PALWEED:WHEAT is a bioeconomic decision model for determining profit-maximizing postemergence herbicide treatments for winter wheat in the Washington–Idaho Palouse region. PALWEED:WHEAT performed relatively well economically in 2 yr of on-farm field tests. However, the model was less sensitive than desired in prescribing postemergence broadleaved herbicides in the presence of high densities of broadleaved weed seedlings. Therefore, PALWEED:WHEAT was revised in response to the field testing. This paper compares the revised model's agronomic and economic performance to the original model in computer simulations. The revised model, PALWEED:WHEAT II, differs from the original model in several respects: (1) exponential functions replace linear functions in predicting weed survival, (2) preplant application of a nonselective herbicide is entered as an exogenous binary variable, (3) separate indices of broadleaved and grass competition are substituted for an aggregate weed competition index in the wheat yield function, (4) hyperbolic replaces logistic functional representation of weed damage to wheat yield, and (5) separate models are estimated for winter wheat after spring dry pea and for winter wheat in all examined crop rotation positions. In simulations including a variety of agronomic and economic conditions, PALWEED:WHEAT II recommended postemergence herbicide types and rates that consistently complied with agronomic and economic theory. Furthermore, the revised model, especially when estimated from the relevant wheat after pea data set, was markedly more balanced in recommending both broadleaved and grass herbicides in response to observed densities of both weed groups. The substantial change in herbicide recommendations in response to changes in model functional specifications following field testing confirms the importance of field testing and revision of bioeconomic decision models.

Peak germination and emergence of common lambsquarters usually occur in early to mid-spring, but both processes can occur during summer and fall. Seeds produced by different common lambsquarters cohorts (seedlings that emerge at nearly the same time) may vary in dormancy status, response to environmental conditions, and response to management factors. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine the influence of different cohorts on common lambsquarters demography. Field experiments determined plant density, biomass, and seed production of different common lambsquarters cohorts within a crop-free community of annual weed species that included redroot pigweed, giant foxtail, and velvetleaf. Common lambsquarters plant density and aboveground biomass were greater for a mid-May cohort than for early June, late June, mid-July, or early August cohorts, but seed production of the mid-May and early June cohorts did not differ (about 192,000 seeds m−2) and was greater than that of other cohorts (111,500 seeds m−2 or less). In the laboratory, percent germination prior to stratification (exposure of seeds to low temperatures) was less for seeds harvested from early May and late May cohorts (≥ 9%) than those of mid-June or early July cohorts (≤ 75%). After stratification in the field, percent emergence (seedlings per number of planted seeds) and mean emergence time were similar among early May, late May, mid-June, and early July cohort seed sources, and were not influenced by shallow burial in soil. These results suggest that recruitment from seeds produced by different common lambsquarters cohorts is similar, but proportional to the number of seeds produced by each cohort.

Competitiveness of noogoora burr and fierce thornapple in irrigated cotton was assessed using area-of-influence methodology. Lint yields were regressed against distances from the weeds using spline regression. The resulting regression curves were used to estimate areas of influence and yield losses, which were further modeled as functions of weed size to understand weed competitiveness. Cotton lint yield reductions averaged 36 and 12%, with maximum distances of influence of 1.71 and 1.65 m for noogoora burr and fierce thornapple, respectively. Economic thresholds for control using hand hoeing were related to weed size. Thresholds for average-size weeds were one cocklebur in 195 m and one fierce thornapple in 73 m of cotton row.

Implementation of an integrated weed management system requires prediction of the effect of weed competition on crop yield. Predicting outcomes of weed competition is complicated by genetic and environmental variation across years, locations, and management. Mechanistic models have the potential to account for this variability. Weed phenological development is an essential component of such models. Growth cabinet studies were conducted to characterize common ragweed's phenological response to temperature, photoperiod, and irradiance. Ragweed development occurred over a temperature range of 8.0 to 31.7 C, and this response to temperature was best characterized using a nonlinear function. A maximum leaf appearance rate of 1.02 leaves d−1 occurred at 31.7 C. Ragweed has a short juvenile phase, during which it was not sensitive to photoperiod. Following this juvenile phase, sensitivity to photoperiod was constant and continued until pistillate flowers were observed. Photoperiods of 14 h or less were optimal and resulted in maximum rates of development. Irradiance level affected ragweed phenological development only when combined with the additional stress of low temperatures. Data generated in this study can be used for the development of mechanistic weed competition models.

