Weed Management in White Bean With Pre-plant Incorporated Herbicides

Five field experiments were conducted in Ontario Canada during 2018-2020 to determine the level of crop injury, weed control and white bean yield with up to four-way mixtures of herbicides applied preplant incorporated (PPI). The trials were arranged in a factorial design: Factor 1 was “Grass herbicide” including no grass herbicide, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor and Factor 2 was “Broadleaf herbicide” including no broadleaf herbicide, halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr. At 2 and 4 weeks after emergence (WAE), there was minimal (≤ 4%) white bean injury. At 8 weeks after herbicide application (WAA), trifluralin, S-metolachlor or trifluralin + S-metolachlor averaged across Factor 2 controlled velvetleaf 69, 71 and 62%, respectively; halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr averaged across Factor 1 controlled velvetleaf 75, 95 and 97%, respectively. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor controlled pigweed 93, 90 and 97%, respectively, and halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled pigweed 97, 79 and 98%, respectively. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor provided poor (≤ 32%) control of common ragweed while halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled common ragweed 86, 53 and 87%, respectively. The 4-way tankmix of trifluralin, S-metolachlor, halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled common ragweed 95%. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor controlled common lambsquarters 81, 38 and 91%, respectively, and halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled common lambsquarters 94, 97 and 99%, respectively. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor provided poor (≤ 46%) control of wild mustard while halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr provided excellent (≥ 97%) wild mustard control. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor controlled barnyardgrass 70, 85 and 94%, respectively, and halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled barnyardgrass 9, 50 and 59%, respectively. At 8 WAA, trifluralin, S-metolachlor and trifluralin + S-metolachlor controlled green foxtail 89 to 98% and halosulfuron, imazethapyr and halosulfuron + imazethapyr controlled green foxtail 19, 69 and 67%, respectively. Weed interference reduced white bean yield 76%. Generally, white bean yield reflected the level of weed control. Based on these results, the 2- and 3-way tankmixes of herbicides evaluated generally provide similar weed control as the 4-way tankmixes.

Weed Suppression, Nitrogen Availability, and Cabbage Production Following Sunn Hemp or Sorghum-sudangrass

Cover crops included in a crop rotation can help increase nitrogen (N) availability to subsequent crops, raise soil organic matter, and suppress emergence and growth of various weed species. However, weed suppression by cover crops has mostly been investigated shortly after cover crop termination and not over a longer period spanning into the next cropping season. The effects of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum ×drummondi) planted the previous year on N availability before transplanting of late summer cabbage (Brassica oleracea), weed germination and growth, and cabbage yield was examined in field studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Pittstown, NJ. Results established that there was little evidence for a functional difference in soil N availability for fall cabbage production because of previous cover crop type. Heavy rainfall events both years may have caused major losses of available N that might otherwise be expected to come from N mineralization of residues of legume cover crop like sunn hemp. During the cover crop season, smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) dry biomass was 77% and 82% lower, respectively, in sorghum-sudangrass compared with sunn hemp plots. The subsequent season following sorghum-sudangrass cover crop, dry biomass of broadleaf weeds was lower by 74% and 56% in June and July, respectively, compared with preceding sunn hemp. Smooth pigweed, common lambsquarters, and hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga quadriradiata) were the weed species most consistently affected by preceding sorghum-sudangrass cover crop with biomass decreased by up to 80%, 78%, and 64%, respectively. Thus, it appears that sorghum-sudangrass can provide suppression of some broadleaf species over a relatively long period and is indicative of sorghum-sudangrass allelopathic activity. On the contrary, density and biomass of grassy weeds as well as commercial yield of transplanted cabbage were unaffected by the preceding cover crop. These results suggest that sorghum-sudangrass cover crop could be integrated to transplanted cole crop rotation for providing weed suppression benefits without altering crop yield in New Jersey organic vegetable cropping systems.

