Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate ¹⁴C-glufosinate absorption, translocation, and metabolism in glufosinate-resistant corn, goosegrass, large crabgrass, and sicklepod. Glufosinate-resistant corn plants were treated at the four-leaf stage, whereas goosegrass, large crabgrass, and sicklepod were treated at 5, 7.5, and 10 cm, respectively. All plants were harvested at 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment (HAT). Absorption was less than 20% at all harvest intervals for glufosinate-resistant corn, whereas absorption in goosegrass and large crabgrass increased from approximately 20% 1 HAT to 50 and 76%, respectively, 72 HAT. Absorption of ¹⁴C-glufosinate was greater than 90% 24 HAT in sicklepod. Significant levels of translocation were observed in glufosinate-resistant corn, with ¹⁴C-glufosinate translocated to the region above the treated leaf and the roots up to 41 and 27%, respectively. No significant translocation was detected in any of the weed species at any harvest timing. Metabolites of ¹⁴C-glufosinate were detected in glufosinate-resistant corn and all weed species. Seventy percent of ¹⁴C was attributed to glufosinate metabolites 72 HAT in large crabgrass. Less metabolism was observed for sicklepod, goosegrass, and glufosinate-resistant corn, with metabolites composing less than 45% of detectable radioactivity 72 HAT.

Nomenclature: Glufosinate, goosegrass, Eleusine indica L. Gaertn., large crabgrass, Digitaria sanguinalis L.; sicklepod, Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby.; corn, Zea mays L

Inhibitory effects of two sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide and parthenolide, isolated from dichloromethane extract of the stem bark of southern magnolia and a parthenolide derivative, 1,10-epoxyparthenolide, were evaluated on germination and seedling growth of wild oat. The sesquiterpene lactones effected a significant reduction of seed germination, particularly at the highest concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 mg L⁻¹, with costunolide being the most active one. Furthermore, the three sesquiterpenes strongly inhibited root and shoot growth of the weed. However, the inhibition of root growth by all compounds was greater than that of shoot growth. Parthenolide inhibited growth of both root and shoot more strongly than the other compounds and a reference herbicide imazamethabenz. At a concentration of 100 mg L⁻¹, parthenolide caused 87 and 41% growth inhibition of root and shoot, respectively. Parthenolide was tested for its effect on acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity. The compound inhibited the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner, with 50% inhibition of 51.44 µM. The results of this study indicated that the herbicidal activity of the isolated sesquiterpene may be attributed to inhibition of ALS. The promising phytotoxic activity of sesquitepene lactones reported here could be considered a starting point for developing environmentally safer herbicides.

Nomenclature: Costunolide, parthenolide, 1,10-epoxyparthenolide, imazamethabenz, wild oat, Avena fatua L.; southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora L. (Magnoliaceae)

Aminopyralid is a new auxinic herbicide that provides Canada thistle control at lower use rates than clopyralid. Studies were conducted to determine if differences in absorption, translocation, or metabolism account for aminopyralid's greater biological activity. Radiolabeled aminopyralid and clopyralid were applied to individual leaves of rosette-stage Canada thistle plants. Nonionic surfactant was used for the absorption studies because it provided higher aminopyralid absorption than methylated seed oil or crop oil concentrate. Clopyralid was absorbed very rapidly, reaching 72% 24 h after treatment (HAT) and remaining near or above 80% during a 192-h time course. During the same time period, aminopyralid absorption increased from 34 to 60%. Clopyralid translocation out of the treated leaf was significantly higher than aminopyralid, 39% compared with 17%, respectively, 192 HAT. More of applied clopyralid translocated to aboveground tissue 192 HAT (27%) than to roots (12%), whereas aminopyralid translocation was similar in aboveground tissue (10%) and roots (7%) 192 HAT. Neither aminopyralid nor clopyralid was metabolized 192 HAT. Although aminopyralid is effective at lower use rates than clopyralid, clopyralid absorption and translocation were higher in Canada thistle. These results suggest that aminopyralid's chemical structure may provide for greater biological activity at the target site than clopyralid.