The efficacy of current wild oat herbicides and their high cost have resulted in use rates that are less than those recommended. While acceptable weed control may be attained at less cost, this practice does not consider the potential for increased wild oat seed production. The objective of this experiment was to determine the interaction of wild oat density and reduced imazamethabenz rates on wild oat seed production in spring barley. As wild oat densities increased from 8 to 1,100 plants m−2, wild oat seed production increased from 180 to 9,950 seed m−2 without herbicide, and from 0 to 2,810 seed m−2 using 0.53 kg ai ha−1 imazamethabenz. This general pattern was modeled using a cumulative logistic function. Estimates from this model indicated that < 1 wild oat seed m−2 was produced at population densities of ≤ 20 plants at any imazamethabenz rate. Imazamethabenz rates of 0.26 kg ha−1 or greater at wild oat densities of less than approximately 190 plants m−2 did not result in wild oat seed production above the initial population density. As wild oat density increased, however, imazamethabenz rates below 0.40 kg ha−1 resulted in substantially greater wild oat seed production compared to the recommended rate.

We constructed a mechanistic model of purple nutsedge tuber population dynamics to provide a theoretical framework for the integrated management of this weed. The model relies on a transition matrix with 10 age classes to simulate fluctuations in the tuber population. Parameters of the transition matrix are given by functions of density, age, and cumulated incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) underneath crop canopies. Sensitivity ratios based on a 10% reduction in parameter values indicated that the parameters of the birthrate function were most sensitive. Simulations showed that in the absence of weed control, cumulated incident PAR was by far the strongest determinant of population size; intraspecific interference was the strongest determinant of the rate of population increase. When weed control was introduced, the simulation suggested that 95% control would be required to eliminate this weed. The analysis of simulation results led to the formulation of five research hypotheses of practical relevance to the management of purple nutsedge. New insights gained by testing these hypotheses should lead to practical recommendations as well as a better understanding of the relationships between management practices and fluctuations in purple nutsedge populations.

Formulations of Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr. f.sp. erythroxyli isolate EN-4, pathogenic to Erythroxylum coca var. coca (coca) were evaluated in greenhouse and field studies to determine their relative ability to enhance pathogen populations in the soil or cause disease in coca. The formulations rice-alginate prill, Pesta, and C6 were most thoroughly tested and are products of three formulation processes. The formulations were applied in the greenhouse and field at 33.6 kg ha−1. All the formulations tested enhanced the population of EN-4 in the soil during greenhouse (> 6 wk) and field (> 7 mo) experiments. EN-4 was present in the upper 1 cm of formulation-treated soil at > 200-fold higher populations than established below a depth of 7 to 10 cm in both greenhouse and field experiments. This population distribution was maintained throughout the 7-mo sampling period for field experiments. The enhanced soil populations of EN-4 were associated with an increase in root colonization by the pathogen EN-4 in the field 5 to 7 mo after treatment. The formulated F. oxysporum began to have a significant effect on plant death 100 to 200 d after application in two of three field experiments, based on repeated measures analysis. The various formulations tested tended to establish similar pathogen populations in soil and subsequently caused similar levels of disease. The primary factors influencing formulation performance may be environmental, since inoculum production is dependent on sporulation of the formulation, which, although rapid, may continue over several weeks subsequent to application.

