Trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), dinitramine (N4,N4-diethyl-α,α,α-rifluoro-3,5-dinitrotoluene-2,4-diamine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro 2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine], fluchloralin [N-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline], pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine], butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine], and USB 3153 (N3,N3-di-N-propyl-2,4-dinitro-6-trifluoromethyl-m-phenylenediamine) were applied to evaluate weed control, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Dunn 119′) tolerance, and effect on rotational crops. Each herbicide was applied at 1-month intervals for 6 months prior to planting at 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 2X the recommended rates. Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L. and A. retroflexus L.) population counts and visual control ratings showed that weed control improved when treatments were applied closer to planting. Applications in November and December at 1.25X profluralin, 1.5X trifluralin, fluchloralin, and pendimethalin, 1X USB 3153, and 2X butralin were required to give effective weed control. Spring applications of 1X rates of profluralin, trifluralin, fluchloralin, and USB 3153, 1.25X rates of pendimethalin and dinitramine and 1.5X rate of butralin were required for adequate weed control. USB 3153 at all rates and dates of application severely limited growth and yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Funk 332′) planted after harvest and also the following May. Spring applications of profluralin at 1.5 and 2X rates and trifluralin at the 2X rate resulted in significant injury of rotational sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ‘Dekalb E-59+’].

A long-term study was established to determine the effects of rate, application method, and repeated applications of norflurazon on soil persistence and plant injury for sorghum, corn, and wheat. Preplant incorporated (PPI) and preemergence (PE) applications of norflurazon at 1.1 (1X) and 2.2 kg ai/ha (2X) initially were applied in 1981. Subplots were retreated in 1982 and 1983. Rotational crops were planted each year from 1982 to 1987. Evaluations taken in 1982 (14 months after initial treatment) showed slight injury to wheat, sorghum, and corn from 1X applications and significant injury from 2X applications. Evaluations 1 to 3 yr after final application indicated that repeated applications, even at the 1X rate, increased norflurazon residues and rotational crop injury. At both 1X and 2X rates, PPI treatments increased norflurazon persistence compared to PE applications.

Field studies were conducted in 2007 and 2008 near Lubbock and Lamesa, TX, to determine the effects of propazine alone and in combination with glyphosate applied PRE and POST on cotton growth, yield, and lint value (fiber quality). Propazine at 0.56, 0.84, and 1.12 kg ai ha−1 and in combination with glyphosate at 0.86 kg ae ha−1 was applied PRE, early POST, and mid-POST. Up to 11% injury was observed after propazine applied early POST and mid-POST at Lubbock in 1 of 2 yr, and up to 13% at all three application timings was observed at Lamesa in 1 of 2 yr. The greatest injury was observed 58 d after application following propazine at 1.12 kg ai ha−1 applied PRE; however, no injury was apparent 80 d after application. Cotton yield, lint values, and gross revenues were not affected by any treatment.

Field trials were established in 2005 and continued in 2006 to evaluate a conventional broadcast herbicide sprayer compared to a variable spray (sensor-activated) weed-sensing sprayer (WSS). The computer-based Herbicide Application Decision Support System (WebHADSS™) was used to determine a portion of the herbicides applied (based on herbicide efficacy and economics). Weed control, herbicide usage, crop yield, and net returns were compared across treatments. The broadcast applications were usually the most effective at controlling weeds. A PPI herbicide did not always improve weed control compared to treatments in which no PPI herbicide was applied. Variable treatments used less herbicide than the broadcast system in both years. Cotton lint yields in broadcast applications were similar to the weed-free check in both years of the study. Variable treatments often provided equivalent net returns (gross yield revenue less weed control cost) to the broadcast treatments. Although herbicide savings were observed in the variable treatments when compared to a broadcast system, a reduction in weed control was observed, indicating the need for future improvements of this system. A site-specific weed management program used in conjunction with WebHADSS™ may have potential in cotton production systems in the Texas Southern High Plains where weed densities are low.

Field experiments conducted in Texas at six locations from 1996 to 1998 evaluated peanut tolerance to imazapic applied postemergence. Imazapic at 71 g ai/ha was applied weekly from ground cracking to 56 d after ground cracking (DAGC). Visible injury 70 DAGC ranged from 0 to 40%. No reduction in canopy height, canopy width, yield, or grade was observed at harvest following any imazapic treatment.

