Chlorimuron applied alone and in combination with acifluorfen or thifensulfuron was evaluated for POST control of common lambsquarters, common ragweed, common cocklebur, and a mixture of pitted, ivyleaf, entireleaf, and tall morningglory in soybean. Common cocklebur control was similar with thifensulfuron at 3 and 4 g ae ha−1 and with chlorimuron at 7 and 9 g ae ha−1, Common ragweed and morningglory control was greater with chlorimuron while common lambsquarters control was greater with thifensulfuron. Control of all species was good with combinations of chlorimuron at 7 g ha−1 plus thifensulfuron at 2 g ha−1 or acifluorfen at 140 g ae ha−1 and similar to or greater than the control with chlorimuron at 9 g ha−1. Soybean yields with all POST herbicide treatments were equivalent to that of the weed-free check.

Field experiments were conducted to determine the occurrence and the extent of interaction among four soil-applied organophosphate insecticides and the sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron applied POST to corn. Nicosulfuron was damaging to corn when the crop was planted with terbufos, phorate, or fonofos applied into the open furrow. Terbufos was the most damaging and also caused damage when applied as a 17-cm band prior to or after closing the furrow, with or without incorporation. Phytotoxic symptoms appeared within 3 d of application of nicosulfuron and damage increased as the rate was increased from 53 g ai/ha to 140 g ai/ha. However, despite severe damage of up to 50% recorded in some terbufos combinations, all plants had completely recovered within 4 wk and none of the treatments had any effect on grain yield or crop maturity. No damage resulted from nicosulfuron when corn was planted with the insecticide chlorpyrifos. Efficacy data of nicosulfuron on the main weeds present are also reported.

Yellow starthistle achenes were placed in 80-mesh nylon packets, buried in the field at depths of 2.5, 5, and 15 cm, and retrieved over 10 yr. No effects of burial depth on longevity were detected. Viability decreased faster for plumeless achenes than for plumed achenes. Average longevity of plumeless and plumed achenes was 6 and 10 yr, respectively.

The effect of annual spring PRE applications of fenac, metribuzin, and terbacil on the competitiveness of sugarcane with bermudagrass during a 3-yr crop cycle was evaluated. For each herbicide treatment, bermudagrass was allowed to interfere with sugarcane during the growing season for 0, 1 (plant-cane crop only), 2 (plant-cane and first-ratoon crops), or 3 (plant-cane through second-ratoon crops) yr. Predicted total yields of cane from the three harvested crops was 3600 kg ha−1 higher on average in plots maintained free of bermudagrass and treated with metribuzin than where fenac and terbacil were applied. Bermudagrass biomass increased with each growing season. Greatest biomass production occurred in the fenac plots and the smallest in terbacil plots. Bermudagrass did not reduce the predicted total yields of cane where metribuzin or terbacil was applied. With fenac, predicted total cane yields were 4, 7, and 11% lower than the weed-free control where bermudagrass interference was allowed for 1, 2, and 3 yr, respectively. Season-long bermudagrass interference in the fenac plots reduced actual cane yields 10% (plant-cane crop), 6% (first-ratoon crop), and 14% (second-ratoon crop) when compared with plots maintained free of bermudagrass for the entire growing season.

Oxyfluorfen (0.28, 0.42, 0.56, and 0.84 kg ai ha−1) under clear polyethylene film was evaluated for weed control, crop injury, and effects on yields in transplanted muskmelon, cucumber, and summer squash. Numerous narrowleaf and broadleaf weeds were effectively suppressed by 0.42 ha−1 of oxyfluorfen. Crop injury, occurring soon after transplanting, was reported in New York and North Carolina. Injury was usually transient, and injured crops frequently grew more vigorously than those grown on untreated black polyethylene mulch. Muskmelons were consistently the most tolerant of the three crops. At high rates, yields of squash and cucumber in 1988 were reduced in New York and North Carolina, respectively. In greenhouse studies, positioning the cotyledons under the polyethylene film caused greater injury in all three crops than when cotyledons remained above the plastic.