Research was conducted to determine the optimum population and row spacing for corn production and for suppressing velvetleaf growth and seed production. Corn was grown in a factorial arrangement of three populations targeted at 64,000 (1 ×), 96,000 (1.5 ×), or 128,000 (2 ×) plants ha−1 and two row spacings of 38 or 76 cm. Influences on corn were determined in weed-free plots, and influences on velvetleaf were determined for target plants established at 1.5–m intervals along the center of corn interrows. Four velvetleaf plantings were made at weekly intervals beginning at corn planting. Corn row spacing had little influence on corn or velvetleaf. Corn yield exhibited a parabolic response to population with a maximum of approximately 90,000 plants ha−1 in one year, no response to population in another year, and a linear decline with increasing population in a dry year. Velvetleaf seed production was reduced 69 to 94% by the 1.5 × population and 99% by the 2 × population compared to the standard 1 × population when velvetleaf emerged with corn. Velvetleaf seed production was eliminated when velvetleaf emerged at or later than corn leaf stages 3, 5, and 6 for corn populations of 2 ×, 1.5 ×, and 1 ×, respectively. Reduced velvetleaf seed production was correlated with lower positioning of plants in the corn canopy and reduced light availability. Results suggest that higher corn populations could aid integrated weed management strategies by reducing seed production and limiting the build-up of weed populations.

To understand the role of the seed coat in regulation of houndstongue seed dormancy, the effects of manipulation of seed coat integrity on seed germination and O2 uptake were studied. The results suggest that the seed coat of this weed regulates dormancy in part by interfering with the diffusion of O2 to the embryo. Scanning electron microscopy showed a network of ridges on the seed coat surface that were partially dissolved following 1.5 min of sulphuric acid scarification. Mechanical scarification removed fragments of the seed coat surface. Both scarification treatments stimulated seed germination. Supply of an elevated level of O2 also stimulated seed germination. O2 uptake by seeds imbibed in O2-saturated water was 150% higher than that for seeds imbibed in air-saturated water. Although all treatments that stimulated seed germination also stimulated O2 uptake, there was a lack of a consistent, quantitative relationship between increases in O2 uptake and seed germination in various experiments. This suggests that limitation of O2 availability to the embryo is not the only factor involved in regulation of houndstongue seed dormancy by the seed coat. Mechanical restriction of embryo expansion by the seed coat may also be important. Methanol-insoluble phenolics constituted < 1% of the total phenolic pool in the embryo. Their potential oxidation could not account for more than a small fraction of the previously reported massive stimulation of O2 uptake by the embryo upon decoating. The present O2 uptake and seed germination studies indicate that not all of the large increase in O2 uptake following decoating is essential for houndstongue seed germination.

The ability to predict weed phenological development under field conditions is fundamental to the development of mechanistic weed–crop competition models. We studied how phenological development of common ragweed grown under field conditions could be explained using temperature and photoperiod responses derived from growth room experiments. We also determined the relationship between phenological development and common ragweed leaf area, dry matter production, and partitioning. Phenological development of common ragweed emerging at different times in the field was described by photothermal time based on temperature and photoperiod responses derived from growth room experiments. Estimated dates of phenological events of common ragweed were within 4 d of recorded values. Common ragweed seedling density did not influence phenological development. Common ragweed leaf area development, biomass partitioning, and total biomass were related to photothermal time accumulation. The results of this study are consistent with our hypothesis that phenological development is a major factor influencing the outcome of weed–crop competition. Results obtained from this study can be incorporated into a mechanistic model of weed–crop competition.

Weed seeds can require an exposure to light for induction of germination. Conducting tillage operations at night and thus preventing the photoinduction of germination has been proposed as a means to reduce weed emergence in agricultural systems. This research was conducted to evaluate night tillage as a weed management option and to determine which tillage operations have the greatest effect on light-mediated recruitment. Weed emergence was evaluated after conducting factorial combinations of day and night moldboard plowing and disking in the springtime from 1992 through 1995. The light environment during disking generally had a slightly greater effect on emergence than the light environment during plowing. Emergence of pigweed species and giant foxtail was, at most, 30 to 55% higher following day vs. night disking. Emergence of other weeds was not affected by the light environment during tillage. We conclude that night tillage may not be a viable approach to weed management due to insufficient reductions in weed emergence associated with night tillage and the high degree of variability in the recruitment response to light conditions during tillage.

