Aims: Determine the influence of sequential spray order and role of glufosinate when used in a system with 2,4-D to control Palmer amaranth at two different growth stages. Study Design: Randomized complete block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A fallow, non-crop field at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock, Texas, during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. Methodology: Herbicides were applied to 7 to 15 cm and 25 to 30 cm Palmer amaranth with a handheld 1.93m CO2-pressurized backpack calibrated to deliver 140 L ha-1 at 207 kPa. Palmer amaranth control was visually estimated on a scale of 0 (no control) to 100% (complete control) relative to the nontreated control. Palmer amaranth biomass and density were collected 43 and 36 days after the last sequential application for 7 to 15 cm and 25 to 30 cm Palmer amaranth in 2019. Palmer amaranth control, biomass, and density were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD at P=.05. Results: 2,4-D choline + glyphosate followed by glufosinate provided the greatest level of  Palmer amaranth control for both sizes of Palmer amaranth. Overall, Palmer amaranth control was not influenced by sequential application timing. Biomass and density were not significantly different among treatments. Conclusion: Sequential application order of glufosinate and 2,4-D was not an important factor for Palmer amaranth control. However, due to 2,4-D label restrictions, applying 2,4-D choline + glyphosate followed by glufosinate may be the best option for maximum efficacy.

Aims: Determine the influence of sequential spray order and role of glufosinate when used in a system with dicamba to control Palmer amaranth at three different growth stages. Study design:  Randomized complete block design with four replications Place and duration of Study: A fallow, non-crop field at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock, Texas, during the 2018-2019 growing seasons Methodology: Herbicides were applied to < 10 cm, 10 to 20 cm, and > 30 cm Palmer amaranth with a handheld 1.93m CO2-pressurized backpack calibrated to deliver 140 L ha-1 at 207 kPa. Palmer amaranth control was visually estimated on a scale of 0 (no control) to 100% (complete plant death) relative to the nontreated control. Palmer amaranth biomass and density were taken when all plots reached 50% or less control in 2019. Palmer amaranth control, biomass, and density were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD at an alpha of 0.05. Results: Palmer amaranth control decreased as Palmer amaranth size at initial application increased. A difference in efficacy based on herbicide order was observed for < 10 cm Palmer amaranth. Glufosinate followed by dicamba was less effective (76-83%) than dicamba followed by glufosinate (93-96%) at 2 of 4 rating dates following sequential applications in both years. Dicamba + acetochlor followed by glufosinate provided greater Palmer amaranth control than dicamba followed by dicamba at one or more rating dates across all weed sizes. Conclusion: Glufosinate served as a complimentary partner in the dicamba-based system, and additional modes of action will be more effective to slow the development of resistance to group 4 herbicides when compared to repeated use of a group 4 herbicide used alone.

he ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Graduate Student Travel Grants are officially being awarded for the 2021 International Annual Meeting, after being put on hold for the 2020 virtual meeting! The 2021 grants will be given to up to 10 students (∼$750/ student). The grants are so valuable for students that need financial assistance to fully participate, present, network, and get started in their careers.This program, which is the first of its kind within the Societies, was launched just last year, and we have raised US$27,340 to date. After selecting the 2021 recipients, the fund will have approximately $20,000, and we want to build on that.The travel grant program is organized by graduate students for graduate students and relies on the generosity of its donors! As members of the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Graduate Student Committee, we would like to see the program grow to provide funding for travel grants every year. The first step towards this goal is raising an additional $15,000 to establish the grant as a permanent fund.This grant supports travel, lodging, and meal expenses for graduate students who might not otherwise be able to attend the Annual Meeting due to financial strain. The program also supports the Societies' aim to foster diversity and inclusion.Everyone in the Societies can help us make the Graduate Student Travel Grant an annual opportunity for graduate students. We hope that you will consider donating to the cause! We would also like to thank our generous past donors for believing in our project and supporting the creation of this fund.Donate today!

Graduate school can take a lot out of you. Between research, classes, and your personal life, it can be difficult to balance everything. Many students must also take on a job outside of academia, or they may have children to raise. The demands of graduate school can affect your mental health in a number of ways. Graduate students report struggling with mental health at a rate six times higher than the general public. If you are struggling with mental health in graduate school, you are not alone. Below you will find some mental wellness tips as well as a number of resources available for graduate students to utilize. Facts about Mental Health in Grad StudentsMany factors contribute to a student's mental health, including work-life balance, supervisor relationships and leadership style, and academic commitments. Survey studies have found that more than 40% of graduate students deal with mental health issues. These can be things such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse. More than 50% of graduate students feel that their work-life balance is unhealthy and contributing to mental health struggles, and the same percentage feel as though their adviser/PI does not provide them with enough support or mentorship. Additionally, many students struggle to reach out for help due to the continued stigma around mental health, especially in academia. Mental Wellness Strategies Setting BoundariesBoundaries are a tool that can be helpful in any relationship, but you may receive pushback depending on how the other parties involved