Nomenclature: Aminopyralid; clopyralid, Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. CIRAR

Growers of glyphosate-resistant crops apply micronutrients tank-mixed with glyphosate to save time and production costs. Therefore, effect of zinc (Zn), as Zn sulfate, on absorption, translocation, and efficacy of glyphosate on yellow nutsedge was investigated. Glyphosate at 850 g ae ha⁻¹ provided 90% yellow nutsedge control at 5 wk after treatment (WAT). Presence of Zn at 1,000 ppmw in the glyphosate spray solution reduced yellow nutsedge control to 24 and 8%, 3 and 5 WAT, respectively. Yellow nutsedge control decreased with increasing Zn level (500 to 2,000 ppmw) in the spray solution. Yellow nutsedge treated with higher rates of Zn tank-mixed with glyphosate produced more tubers and tillers per plant than untreated plants. An abrupt decrease in absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C–glyphosate occurred between 500 and 1,000 ppmw Zn. The antagonistic effect of Zn on glyphosate depended mainly on reduced absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C–glyphosate within treated tissues. Less than 10% of applied ¹⁴C–glyphosate was absorbed when glyphosate was mixed with 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 ppmw Zn as compared with 85% absorption for glyphosate alone. These treatments inhibited > 90% of ¹⁴C–glyphosate translocation out of the treated leaf and > 50% of tuber translocation relative to glyphosate alone. Results indicate that micronutrients containing Zn are not suitable for tank-mixing with glyphosate.

Nomenclature: Glyphosate; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. CYPES

Growth and reproductive potential of individual yellow nutsedge plants were examined under two nitrogen levels and three soil moisture regimes. Irrigation levels were selected on the basis of irrigating at soil water potentials of −20, −50, and −80 kPa. Yellow nutsedge patch expansion was measured using digital images to determine ground cover, while plots were subsampled to estimate total shoot and tuber production. High nitrogen increased shoot production in 2004. When plots were irrigated at a soil water potential of −20 kPa, a single yellow nutsedge plant produced 3,000 and 1,700 shoots and 19,000 and 20,000 tubers in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Patch expansion at −20 kPa was exponential, with the greatest expansion occurring between the middle of July and mid to late August. This research demonstrates that the vegetative and reproductive potential of yellow nutsedge is greatly influenced by irrigation level. With such extensive growth and reproductive potential, management strategies for yellow nutsedge should focus on prevention, early detection and containment, early treatment, and integration of control strategies to reduce its competitiveness and spread.

Nomenclature: Yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L

Crofton weed is a noxious invasive weed worldwide. However, the mechanisms underlying its invasiveness are still not well understood. We hypothesize that genetic differentiation and plasticity may help the plant invade heterogeneous habitats. To test this hypothesis, we compared the differences in seed morphometric and germination traits among 14 populations of the plant located at different elevations (640–2,430 m) in south Yunnan Province of southwest China. Germination capacity (GC) and index (GI) were markedly different among the 14 populations at the same temperature or water treatment. The results indicated genetic differentiations in these traits; maternal effects were not excluded. GC and GI were also different for each population across temperature or water treatments, showing phenotypic plasticity. Croton weed seed size and weight also responded genetically or plastically (or both) to different elevations. Seed width, weight, GC, and GI at each temperature increased with the increase of the elevation of origin, showing clinal variation patterns that reveal local adaptations to habitats encountered by the plant. The large seeds, high GC, and high GI could improve emergence, establishment, growth, and survival of seedlings at high elevation; the low GI could prevent seed germination before the onset of the rainy season at low elevation. On the basis of the results, genetic differentiation and plasticity in seed size and germination traits may help crofton weed acclimate to different elevations, facilitating its invasiveness.

Nomenclature: Crofton weed, Eupatorium adenophorum Sprengel [Syn. Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R. M. King & H. Robinson]

Cadillo is an invasive species commonly found in pastures, rangelands, and disturbed areas. It is becoming a significant problem weed in Florida pastures and natural areas. The objectives of this research were to determine effective techniques to break seed dormancy and the effect of light, temperature, pH, water stress, and depth of seed burial on Cadillo germination. Cadillo seeds had significant levels of innate dormancy imposed by a hard seed coat; chemical scarification was the most effective technique for removing dormancy. Seeds germinated from 15 to 40 C, with an optimal temperature of 28 C. Germination was unaffected by pH levels. Water stress below −0.2 MPa reduced seed germination. Cadillo germination was not light-dependent and seeds emerged from depths up to 9 cm, with the greatest occurring emergence near the soil surface. Considering that Cadillo seed can germinate under a wide range of environmental conditions, it is not surprising that it has become a serious invasive weed in Florida.