Experiments were conducted to examine morphological variation among hemp dogbane populations. Rootstocks collected from 16 sites throughout Michigan and Illinois were used to establish nurseries in East Lansing, MI, and Champaign, IL. Growth, stem characteristics, and leaf characteristics were measured for each ecotype at both nurseries. Differences among ecotypes were observed for all measurements except emergence date and growing degree days to emergence. The number of shoots per plot produced by the ecotypes ranged from 5 to 54 and shoot height ranged from 69 to 126 cm. Ecotypes spread laterally at different rates, with the most aggressive covering 19 times more ground area than the least aggressive. Total shoot dry weight accumulation varied greatly among ecotypes. Some ecotypes could be identified from others by their unique leaf shape. Shoot number, shoot height, and ground area covered were greater for plants grown in Michigan than in Illinois. Differences in growth and morphological characteristics among ecotypes were not correlated with the geographical region where they were collected. Differences in measurements between the two nurseries illustrate the role of environment and genetics in the growth and morphology of this plant species.

Understanding patterns of weed seedling emergence within a growing season and over years is important to develop models to predict optimum timing of weed management practices. A study was conducted in a field with no previous velvetleaf infestations to describe emergence patterns following seed burial at three depths in two tillage systems. Freshly harvested velvetleaf seeds were planted 0, 2, and 6 cm deep in moldboard plowed (MP) and no-tillage (NT) corn stubble in October 1990. Velvetleaf seedling emergence was monitored over the following 4 yr in continuous corn. Emergence was higher in NT than in MP plots throughout 4 yr of observation. The first growing season following seeding, emerged seedlings represented 9.3 to 15.8% of the seeds sown in NT, compared with 0.1 to 0.8% of seeds sown in MP. After four growing seasons, emerged seedlings were 12.5 to 25% of seeds sown in NT but only 6 to 7.4 % of seeds sown in MP. Emergence was consistently higher from the 0-cm depth than from the 6-cm depth in NT, but seeding depth did not influence emergence in MP due to mixing of the soil during tillage. Velvetleaf emergence was related to growing degree days (base 7.5 C), with greater consistency in NT than in MP. Averaged over years and planting depths, 50% velvetleaf emergence occurred within 8 and 13 d of the predicted date in NT and MP systems, respectively.

Palmleaf morningglory (IPOWR) and pitted morningglory (IPOLA) were compared in field and greenhouse tests under simulated rice field conditions to quantify flood tolerance characteristics of the two species. IPOWR survived a 13-cm flood in the field if the flood was applied 12 days after planting (DAP) or later. In contrast, IPOLA did not survive floods applied before 19 DAP. Only IPOWR survived a 5-cm flood applied 5 DAP in the field. In the greenhouse, both species were unable to emerge from under 1 cm of soil when flooded greater than 1 cm deep. Although both species emerged from water-saturated soil, IPOWR emerged earlier and produced more dry weight than did IPOLA. Emergence from the water surface of 2-cm-tall IPOWR was better than that of IPOLA when submerged in water up to 7 cm deep, and total dry weight (as a percent of a nonflooded control) was two to four times greater for IPOWR. Even a 5-cm flood reduced leaf area, height, dry weight, and photosynthesis of IPOLA more than that of IPOWR. At 20 C and low oxygen (1%), germination percentage of IPOWR was about four times higher than IPOLA. Germination, growth, and certain physiological processes of IPOWR are more tolerant than those of IPOLA to moderately deep floods (and low soil oxygen levels). Thus, IPOWR is potentially a greater weed problem than IPOLA in rice fields. The fact that neither species was capable of emerging from soil under even shallow flood depths helps explain why morningglories are prevalent only in shallow or water-saturated areas on rice field levees.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of sunlight perceived by weed seeds during and after soil cultivation with moldboard and chisel plows on induction of seed germination. Daytime cultivation with a moldboard plow increased weed seedling emergence by as much as 200% above the levels recorded following nighttime cultivation; however, the magnitude of this promotion varied depending on season and field history, and occasionally it was nil. In contrast, when a chisel plow was used in primary tillage, no differences in seedling emergence were observed between daytime and nighttime cultivation. The absolute germination level in plots cultivated with a chisel plow was at least 200% greater than in plots cultivated with a moldboard plow. This observation suggests that microenvironmental factors other than light played an important role in promoting seed germination in chisel-plowed plots. Covering moldboard-plowed plots with opaque plastic immediately after cultivation did not reduce weed seedling emergence compared to plots that were either covered with transparent film or left uncovered. Our results suggest that only the light stimulus perceived by the seeds during soil cultivation is effective in triggering germination.