Field studies were conducted in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1991 and 1992 to determine the effectiveness of POST applications of primisulfuron and nicosulfuron on shattercane control in corn. Primisulfuron at 15 g/ha and nicosulfuron at 30 g/ha were the minimal doses required for shattercane control. Both herbicides applied on 5- to 9-leaf shattercane provided excellent (> 90%) control 35 d after application. No corn injury was evident with any herbicide and rates evaluated. Untreated check plots sustained 30 to 56% of yield reduction as compared to herbicide treatment plots.

Experiments were conducted from 1989 through 1991 to determine the effect of MSMA on efficacy of fluometuron, cyanazine, oxyfluorfen, lactofen, methazole, diuron, and linuron applied POST to entireleaf morningglory. In one set of experiments, applications were made at the cotyledon to three-leaf and four- to six-leaf stages of weed growth. In another set of experiments, applications were made at only one growth stage. Cyanazine, MSMA, or cyanazine plus MSMA were the most efficacious treatments, especially when application was delayed until the four- to six-leaf stage. Adding MSMA to all of the herbicides increased control of entireleaf morningglory, with the magnitude of improvement increasing as the application timing was delayed.

The influence of adjuvants, inorganic salts, and herbicide formulations on the antagonistic effect of Na-bentazon on sethoxydim absorption was studied in quackgrass. Adjuvant BCH 815 00, at 2.4 L ha−1 alone or at 1.2 L ha−1 combined with 1.1 kg ha−1 of ammonium sulfate, added to the sethoxydim and Na-bentazon spray mixture overcame the antagonism on 14C-sethoxydim absorption in quackgrass. Crop oil concentrate at rates up to 9.6 L ha−1 did not overcome the antagonism. Adding ammonium phosphate or ammonium nitrate to the spray solution was as effective as adding ammonium sulfate in overcoming the antagonism caused by reduced absorption of sethoxydim even from the combination of Na-bentazon plus Na-acifluorfen. Ammonium salts and NH4-bentazon overcame the antagonism of Na-bentazon by forming readily absorbed NH4-sethoxydim.

Field studies were conducted in 1990 and 1991 to determine the effects of corn planting date and hairy vetch control method on the efficacy of fall-planted hairy vetch as a weedsuppressive cover crop for no-till corn. Glyphosate controlled hairy vetch when applied at the early bud growth stage (April), but hairy vetch residue provided no weed control compared to the weedy check. Mowing was not an effective means of suppressing hairy vetch at the early bud stage. Untreated hairy vetch reduced weed biomass 96% in 1990 and 58% in 1991 but reduced yield over 76% in April-planted corn. There was no competition of untreated hairy vetch with corn when corn planting was delayed until May or June (mid- or late-bloom growth stages of hairy vetch). Corn planted in May into untreated hairy vetch yielded similarly to corn planted in a no-cover weed-free check.

Greenhouse trials were conducted to evaluate graminicidal resistance of selected ornamental grasses. Blue fescue cultivars ‘Blue Glow’, ‘Sea Urchin’, ‘Spring Blue’, and ‘Superba’ were resistant to 1× (medium use rate) and 2× rates of fenoxaprop, fluazifop-P, quizalofop, and sethoxydim, whereas fountain grass, ravenna grass, and switchgrass were sensitive. Minor (<20%) visible phytotoxicity was observed on some fescues treated with the 2× rate of fluazifop-P at 14 but not at 69 days after treatment (DAT). Fountain grass, ravenna grass, and switchgrass exhibited severe (>70%) phytotoxicity from all herbicides 69 DAT. Mortality of non-fescues ranged from 55% (fountain grass) to 96% (ravenna grass).