Nomenclature: Cadillo, Urena lobata L. URLO

Synedrella is a tropical annual plant species of the family Asteraceae that is widely distributed in many crops in nearly 50 countries. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of various environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of synedrella. Germination response was greater at 30/20 C and 35/25 C than at 25/15 C fluctuating day/night temperatures. Light stimulated germination; however, a small proportion of after-ripened seeds germinated in the dark. Seedling emergence was greatest (96%) for seeds placed on the soil surface but declined with increased seed burial depth. No seedlings emerged from a depth of 4 cm. Seedling emergence and seedling dry matter declined with the addition of crop residue to the soil surface; however, higher quantities of residue than those normally found in low-yield systems were required to result in substantial reductions in emergence. Seed germination was tolerant of moderate salt concentrations (40 to 100 mM sodium chloride) and a broad range of pH (4 to 10) but was sensitive to low osmotic potentials (< −0.8 MPa). The information gained from this study could help predict the invasion potential of this species and could lead to improved management strategies.

Nomenclature: Synedrella, Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn

The inheritance of resistance to the auxinic herbicide dicamba was examined in a kochia population from Nebraska. An inbred, resistant line was developed by selection and selfing over seven generations to ensure any resistance alleles would be homozygous in the parents. An inbred, susceptible line was similarly developed, but without selection. Dose–response experiments with dicamba determined a glyphosate-resistant concentration required to inhibit dry weight accumulation by 50% (GR₅₀) of 45 and 1,331 g ae ha⁻¹ for the susceptible and resistant populations, respectively. F₁ crosses were made between resistant and susceptible inbred individuals by hand-pollination, and the F₁ plants were selfed to produce F₂ plants. The F₂ population was screened with 280 g ha⁻¹ dicamba, a rate that could discriminate between susceptible and resistant plants. A total of eight F₂ families were screened twice. In the first screen, seven F₂ families segregated in a 3:1 ratio, consistent with a single dominant allele controlling resistance, and in the second screen six F₂ families segregated in a 3:1 ratio. F₂ individuals were selfed, the F₃ progeny were tested with 280 g ha⁻¹ dicamba, and the genotype of each F₂ parent was determined based on F₃ progeny segregation. F₃ family segregation was consistent with the F₂ parents having a 1:2:1 homozygous-susceptible:heterozygote:homozygous-resistant pattern, confirming that resistance to dicamba in kochia is likely conferred by a single allele with a high degree of dominance.

Nomenclature: Dicamba, kochia, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. KCHSC

Horseweed is an increasing problem in perennial crops and noncrop areas of the Central Valley of California. Similar to the situation in glyphosate-tolerant crops in other regions, glyphosate-based weed-management strategies in perennial crops and noncrop areas have resulted in selection of a glyphosate-resistant horseweed biotype in California. Research was conducted to determine the level of resistance to glyphosate in horseweed using an in vivo enzyme assay and to determine the distribution of the resistant horseweed biotype in central California. The resistant biotype was 4.8-fold more resistant to in vivo glyphosate exposure compared with the susceptible biotype, although enzyme function was inhibited in both biotypes at high glyphosate concentrations. An intermediate in vivo glyphosate dose was used to discriminate between glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible individuals in a roadside survey conducted in 2006 to 2007. Overall, 62% of the individuals tested from the Central Valley were classified as resistant to glyphosate. Resistant individuals were found at most locations throughout the Central Valley, although the proportion of resistant individuals was slightly lower in the northern-most area. No correlation could be made between proportion of resistant or susceptible individuals and land use patterns likely because of long-distance seed dispersal or different selection pressure for resistant biotypes on field margins compared with that within fields. Horseweed with an economically significant level of resistance to glyphosate is already widely distributed in the Central Valley of California. Grower awareness of the problem and adoption of best management practices are needed to minimize the effects of horseweed in this highly productive and diverse agricultural region.