The preemergence efficacy of soil surface applications of a Phomopsis convolvulus granular formulation to control field bindweed seedlings was compared with its efficacy when inoculum granules were incorporated in soil. In addition, the effect of different doses of soil-applied granules was also determined. Under controlled environment conditions, incorporation of the fungal granules resulted in aboveground biomass reductions between 88 and 96%, with no significant differences observed between incorporation depths of 1.5 and 3 cm. Granule applications on the soil surface were less effective, reducing aboveground biomass 40 to 83%. In a parallel field experiment conducted over two growing seasons, however, surface applications of inoculum granules resulted in greater weed control compared with soil incorporation of the granules. In spring and summer trials conducted in 1996, surface applications resulted in a 93 and 100% aboveground biomass reduction, respectively, whereas incorporated granules reduced biomass 62 and 97%. Similar trends were observed in 1997. Different soil-applied doses of P. convolvulus did not affect the level of weed control under both controlled environment and field conditions. In 1995 and 1996 field trials, all rates used (30, 20, and 10 g 0.25m−2plot) resulted in substantial (90 to 100%) field bindweed aboveground biomass reductions. Findings in this study indicate that under field conditions, preemergence applications of the bioherbicide P. convolvulus on the soil surface provide effective control of field bindweed.

Improved crop tolerance and weed suppressive ability are tactics that may reduce the negative effect of weeds on crop yield. Irrigated field experiments were conducted to compare leaf area index (LAI), intercepted photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), and relative tolerance and velvetleaf suppressive ability among two old (circa 1940) and two modern corn hybrids. Each hybrid was grown in monoculture and in mixture with velvetleaf at 1, 4, 16, and 40 plants m−1 row. Plants were periodically harvested in monoculture plots to obtain estimates of corn LAI, and PPF interception was measured. Variation in hybrid tolerance to velvetleaf competition for light was evaluated by comparing among hybrids the coefficients of a regression of corn yield loss on velvetleaf density. Velvetleaf seed capsule production in the presence of each hybrid was compared to evaluate variation in velvetleaf suppressive ability among hybrids. Maximum corn yield loss was 32% lower for the two old hybrids, and velvetleaf capsule production was reduced by 62% at low velvetleaf densities in 1995 compared to the modern hybrids. In 1996, yield loss of the modern hybrid 3394 was 74% lower than that of the other three hybrids at low velvetleaf densities, whereas maximum yield loss of the old hybrid 336 was 44% lower at high densities. Velvetleaf capsule production did not vary among hybrids at any velvetleaf density in 1996. Hybrids with greater tolerance and velvetleaf suppressive ability also had greater LAI and PPF interception, suggesting optimized corn LAI and PPF interception may be useful in an integrated weed management program.

