For three growing seasons (2003–2005) two newly planted, field-grown redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) varieties were subjected to three reference evapotranspiration (ETo)-based irrigation regimes (100, 66, and 33% ETo). Over this time period, water relations (pre-dawn leaf water potential), gas exchange (mid-day stomatal conductance), and growth data (trunk cross sectional area increase, tree leaf area, and shoot elongation) were measured. Pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψl) was more negative for trees receiving the least amount of irrigation, and for Mexican redbud [C. canadensis var. mexicana (Rose) M. Hopkins] trees. However, mid-day stomatal conductance (gs) was similar for Texas redbud (C. canadensis var. texensis S. Watson) trees across the three irrigation regimes, and was highest for Mexican redbud trees receiving the greatest amount of irrigation volume. Growth varied by variety and irrigation regime. Trunk cross sectional area increase was greatest for Mexican redbud trees, leaf area was highest for trees receiving the greatest amount of irrigation, and shoot elongation was greatest for trees receiving the 66% ETo irrigation regime. However, despite differing irrigation volumes, greatest gas exchange and growth was not necessarily associated with greatest irrigation volume. When considering conservation of precious water resources, these redbud varieties maintain adequate growth and appearance under reduced irrigation.

Greenhouse trials were conducted to determine Hooker's evening primrose transplant tolerance to POST-applied herbicides. Herbicide treatments consisted of glyphosate at 1.68 kg ae ha−1, glufosinate at 0.84 kg ai ha−1, fenoxaprop at 0.10 kg ai ha−1, fluazifop at 0.45 kg ai ha−1+ a nonionic surfactant (NIS) at 0.25% v/v, sulfosulfuron at 0.06 kg ai ha−1+ NIS at 0.25% v/v, quinclorac at 0.42 kg ae ha−1+ methylated seed oil (MSO) at 0.5% v/v, mesotrione at 0.21 kg ai ha−1, and the combination of quinclorac + mecoprop + dicamba at 0.42 + 0.21 + 0.06 kg ae ha−1+ MSO at 0.5% v/v. Fluazifop (14%) and fenoxaprop (19%) treatments did not result in any significant phytotoxicity 7 d after treatment (DAT) compared with the nontreated check. Hooker's evening primrose exhibited 26 to 37% phytotoxicity in response to quinclorac, glyphosate, or sulfosulfuron 7 DAT. Phytotoxicity ≥ 50% was observed for mesotrione, glufosinate, and the combination of quinclorac + mecoprop + dicamba 7 DAT. Phytotoxicity increased for all treatments 28 DAT. Fluazifop (21%) was the only treatment that did not exhibit phytotoxicity symptoms different from the nontreated check 28 DAT. Hooker's evening primrose exhibited 31 to 40% phytotoxicity with applications of fenoxaprop, glyphosate, or glufosinate 28 DAT. Phytotoxicity was ≥ 58% with all other treatments 28 DAT. Fluazifop exhibited similar above-ground (12.4 g) and below-ground (16.4 g) biomass as the nontreated check (10.8 and 14.7 g, respectively) 28 DAT. All other treatments resulted in 1.6 to 5 g of above-ground biomass and 0.8 to 4.3 g of below-ground biomass 28 DAT. Fluazifop (24.3) and fenoxaprop (18.8) applications resulted in a plant growth index (PGI) that was not significantly different from the nontreated check (24.7) 28 DAT. A PGI ≤ 16.2 was observed for all other treatments 28 DAT.

No research has investigated the phytotoxic response of hooker’s evening primrose (Oenothera elata) plug transplants to preemergence herbicides. Varied phytotoxic responses of common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) to preemergence herbicides suggest that options may exist for the safe control of weeds present within hooker’s evening primrose when grown as an agronomic field crop. Enhanced weed control during early establishment may reduce competition for water and nutrients as well as increase seed yield and oil content. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the phytotoxic effect of preemergence herbicides on hooker’s evening primrose plug transplants grown in the greenhouse. Research was conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Plant and Soil Science greenhouse complex at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Herbicide treatments were applied on 13 July 2010 and 5 Apr. 2011 and consisted of oxadiazon at 3 lb/acre, isoxaben at 0.5 lb/acre, oryzalin at 2 lb/acre, prodiamine at 1.5 lb/acre, dithiopyr at 0.5 lb/acre, s-metolachlor at 1.8 lb/acre, pendimethalin at 0.6 lb/acre, and isoxaben + trifluralin at 2.5 lb/acre. One 4-month-old hooker’s evening primrose plug (2 inches wide) was transplanted into each pot (3 gal) 2 days after treatment (DAT). Dithiopyr and s-metolachlor treatments exhibited similar lack of phytotoxicity as the untreated control 7 DAT. Phytotoxicity ≥13% was observed for trifluralin + isoxaben, pendimethalin, prodiamine, oryzalin, isoxaben, and oxadiazon 7 DAT, with the highest level of phytotoxicity (24%) exhibited by trifluralin + isoxaben treatments. Hooker’s evening primrose phytotoxicity decreased (plants grew out of the damage) for all treatments except trifluralin + isoxaben, pendimethalin, and oryzalin 28 DAT. Oryzalin (16%) and trifluralin + isoxaben (60%) were the only two treatments that did not exhibit similar phytotoxicity to the untreated control 28 DAT. There were no significant differences in aboveground or belowground biomass nor plant growth index (PGI) of any of the treatments when compared with the untreated control 28 DAT. Based upon the results of this trial, pendimethalin, prodiamine, dithiopyr, s-metolachlor, oryzalin, isoxaben, and oxadiazon may be used for preemergence weed control in hooker’s evening primrose without causing excessive phytotoxicity (>20%), potential yield loss, or both. Trifluralin + isoxaben treatments exhibited 60% hooker’s evening primrose phytotoxicity 28 DAT, which resulted in too low of an initial plant stand to warrant use.

No abstract