Nomenclature: Glyphosate; horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. ERICA

Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used in the current study to identify polymorphism in α- and β-esterase loci in leaf tissues of wild poinsettia plants for the analysis of genetic diversity and structure of populations. Seeds were collected from different plants in 12 different populations. Two to three allelic variants were at Est-1, Est-2, Est-3, Est-4, Est-5, Est-6, and Est-7 loci. The estimated proportion of polymorphic loci in populations is 87.5%. High and low values of observed and expected proportion of heterozygous loci in 12 populations confirm our suspicion that the populations are genetically structured (F_ST = 0.1663). The heterozygous deficiencies are evidenced by the positive value of F_IS (0.1248). The positive F_IS value indicates a deficit of heterozygous (12.48%) or an excess of homozygous plants, which could be the result of frequent herbicide application in areas where seeds were collected and/or the result of self-pollination. Overall inbreeding or nonrandom breeding, according to the significant F_IT value (0.2703), did play a major role in shaping the genetic structure of these populations. Identity values represented in the dendrogram should play a more central role in developing policies to manage and control this species.

Nomenclature: Wild poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla L. EPHHL

The aim of this study was to test whether herbicide resistance in rigid ryegrass has led to increased densities of this weed in Western Australian (WA) cropping fields. A total of 503 wheat fields with previously unknown management history and weed status were visited prior to harvest across 15 agronomic areas of the central WA cropping belt in 1998 and 2003. Rigid ryegrass density was visually assessed and, where possible, seed was collected from the population. Ryegrass was found in 91% of the wheat crops sampled. Ryegrass populations were tested in the following year for resistance to chlorsulfuron, sulfometuron, diclofop, and clethodim. With the use of nonparametric and regression statistical methods, resistance status, including multiple-resistance status, was not found to be associated with higher weed density. The results show that growers are generally maintaining low densities in fields with herbicide-resistant rigid ryegrass. The most common rigid ryegrass density at harvest time was less than 1 plant m⁻² in both resistant and susceptible populations. Field and model-based studies of weed and herbicide resistance management that allow populations to continue at very high densities are unlikely to reflect common grower practice.

Nomenclature: Chlorsulfuron; clethodim; diclofop; rigid ryegrass, Lolium rigidum Gaudin LOLRI; wheat, Triticum aestivum L

Previous studies have demonstrated that emergence and growth of Powell amaranth is inhibited in soils where buckwheat has been grown and incorporated. The primary objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate the possible role of allelopathy in explaining that suppression; (2) distinguish between suppression caused by incorporation of fresh buckwheat residues from suppression caused by changes in soil during buckwheat growth; and (3) quantify the relative importance of buckwheat root vs. shoot tissues in suppression. When all buckwheat plant parts were removed from soil in which buckwheat was grown, Powell amaranth emergence was not suppressed, but growth was reduced 70% compared to bare soil. Addition of buckwheat shoots, but not roots to these soils reduced emergence by 80%, and contributed to additional reduction in growth. Addition of chemically activated carbon did not increase emergence or growth in buckwheat-amended soil. However, thermally activated carbon resulted in greater adsorption of phenolics than chemically activated carbon and alleviated suppression of Powell amaranth in buckwheat-amended, high organic-matter soils. However, suppression was not overcome on mineral soils. In addition to adsorbing phenolics, activated carbon changed the nitrogen (N) content and electrical conductivity of soil extracts. Aqueous shoot extracts of buckwheat stimulated Powell amaranth germination slightly, but inhibited radicle growth. Aqueous soil extracts from buckwheat-amended soil inhibited germination of Powell amaranth compared with extracts from unamended soil. Results suggest that emergence suppression of Powell amaranth by buckwheat residues might be due to allelopathic compounds concentrated in the shoot tissues. However, these inhibitory effects appear to depend on interactions of buckwheat residues with soils. In contrast, suppression of growth of Powell amaranth appears to be associated primarily with lower N availability in buckwheat-grown soils.

Nomenclature: Powell amaranth (= green pigweed), Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench

