HERB, a computer-based expert system for soybean weed management developed at North Carolina State University, was evaluated for managing weeds under Georgia conditions. The project was initiated in two phases: a) training Cooperative Extension county agents followed by evaluation in six Georgia counties and b) revision, licensing, and distribution across the state. Field evaluations indicated that HERB was not highly accurate for predicting final yield loss because of weed species senescence and environmental extremes later in the growing season. HERB generally provided a reasonable prediction for a positive economic return due to treatment approximately 60% of the time. Accuracy was directly dependent upon the accuracy of weed-free yield estimates and extremes in growing conditions. HERB should not be the sole source of weed management information but may be useful to producers and county agents where mixed or low populations of weeds exist. The program was distributed statewide in 1993 after revision, duplication, and training was completed.

The tolerance of canola and wild mustard to postemergence HOE 075032 was investigated in greenhouse and field studies. In the greenhouse, the tolerance of canola to HOE 075032 applied at the 2 Ho 3-leaf stage was approximately twice the tolerance of wild mustard. In the field, HOE 075032 applied at 5 and 10 g ai/ha at the 2 to 3-leaf stage reduced wild mustard plant density and fresh weight by over 95%. Wild mustard contamination in canola seed was reduced from 45 to less than 1%. Application of HOE 075032 at 5 g/ha significantly increased canola yield and fresh weight in each year. Canola yield increases of 25, 139, and 86% were observed for the 5 g/ha treatment in 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively. HOE 075032 could provide a postemergent alternative to the existing herbicide for wild mustard control in canola.

Six commercial sweet potato clones were evaluated in field and greenhouse studies for the ethylthio analog of metribuzin (ethyl-metribuzin) tolerance. ‘Southern Delite’ was most tolerant in field studies and ‘Cordner’ the most tolerant in the greenhouse. ‘White Delite’ was the most susceptible clone in the field and greenhouse. Considering the rates used in this study, all the sweet potato clones generally were tolerant to ethyl-metribuzin. When averaged over all clones, sweet potato injury increased as the ethyl-metribuzin rate increased from 1.6 to 3.2 kg/ha but injury decreased as the season progressed and was minimal in late season. Ethyl-metribuzin did not reduce marketable yields at Clayton, NC. At Clinton, NC, ethiozin PRE, POST, or PRE followed by POST at 3.2 kg/ha or PRE at 1.6 kg/ha reduced yield.

Field experiments conducted in 1992 and 1993 evaluated differential response of 20 soybean cultivars to POST application of AC 263,222 or chlorimuron, as influenced by soil moisture. Natural rainfall was supplemented with overhead sprinkler irrigation to achieve three moisture regimes: excessive (12.5 cm/wk), optimum (5 cm/wk), and low (non-irrigated). Chlorimuron and AC 263,222 injured soybean. Excessive moisture did not increase soybean injury with chlorimuron for any of the cultivars tested compared to optimum moisture; however, 17 of 20 cultivars were injured more by AC 263,222 in combination with excessive moisture than optimum moisture. AC 263,222 reduced the height of five cultivars. Photosynthetic rate of several cultivars was reduced by both AC 263,222 and chlorimuron. Neither herbicide affected the number of nodes per main stem or seed weight; however, pod numbers were reduced for several cultivars with both herbicides. In the low moisture regime, AC 263,222 delayed the maturity of 18 of 20 cultivars with ‘Hutcheson’ maturity delayed 7.1 d. Excessive moisture when combined with AC 263,222 reduced yields for 12 cultivars, compared to five cultivars with chlorimuron. Under optimum moisture conditions, AC 263,222 reduced the yield of 10 cultivars, whereas chlorimuron reduced the yield of 9 cultivars. Low moisture stress only resulted in a yield reduction with 3 cultivars treated with AC 263,222.

Growth and development of selected dinitroaniline-resistant (DR) and -susceptible (DS) goosegrass populations were compared in field studies in replacement series, in association with cotton, and under noncompetitive conditions. The DR ‘Florence’ (FR) and DS ‘Orangeburg’ (OS) populations were similar in competitiveness as indicated by relative yields (RY) and relative crowding coefficients (RCC) for vegetative and reproductive biomass production in a replacement series. Relative growth of the FR and DS ‘Anderson’ (AS) populations in replacement series was similar when vegetative biomass was considered, but reproductive biomass of the AS population declined as proportion of FR population increased. RCC values also indicated that the FR population interfered with reproductive development of the AS population. In field studies, the FR population produced greater vegetative biomass than either DS population, while similar reproductive biomass occurred for the FR and OS populations. Inflorescence dry weights were greater for the FR than the AS population under noncompetitive conditions and in cotton, but were greater for the AS population in replacement series studies. The competitiveness of DR and DS goosegrass biotypes appears to be more related to growth characteristics of individual populations than to response to dinitroaniline herbicides.

