significant in both years for control of common cocklebur later in the season at 56 DAT. Control of ivyleaf morningglory with mesostrione at 14 DAT ranged from 60 to 90% for all treatments in both years. Control of ivyleaf morningglory at 14 DAT was enhanced by the addition of atrazine to mesotrione. Control of ivyleaf morningglory at 56 DAT was greater with mid-postemergence and late postemergence than with EPOST applications, and was generally enhanced by the addition of atrazine. Yellow nutsedge control with mesotrione was inconsistent, ranging from 40 to 87% at 14 DAT for all treatments over both years. The addition of atrazine to mesotrione increased yellow nutsedge control from 47 to 87% at 14 DAT in 2000. Increasing the rate of mesotrione from 70 to 140 g/ha, as well as the addition of atrazine, improved control of yellow nutsedge at 56 DAT. Corn grain yield was not affected by corn injury or weed control as there were no significant differences in grain yield between herbicide-treated plots and handweeded plots.

Field studies were conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Simcoe, Ridgetown, and Exeter, Ontario, to evaluate the tolerance of nine sweet corn cultivars to mesotrione, applied preemergence (PRE) at 140 and 280 g ai/ha and postemergence (POST) at 100 and 200 g ai/ha. Urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer (28%) at 2.5% (v/v) and crop oil concentrate at 1% (v/v) were added to POST applications of mesotrione only. All cultivars were tolerant to mesotrione applied PRE. There was no injury, or reductions in plant height or yield with PRE applications of mesotrione at any location in either year. POST applications of mesotrione, particularly at 200 g/ha, caused significant phytotoxicity to ‘Calico Belle’ and ‘Del Monte 2038’. Other cultivars also showed phytotoxic symptoms; however, this injury was much reduced and did not occur at all locations each year. Sweet corn injury by mesotrione increased as rate increased. Del Monte 2038 also had significantly reduced plant height and yields. Other cultivars had no plant height or yield reductions because of POST applications of mesotrione.

Field experiments were conducted near Beaumont, TX, to evaluate red rice control in imidazolinone-tolerant rice. Imazethapyr was applied preplant incorporated (PPI) and preemergence (PRE) at 70 and 105 g ai/ha and postemergence (POST) at 36, 52, and 70 g/ha. Single imazethapyr applications were made at each rate and timing and in sequential PPI or PRE followed by POST treatments. Red rice control ranged from 92 to 98% with sequential imazethapyr applications. Red rice control was higher when imazethapyr was applied PPI alone than PRE alone. But when these treatments were followed by a POST application of imazethapyr, there were no differences in red rice control between PPI and PRE application. Red rice control with sequential treatments was not improved with increased rates of imazethapyr POST. Visual injury to the 93AS3510 imidazolinone-tolerant variety was 5% or less 20 d after treatment (DAT), and there was no injury by 45 DAT. But POST applications of 70 g/ha imazethapyr may produce minor yield reductions to this experimental variety without improving red rice control. Results indicate that an imidazolinone-tolerant rice production system can be effective for controlling red rice and that PRE applications must be followed by a POST application to achieve maximum red rice control. PPI applications of imazethapyr at 70 g/ha should also be followed by a POST application to maximize red rice control.

A population model was constructed to simulate the development of imazamox-resistant jointed goatgrass (AEGCY) in imazamox-resistant (Clearfield™) wheat. The model computed changes in the surface and in the buried AEGCY seed banks for both resistant and susceptible biotypes. Simulations started with an initial density of 1,000 susceptible and zero resistant seeds/m2 in each seed bank. Simulation of continuous, no-till Clearfield wheat production resulted in rapid development of resistant AEGCY without hybridization with wheat and in extremely rapid resistance development with hybridization. In less than 10 yr, the resistant population was growing exponentially in both simulations. Adding a fallow year with tillage into the simulated rotation did not substantially slow down the appearance of resistance but did delay the rate of resistant population increase by several orders of magnitude over 10 yr. Alternating Clearfield and a nonresistant winter wheat in combination with fallowing prevented the establishment of a significant resistant AEGCY population and prevented the susceptible seed population from increasing exponentially. These projections suggest that imazamox-resistant wheat can be a tool for managing AEGCY populations especially if combined with rotations that include fallow and crops other than Clearfield winter wheat.