Asiatic dayflower has recently become a troublesome weed in eastern Iowa. This weed demonstrates an extended emergence period and there is anecdotal evidence of glyphosate tolerance. Thus, Asiatic dayflower is difficult to manage in glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn and soybean. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of Asiatic dayflower to glyphosate applied at different rates and growth stages. Field research was conducted in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate different herbicides for Asiatic dayflower control in soybean. PRE herbicides were applied at planting and POST herbicides were applied 21 and 42 d after planting (DAP). In addition, shikimate accumulation in response to glyphosate was compared among Asiatic dayflower and GR and non-GR corn and soybean. Under greenhouse conditions, a single application of glyphosate (0.84 kg ae ha⁻¹) did not control Asiatic dayflower. Only the highest rate evaluated, 13.44 kg ae ha⁻¹ (16X), was lethal to Asiatic dayflower. Even when applied at an early growth stage (two leaves) and using high rates (3.36 kg ae ha⁻¹), glyphosate controlled Asiatic dayflower just 28%. In the field, metribuzin and KIH-485 controlled Asiatic dayflower 80 and 73%, respectively. Early POST applications (21 DAP) of cloransulam or lactofen controlled Asiatic dayflower 80 and 67%, respectively. A single glyphosate application of 0.86 kg ae ha⁻¹ controlled Asiatic dayflower approximately 50%. Glyphosate-treated Asiatic dayflower and non-GR corn and soybeans accumulated shikimate after application. GR corn and soybeans did not accumulate shikimate in response to glyphosate. Twenty-one days after treatment, all the non-GR soybean and corn plants died; however, Asiatic dayflower plants survived.

Nomenclature: Cloransulam; glyphosate; KIH-485, 3-[(5-difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-trifluormethylpyrazol-4-yl) methylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethylisoxazole; lactofen; metribuzin; Asiatic dayflower; Commelina communis L.; corn; Zea mays L.; soybean; Glycine max (L.) Merr

Benghal dayflower (formerly known as tropical spiderwort) is one of the most troublesome weeds in Georgia cotton. Field studies were conducted from 2003 to 2005 to evaluate the relationship between the duration of Benghal dayflower interference and cotton yield to establish optimum weed-control timing. To determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC), Benghal dayflower interference with cotton was allowed or prohibited in 2-wk intervals between 0 to 12 wk after crop planting. Maximum yield loss from Benghal dayflower in May-planted cotton was 21 to 30% in 2004 and 2005, whereas cotton planting delayed until June resulted in maximum yield losses of 40 to 60%. June-planted cotton had a CPWC of 190 to 800 growing degree days (GDD) in 2004 (52-d interval beginning at 16 d after planting [DAP]) and 190 to 910 GDD in 2005 (59-d interval beginning at 18 DAP). In contrast, May-planted cotton in 2005 had a narrower CPWC interval of 396 to 587 GDD (18 d) that occurred 3 wk later in the growing season (initiated at 39 DAP). May-planted cotton in 2004 did not have a critical range of weed-free conditions. Instead, a single weed removal at 490 GDD (44 DAP) averted a yield loss greater than 5%. It is recommended that fields infested with Benghal dayflower be planted with cotton early in the growing season to minimize weed interference with the crop.

Nomenclature: Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort), Commelina benghalensis L. COMBE; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L

A weed emergence prediction model, WeedCast, was used as a decision aid to schedule potato cultivation with and without herbicides at Wooster, OH, USA; Charlottetown, PE, Canada; and Fargo, ND, USA, from 2001 to 2003. Studies were laid out in a split-plot design with herbicides (±) forming the main plots and cultivation timing as subplots. Cultivation was done at 15, 30, or 60% of predicted weed emergence. Subplots were either left unsprayed or treated with metolachlor metribuzin at 1.68 0.5 kg ai ha⁻¹ and only cultivated at predetermined timing. Cultivation timing was based on predicted emergence of common lambsquarters at Wooster and Charlottetown, whereas eastern black nightshade was the indicator weed at Fargo. Weed control for the different cultivation timings varied among sites and years and was consistently better in plots where herbicides were followed by cultivation. Cultivation alone resulted in poor weed control and significantly reduced potato tuber yield compared with those in plots where weed control also included herbicides. Use of herbicides followed by cultivation and hilling increased tuber yield by 4.6, 4.3, and 8.7 t ha⁻¹, when cultivations were done at 15, 30, and 60% of predicted weed emergence, respectively, and 12.2 t ha⁻¹ for hilled-only plots. The average potato yield increase at Charlottetown was 9.7, 5.9, 6.9, and 7.4 t ha⁻¹ for hilled-only plots and for hilled after cultivations at 15, 30, and 60% of predicted weed emergence with herbicides, respectively. There was no apparent pattern for treatment effects at Fargo, and the potato tuber yields were greatly reduced mainly because of excessive precipitation during potato establishment. Use of WeedCast as a decision-aid tool could be an asset in determining when to do the first and subsequent cultivations. It may work best for growers who use cultivations in potato to remove weeds that were not controlled by herbicides.