Field experiments conducted in Marianna, Trenton, and Archer, FL in 1990 and 1991 investigated the effect of time of application of nicosulfuron and nicosulfuron mixtures on ‘Sunrunner’ peanut. Nicosulfuron was applied alone at 36 g ai/ha and in mixture with acifluorfen, bentazon, chlorimuron, chlorothalonil, fluazifop-P, imazethapyr, lactofen, or pyridate at 5, 7, or 9 weeks after planting (WAP). Applying nicosulfuron with chlorimuron, pyridate, or imazethapyr increased visible peanut injury and reduced yields more than nicosulfuron alone. Conversely, nicosulfuron applied with acifluorfen or lactofen was less injurious than nicosulfuron applied alone. Bentazon, chlorothalonil, and fluazifop-P generally did not influence phytotoxicity from nicosulfuron. Peanut tolerance to nicosulfuron increased with age.

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in North Carolina during the summer of 1992 to ascertain the reasons for stunted growth of corn noticed occasionally in fields treated POST with nicosulfuron to control dense infestations of johnsongrass. Treatments consisted of nicosulfuron at 35 g ai/ha sprayed POST, either over-top or post-directed only to johnsongrass in a single early application or in sequential applications of 17.5 g/ha. Checks included a hand-weeded, paraquat post-directed to johnsongrass, and non-weeded. Nicosulfuron provided satisfactory control of johnsongrass irrespective of whether applied once or sequentially. Corn yield in nicosulfuron-treated plots was as much as three times greater than in non-treated plots depending on hybrid and location. In the absence of johnsongrass interference, nicosulfuron caused a corn yield reduction of 6 to 9%. However, in the presence of johnsongrass interference, an additional 16 to 26% reduction in yield occurred with a POST application of nicosulfuron. Reductions in corn plant height and dry matter accumulation also were noticed for nicosulfuron treatments compared to post-directed application of paraquat and hand removal of johnsongrass.

Sulfonylurea-tolerant soybean (STS soybean) tolerance to imazethapyr (70 g/ha) plus thifensulfuron (4.4 g/ha) tank mixture was evaluated in 1993 and 1994 at two locations in Illinois. Thifensulfuron injury was reduced from 27% in non-STS soybean to 1% in STS soybean 14 days after treatment (DAT). STS and non-STS soybean did not differ in response to imazethapyr alone with < 6% injury 14 DAT. Injury from the tank mix was reduced from 40% in non-STS soybean to 24% in STS soybean 14 DAT. However, a synergistic interaction between the herbicides exists in STS soybean. The yield of injured soybean was not reduced in either STS or non-STS soybean. Injury to STS soybean from the tank mix was decreased by reducing the rate of imazethapyr from 70 g/ha to 52.5 or 35 g/ha. Reducing the thifensulfuron rate mixed with imazethapyr at 70 g/ha did not decrease injury in STS soybean. Control of smooth pigweed, common lambsquarters, and common cocklebur was not affected by reducing the rate of either herbicide in the tank mixture.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to determine nicosulfuron activity on large crabgrass as influenced by surfactant, ammonium salt adjuvants, and various calcium, sodium, and magnesium salts in the spray carrier. Nicosulfuron activity varied with surfactant. Ammonium salt adjuvants at 0.2 M (ammonia) and sodium, calcium, or magnesium salts at 0.02 M (cation) increased or decreased nicosulfuron activity dependent on the specific salt and surfactant. Spray carrier surface tension or pH of the spray solution did not relate to nicosulfuron activity. The specific ammonium component influenced nicosulfuron activity differently depending on the surfactant. Increases in ammonium nitrate concentration decreased, nicosulfuron activity with Pluronic® P85 surfactant and increased activity with X-77® surfactant. The response to ammonium nitrate was less pronounced at high surfactant concentrations. Sodium bicarbonate antagonism of nicosulfuron activity was overcome by ammonium sulfate and 28% aqueous nitrogen fertilizer in the presence of several oil and surfactant adjuvants. The results indicate the importance of surfactant selection for use with nicosulfuron when applied with nitrogen salts.

Selected herbicide treatments from 25 winter annual broadleaf weed control experiments conducted across Oklahoma from 1979 to 1993 were examined for winter wheat yield response to weed control. All experiments contained one or two of the same three weeds (henbit, bushy wallflower, or cutleaf eveningprimrose) as the primary target(s). Herbicide treatments included chlorsulfuron at 8.8 or 17.6 g ai/ha, and/or 2,4-D at 420 g ae/ha, all broadcast POST to wheat. Most herbicide treatments controlled the weeds, but increased wheat grain yield at only one site, wherein bushy wallflower density was 830/m2. Correlation analysis found no relationship between weed densities and wheat yield when chlorsulfuron at 8.8 g/ha was applied for henbit or moderate levels of bushy wallflower or cutleaf eveningprimrose. There was a significant positive relationship favoring spraying of bushy wallflower when the correlation analysis included data from one site with a density of 830 plants/m2.

