The involvement of allelopathy in various crop–weed competition studies has been suggested by several authors, but its significance has been demonstrated with varying success. It is extremely difficult to unambiguously demonstrate allelopathy in nature because of the complexity of plant interference and its relationship to soil chemistry. However, with an increased understanding of the chemical processes occurring in the agroecosystem, genetic mapping of quantitative traits, and the ability to identify allelochemicals, an effort should now be directed toward understanding the mechanisms for allelopathy, as well as trying to optimize an allelopathic effect to produce more competitive crops. The approach used for rice allelopathy research can be used as a general framework for understanding how genetically encoded traits affect the competitive ability of plants. This framework requires the involvement of a range of scientists from multidisciplinary research areas with the overall objective of optimizing competitive ability in crops. Such research efforts could reduce dependency on herbicides and thus increase the sustainability of weed management practices. This paper aims to illustrate the importance of allelopathy for crop competitive ability and to identify a framework suitable for result-oriented collaborative research toward breeding for competitive ability in crops.

Field studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of glyphosate and conventional herbicides on purple and yellow nutsedges. Tubers collected from the field were counted and tested for viability via growth chamber or triphenyl tetrazolium chloride test to determine the effect of herbicides on tuber density and viability. With purple nutsedge, herbicide treatments containing glyphosate at 0.84 kg/ha followed by (fb) glyphosate at 0.56 kg/ha reduced viable and total tuber density. Among conventional herbicides, treatments containing metolachlor at 2.2 kg/ha plus sulfentrazone at 0.26 kg/ha plus chlorimuron at 0.05 kg/ha applied preemergence (PRE) and metolachlor at 2.2 kg/ha plus imazaquin at 0.14 kg/ha applied PRE fb bentazon at 0.84 kg/ha applied postemergence (POST) reduced total and viable tuber density compared to the nontreated. Metolachlor at 2.2 kg/ha plus sulfentrazone at 0.26 kg/ha plus chlorimuron at 0.05 kg/ha applied PRE fb bentazon applied POST also reduced viable tuber density of purple nutsedge. With yellow nutsedge, all herbicide treatments reduced total and viable tuber density over the nontreated check.

Experiments examining burcucumber management in glufosinate-resistant (GR) and imidazolinone-resistant (IMI) corn were conducted in 1997 and 1998 in southeastern Pennsylvania. GR corn was planted in 38- and 76-cm rows, and postemergence (POST) treatments of glufosinate and glufosinate plus atrazine were applied to corn at the V4 or V5 growth stage. In a second study, IMI corn was planted in 76-cm rows, and 15 preemergence (PRE) and POST herbicide programs were evaluated. Herbicide treatments included RPA-201772, CGA 152005, simazine, imazethapyr plus imazapyr, imazamox, chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron, nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine, CGA 152005 plus primisulfuron, and combinations with atrazine. Burcucumber germinated throughout the growing season, with greatest emergence occurring in early June, gradually decreasing to minimal emergence by mid-July. Glufosinate alone controlled burcucumber 79 to 90% 7 weeks after planting (WAP) regardless of application timing or row spacing. By 10 to 13 WAP, control was 82% or less due to lack of residual control and new burcucumber emergence. Row spacing had little effect on burcucumber emergence or control and appears to have little impact on burcucumber management in corn. In general, PRE herbicide programs were less effective than POST programs, although PRE treatments containing atrazine equaled some POST herbicides. POST-applied chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron, nicosulfuron plus rimsulfuron plus atrazine, and CGA 152005 plus primisulfuron controlled burcucumber greater than 80 and 90% in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Imazethapyr plus imazapyr and imazamox applied POST controlled burcucumber 66% 10 WAP. Adding atrazine to POST herbicide programs did not increase control, with the exception of imazethapyr plus imazapyr.

