Three applications/yr of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] with a ropewick applicator (RWA), a roller applicator (RA), and a recirculating sprayer (RCS) were compared to hoeing and cultivation for the control of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. ♯3 SORHA] in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Acala SJ-2′) in six field experiments from 1979 to 1981. Averaged over the 3 yr and dates of application, plots treated with glyphosate contained 78% fewer live johnsongrass shoots (15/m2) than cultivated-control plots (68/m2). Although applications of glyphosate with the RWA and RA improved or tended to improve yields of cotton, only plots treated with the RWA yielded significantly more seed cotton than cultivated control plots in all years. However, yields of plots treated with the RWA still averaged 38% less than hoed plots. Plots treated with the RA produced significantly more cotton than cultivated-control plots only in 1981.

Toxicity and translocation of nonradiolabeled and translocation of 14C-labeled sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} in common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ♯3 CYNDA] were evaluated for foliar treated plants grown 2 or 4 days under controlled environmental conditions. Nonradiolabel treated plants were further grown in the greenhouse for the remainder of 3 weeks. Shoot injury of intact plants was greatest (90%) and regrowth of plants clipped after 2 days treatment each was least (< 5%) at 35 C and 100% RH. At 35 C and 40% RH and at 18 C (40 and 100% RH), shoot injuries were 60 to 68%, regrowth in lengths were 82 to 87%, and in fresh weights were 55 to 74%, respectively. After 2 days treatment, absorption of 14C-activity was greatest (70%) at 35 C and 100% RH, moderate (56%) at 35 C and 40% RH, and least (33 to 43%) at 18 C and 40 and 100% RH, respectively. At 35 C, translocation was approximately 4 fold greater at 100% and 2 fold greater at 40% RH than at 18 C at either RH. Autoradiography indicated the greatest distribution of the radiolabel at 35 C.

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE) may be a troublesome weed in winter small grains, perennial legumes, perennial grasses grown for seed, and orchards. In Nebraska, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields have been depressed 30% by downy brome populations of 11 to 22 plants/m2 (8). In Oregon, downy brome densities of 108 to 160 and 538 plants/m2 reduced yields by 40 and 92%, respectively (22, 23). In Idaho, wheat yields were depressed 20 to 40% with 55 to 110 plants/m2 (18). Downy brome has also been shown to lower yields and quality of hay from infested fields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (29). In perennial grass seed fields, downy brome may cause a serious seed quality problem (16). Some grass seed lots have contained as much as 50 to 75% downy brome seed.

Glyphosate transport was studied using the 14C-labeled herbicide. Because glyphosate appears to undergo little metabolism in plants, detected 14C was assumed to indicate the presence of glyphosate. Leaf-girdling experiments demonstrated that 14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] transport in treated quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. ♯3 AGRRE] leaves occurred in both leaf symplast and apoplast. Symplastic transport was toward the leaf tip and the leaf base. Apoplastic transport was toward the leaf tip only. Rhizome-girdling experiments showed that translocation of glyphosate from a treated shoot to another shoot on the same rhizome occurs primarily in the rhizome symplast. Girdling the base of quackgrass culms showed that acropetal transport of glyphosate from the rhizome into quackgrass shoots is in the apoplast and the symplast of the culms of quackgrass shoots. Excision of rhizome buds and rhizome apices indicated that the rhizome is a sink for glyphosate independent of rhizome buds or rhizome apices. The concentration of 14C-glyphosate in rhizome buds was less in plants with rhizome apices removed than in those with apices intact. The concentration of C-glyphosate in rhizome apices did not differ between plants with buds removed and those with buds intact. 14C-glyphosate applied to a girdled rhizome apex remained primarily in the apex. Some transport of glyphosate past the girdle occurred, indicating apoplastic transport of glyphosate in the rhizome. Apoplastic transport of 14C-glyphosate in the rhizome was greatest in water-stressed plants.

Sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-one}, KK 80 {ethyl-4-[4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy] phenoxy]-2-pentenoate}, and RO-13-8895 {acetone-0-2-[D-2-[δ,δ,δ-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy] phenoxy] propionyl] oxime} did not injure plants visibly or reduce the yield of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). Diclofop LC [2,4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid] and diclofop HC in combination with oil or surfactant reduced tomato yield because tomatoes retained more of these spray solutions. No herbicide treatments injured onions (Allium cepa L.). All compounds controlled most grass weeds. Tomato plants grown at 29/18 C were injured more by some diclofop treatments than plants grown at 18/7 C. Cell membrane permeability of tomato plants treated with diclofop alone or in combination with adjuvants increased as visual injury symptoms became more severe.