Glyphosate is the only herbicide used for controlling illicit coca (Erythroxylum coca and E. novogranatense), a source of cocaine. Because commercially available formulations of glyphosate were inconsistent in controlling coca, research was conducted in a large-scale aerial eradication program, greenhouse (in Maryland) and field (Hawaii), to develop more effective control systems. Sixteen surfactants (cationic, nonionic, or mixed) were tested with two commercial glyphosate herbicide formulations, in aqueous or oil-based carrier systems, for coca control. Ultimately, two glyphosate–surfactant systems (COC/OSI-U [a mixture of crop-oil concentrate, Agri-Dex® and organosilicone, Silwet L-77®] and CAT/ANA [cationic surfactant/anionic surfactant, Optima®]) were found that increased glyphosate phytotoxicity fourfold: 1.1 kg ae/ha of glyphosate + surfactant was equivalent to 4.4 kg ae/ha glyphosate without added surfactant, for both species. In consequence, the glyphosate mixture used in Colombia for coca eradication was modified with substantially improved results.

Failure to detect noxious weeds with current survey methods prevents their control and has contributed to their ability to establish and spread in remote range and forest sites. Techniques used in remote sensing can classify plant occurrence on maps, offering a method for surveying invasive species in remote locations and across extensive areas. An imaging hyperspectral spectrometer recorded images on July 19, 1998 in Farragut State Park near Bayview, ID, in the reflected solar region of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from 440 to 2,543 nm to detect spotted knapweed. The sensor records 128 spectral bands in 12- to 16-nm intervals at a spatial resolution of 5 m. A spectral angle mapper (SAM) algorithm was used to classify the data. Infestations in Idaho with 70 to 100% spotted knapweed cover that were 0.1 ha were detected regardless of the classification angle. However, narrow angles (2 to 8°) did not completely define the extent of the infestation, and the widest angle tested (20°) falsely classified some areas as infested. The overall image error for all classes was lowest (3%) when SAM angles ranged from 10 to 11°. Specific errors for the spotted knapweed class for the 10 to 11° angles showed that omissional and commissional errors were less than 3%. Areas with as little as 1 to 40% spotted knapweed cover were detected with an omissional error of 1% and a commissional error of 6%. Further verification sites were established on August 11, 1998 near Bozeman, MT, using the algorithms developed for Idaho. The omissional error for the Montana sites was 0%, and the commissional error was 10%. The hyperspectral sensor, Probe 1, proved an effective detection tool with the ability to detect spotted knapweed infestations.