The adaptation of herbicides to control the encroachment of one warm-season grass into another species is an important management practice. A field study was conducted in Georgia to determine the rates and frequency of herbicide applications needed to suppress three seashore paspalum cultivars and determine what effects these treatments will have on three bermudagrass cultivars. MSMA plus triclopyr plus clopyralid applied at a total of 2.7 kg/ha in each of three applications for a cumulative total of 8.1 kg/ha effectively suppressed (> 70%) ‘Sea Isle 1’ and ‘Sea Isle 2000’ for 13 wk during 1998 and 1999 and ‘K-3’ during 1998. The suppression of K-3 in 1999 was 56%. The suppression was higher in all instances when MSMA was applied with triclopyr plus clopyralid than when it was not included (< 45%). Four-way combinations of MSMA plus 2,4-D plus mecoprop plus dicamba applied at a total of 5.3 kg/ha in each of three applications for a cumulative total of 15.9 kg/ha suppressed K-3 from 37 to 66%, Sea Isle 2000 from 55 to 66%, and Sea Isle 1 from 59 to 65% for 13 wk. The suppression of three paspalum cultivars at 13 wk from tank mixes of MSMA plus 2,4-D plus dicamba applied at a total of 4.5 kg/ha in each of three applications for a total cumulative of 13.5 kgsol:ha was 7 to 12% lower using the four-way combination treatments. Injury to the bermudagrass cultivars from herbicide treatments was not a problem. In some instances, all herbicides caused some degree of bermudagrass injury on selected dates of treatment. Maximum injury from the herbicides ranged from 18 to 40% for ‘common’ bermudagrass, 18 to 39% for ‘Tifway’ and 30% for ‘TifEagle’ bermudagrass. When injury occurred, bermudagrass recovery was within 1- to 2-wk following treatments.

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of imazethapyr at 35 and 53 g ai/ha applied preplant incorporated (PPI) or postemergence (POST) under various soil moisture regimes (13, 19, 25, and 50%) on barnyardgrass and red rice. Response of barnyardgrass and red rice to imazethapyr PPI was affected by soil moisture. With imazethapyr PPI, control of barnyardgrass was reduced at 50% soil moisture compared with other soil moisture regimes, and height of barnyardgrass increased as soil moisture increased from 19 to 50% 2 weeks after treatment (WAT). Barnyardgrass control declined and plant dry weight increased with the increase of soil moisture from 19 to 50% at 3 WAT. Imazethapyr PPI activity on red rice was reduced at 50% compared with other soil moisture regimes, as reflected by decreased control ratings as well as increased plant height and dry weight. Imazethapyr activity on barnyardgrass and red rice was increased at 50% soil moisture when applied POST compared with PPI. Imazethapyr POST activity on barnyardgrass and red rice was generally not affected by the soil moisture regimes or application rates. The results suggested that high soil moisture conditions reduced imazethapyr PPI efficacy on barnyardgrass and red rice. Imazethapyr POST activity seems unaffected by soil moisture conditions and thus may be used to control barnyardgrass and red rice if wet soil conditions are a concern.

Cultural practices used for crop production influence the composition of the weed seed bank in the soil. This paper reports the results of a 5-yr experiment to characterize the weed seed bank conducted on a farmer-managed field in central Iowa. The number of weed seeds in the soil and their vertical distribution were examined each October. At the initial sampling in October 1994, the field had been in hay production and about 80% of the weed seeds were common waterhemp and foxtail species. The cropping sequence over the next 3 yr was corn/soybean/corn using a ridge tillage system. Over this period, the density of common waterhemp seeds declined each year. The density of foxtail seeds declined by almost 90% during the first year of corn and did not change during the following years of soybean and corn production. Prior to moldboard plowing of the hay sward in 1994, weed seeds were concentrated in the upper 10 cm of soil. Moldboard plowing resulted in a more uniform distribution of the weed seeds over the upper 20 cm of soil, and the distribution across depths remained relatively constant during the 3 yr of corn and soybean production. During the final year of the experiment, the field was rotated to oat and reseeded with hay species. The number of common waterhemp and foxtail seeds in the soil greatly increased following oat/hay production and seeds were concentrated in the upper 10 cm of the soil profile. Results indicated that the processes affecting the weed seed bank in production fields are complex and will vary greatly based on the production practices used and the timing of their application.

The interaction between wheat and perennial ryegrass seed density and seedlings of different ages was studied under controlled conditions. Root length of perennial ryegrass, after sowing, was suppressed by wheat and was dependent on the density of wheat seeds. Shoot growth of perennial ryegrass, however, was unaffected by the presence of wheat. Perennial ryegrass density had no effect on the first 2 wk of wheat seedling growth. The age of wheat seedlings had no appreciable influence on either root or shoot growth of perennial ryegrass. The present study highlights the need for an unbiased two-way experimental design to identify the dominant competitor.