Under greenhouse conditions, jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) L. ♯3 DATST) grown in soil treated with vernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate) was more sensitive to postemerence application of acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid} and bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] than jimsonweed grown in untreated soil or soil treated with trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine). Vernolate followed by acifluorfen was more phytotoxic than acifluorfen alone. Bentazon applied to jimsonweed after a pretreatment with vernolate at 2.2 kg ai/ha was more effective than the same rate of bentazon applied alone. Trifluralin did not enhance the activity of acifluorfen or bentazon on jimsonweed. Laboratory studies showed that more acifluorfen was absorbed by vernolate-pretreated jimsonweed than by untreated jimsonweed. No differences in bentazon absorption between vernolate-pretreated and nontreated jimsonweed were measured.

A multiple access key, or polyclave, and a traditional dichotomous key were constructed for the identification of 40 species of weed seedlings. The polyclave contained 3.4 times more information than the dichotomous key; however, there was no difference in the frequency of accurate identifications or in the time required to make accurate identifications using either system. The relative values of traditional keys and polyclaves for weed seedling identifications are discussed.

Dormant and nondormant kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. ♯3 KCHSC] seed populations were buried at six soil depths in Colorado. Portions of both populations remained viable for 36 months. Persistence increased with burial depth in both populations. Seed loss from the initially dormant population was limited to germination in situ, but seed loss from the initially nondormant population included significant viability loss at burial depths of 10 cm or less. Persistence of both populations was regulated by dormancy retention. Shallow tillage practices are predicted to decrease seed persistence in soil and increase successful seedling emergence. Deep tillage practices are predicted to reduce seedling emergence but increase soil seed populations.

A study was conducted at two locations to evaluate the effects of cheat (Bromus secalinus L. ♯3 BROSE) competition on four seeding rates (4.5, 9.0, 13.5, and 22 kg/ha) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ‘Riley’). Three stages of first harvest (early bud, early bloom, and late bloom) were imposed on fall-planted alfalfa, with and without cheat overseeding, to determine the effects of harvest stage on alfalfa yield and quality. Cheat infestations significantly decreased alfalfa production and forage quality. Increasing the seeding rate of alfalfa only partially offset these losses. Harvesting early helped minimize the effect of cheat competition. First-harvest protein yield of forage was significantly decreased by, cheat overseeding. Total protein yield at first harvest was not affected by cutting stage but did increase with the two higher seeding rates of alfalfa.

Atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] retention by standing and flat wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stubble was determined over time. Immediately following an application of 1.7 kg/ha atrazine, approximately 60% of the herbicide had been intercepted by the stubble and 40% was found in the underlying soil. After 3 weeks and 50 mm of rainfall, atrazine on standing and flat stubble had decreased by 90 and 63%, respectively, while atrazine in the soil increased nearly twofold. No atrazine was found in stubble 9 weeks after application, and only 17% of that originally applied remained in the upper 4 cm of the soil. Successive alternate-day applications of 12.5, 25, or 50 mm water on 14C-atrazine retention by stubble was determined. Atrazine loss from stubble was greatest during the first water application, but there was no linear relationship between water application rate and retention of the herbicide. Atrazine loss from stubble decreased significantly following the second water application in all treatments. The amount of water applied did not influence atrazine loss following the third washing. Subsequent loss after the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh washings was not significant at any water application volume. After the seventh washing, atrazine residues were greatest on stubble which had received the least amount of water.

In field studies 0.1 ppmw ae or less 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] applied by sprinklers in 5.1 cm of water over 8 h did not affect the number or dry weight of leaves or length of canes of 1-yr-old Concord grape plants (Vitis labrusca L.). A second application at 0.01 ppmw or higher to the same plants 1 yr later reduced growth of leaves, canes, and trunk. Combined effects of root pruning (required to position plants for treatment the second year) and 2,4-D probably account for this apparent anomaly. When 2,4-D was applied annually at 1.0 ppmw or less to established plants for three consecutive years, growth, yield, and fruit quality were not affected. No residues of 2,4-D were detected in the fruit at harvest (detection limit 0.05 ppmw). Grapes treated with 1.0 ppmw 2,4-D developed moderate injury symptoms.

Studies were conducted to measure the foliar activity of sethoxydim (BAS 9052 OH) {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} and RO-13-8895 {acetone-O-[D-2-[p-[(α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-oxy] phenoxy] propionyl] oxime} as affected by adjuvants, soil moisture, and growth stage of grasses, and to compare the responses of three grass species to these herbicides. The activity of both herbicides was increased by adjuvants. The activity of sethoxydim was not significantly affected by soil moisture. Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. ♯3 ELEIN] and broadleaf signalgrass [Brachiaria platyphylla (Griseb. ♯ BRAPP) Nash] control was greater with RO-13-8895 at the high than at the low soil moisture level. Soil moisture did not influence large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. ♯ DIGSA] control, since it was relatively tolerant to RO-13-8895. Both herbicides gave greater control at early than at late growth stages. When averaged over all variables, sethoxydim gave greater large crabgrass control than RO-13-8895, but RO-13-8895 gave greater goosegrass and broadleaf signalgrass control than sethoxydim.

