Field experiments were conducted to evaluate placement techniques for preemergence applications of pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]. The first technique consisted of row shields mounted behind the planter units. Shields maintained an untreated strip over the crop drill and allowed successful crop establishment with pendimethalin at 1.1 kg ai/ha, despite a simulated, intense rainfall of 3.8 cm within 24 h after planting. A second technique, which consisted of a special nozzle arrangement, was evaluated in no-till grain sorghum. The nozzle arrangement allowed a broadcast herbicide application but maintained an untreated strip over the crop drill. No stand reductions occurred using this technique at pendimethalin rates of 1.1 and 2.2 kg/ha. In a growth chamber experiment, preemergence applications of pendimethalin severely injured grain sorghum when the soil was wet at the time of emergence, but injury was reduced under hot, dry conditions.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate weed control systems in a conservation tillage rotation of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] – cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Herbicide systems included fall and spring/summer inputs of high and low intensity. Tillage regimes were no-till (NT) and reduced-till (RT) systems; the latter included fall primary tillage followed by spring stale seedbed planting. Both tillage systems utilized controlled traffic lanes and wide, raised beds. Effective johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHA] control required intense herbicide inputs at one or both application periods, i.e., in the fall and/or spring/summer. Grain sorghum and cotton yields for the most intense weed control system, which included high inputs in both the fall and spring/summer, were not superior to systems that included high inputs in only one of the two application periods. Seedling johnsongrass emergence occurred before spring planting in RT (but not in NT) in 2 of 3 yr, and control measures were ineffective. After 3 yr, the predominant weeds were johnsongrass and browntop panicum (Panicum fasciculatum Sw. # PANFA).

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate johnsongrass control in no-till grain sorghum with glyphosate treatments applied in mid-June, late July, and mid-September before planting grain sorghum the following spring. Mid-June applications provided the best johnsongrass control. Ammonium sulfate enhanced the activity of glyphosate for only the late-July applications. In separate experiments, herbicide systems comprised of fall applications of glyphosate and/or spring applications of foliar and residual herbicides were evaluated. Fall applications of glyphosate provided superior johnsongrass control and grain sorghum yields.

Research was conducted in 1997 and 1998 to evaluate narrow row spacing and glufosinate in glufosinate-resistant corn. Glufosinate-resistant corn was planted in 51- and 102-cm row spacings at the same plant populations. Herbicide treatments included glufosinate alone and in different herbicide combinations. Atrazine plus glufosinate enhanced Palmer amaranth control compared to glufosinate alone. Control of johnsongrass, ivyleaf morningglory, entireleaf morningglory, Texas panicum, smellmellon, browntop panicum, and toothed spurge with glufosinate was greater than 82%. Common sunflower control with glufosinate was greater than 95%. Atrazine followed by glufosinate applications provided at least 94% control of all species and was the most consistent herbicide system used. Row spacing had little effect on weed control. Crop injury to glufosinate-resistant corn was minimal with glufosinate and atrazine plus glufosinate combinations.