Field studies were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the sensitivity of a common sunflower population to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides and evaluate alternative control methods for ALS-resistant common sunflower in soybean. Imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazamox, flumetsulam, chlorimuron, cloransulam, and CGA277476 provided 35 to 73% control of common sunflower with labeled rates. Postemergence glyphosate and sequential applications of bentazon effectively controlled ALS-resistant common sunflower. Although pendimethalin + imazaquin + imazethapyr preemergence followed by glyphosate postemergence with and without cultivation provided 100% control of ALS-resistant common sunflower, sequential applications of glyphosate provided net incomes approximately $50 to $110/ha higher than the alternative control methods. Pendimethalin preemergence followed by acifluorfen + bentazon postemergence followed by bentazon 10 d later provided the lowest overall weed control and net income. In treatments with a soil-applied herbicide followed by glyphosate postemergence, cultivation generally did not improve weed control. Soybean yields were the same comparing glyphosate with a soil-applied herbicide followed by glyphosate.

The root exudates produced by sorghums contain a biologically active constituent known as sorgoleone. Seven sorghum accessions were evaluated for their exudate components. Except for johnsongrass, which yielded 14.8 mg root exudate/g fresh root wt, sorghum accessions consistently yielded approximately 2 mg root exudate/g fresh root wt. Exudates contained four to six major components, with sorgoleone being the major component (> 85%). Three-dimensional structure analysis was performed to further characterize sorgoleone's mode of action. These studies indicated that sorgoleone required about half the amount of free energy (493.8 kcal/mol) compared to plastoquinone (895.3 kcal/mol) to dock into the QB-binding site of the photosystem II complex of higher plants. Light, cryo-scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were utilized in an attempt to identify the cellular location of root exudate production. From the ultrastructure analysis, it is clear that exudate is being produced in the root hairs and being deposited between the plasmalemma and cell wall. The exact manufacturing and transport mechanism of the root exudate is still unclear. Studies were also conducted on sorgoleone's soil persistence and soil activity. Soil impregnated with sorgoleone had activity against a number of plant species. Recovery rates of sorgoleone-impregnated soil ranged from 85% after 1 h to 45% after 24 h. Growth reduction of 9 14-d-old weed species was observed with foliar applications of sorgoleone.

Field studies were conducted in 1997 and 1999 to determine the effect of a broadcast-seeded glyphosate-tolerant/conventional soybean seed mix on soybean seed yield, gross profit margin from weed management, and early-season weed suppression prior to a single glyphosate application. Tests were established by broadcasting and incorporating 494,000 seeds/ha glyphosate-tolerant soybean in combination with 0 to 1,976,000 seeds/ha conventional soybean. Glyphosate at 1.12 kg ai/ha was applied at the V5 to V6 soybean growth stage to kill all conventional soybean plants and emerged weeds. The broadcast planting technique was effective in establishing a soybean stand on a silt loam but was ineffective on a silty clay soil. Hemp sesbania and pitted morningglory control, resulting from interference with soybean, were correlated with percent soybean groundcover (R2 = 0.961 to 0.971) and population (R2 = 0.821 to 0.860) at the V5 to V6 soybean growth stage. Although not significant, increased yield and gross profit margin of dryland soybean occurred as the total seeding rate of the seed mix increased from 494,000 to 741,000 seeds/ha. A dryland seeding rate of 741,000 compared to 494,000 seeds/ha resulted in 438 kg/ha and $93.78/ha increase in seed yield and gross profit margin, respectively. Interference between the two soybean cultivars at 1,976,000 seeds/ha reduced yield. Irrigated soybean at 988,000 seeds/ha produced the greatest seed yield and gross profit margin at 2,987 kg/ha and $555.86/ha, respectively. Maximum yields were attributed to early-season weed suppression.

Alternative methods are needed to control weeds in no-till corn and soybean which minimize herbicide contamination of surface or ground water. The objective of this research was to determine whether between-row (BR) mowing + band-applied herbicide could help reduce herbicide use, without sacrificing summer annual weed control or yield, in no-till soybean and field corn. Glyphosate was applied shortly before or at planting to control emerged winter annual weeds in all treatments. In the BR mowing weed management system, the band-applied soil residual herbicides imazaquin + alachlor in soybean or atrazine + alachlor in corn were applied shortly before or after planting followed by two or more between-row mowings to control summer annual weeds. Annual weeds were first mowed when they were about 8 cm tall and again just before crop canopy closure. Between-row mowing weeds very close to the soil surface two or three times killed or suppressed summer annual grass and broadleaf weeds, chiefly giant foxtail, common cocklebur, and horseweed, when timed properly. The BR mowing weed management system increased yield above a weedy check in these no-till crops. It also controlled weeds and yielded as well as or better than broadcast-applied herbicide at the same rates. Use of soil residual herbicides to control summer annual weeds was reduced 50% by banding because only 50% of the field area was sprayed.