This article presents results from the first 3 rounds of an international intercomparison of measurements of Δ14CO2 in liter-scale samples of whole air by groups using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The ultimate goal of the intercomparison is to allow the merging of Δ14CO2 data from different groups, with the confidence that differences in the data are geophysical gradients and not artifacts of calibration. Eight groups have participated in at least 1 round of the intercomparison, which has so far included 3 rounds of air distribution between 2007 and 2010. The comparison is intended to be ongoing, so that: a) the community obtains a regular assessment of differences between laboratories; and b) individual laboratories can begin to assess the long-term repeatability of their measurements of the same source air. Air used in the intercomparison was compressed into 2 high-pressure cylinders in 2005 and 2006 at Niwot Ridge, Colorado (USA), with one of the tanks “spiked” with fossil CO2, so that the 2 tanks span the range of Δ14CO2 typically encountered when measuring air from both remote background locations and polluted urban ones. Three groups show interlaboratory comparability within l% for ambient level Δ14CO2. For high CO2/low Δ14CO2 air, 4 laboratories showed comparability within 2%. This approaches the goals set out by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) CO2 Measurements Experts Group in 2005. One important observation is that single-sample precisions typically reported by the AMS community cannot always explain the observed differences within and between laboratories. This emphasizes the need to use long-term repeatability as a metric for measurement precision, especially in the context of long-term atmospheric monitoring.

The USDA Forest Service is sued more often than any other federal agency under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This analysis examines Forest Service land management cases initiated from 1989 to 2008 to understand how the agency fared in NEPA cases. Of the 1,064 completed cases, 671 (63.1%) involved a NEPA challenge. The agency won the final outcome of 343 cases (51.1%), lost 176 (26.2%), and settled 152 (22.7%). Case characteristic analyses indicate that case decisions peaked at the end of the 1990s, occurred mostly in the Ninth Circuit, and predominately involved vegetative management, forest planning, roads, recreation, and wildlife management activities. In addition to these general case outcomes, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the 411 cases where a judge or panel of judges specifically ruled on a NEPA challenge. The agency won the NEPA claim in 69.3% of these cases. The Forest Service was most successful litigating supplemental environmental impact statement cases and least successful in categorical exclusion cases. Most challenges to Forest Service NEPA implementation were based on environmental assessments (EAs) and environmental impact statements (EISs). The agency was more likely to win a direct and indirect effects EA challenge and a range of alternatives EIS challenge. Since the Forest Service accounts for a large portion of all NEPA litigation, this research enhances understanding of legal challenges to NEPA's implementation.

Environmental Practice 12:116–126 (2010)

Adipose tissue levels of linoleic acid were determined from biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal fat of normal healthy controls (n 40) and from two patient groups with endoscopically evaluated non-ulcer dyspepsia (n 40) or peptic ulcer disease (n 38). The level (g/100 g) of adipose tissue linoleic acid in the normal healthy controls (15·0 (sd 4·1)) was significantly (P < 0·05) greater than that in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (12·8 (sd 3·5)) and in patients with peptic ulcer disease (11·7 (sd 2·7)). A dietary history revealed a lower intake of linoleic acid and a significantly (P < 0·05) lower intake of dietary fibre (g/d) for both the non-ulcer dyspepsia (15·9 (sd 6·2)) and peptic ulcer disease (15·2 (sd 7·8)) patients compared with normal healthy controls (20·2 (sd 11·2)). Adipose tissue linoleic acid tended to increase with indices of increasing socioeconomic status, although the differences between patient and controls were not confounded by socioeconomic status. Patients with dyspepsia reported more foods causing symptoms (onion, fried foods, alcohol, citrus fruits and spices) and more foods giving relief (milk, bread) compared with control orthopaedic patients.

Sward Surface Height (SSH) can be used as a guide for grazing control and recommendations are available for target SSH at various times of the year and at different levels of performance (Hodgson et al 1986).

188 mule ewes with Suffolk cross lambs were allocated to 2 target SSH, 1-6 cm and 6-8 cm. Each treatment was replicated twice and balanced for ewe age, liveweight and condition score and the age, sex and rearing status of the lambs. The areas grazed were under permanent grass (mainly perennial ryegrass) and received 255 kg N/ha applied in 4 dressings with balancing P. and K. The initial stocking rate was 14.7 ewes/ha with 23.2 lambs/ha. SSH was measured weekly using an HFRO swardstlck with 40 readings taken per area. SSH was maintained using a temporary electric fence to adjust the size of the grazing area. Adjustments were made on a pre-set pattern which took into account any difference between current and target SSH and any change in SSH over the previous week. The area adjustments are shown in Table 1.

Lambs were weighed at fortnightly intervals initially and at weekly intervals from the beginning of July. Lambs were drawn for slaughter at constant condition (3L). Ewes were condition scored and weighed at turnout (12th May), 6 weeks after turnout and at weaning (11th August).