Nomenclature: Metribuzin; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. CHEAL; eastern black nightshade, Solanum ptycanthum L. SOLPT; potato, Solanum tuberosum L

Cultivated rice yield losses due to red rice infestation vary by cultivar, red rice density, and duration of interference. The competition effects of red rice could be influenced further by emergence characteristics, red rice biotype, and planting time of cultivated rice. We aimed to characterize the emergence of red rice biotypes at different planting dates and evaluate the effect of red rice biotype, rice cultivar, and planting date on cultivated rice yield loss. Field experiments were conducted at the Southeast Research and Extension Center, Rohwer, AR, and at the Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center, Stuttgart, AR, in the summer of 2005 and 2006. The experimental design was a split-split plot with three or four replications. Planting time, Clearfield^TM (CL) rice cultivar, and red rice biotype were the main plot, subplot, and sub-subplot factors, respectively. There were three planting times from mid-April to mid-May at 2-wk intervals. CL rice cultivars, CL161 and hybrid CLXL8, and 12 red rice biotypes were planted. The emergence rate and coefficient of uniformity of germination differed among some red rice biotypes within a planting time. Planting date affected the emergence characteristics of red rice biotypes. The mean emergence rate of red rice was 0.043 d⁻¹ in the mid-April planting and 0.058 d⁻¹ in the late April planting. For the mid-April planting, 50% of red rice biotypes emerged in 20 ± 2 d compared with 15 ± 2 d for CL rice cultivars. Yield losses due to red rice biotypes generally increased in later planting dates, up to 49%. Yield losses due to interference from red rice biotypes ranged from 14 to 45% and 6 to 35% in CL161 and CLXL8, respectively. Cultivated rice became less competitive with red rice in later plantings, resulting in higher yield losses.

Nomenclature: Red rice, Oryza sativa L. ORYSA; rice, Oryza sativa L. ‘CL161’, ‘CLXL8’

The need for reducing costs and making grape production more sustainable has prompted the search for alternative weed control practices that optimize production while maintaining profits. For this reason, it is imperative to understand how different weed management practices modify vine–weed interactions. In the present study, we evaluated the effect on weed growth and Zinfandel grapevine growth and production of five weed control practices: (1) flumioxazin, (2) simazine, (3) cultivation, (4) cover crop, and (5) untreated control. The herbicide treatments had the lowest weed biomass, followed by the cultivation, being approximately 10 and 2 times lower than the weed biomass of either the cover crop or untreated control treatments, respectively. However, the differences in grape yield were not as evident. In 2006, a rainy year, the herbicides and cultivation treatments did not differ in grape yield, but the cover crop and untreated control had a reduction of approximately 20% compared with the other treatments. In 2007, a dry year, in comparison to the herbicide treatments, the grape yield reductions of cultivation were around 22%, and those of the cover crop and untreated control were around 48%. Although the cover crop reduced grape yield, it suppressed weed species considered important, such as horseweed, panicle willowherb, scarlet pimpernel, and sowthistle. Also, it was concluded that vines can tolerate a certain amount of weed competition, and that properly timed postemergence control actions (e.g., cultivation or POST herbicides) could provide the necessary level of control to obtain the desired yields. However, under limited soil moisture conditions, the use of PRE herbicides could prove important to maintain vine yield and vigor.

Nomenclature: Flumioxazin; simazine; horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.; panicle willowherb, Epilobium brachycarpum K. Presl.; scarlet pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis L.; sowthistle, Sonchus sp. L.; grape, Vitis vinifera L

New and improved glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops continue to be rapidly developed. These crops confer greater crop safety to multiple glyphosate applications, higher rates, and wider application timings. Many of these crops will also have glyphosate resistance stacked with traits that confer resistance to herbicides with other modes of actions to expand the utility of existing herbicides and to increase the number of mixture options that can delay the evolution of GR weeds. Some breeding stacks of herbicide resistance traits are currently available, but the trend in the future will be to combine resistance genes in molecular stacks. The first example of such a molecular stack has a new metabolically based mechanism to inactivate glyphosate combined with an active site-based resistance for herbicides that inhibit acetolactate synthase (ALS). This stack confers resistance to glyphosate and all five classes of ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Other molecular stacks will include glyphosate resistance with resistance to auxin herbicides and herbicides that inhibit acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) and 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Scientists are also studying a number of other herbicide resistance transgenes. Some of these new transgenes will be used to make new multiple herbicide-resistant crops that offer growers more herbicide options to meet their changing weed management needs and to help sustain the efficacy of glyphosate.

