Field studies were conducted from 1997 to 1999 to evaluate the influence of weed competition and herbicides on glyphosate-resistant soybean at the Belleville Research Center at Belleville, IL. Season-long weed competition did not delay maturity or reduce soybean population. However, season-long weed competition reduced soybean height by 10% and grain yield by 68%. Competition from weeds 30 cm in height or less did not increase days to maturity or reduce plant population, height, or grain yield. Chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron caused 6% height reduction at 21 d after treatment. Despite the injury from herbicides, none increased days to maturity or reduced plant height, population, or grain yield of soybean. The soil-applied herbicides alachlor, imazaquin, and pendimethalin and the postemergence herbicides acifluorfen, bentazon, chlorimuron, imazethapyr, and thifensulfuron did not reduce yield of glyphosate-resistant soybean.

Small-scale African farmers typically have few resources for the management of weeds and soil fertility. Weed composition varies with soil properties and crops compete with weeds for available nutrients. We conducted field surveys in four districts to study the effects of cropping systems, fallow, landscape position, and soil characteristics on weed composition and evaluated the value of weed species density in predicting soil fertility conditions. Weed density was higher with annual than for banana-based cropping systems with higher relative densities of hairy beggarticks and garden spurge and lower relative densities for Cyperus spp. and johnsongrass in the banana-based systems. The relative densities of weed species varied with the length of the postfallow period, landscape position, drainage, and soil properties. Long-term rotation of annual and perennial cropping systems may be more effective than fallow in reducing total weed numbers, but fallow may be effectively used to reduce the relative densities of tropical spiderwort, Cyperus spp., and goosegrass. Relative densities of blue couch, goosegrass, garden spurge, Cyperus spp., oxalis, and johnsongrass varied more with nutrient supply than for other species. Soil properties had less effect on the distributions of tropic ageratum, hairy beggarticks, tropical spiderwort, and smallflower galinsoga. High relative densities of blue couch and garden spurge were generally associated with low soil nutrient levels. Goosegrass, johnsongrass, and oxalis were associated with higher nutrient levels. Information on the relationship of soil nutrient levels with weed flora was used to develop a decision guide to aid farmers in the identification of areas in their fields with severe nutrient deficiencies.

Several herbicide-based weed management programs for glyphosate-tolerant cotton were compared in eight field studies across Alabama during 1996 and 1997. Weed management programs ranged from traditional, soil-applied residual herbicide programs to more recently developed total postemergence (POST) herbicide programs. Pitted morningglory and sicklepod control was best achieved with fluometuron applied preemergence (PRE) followed by (fb) a single POST over-the-top (POT) application of glyphosate fb a POST-directed application of glyphosate. Annual grass control was better with the preplant incorporated (PPI) programs at two of three locations in both years. Treatments that included at least one glyphosate POT application gave increased grass control over no glyphosate or pyrithiobac POT. Velvetleaf control was improved with the addition of glyphosate POT. A herbicide program using no POST herbicides yielded significantly less seed cotton than any program using POST herbicides at one location. PRE- and POST-only weed management programs at another location produced more seed cotton and gave greater net returns than PPI programs. Similarly, net returns at that same location were equivalent for both PRE- and POST-only programs, and less for PPI programs. POST-only programs yielded highest amounts of seed cotton and netted greater returns.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate weed control from various formulations of glyphosate alone and in combination with postemergence herbicides. Tank mixtures did not increase barnyardgrass control 2 wk after treatment (WAT) when compared with glyphosate alone; however, tank mixtures did reduce barnyardgrass fresh weight 4 WAT when compared with glyphosate alone in several instances. Antagonism was observed when chlorimuron was combined with all formulations of glyphosate 4 WAT, but control was not reduced when compared with glyphosate alone. Selective herbicides added to glyphosate had an additive or antagonistic effect on prickly sida fresh-weight reductions. Antagonism of pitted morningglory fresh-weight reductions occurred when glyphosate was combined with all herbicides except acifluorfen, which had an additive effect. Fomesafen or lactofen effectively controlled hemp sesbania 2 WAT without the addition of glyphosate. Acifluorfen and chlorimuron combined with glyphosate Cheminova, Monsanto, or Zeneca reduced hemp sesbania fresh weight nearly twofold more than glyphosate alone.

Spot treatments with hexazinone (0.03, 0.046, and 0.06% ai [v/v]) were evaluated for their effects on thistle density, seed production, and crown vetch vigor from 1991 to 1994 to determine if long-term usage of hexazinone caused damage to the vetch and exacerbated the thistle problem. Thistle densities were reduced within a year at any concentration of hexazinone and seed production was reduced or eliminated. Environment had a large impact because initial thistle densities varied widely among years. The amount of precipitation during July of the previous year accounted for 89% of the variation in initial thistle densities in the subsequent year. Vetch injury from hexazinone was also best explained by the amount of precipitation during July. Vigorously growing crown vetch in wet years may have suppressed the thistles enough to reduce density the following year while drought years reduced the competitiveness of the crown vetch, resulting in higher initial densities of thistles in the following year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The effect of CGA 152005 residues in the soil on six crops grown in rotation with field corn was investigated over a 2-yr period. CGA 152005 at 10, 15, 20, and 30 g ai/ha was applied postemergence (POST) to corn in 1994. CGA 152005 at 15 and 30 g ai/ha, atrazine at 1,000 g ai/ha, CGA 152005 at 15 g plus atrazine at 500 g ai/ha, and CGA 152005 at 30 g plus atrazine at 1,000 g ai/ha were applied POST to corn in 1995. Soybean, pea, cabbage, tomato, pepper, and potato were planted each spring, 1 yr after herbicide application. Cabbage exhibited injury and yield reductions that increased with increasing application rate, and pepper exhibited slight injury at the highest rate and yield reduction in 1995. Cabbage yields were reduced by CGA 152005 plus atrazine, and tomato yields were reduced by CGA 152005 and CGA 152005 plus atrazine in 1996. Yields of other crops were not affected in either year.

Dr. Lawrence R. “Dick” Oliver is University Professor and Elms Farming Chair for Weed Science at the University of Arkansas. Agriculture was the backdrop of his youth in Stuttgart, AR, which profoundly affected his career choice. Dr. Oliver received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Arkansas and his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University. He has been actively involved in weed science research and teaching in Arkansas since 1972. His research in weed biology, weed interference, reduced herbicide rate programs, and control of specific problem weeds in soybean, corn, and wheat has earned him recognition throughout the United States and especially in the southern region.

Dr. Oliver has served the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) as member-at-large and on numerous committees before being elected Vice President in 1998. He has also been Secretary-Treasurer and President of the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS). Dr. Oliver has received numerous awards for contributions to teaching, research, and service, such as Outstanding Teacher and Fellow in WSSA; Outstanding Young Weed Scientist, Weed Scientist of the Year, Outstanding Educator, and Distinguished Service Awards in SWSS; Outstanding Teacher and Researcher in Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences; and University of Arkansas Alumni Association Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching and Research

A morningglory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.

Song of Myself, Walt Whitman, 1855 (Mitchell 1998)