Field studies were conducted at two locations in North Carolina in 1998 and in 1999 to evaluate weed control and peanut response following diclosulam at 27 g ai/ha preemergence (PRE) or flumioxazin at 87 g ai/ha preemergence (PRE) alone and in systems with postemergence (POST) commercial standards. All plots received a preplant incorporated (PPI) treatment of metolachlor at 1,400 g ai/ha. Metolachlor PPI plus diclosulam or flumioxazin PRE controlled common lambsquarters, common ragweed, entireleaf morningglory, large crabgrass, and yellow nutsedge as well as or better than metolachlor PPI followed by (fb) acifluorfen plus bentazon POST or paraquat plus bentazon early postemergence fb acifluorfen plus bentazon POST. Metolachlor PPI plus diclosulam PRE or flumioxazin PRE controlled ivyleaf morningglory as well as metolachlor PPI fb acifluorfen plus bentazon POST. Metolachlor PPI plus flumioxazin PRE controlled common lambsquarters better than metolachlor PPI plus diclosulam PRE while diclosulam PRE controlled common ragweed better. There was no difference in common lambsquarters control between flumioxazin and diclosulam PRE when POST herbicides were used. There was only one difference in peanut yield and net returns between metolachlor PPI fb either diclosulam or flumioxazin PRE when POST herbicides were used.

BAY MKH 6561, a sulfonylaminocarbonyl-triazolinone herbicide for postemergence control of annual grasses and selected broadleaf weeds in wheat, was evaluated for weed control and rotational crop (barley, pea, lentil, and mustard) injury in the Pacific Northwest. BAY MKH 6561 was applied postemergence in winter wheat at 22, 45, and 90 g ai/ha during fall 1997 and spring 1998 near Moscow, ID, Pendleton, OR, and Wilcox, WA, to determine its effect on barley, pea, lentil, and mustard planted during spring 1999. At Pendleton, BAY MKH 6561 reduced barley height 6% and grain yield 11%, when applied in the spring at 90 g/ha, and visibly injured mustard 4 to 19% when applied at 45 or 90 g/ha. All BAY MKH 6561 treatments reduced mustard seed yield 47 to 54% at Moscow and 38 to 48% at Wilcox. Pea and lentil seed yields were not affected by herbicide treatments at all locations, whereas barley was not affected at Moscow and Wilcox. In growth chamber soil bioassay experiments, fall-applied BAY MKH 6561 dissipated 10 to 48% faster at Moscow compared to Pendleton, and the predicted half-life ranged from about 68 (Moscow) to 79 d (Pendleton). Dissipation of spring-applied BAY MKH 6561 at 45 and 90 g/ha was 17 to 21% slower at Moscow than Wilcox, and the predicted half-life ranged from 60 (Wilcox) to 69 d (Moscow).

Research was conducted to determine the effects of tillage on fluometuron and norflurazon loss in runoff when applied preemergence in cotton. Cumulative water loss and norflurazon and fluometuron concentrations in runoff were not affected by tillage systems. In 1992, the no-till system had less sediment loss in runoff than the conventional tillage system. Tillage systems did not affect sediment loss in 1993. The highest amount of total fluometuron loss occurred with the conventional tillage system in 1992, whereas the reduced tillage system had the lowest amount in 1993. There were no differences in cumulative norflurazon loss between tillage systems in 1992, and as with fluometuron loss, norflurazon loss in runoff was less with the reduced tillage system in 1993. This research indicates that, while conservation tillage may reduce sediment loss, it may not necessarily be the best management tool for decreasing the loss of herbicides in runoff.

Sulfometuron was applied over the top of recently planted oak seedlings in three separate studies. Both preemergent (PRE) and postemergent (POST) timings were utilized in all studies. In 1997, six species of oaks were planted and evaluated, and two species were planted in the 1998 and 1999 studies. Sulfometuron was applied at rates of 0.1 and 0.2 kg ai/ha in 1997 PRE and at 0.1 kg ai/ha POST. In 1998 and 1999, treatment rates were 0.1 and 0.15 kg ai/ha for PRE and 0.1 kg ai/ha POST. Results indicate that sulfometuron is effective for competition control and can be applied PRE with total safety with the tested oaks. However, sulfometuron should not be applied POST over white oak seedlings, as mortality will result.