The successful introduction of a new crop depends upon the availability of economical, safe, and effective herbicides for that crop. Greenhouse trials identified PRE herbicide applications of 4.5 kg ai ha−1 of metolachlor and of alachlor, 2.2 kg ai ha−1 of linuron and of pendimethalin, and 1.1 kg ai ha−1 of desmediphan as noninjurious to sweet white lupin. POST applications of 0.28 kg ai ha−1 of sethoxydim and of fluazifop and 0.22 kg ai ha−1 of haloxyfop also did not injure the sweet white lupin. Field trials indicated that safe and effective weed control could be obtained with combinations of linuron with metolachlor, alachlor, or pendimethalin depending on weed species present.

Experiments were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to evaluate annual grass and broadleaf weed control with bromoxynil applied alone and with graminicides. Bromoxynil controlled velvetleaf better than entireleaf morningglory and controlled both species better than sicklepod. Mixing bromoxynil with fluazifop-P, quizalofop-P, and sethoxydim reduced control of barnyardgrass, green foxtail, large crabgrass, and shattercane. Control of broadleaf signalgrass with quizalofop-P was reduced by bromoxynil. Annual grass control with clethodim was not affected by bromoxynil.

Hemp dogbane and wild blackberry have become significant weed problems in no-tillage corn production in Maryland. Nicosulfuron (31 to 62 g ha−1) plus crop oil concentrate (COC) gave 67% or more hemp dogbane and wild blackberry control. There was no difference in hemp dogbane or wild blackberry control between 31 and 94 g ai ha−1 nicosulfuron. Tank mixtures of 2,4-D or dicamba with nicosulfuron gave 72 to 100% hemp dogbane and wild blackberry control. Hemp dogbane control following applications of 560 g ha−1 2,4-D was 97% in 1989 and 63% in 1990. Wild blackberry control with 2,4-D was 40% both years. Dicamba at 280 g ha−1 gave 70 and 55% control of hemp dogbane and 75 and 65% control of wild blackberry in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Triclopyr plus 2,4-D provided 72 to 98% hemp dogbane control and 92 to 98% wild blackberry control. However, triclopyr plus 2,4-D applied at 280 plus 560 g ha−1 injured corn, and corn yields were reduced compared with weedy controls in 1990.

'Silver Xtra Sweet’, ‘How Sweet It Is', ‘Zenith’ and 'Sweetie 76’ were evaluated for response to 0, 35, and 70 g/ha nicosulfuron applied POST at the 5- to 6- or 7- to 8-leaf stages of growth. Nicosulfuron (35 g/ha) caused 60 to 80% visible injury to Silver Xtra Sweet. How Sweet It Is and Zenith were moderately tolerant (< 20% visible injury) and Sweetie 76 was the most tolerant (10% visible injury). All cultivars were less tolerant when nicosulfuron was applied at the 7- to 8-leaf than the 5- to 6-leaf stage. Plant height of Silver Xtra Sweet was reduced 51% by 35 g/ha nicosulfuron applied at the 5- to 6-leaf stage and injury increased when nicosulfuron was applied at the 7- to 8-leaf stage. Yield losses of Silver Xtra Sweet occurred as a result of the nicosulfuron treatments.

Field studies were conducted from 1988 to 1990 on a Sharkey clay to evaluate residual weed control in rice with quinclorac applied PPI, PRE to dry soil, and PRE to moist soil. Quinclorac applied at 0.4 or 0.6 kg ai ha−1 PPI or PRE to dry or moist soil controlled more than 80% of barnyardgrass, pitted morningglory, and hemp sesbania without rice injury. Quinclorac applied at 0.3 kg ha−1 controlled these three weed species substantially but inconsistently. No rice injury was observed from any quinclorac treatment. Except for one of three years when irrigation was delayed for 7 d after PRE application to dry soil, application timing did not consistently affect weed control or rice yield.

