Storage of intact Texas gourd [Cucurbita texana (A.) Gray] pepos for 21 days after harvest increased germination of seeds from pepos collected 15 to 47 days after flowering. Germination increased as day length decreased and as osmotic potential of germination media increased. Temperatures of 20, 25, and 30C resulted in 72, 93, and 99% germination, respectively. No seeds germinated at 10 or 40C. Seedling emergence decreased as planting depth increased, with no emergence from 12.5 cm. Control of Texas gourd in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was achieved with preemergence applications of metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one], metribuzin plus alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide], and oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4 (2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one], with successful control partially dependent on soil and climatological conditions. Postemergence treatments that resulted in adequate control included applications of acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}, oxyfluorfen [2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene], and metribuzin plus 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid] applied at an early soybean growth stage and repeated.

Acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid} and bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] plus acifluorfen were applied through hydraulic flat-fan nozzles or controlled-droplet applicators (CDA) in water plus surfactant, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil and water emulsions, and soybean oil alone. Except for inadequate weed control with CDA applications at 7 L/ha, method of application did not affect weed control of common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L. #3 XANST) or smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L. # AMACH) at high rates of bentazon plus acifluorfen (560 plus 280 g ai/ha or above). With low rates (280 plus 140 g/ha or less), hydraulic flat-fan nozzles were more effective than CDA applications. Early CDA applications of acifluorfen in an oil carrier at a volume of 9 L/ha were as effective as hydraulic nozzle applications at a carrier volume of 47 L/ha. Later applications resulted in inadequate weed control. Increasing soybean oil concentration from 2.5 to 40% (v/v) in acifluorfen spray mixtures did not significantly increase the phytotoxicity of acifluorfen.

Field experiments were conducted using a stale seedbed production system to determine the effect of herbicide application time on preplant, preplant incorporated (PPI), and at-planting treatments on weed control and soybean yield. Herbicides were applied on the surface preplant (PPL) or PPI at 6 to 7, 4 to 5, and 2 to 3 wk before planting and just prior to planting. The differences in weed control and soybean yield among years were due to rainfall patterns 2 wk after herbicide application and during the growing season. Preplant treatments applied 2 to 5 wk before planting generally controlled common cocklebur and pitted morningglory better than preplant treatments applied 6 to 7 wk before planting due to persistence of herbicide activity or treatments at planting due to a greater chance of obtaining adequate rainfall for herbicide activation, more uniform seedbed at planting, and larger weeds at application. Metribuzin plus chlorimuron was less suited than imazaquin as a preplant treatment when applied more than 2 weeks before planting.

The introduction of the ‘western diet’ marked a decline in omega–3 fatty acids rich foods and a concurrent increase in saturated and omega–6 fatty acids that persists today. Historically, circumpolar people have had a low incidence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and this has been largely attributed to polyphenolic compounds and omega–3 fatty acids offered from subsistence foods. In this report, we studied sled dogs as an Arctic sentinel species for monitoring the effect of a changing diet on lipid profiles along the Yukon River. Subsistence fed village sled dogs along the Yukon River, maintained largely on salmon were compared with a control kennel maintained on commercial food. Profiles showed higher levels for long chain omega–3 fatty acids in village subsistence fed dogs compared to control dogs and an opposite trend for omega–6 fatty acids, establishing baseline levels for follow up studies. A comparison with data for previously published mercury levels from the same cohort of dogs revealed a positive correlation with alpha–linolenic fatty acid and a negative correlation with linoleic fatty acid. Food and nutritional security is a concern in the Arctic as the impacts of climate change and transport of contaminants become obvious. This study supports not only the nutritional value of a subsistence diet but also the utility of sled dogs as a sentinel for human dietary change.