Nomenclature: Glyphosate

The continuous use of glyphosate has resulted in the selection of glyphosate-resistant (GR) biotypes in 13 weed species. Decreased translocation of glyphosate to the meristematic tissue is the primary mechanism of resistance in horseweed, hairy fleabane, rigid ryegrass, and Italian ryegrass, and the resistance is inherited as a single, semidominant nuclear trait. The question is: What role does decreased translocation play in glyphosate resistance, and what is the actual mechanism(s)? The enzyme 5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), the target site of glyphosate, preferentially accumulates in the active meristems of plants. Inhibition of EPSPS results in the accumulation of shikimate. Leaf disc assays across a number of species show that the maximum accumulation of shikimate occurs in young, rapidly expanding tissue. Gene expression studies have also shown that the gene encoding EPSPS is maximally expressed in meristems. Thus, glyphosate needs to translocate to the growing points of plants to be effective. In some GR weed biotypes, glyphosate moves in the treated leaf via the transpiration stream; but instead of being loaded into the phloem, it is trapped in the distal portion of the leaf. These results suggest that there is some type of inhibition of glyphosate-loading into the phloem in GR plants. However, this mechanism may involve uptake of glyphosate at the cellular level. Shikimate accumulation in isolated leaf discs occurs at high glyphosate concentrations in both susceptible and GR biotypes of horseweed and Italian ryegrass; but at low concentrations, shikimate accumulation occurs only in susceptible biotypes. Decreased cellular uptake of glyphosate might occur by one of four mechanisms: (1) the active uptake system no longer recognizes glyphosate, (2) an active efflux system pumps glyphosate out of the cell into the apoplast, (3) an active efflux system pumps glyphosate out of the chloroplast into the cytoplasm, or (4) glyphosate is pumped into the vacuole and sequestered in the cell.

Nomenclature: Glyphosate; hairy fleabane, Conyza bonariensis L.; horseweed, Conyza canadensis L.; Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; rigid ryegrass, Lolium rigidum Gaud

Development of genetically modified (GM) wheat has raised concerns about the movement and persistence of transgenes in agroecosystems and the ability of growers to segregate GM from conventional wheat. Wheat as a crop has been studied extensively but the population biology of volunteer wheat is not well characterized. Artificial seed bank studies were conducted in western Canada to provide baseline data on volunteer wheat seed persistence. Seed from two cultivars of Canadian western red spring wheat, ‘AC Splendor’ and ‘AC Superb’, were buried in mesh bags at three depths (0, 2, and 15 cm) in two different environments in the fall of 2003 and 2004. In addition, in 2004, ‘AC Superb’ seed were separated into small and large seed lots and buried with a medium seed lot to examine the influence of seed size on seed bank persistence. Seeds were withdrawn at intervals to assess seed germination and viability and regression analysis conducted on the viable seed at each sample period, after burial. Seed viability was variable within years and sites, and declined exponentially over time. In the spring, approximately 6 mo after initiation, viable seed ranged from 1 to 43%. With the exception of a single site and year, seeds on the soil surface persisted significantly longer than buried seeds and increasing burial depth accelerated loss of viability. The maximum viability of wheat seeds at 0, 2, and 15 cm depth in the spring following planting was 43, 7, and 2%, respectively. The extinction of viability for 99% (EX₉₉) of the seed was estimated from regression analysis. The EX₉₉ values of seeds buried at 0, 2, and 15 cm ranged from 493 to 1,114, 319 to 654, and 175 to 352 d after planting (DAP), respectively, with the exception of one site in 2003 where burial depths were not different and all had an EX₉₉ value of 456 DAP. Seed size and cultivar did not significantly affect persistence, with the exception of one site in 2003 where the difference in EX₉₉ values was 20 DAP. The rapid loss of seed viability limits temporal gene flow via volunteers in years following a wheat crop. Results provide data on spring wheat biology to aid in Canadian environmental biosafety assessments of GM wheat and will be incorporated into a mechanistic model to predict wheat gene flow on the Canadian prairies.

Nomenclature: Spring wheat; Triticum aestivum L