Nozzle Selection and Adjuvant Impact on the Efficacy of Glyphosate and PPO-Inhibiting Herbicide Tank-Mixtures

PPO-inhibiting herbicides in combination with glyphosate for postemergence applications is a common approach to manage glyphosate- and ALS-inhibitor-resistant weeds. PPO-inhibitors can reduce glyphosate translocation when applied in tank-mixtures, but adjuvants may be used to overcome this effect. Additionally, optimal droplet size may be affected by tank-mixtures of different herbicides and it can be crucial to herbicide efficacy. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate the impact of nozzle selection and adjuvants on weed control and interactions when applying PPO-inhibitors (fomesafen or lactofen) alone or in tank-mixture with glyphosate to five weed species using six nozzle types. Ultra-coarse droplets were just as effective as medium droplets regardless of the spray solution, but have a lower likelihood of off-target movement. Tank-mixtures applied were consistently antagonistic to common lambsquarters, horseweed, and Palmer amaranth. Only fomesafen was antagonistic to kochia whereas synergistic interactions were observed when glyphosate plus lactofen were applied in combination with COC, DRA + COC, or NIS. Separate applications are advisable with herbicide- and weed-specific situations to avoid antagonism, which is necessary to achieve optimum weed control and maintain the effectiveness of PPO-inhibitors. Future research should continue to look at these important interactions across a wide range of weed species.

Weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean

A soybean trait resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides along with glyphosate (Bolt™ soybean) has been developed. Information is needed to determine herbicide programs for weed control and crop safety in this new multiple herbicide–resistant soybean trait. The objectives of this study were to evaluate weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean with herbicide programs, including but not limited to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Field experiments were conducted near Clay Center, NE, USA, in 2016 and 2017. Herbicide programs with multiple sites-of-action including rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron in mixture with flumioxazin, flumioxazin/chlorimuron, pyroxasulfone, chlorimuron/metribuzin, or saflufenacil/imazethapyr plus dimethenamid-P provided 91%–97% control of common waterhemp, velvetleaf, and common lambsquarters. Rimsulfuron and (or) thifensulfuron resulted in 92%–97% control of velvetleaf and common lambsquarters and 81%–87% common waterhemp control at 21 d after pre-emergence (PRE) (DAPRE) herbicide application. Soybean injury was transient and varied from 3% to 11% at 21 DAPRE and 14 d after post-emergence (POST) (DAPOST) herbicide application without causing yield loss. At 30 and 60 DAPOST, 87%–97% velvetleaf control and 92%–98% common lambsquarters control was achieved with herbicide programs tested (PRE, POST, or PRE followed by POST). Common waterhemp control at 30 and 60 DAPOST was not consistent between years. Weed density and biomass reduction were mostly similar to weed control achieved. Untreated control resulted in the lowest soybean yield (1811 kg ha−1) in 2016 compared with 3406–4611 kg ha−1 in herbicide programs.

Light Reflected from Different Plant Canopies Affected Beta vulgaris L. Growth and Development

Studies on crop response to light quality (red (R) to far-red (FR) light ratio) often recommend early weed removal to reduce the effects of shade avoidance responses on crop yield. However, it is unclear whether crops are able to distinguish reflected light quality of kin from that of nonkin. We evaluated the response of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to reflected FR light from sugar beet, common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and bare soil (control) under outdoor conditions in 2016 and 2017. Treatments were completely randomized with 10 replications per treatment. The study methods ensured there was no direct resource competition. The reflected R:FR of plant species ranged from 0.06 (common lambsquarters) to 0.24 (sugar beet) compared to 0.7 for the bare soil. In 2016 and 2017, there were 2 to 4 more leaves in the sugar beet surrounded by soil compared to sugar beet surrounded by neighboring species. There was up to 47, 57, 43, and 23% reduction in sugar beet leaf area, shoot dry weight, root diameter, and root dry weight, respectively, due to reflected R:FR light from neighboring species. Sugar beet did not respond differently to reflected light quality of kin compared to nonkin.

Synthesis and efficacy of herbicidal ionic liquids with chlorsulfuron as the anion

In the framework of this research, four new herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs) comprising chlorsulfuron as the anion were synthesized and characterized. The new salts with chlorsulfuron contained the following cations: tetramethylammonium, didecyldimethylammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium and cholinium. All products were obtained with high yields exceeding 90% via acid–base reaction or ion exchange reaction, by the use of environment-friendly solvents. The structures of all synthesized HILs were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses. Their efficacy against weeds has been studied under field conditions in fiber flax. All HILs showed herbicidal activity but efficiency was highly dependent on the type of cation and weed species. There were no statistically significant differences in the effectiveness of HILs toward common lambsquarters compared to the reference herbicide, except for salt with cholinium cation that showed significantly lower efficiency. As regards barnyard grass control, all HILs exhibited significantly lower efficacy than that of the reference herbicide, except for didecyldimethylammonium salt that showed similar activity. The synthesized products did not cause damage to flax plants. The obtained results confirmed that the herbicidal effectiveness of the active ingredient (chlorsulfuron) in the form of an ionic liquid can be adjusted by the selection of an appropriate cation in the synthesis.