Leafy spurge is a troublesome, exotic weed in the northern Great Plains of the United States. Leafy spurge produces showy yellow bracts during June that give this weed a conspicuous appearance. A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using remote sensing techniques to detect leafy spurge in this phenological stage. Study sites were located in North Dakota and Montana. Plant canopy reflectance measurements showed that leafy spurge had higher visible (0.63- to 0.69-μm) reflectance than several associated plant species. The conspicuous yellow bracts of leafy spurge gave it distinct yellow-green and pink images on conventional color and color-infrared aerial photographs, respectively. Leafy spurge also could be distinguished on conventional color video imagery where it had a golden yellow image response. Quantitative data obtained from digitized video images showed that leafy spurge had statistically different digital values from those of associated vegetation and soil. Computer analyses of video images showed/that light reflected from leafy spurge populations could be quantified from associated vegetation. This technique permits area estimates of leafy spurge populations. Large format conventional color photographs of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND were digitized and integrated with a geographic information system to produce a map of leafy spurge populations within the park that can be useful to monitor the spread or decline of leafy spurge.

Field studies were conducted from 1991 to 1994 to investigate the effectiveness of reduced rates of bentazon in tank-mixtures with imazethapyr, thifensulfuron, or HOE 075032 for improved control of redroot pigweed and common lambsquarters in navy bean. Tank-mixtures of bentazon at 600 g ai/ha plus imazethapyr at 25 g/ha or HOE 075032 at 5 to 15 g/ha controlled both redroot pigweed and common lambsquarters. These rates represent an approximate 45% reduction in total amount of active ingredient needed to control these weeds compared with full label rates. Bentazon tank-mixtures with 2 or 4 g/ha of thifensulfuron controlled these weeds but caused severe injury and delayed crop maturity. In greenhouse studies, the GR25 for HOE 075032 in navy bean was > 90 g/ha, while in soybean it was 16 to 24 g/ha.

Morocco has a large number of edible weeds, but seventeen are mostly eaten by the population, collected for sale in different provinces, or even exported. Eight weeds have edible shoots while the others have edible stems, fruits, roots, flowers, or petioles. Thirteen weed species are marketed either seasonally or throughout the year and generate money for the people. Morocco's tassel grapehyacinth bulbs and products extracted from pennyroyal mint are exported. Further research should focus on the nutritive value of these weeds and their economic role in the country.

The spread of noxious weeds on rangeland and forests in the United States has been described as a raging biological wildfire. This analogy applies to aspects of spread, impact, and control of weeds. Patterns and means of spread are similar. Noxious weeds and wildfires can dramatically change natural plant communities, alter distribution and species composition of wildlife populations, damage watersheds and increase soil erosion, and adversely affect recreation and aesthetic values. Wildfire management involves prevention, early detection, timely control, and site rehabilitation; elements which are also the foundation of sound weed management. Principles and practices associated with wildfire suppression can be used to illustrate many weed science fundamentals, and to improve weed management programs. Federal land management agencies are directed to train employees in effective weed management and to increase public awareness about noxious weeds. Most agency employees are familiar with wildfire management; knowledge which could be useful in teaching weed management principles. Fire prevention could serve as a model to promote greater public awareness of the impact of noxious weeds and the need for weed prevention and early detection.

This paper describes the planning, designing, constructing, and initial operating phases of a state-of-the-art agricultural pesticide facility (APF). The APF on the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus is located within a major metropolitan area, causing environmental and human safety to be priority considerations. The building site was located adjacent to a greenhouse complex and field plots to provide access for all users of pesticides on the St. Paul Campus for storing, measuring, packaging for off campus use, applying, and disposing of pesticides. This central facility eliminated the need for about 25 generally inadequate locations on campus where pesticides were previously stored and handled. Changing state and federal pesticide regulations and in-house operating requirements may require future modification and retrofitting of the APF. However, the APF is a valuable research and education addition to the St. Paul Campus, and it has provided greater safety for personnel, students, visitors, the community, and the environment.

Bioherbicides are biological control agents applied in similar ways to chemical herbicides to control weeds. The active ingredient in a bioherbicide is a living microorganism and it is applied in inundative doses of propagules. Most commonly the microorganism used is a fungus and its propagules are spores or fragments of mycelium; in this case the bioherbicide is also referred to as a mycoherbicide.

Commercial bioherbicides first appeared on the market in the USA in the early 1980s with the release of the product DeVine® in 1981 and in the next year, the release of the product Collego®. In spite of considerable public research effort and many promising candidate organisms, only one other bioherbicide product, BioMal®, has been registered (in Canada) since then. Furthermore none of these products are currently commercially available for a variety of reasons that will be discussed below.

The word poison entered the English language in 1387 as ‘poysoun”, and in Memoirs of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, v. 1, 1785, the word poison-ivy was used for the first time: “Poison ivy … produces the same kind of inflammation and eruptions … as poison wood tree”.

The first known reference to poison-ivy, Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Ktze., dates from the 7th century in China and the 10th century in Japan. Since Toxicodendron species do not grow in Europe, the plants remained unknown to Western civilization until explorers visited the New World seven centuries later. Capt. John Smith (1579–1631) wrote the first description of poison-ivy and originated its common name; he noted a similarity in the climbing habit of North American poison-ivy to English ivy (Hedera helix L.).