The primary goal of this research was to determine whether crop damage from herbicides measured soon after treatment could estimate relative crop yield loss. Two to 4 wk after spraying soybeans with an unregisrered mixture of rhifensulfuron plus sethoxydim at various rates plus crop oil concentrate, percent stunting was visually rated and percent projected ground cover of soybeans was determined from photographs. In each of 3 yr, relative percent soybean yield was a negative linear function of relative herbicide rate from 0.25× to 2× the registered (1×) rate. The 1× rate of thifensulfuron and sethoxydim was 17.5 and 420 g ai ha−1, respectively. Relative soybean yield was also negatively related linearly to stunting but positively related linearly to soybean ground cover over 3 yr. Linear regression equation models of relative soybean yield versus percent soybean ground cover explained more model variability, more consistently (R2 ≥ 0.60 in two of 3 yr) than did either stunting (R2 ≥ 0.60 in one of 3 yr) or relative herbicide rate (R2 = 0.37 to 0.48 over 3 yr). However, linear regression models for each independent variable differed from year to year and were related to differences in rainfall following treatment. Ways are suggested to increase regression model precision and between-year reproducibility.

Parasitic witchweeds inflict most of their damage while still underground and attached to crop roots. Most selective translocated herbicides are detoxified by crops such as corn and thus cannot reach the attached parasites. Corn with target site resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides was tested to ascertain whether these herbicides could control witchweeds, assuming that witchweeds do not obtain amino acids from the crop. Postemergence directed sprays of 27 g ae ha−1 imazapyr 54 d after planting (DAP) delayed Striga asiatica emergence on corn in South Carolina from 3 wk (control) to 7 wk and to 11 wk when mixed with 45 g ae ha−1 AC 263 222. Treatments with up to 71 g ae ha−1 imazamox, and up to 71 g ae ha−1 AC 263 222 only delayed Striga emergence by 1 wk, and 71 g ae ha−1 imazethapyr was ineffective. ALS-inhibiting herbicides were far more effective when applied in 1-ml drenches above the seed at planting. Chlorsulfuron (10 g ai ha−1) and sulfometuron (50 g ai ha−1) were somewhat phytotoxic to Pioneer 3245IR. Rimsulfuron (30 g ai ha−1), metsulfuron (10 g ai ha−1), halosulfuron (120 g ai ha−1), and imazethapyr (140 g ae ha−1) were marginally active in Kenya, with some mature Striga hermonthica seed-bearing capsules appearing at harvest (12 wk). Imazapyr at 15 g ae ha−1 gave 70 to 95% suppression of capsule formation, whereas no capsules appeared at 30 g ae ha−1. The use of imazapyr in Kenya increased the harvest index by 17% when corn plants in Striga-infested soils were kept insect and disease free by using insecticides and fungicides. Thus, complete control can be achieved at affordable cost by farmers in subsistence conditions.

Field research was conducted to characterize hemp dogbane crown root carbohydrates, to quantify crown root lipids, and to determine seasonal fluctuation of each. The effect of day length on the release of hemp dogbane crown bud dormancy was studied in growth chambers. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) levels fluctuated with seasonal lows occurring during bud to mid-flowering and seasonal highs in fall predormancy periods. Starch was the primary storage carbohydrate, comprising up to 39.6% of crown root dry weight at the highest seasonal level. Ethanol soluble reducing sugar levels were negatively correlated with seasonal starch levels, and appeared to be maltose and glucose accumulated before conversion to sucrose for translocation. Most lipids were in ethanol soluble fractions and were inversely correlated with seasonal TNC patterns. The maximum level of total lipids in crown roots was 6%. Lipids appeared to be by-products of metabolism in nonarticulated lacticifers and not a significant carbon energy source. An 18-h day length resulted in a 10-fold increase in intact, 2-yr-old crown root dormancy release compared with 10- or 14-h day lengths in growth chamber studies. Seasonal carbohydrate fluctuations in hemp dogbane suggest the most effective control with mowing or tillage would occur when applied at mid- to full flower before root carbohydrates begin to recover. The most effective translocation of phloem mobile herbicides to crown roots would occur after mid- to late flower through leaf senescence when carbohydrates are being stored in the roots.