The effects of mineral element uptake on the growth and development of the aquatic plant hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle.] were studied in a short-term experiment under laboratory conditions. On a dry-weight basis, maximum growth of hydrilla plants was obtained at a 0.016 ppm P and 5 ppm Ca in the growing media. Hydrilla responded favorably to high concentrations of K (40 ppm in the growing media). The presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) reduced uptake of K, Cu, Fe, Mn and did not significantly affect the uptake of Ca or P. Thus the uptake of K, Cu, Fe, and Mn by hydrilla appears to be dependent on metabolic energy.

ED50 values (the dosage required to reduce the posttreatment gain in dry weight by 50%) for diclofop applied to green and yellow foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. ♯3 SETVI and S. lutescens (Weigel.) Hubb. ♯ SETLU] at the two- and four-leaf stages were calculated from linear regression equations derived by plotting the logarithm of the applied dosage against the relative growth reduction expressed as a probit value. At the two-leaf stage, green foxtail was more susceptible to the chemical than yellow foxtail but at the four-leaf stage there was no significant difference in response of the two species. At least part of the difference in sensitivity of the two species at the two-leaf stage could be accounted for by differences in spray retention, with green foxtail retaining 1.8 times (expressed as μL/cm2) or 3.5 times (expressed as μL/g dry weight) as much spray as yellow foxtail, despite the fact that yellow foxtail had a greater projected leaf area. At the four-leaf stage, the amount of spray retained by both species calculated on a per gram dry-weight basis was significantly less than at the two-leaf stage, accounting in part for the higher ED50 values obtained at the later growth stage. However, there appeared to be no direct relationship between the amount of spray retained and the comparative growth response of the two weeds at the later stage of application.

The penetration, translocation, and metabolism of acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid} in ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. ♯3 IPOHE], velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ♯ ABUTH), common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr. ♯ XANPE), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were studied. An application to plants of 0.3 kg ai/ha mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] amino] phenyl] acetamide} 0, 3, 5, or 7 days prior to treatment with 14C-acifluorfen often altered one or more of the physiological processes under study. Pretreatment of ivyleaf morningglory with mefluidide 3, 5, or 7 days prior to application of 14C-acifluorfen increased penetration of 14C and decreased metabolism of acifluorfen, while translocation was unaffected. All mefluidide treatments increased penetration of 14C-acifluorfen into velvetleaf, while the 3-, 5-, and 7-day pretreatments decreased acifluorfen metabolism. Penetration of acifluorfen into common cocklebur was unaffected by pretreatment with mefluidide. However, the 7-day mefluidide pretreatment of common cocklebur increased translocation of 14C into the upper leaves and decreased acifluorfen metabolism. Penetration and translocation of the radiolabel from 14C-acifluorfen in soybean was unaffected by pretreatment with mefluidide. Metabolism of acifluorfen by soybean was decreased by the 0-day mefluidide treatment but was unaffected by the 3-, 5-, or 7-day mefluidide pretreatment.

In a Crowley silt loam, between 30 kPa, continuous flood, and alternate flood laboratory treatments at 25 C, dissipation of incorporated oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] varied little, with an average of 59% remaining after 20 weeks. In the greenhouse, subsurface application of oxadiazon reduced its phytotoxicity but increased its persistence up to four times more than with surface-applied oxadiazon. In the field, 50% of the surface-applied oxadiazon dissipated from the soil within 6 to 11 days when the soil was flush irrigated and then flooded, compared to 15 to 17 days when the soil was irrigated but not flooded in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) management systems. Oxadiazon dissipation in the field was greater during the first 2 or 3 weeks after application than in the laboratory study. This is explained at least partially by the lack of herbicide incorporation in the field.

Results from identical experiments conducted at Headland, AL, and Plains, GA, from 1980 through 1982 show insecticide treatment had little effect on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Coker 237′] growth and morphology. Maximum insecticide applications increased soybean seed weight in two of five trials. Soybeans maintained free of sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. ♯3 CASOB) for 4 weeks after emergence produced yields equal to those receiving season-long control in all trials, and 2-week control was equal to season-long maintenance in three trials. Length of weed interference-free maintenance did not affect soybean height. The number of pods per plant and seed weight were decreased when there was no control. Sicklepod shoot fresh weight and numbers decreased as the weed-free period increased from 0 weeks through the season. Row spacing had no effect on soybean height or seed size; however, the number of pods per plant was higher in 80- than in 40-cm rows. Row spacing influenced yield in only one trial where 20-cm rows outyielded 40-cm rows. A significant interaction occurred between the weed-free period and row spacing in two trials. Soybeans in 20-cm rows outyielded those in 40- and 80-cm rows when sicklepod was not controlled (i.e., 0 weeks interference-free maintenance).