Crop allelopathy has seldom been used effectively by farmers in weed management. Traditional breeding methods have not been successful in producing highly allelopathic crops with good yields. Genetic engineering may have the potential for overcoming this impasse. Crops have been made resistant to insects, pathogens, and herbicides with transgenes, but biotechnology has not produced crops that control weeds with allelochemicals. The strategies for producing allelopathic crops by biotechnology are relatively complex, usually involving multiple genes. One can choose to enhance production of allelochemicals already present in a crop or to impart the production of new compounds. The first strategy involves identification of the allelochemical(s), determination of the enzymes and genes encoding them, and the use of genetic engineering to enhance their production. The latter strategy employs altering existing biochemical pathways by insertions of transgenes to produce new allelochemicals. With either strategy, there are potential problems with tissue-specific promoters, autotoxicity, metabolic imbalances, and proper movement of the allelopathic compound to the rhizosphere.

The initiative to use plant pathogens and allelochemicals from pathogens and other microorganisms as biological weed control agents (bioherbicides) began about 30 yr ago. Since then, numerous plant pathogens (bacteria and fungi) and microbial allelochemicals have been isolated, identified, and tested for their bioherbicidal potential. Pathogens (and in some cases microbial phytotoxins) may be used directly on target weed species, or such allelochemicals may provide unique chemical templates for the synthesis of new herbicide classes with novel molecular modes of action. To date, the most successful microbial products that have led to the development of commercial herbicides are bialaphos (commercially available in Japan) and glufosinate (marketed worldwide). Glufosinate is the ammonium salt of phosphinothricin, which is the active ingredient of bialaphos derived from a nonphytopathogenic Streptomyces species. This overview will examine selected advances in the isolation and identification of novel plant pathogens that have weed hosts, and some microbial allelochemicals with phytotoxic properties. Perspectives on the use of these bioherbicides in weed control, relative to their allelopathic interactions with plants will be discussed.

The influence of three simulated dew levels and 150, 300, and 450 L/ha spray volume on glyphosate control of oat plants was determined from pot experiments. Results showed that the effect of dew level on glyphosate efficacy was related to application volume. Glyphosate efficacy at the low and medium application volume (150 and 300 L/ha) was not affected by dew level. However, glyphosate efficacy decreased when applied at the high spray volume (450 L/ha), regardless of dew level. However, high dew level reduced efficacy only when glyphosate was applied at 450 L/ha.

Lentil and pea are two important crops grown in rotation with winter wheat in the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington. Imazethapyr plus pendimethalin often is used to control weeds in lentil and pea, but the effects of these herbicides on these crops and the subsequently planted winter wheat crop are not well known. The component and combined effects of several rates of imazethapyr and pendimethalin on growth and yield of lentil and pea and the subsequently planted winter wheat crop were measured in 1997 and 1998 field experiments. No herbicide treatment reduced lentil or pea biomass or seed yield compared with the untreated control. Wheat biomass was reduced 35 to 51%, and grain yield was reduced 11 to 17% in all plots treated with 2,240 g/ha pendimethalin at the lentil hilltop site. Imazethapyr at 106 g/ha plus 1,120 g/ha pendimethalin also reduced wheat biomass 24% at the lentil hilltop site. Wheat was not injured at other sites or by other treatments at the lentil hilltop site.

Field studies were conducted with a biocontrol agent, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis, to determine the optimal application parameters for controlling woollyleaf bursage, a pernicious perennial weed on the Texas Southern High Plains. Parameters investigated were bacterial concentration, time, season, and frequency of application. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis concentration ranging from 104 to 108 colony forming units (CFU)/ml produced similar incidence of disease on woollyleaf bursage. Weekly, biweekly, and triweekly applications were found to be equally effective. Optimal time for application of P. syringae pv. tagetis was at midday. A single application in April, May, or June resulted in higher incidence of disease for 5 wk than the noninoculated plots, whereas single applications in July and August were not consistently different from the noninoculated plots. Weed density was negatively correlated with disease incidence for April, July, and August applications, particularly when correlations were based on disease incidence from 1 to 4 wk prior to weed density measurement. Weed densities during 1997 were lower at the end of the year when bacteria applications were made in April, May, or June, as opposed to July or August, or plots were not inoculated. In 1998, weed density was lower when bacteria applications were made in April as opposed to May or June. These investigations indicate that P. syringae pv. tagetis does infect woollyleaf bursage on the Texas southern High Plains.