Desmedipham [ethyl m-hydroxycarbanilate carbanilate(ester)] controlled wild mustard (Sinapsis arvensis L. ♯3 SINAR) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. ♯ AMARE) more effectively than phenmedipham (methyl m-hydroxycarbanilate m-methylcarbanilate). A synergistic interaction occurred with all tank-mix combinations of the two herbicides for wild mustard control, except combinations containing 0.71 kg ai/ha of desmedipham. The magnitude of the synergism decreased as the rate of desmedipham was increased and increased as the rate of phenmedipham increased. Both herbicides caused injury symptoms of leaf necrosis and height reduction to sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.). Crop injury and sunflower heights were affected more by desmedipham than by phenmedipham. Injury effects were temporary and had no influence on sunflower yields.

Postemergence applications of BAS 9052 OH, {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}, at 0.25 and 0.5 kg ai/ha were made to 27 temperate and 28 tropical species of Gramineae. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L. ♯3 POAAN) and rattail fescue (Festuca myuros L. ♯ VLPMY) were resistant to these rates of BAS 9052 OH. Five species of fescue and three species of bluegrass received postemergence applications of BAS 9052 OH at rates of 0.1 to 6.4 kg ai/ha. The germination of seeds and the subsequent growth of the seedlings of these species as influenced by various concentrations of BAS 9052 OH were also studied. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. ♯ FESPR), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ♯ FESAR), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. ♯ POAPR), and rough-stalked meadowgrass (Poa trivialis L. ♯ POATR) were most susceptible; annual bluegrass was somewhat less resistant; hard fescue (Festuca longifolia Thuill) was resistant; red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ♯ FESRU) and rattail fescue were very resistant.

Season-long weed control has been a goal of some producers of irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) to reduce competition, lessen weed seed production, facilitate crop harvest, improve water efficiency (particularly with furrow irrigation), and improve aesthetic properties of fields. Field experiments were conducted for 3 yr on sprinkler-irrigated corn on a loamy fine sand. Five herbicides applied at layby generally provided season-long control of grass weeds and reduced weed seed production up to 100%. Pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] was particularly effective. Yields of irrigated corn were not increased by layby herbicide application. Use of corn rows spaced 91 cm apart and use of a shorter, early-maturing, horizontal-leaf corn cultivar resulted in greater weed growth and weed seed production than did use of 76-cm rows and a taller, full-season, upright-leaf corn cultivar. After nearly complete weed control with herbicides for 2 yr, withholding herbicide use in the third year allowed weed growth which reduced corn yield. Indications were that weed control efforts need to be continuous in irrigated corn production.

Multiherbicide granules were formulated containing 1.3% fluazifop {(±)-butyl 2-[4-[[5-trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoate} (w/w) in polymerized tung oil overlaid on a granular matrix of gum xanthan-loess containing 2.7% linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea] or oryzalin (3,5-dinitro-N4,N4-dipropylsulfanilamide). Under greenhouse conditions the granules were as effective in selective control of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ♯3 ABUTH), hemp sesbania [Sesbania exaltata (Raf.) Cory ♯ SEBEX], corn (Zea mays L. ♯ ZEAMX), and red rice (Oryza sativa L. ♯ ORYSA) in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Hill’] as when the herbicides were sprayed separately. When applied preemergence at 0.56 to 0.14 kg ai/ha, tung oil-encapsulated fluazifop on loess granules killed 100% of stolon bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ♯ CYNDA] and was as effective as sprayed fluazifop.

Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. ♯3 CASOB) seed were obtained from 10 locations in nine southern states, and plants were grown in a nursery for 3 yr. In field experiments, plant height, seed per pod, number of seed per plant, and number of pods per plant varied among seed sources and years. The vegetative growth phase, as measured from emergence to the initiation of the first floral buds, was approximately 30 days shorter for plants grown from the Tennessee source than for those grown from seed collected in Alachua, FL, in all 3 yr. Hand-harvested seed from plants grown from the 10 seed sources that were planted in 1982 were planted beside the original source sicklepod seed in 1983, and both flowered at approximately the same time, indicating self-fertilization. Percent germination of hand-harvested sicklepod seed from the 10 sources ranged from 2 to 11% for 1981 and 3 to 23% for 1982.