In field studies conducted under weed-free conditions, soybean yield was not adversely affected with POST applications of AC 263,222 at 18 g ha−1. At 36 g ha−1, soybean height at maturity was reduced in three of five studies and soybean yield in two of five studies. Application of 9 g ha−1 of AC 263,222 to sicklepod at cotyledon to four-leaf (early POST) or at a maximum size of five-leaf (late POST) provided 30 to 48% control. Control was 54 to 73% with AC 263,222 at 9 g ha−1 applied early POST followed by late POST. Regardless of application rate or timing, sicklepod control with AC 263,222 generally was inferior to the standard treatments of pendimethalin plus imazaquin PPI followed by imazaquin late POST or pendimethalin PPI and metribuzin PRE followed by chlorimuron late POST. Compared with the weed-free check, soybean yield was reduced when AC 263,222 was applied at 9 g ha−1 early POST followed by late POST in one of two studies and in two of three studies when applied at 18 g ha−1 early POST.

Field experiments were conducted in 1987 and 1988 to examine interference from a natural population of perennial sowthistle on soybean and dry edible bean. In 1987, an average of 78 and 90 perennial sowthistle shoots per m2 in 71-cm (wide) crop row spacing reduced soybean and dry edible bean yield by 49% and 36%, respectively. In 1988, a year of less precipitation, an average density of 96 and 88 shoots per m2 reduced soybean and dry bean yield by 87% and 83%, respectively. One cultivation 5 wk after planting increased crop yield and decreased perennial sowthistle density compared with no cultivation. Perennial sowthistle reduced seed weight, germination percentage, and seedling growth rate of seed produced by both crops. In the presence of perennial sowthistle, one cultivation resulted in improved seed quality compared with no cultivation.

Interactions of fluazifop-P, sethoxydim, clethodim, and quizalofop-P with DPX-PE350 were evaluated. DPX-PE350 at 110 g ae ha−1 reduced control of large crabgrass when mixed with all graminicides and control of broadleaf signalgrass when mixed with fluazifop-P or quizalofop-P. Increasing the rate of graminicide reduced or eliminated antagonism. Applying sethoxydim and DPX-PE350 sequentially eliminated antagonism on large crabgrass. Control of seedling johnsongrass by the graminicides was not reduced by DPX-PE350. DPX-PE350 reduced control of rhizomatous johnsongrass by sethoxydim. Graminicides had no effect on entireleaf morningglory control with DPX-PE350.

Glyphosate toxicity to wheat was antagonized more by calcium chloride than sodium bicarbonate. Mixtures of the salts at greater than 100 mg L−1 sodium bicarbonate and 200 mg L−1 calcium chloride were additive in antagonism of glyphosate in the greenhouse experiments. Surfactant and oil adjuvants did not overcome sodium bicarbonate or calcium chloride antagonism of glyphosate. Oil adjuvants were generally antagonistic to glyphosate. An equation is presented that determines the amount of diammonium sulfate required to overcome glyphosate antagonism based upon the sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium cations in the spray carrier.

Field studies were conducted at Carbondale and Belleville, IL to evaluate weed control in corn with a total POST herbicide program. Nicosulfuron was applied at 24 and 35 g/ha alone and in combination with 2,4-D, dicamba, bromoxynil, bentazon, atrazine, and bentazon, bromoxynil, and dicamba plus atrazine. Nicosulfuron controlled 98 to 100% of giant foxtail both years at both locations. Control of giant foxtail was reduced when nicosulfuron at 24 g/ha was applied as a tank-mix with atrazine, and with bentazon, bromoxynil, or dicamba plus atrazine at Belleville in 1991. Also, bentazon plus atrazine with nicosulfuron at 35 g/ha reduced control of giant foxtail. Control of common lambsquarters, jimsonweed, and velvetleaf was dependent on nicosulfuron rate, companion herbicide, and growing conditions. Nicosulfuron alone or as a tank-mix with the companion herbicides controlled redroot pigweed 100% at both sites both years but control of yellow nutsedge was less than 50%. Corn yield was related to level of weed control obtained in most instances.