Light Reflected from Different Plant Canopies Affected Beta Vulgaris Growth and Development

Studies on crop response to light quality [red (R) to far-red (FR) light ratio] often recommend early weed removal to reduce the effects of shade avoidance responses on crop yield. However, it is unclear whether crops are able to distinguish reflected light quality of kin from that of non-kin. We evaluated the response of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) to reflected FR light from sugarbeet, common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and bare soil (control) under outdoor conditions in 2016 and 2017. Treatments were completely randomized with 10 replications per treatment. The study methods ensured there was no direct resource competition. The reflected R:FR of plant species ranged from 0.06 (common lambsquarters) to 0.24 (sugarbeet) compared to 0.7 for the bare soil. In both 2016 and 2017, there were 2 to 4 more leaves in the sugarbeet surrounded by soil compared to sugarbeet surrounded by neighboring species. There was up to 47, 57, 43, and 23% reduction in sugarbeet leaf area, shoot dry weight, root diameter, and root dry weight, respectively, due to reflected R:FR light from neighboring species. Sugarbeet did not respond differently to reflected light quality of kin compared to non-kin.

Occurrence and Management of PSII-Inhibitor-Resistant Chenopodium album L. in Atlantic Canadian Potato Production

Potato producers in the Atlantic Canadian provinces of New Brunswick (NB) and Prince Edward Island (PE) rely on the photosystem II-inhibiting herbicide metribuzin for weed management. Recently, potato producers in the region have reported unacceptable common lambsquarters control following an application of metribuzin. Tissue and seed samples were collected from escaped common lambsquarters populations from across the potato producing regions of NB and PE and screened for the Ser264Gly mutation in psbA. Overall, 46% of sampled populations possessed the Ser264Gly mutation across the region. Cross-resistance testing to atrazine, metribuzin and linuron confirmed populations with the Ser264Gly were resistant to triazines and triazinones but remained susceptible to linuron. Dose response analysis determined a moderate level of resistance to metribuzin in common lambsquarters which would not be controlled in producers fields. A field experiment was conducted in Fredericton, NB and Harrington, PE, to determine if currently registered and unregistered products and tank-mixes would control PSII-inhibitor-resistant common lambsquarters in potato. All evaluated products, with the exception of S-metolachlor, provided control equivalent to the weed-free check without compromising potato yield or quality. This study demonstrates that PSII-inhibitor-resistant common lambsquarters are found in Atlantic Canadian potato production systems, but can be controlled with currently registered herbicides and rates with alternative modes of action.

Pollen-mediated gene flow and transfer of resistance alleles from herbicide-resistant broadleaf weeds

Pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) refers to the transfer of genetic information (alleles) from one plant to another compatible plant. With the evolution of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds, PMGF plays an important role in the transfer of resistance alleles from HR to susceptible weeds; however, little attention is given to this topic. The objective of this work was to review reproductive biology, PMGF studies, and interspecific hybridization, as well as potential for herbicide resistance alleles to transfer in the economically important broadleaf weeds including common lambsquarters, giant ragweed, horseweed, kochia, Palmer amaranth, and waterhemp. The PMGF studies involving these species reveal that transfer of herbicide resistance alleles routinely occurs under field conditions and is influenced by several factors, such as reproductive biology, environment, and production practices. Interspecific hybridization studies within Amaranthus and Ambrosia spp. show that herbicide resistance allele transfer is possible between species of the same genus but at relatively low levels. The widespread occurrence of HR weed populations and high genetic diversity is at least partly due to PMGF, particularly in dioecious species such as Palmer amaranth and waterhemp compared with monoecious species such as common lambsquarters and horseweed. Prolific pollen production in giant ragweed contributes to PMGF. Kochia, a wind-pollinated species can efficiently disseminate herbicide resistance alleles via both PMGF and tumbleweed seed dispersal, resulting in widespread occurrence of multiple HR kochia populations. The findings from this review verify that intra- and interspecific gene flow can occur and, even at a low rate, could contribute to the rapid spread of herbicide resistance alleles. More research is needed to determine the role of PMGF in transferring multiple herbicide resistance alleles at the landscape level.