Two field trials were established in Virginia during 1998, 1999, and 2000 to evaluate long-term mugwort control with varying rates of dicamba, triclopyr, clopyralid, picloram, metsulfuron, glufosinate, glyphosate, and the dimethylamine salt and the isooctyl ester of 2,4-D. A logarithmic sprayer was utilized in the first field trial to evaluate mugwort control with each of these herbicides, and, except for metsulfuron, rates ranged from 0.28 to 8.9 kg ai/ha. Mugwort control with metsulfuron was evaluated at a lower rate range. In addition, mugwort control was evaluated with a logarithmic range of pelargonic acid rates in combination with constant rates of glyphosate, glufosinate, and the dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D. Complete control of mugwort plants and rhizomes was achieved at 1 yr after treatment with picloram at rates ≥ 0.28 kg ai/ha, with clopyralid at rates ≥ 4.4 kg ai/ha, and with glyphosate at 8.9 kg ai/ha. Greater than 80% mugwort control was also achieved at 1 yr after treatment with clopyralid at rates ≥ 0.28 kg/ha, with glyphosate at rates ≥ 4.4 kg/ha, and with dicamba at 8.9 kg ai/ha. However, all rates (≤ 8.9 kg ai/ha) of glufosinate, triclopyr, and the dimethylamine salt and the isooctyl ester of 2,4-D provided less than 50% mugwort control at 1 yr after treatment. Similar results were obtained with metsulfuron at rates ≤ 0.063 kg ai/ha. The addition of pelargonic acid to glyphosate, glufosinate, or the dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D did not significantly enhance mugwort control when compared with applications of these herbicides alone. Additionally, progressively higher rates of pelargonic acid in combination with glyphosate, glufosinate, or the dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D resulted in antagonism of these herbicides. In separate field trials conducted in 2000, reduced rates of picloram were evaluated. In these dose–response trials, picloram at 0.28 kg/ha was the lowest rate that consistently provided greater than 90% control of mugwort at 3 mo after treatment. Collectively, the results from both trials indicate that excellent long-term mugwort control may be achieved with relatively low use rates of picloram (0.28 kg/ha) and clopyralid (0.28 kg/ha), but higher rates were needed for glyphosate (8.9 kg/ha) and dicamba (8.9 kg/ha). Results also indicate that little to no long-term control of mugwort will be achieved with applications of glufosinate, metsulfuron, triclopyr, or the dimethylamine salt and the isooctyl ester of 2,4-D, even at exceptionally high use rates.

Studies were conducted from 1998 to 2001 in Tifton, GA, on weed management systems in transplanted cantaloupe and watermelon grown on polyethylene-covered seedbeds. Soil fumigants were metham (748 L/ha) and a nonfumigated control. All metham applications were sprayed in a 61-cm band and incorporated with a modified power tiller. Herbicide treatments were ethalfluralin (0.8 kg ai/ha) premergence (PRE), ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron (36 g ai/ha) PRE, ethalfluralin PRE followed by glyphosate (1.1 kg ai/ha) postemergence POST-SHIELDED, ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron PRE followed by glyphosate POST-SHIELDED, and a nontreated control. Premergence herbicides were directed to row middles not covered in polyethylene, without contacting the transplants. Glyphosate was applied to row middles using a hooded sprayer, just before vine running. Overall weed control was not improved with soil fumigation in either cantaloupe or watermelon, and there was no yield response in either crop. There may be minimal benefit in transplanted cantaloupe and watermelon on polyethylene-covered seedbeds from preplant soil fumigation for weed control, in the absence of other pests. Herbicide systems that included halosulfuron PRE or glyphosate applied POST-SHIELDED improved control of yellow nutsedge compared with ethalfluralin alone. Control of Texas panicum, southern crabgrass, Florida pusley, and smooth pigweed was not improved by halosulfuron or glyphosate. Polyethylene-covered seedbeds provide a mechanical barrier to weed infestation for many species. Integration of these weed control practices gives cantaloupe and watermelon growers effective options for weed management, particularly for a troublesome species such as yellow nutsedge.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to determine the effects of adjuvant and herbicide concentrations on imazamox, imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, and ICIA 0604 phytotoxicity, independent of spray retention. Equal amounts of herbicide were applied to oat in a single 0.5-μl drop or four 0.5-μl drops. Changes in adjuvant concentration influenced herbicide phytotoxicity more with application in one concentrated drop rather than in four dilute drops. Overall, herbicide phytotoxicity was greater when low adjuvant concentrations were applied in four dilute drops compared with a single concentrated drop. But when the same total amount of adjuvant was applied in one or four drops, herbicide phytotoxicity in a single drop was generally equal to or greater than in four drops. These results suggest that high herbicide phytotoxicity with high herbicide and adjuvant concentrations in low spray volumes in the field was primarily because of increased herbicide absorption rather than spray retention.