A new encapsulated saflufenacil formulation has been developed and premixed as a single product with pyroxasulfone to provide control of small-seeded annual grass and broadleaf weeds and to extend the application window to early postemergence when applied to field corn. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied preemergence alone and in mixtures with other herbicides were examined for crop response and weed control efficacy. We hypothesized that applying pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil with a tank-mix partner would expand the spectrum of weed species that can be controlled and improve overall weed control efficacy compared to pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied alone. Six field experiments were completed at three locations in southwestern Ontario in 2022 and 2023. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil was applied alone, at 146 g ai ha−1 (pyroxasulfone 90 g ai ha−1, saflufenacil 56 g ai ha−1) or 245 g ai ha−1 (pyroxasulfone 150, saflufenacil 95 g ai ha−1), and with the following herbicide partners: atrazine, dicamba, or mesotrione + atrazine. All herbicide treatments were applied prior to corn and weed emergence. Weed control, density and biomass, and corn injury and yield were assessed. All pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil treatments caused no injury to corn. At 8 wk after emergence (WAE) pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (245 g ai ha−1) controlled common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and foxtail species by 42%, 59%, and 41%, respectively. Applications of pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (146 or 245 g ai ha−1) with dicamba or mesotrione + atrazine improved common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed control at 8 WAE compared with pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied alone. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (146 or 245 g ai ha−1) applied with dicamba or mesotrione + atrazine provided similar control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and foxtail species to that of S-metolachlor/atrazine/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone, which is a standard herbicide used to control these weeds. Corn yield for all pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil herbicide mixtures was similar to that of the weed-free control and the standard herbicide.

Over 15 million children in the United States have been infected with COVID-19; nearly 2,000 have died. Approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children enabled reductions in disease severity and mortality. Disparities in vaccine adoption exist along racial, ethnic, and rural–urban lines, with lower uptake among medically underserved populations (e.g. Black, non-Hispanic White rural populations) compared to urban White populations. This study examined efforts to recruit and engage a diverse cohort as part of a vaccine communication randomized trial conducted across 15 states and compared demographic characteristics of the enrolled cohort to the broader US population. To enhance recruitment of diverse populations, eligible clinics had to serve a significant proportion of medically underserved individuals based on race, ethnicity, or geographic location. Coordinators used both traditional (in-person daily clinic schedule review) and retrospective (EHR and billing data review) recruitment methods adapted to enrich engagement with focus populations. Demographic characteristics were compared to national statistics obtained from the CDC’s Household Pulse Survey. In total, 2999 parents/caregivers were screened; 725 were randomized (24.1%). Comparing enrolled subjects to the demographics of participating states, 17.3% vs 9.8% self-identified as Hispanic, 39.6% vs 13.0% as Black. Additionally, 34.3% self-described as living in a rural area. Of the 725 randomized, 512 (70.6%) completed the baseline survey. Of these 512, 422 (82.4%) also completed the final survey of the 24-week study. This analysis demonstrates the Institutional Development Award States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network can successfully recruit and engage populations from diverse and underrepresented populations in research.

The premixture of pyroxasulfone and encapsulated saflufenacil is a new herbicide from BASF. There is limited research conducted on the biologically effective dose of pyroxasulfone and encapsulated saflufenacil premixture for the control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and green foxtail. A total of six field experiments were conducted over two years (2022 and 2023) at three locations in southwestern Ontario to determine the ED50 of pyroxasulfone plus encapsulated saflufenacil for the control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and green foxtail. Assessment of visual weed control 8 WAE established the ED50 for redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail control were 170, 219, and 240 g ai ha-1, respectively. The results of this study conclude that a higher dose of pyroxasulfone and encapsulated saflufenacil is necessary for agronomically acceptable control (>80%) of redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail than the proposed label rate (146 to 245 g ai ha-1).

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are key components of dryland ecosystems worldwide, contributing to soil stabilization, nutrient cycling and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Despite their ecological importance, biocrusts in the Arabian Peninsula are largely underexplored, with much of the region’s biocrust diversity and functionality remaining undocumented. This review synthesizes current knowledge on biocrusts across the Arabian Peninsula, focusing on their major taxonomic groups (cyanobacteria, fungi, lichens, mosses and algae), their ecological roles and distribution patterns. It also discusses the potential for biocrust restoration through strategies such as cyanobacterial inoculation and passive protection, which could contribute to land degradation and desertification control in the Arabian Peninsula. Our work identifies significant research gaps in biocrust biodiversity, ecophysiology and their role in ecosystem functioning within this region, and calls for more focused research to integrate biocrusts into land management strategies for the Arabian Peninsula.