Variation in interference relationships have been shown for a number of crop-weed associations and may have an important effect on the implementation of decision support systems for weed management. Multiyear field experiments were conducted at eight locations to determine the stability of corn-foxtail interference relationships across years and locations. Two coefficients (IandA) of a rectangular hyperbola equation were estimated for each data set using nonlinear regression procedures. TheIandAcoefficients represent percent corn yield loss as foxtail density approaches zero and maximum percent corn yield loss, respectively. The coefficientIwas stable across years at two locations and varied across years at four locations. Maximum yield loss (A) varied between years at one location. Both coefficients varied among locations. Although 3 to 4 foxtail plants m−-1row was a conservative estimate of the single-year economic threshold (Tc) of foxtail density, variation inIandAresulted in a large variation inTc. Therefore, the utility of using common coefficient estimates to predict future crop yield loss from foxtail interference between years or among locations within a region is limited.

The effect temperature, light intensity, time to initial light exposure, relative humidity, and the presence of dew have on CGA-248757 and flumiclorac efficacy was evaluated in laboratory trials. Increasing temperature from 10 to 40 C increased CGA-248757 and flumiclorac activity on common lambsquarters by 79 and 87%, respectively. Similarly, increasing temperature from 10 to 40 C increased CGA-248757 and flumiclorac activity on redroot pigweed by 68 and 60%, respectively. Increasing light intensity from 0 to 1,000 μmol m−2 s−1 increased CGA-248757 activity on common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed by 92 and 93%, while flumiclorac activity increased 91 and 99%. Time to initial light exposure and relative humidity did not affect CGA-248757 or flumiclorac activity on common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed. The presence of dew reduced herbicidal activity of both compounds on common lambsquarters by 5% and redroot pigweed control with CGA-248757 and flumiclorac by 21 and 20%, respectively. Field applications of CGA-248757 or flumiclorac at 6:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M., and 10:00 P.M. indicate environmental conditions at application strongly influence soybean tolerance and weed control with CGA-248757 and flumiclorac. The greatest soybean injury occurred from CGA-248757 or flumiclorac applications at 6:00 A.M. compared with applications at 2:00 P.M. or 10:00 P.M. Common lambsquarters control was greatest when CGA-248757 or flumiclorac was applied at 6:00 A.M. or 2:00 P.M. compared with 10:00 P.M. However, redroot pigweed control was greatest when CGA-248757 or flumiclorac was applied at 2:00 P.M. Application time of day did not affect velvetleaf control with either herbicide.

Studies were conducted at East Lansing, MI, in 1994 and 1995 to examine corn yield response to giant foxtail interference and to examine the effect of giant foxtail density on giant foxtail biomass, seed production, and seed germination. Treatments consisted of 0, 10, 30, 60, 84, and 98 giant foxtail plants m−1of row in 1994 and 0, 10, 27, 30, 60, and 69 plants m−1of row in 1995. The influence of giant foxtail density on corn yield fit a hyperbolic equation. Corn yields were reduced 13% in 1994 and 14% in 1995 from 10 giant foxtail plants m−1of row. Corn dry matter at maturity was decreased 24 and 23% from 10 giant foxtail plants m−1of row in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Giant foxtail seed production increased linearly as inflorescence length increased. The length of a single giant foxtail inflorescence increased as plant density increased and the number of inflorescence produced per plant decreased. Giant foxtail seed production ranged from 518 to 2,544 seeds per plant. Ten giant foxtail plants m−1of row produced 15,700 seeds m−2. Giant foxtail seed germination was not affected by plant density.

The liverwort, marchantia (Marchantia polymorpha), and silver thread moss (Bryum argenteum) are two highly invasive and difficult to control pests in containerized ornamentals. Container trials were conducted evaluating marchantia and silve r thread moss control with preemergence and postemergence applications of chlorothalonil, captan, ammonium chlorides, hydrogen dioxide, flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, pelargonic acid, acetic acid (vinegar), copper sulfate, cinnamaldehyde, prodiamine, and oxadiazon. Flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, pelargonic acid, acetic acid, and oxadiazon provided acceptable preemergence and/or postemergence marchantia and silver thread moss control; however, no product provided acceptable control of these weeds at all evaluations. Under controlled environmental conditions marchantia and silver thread moss were controlled with flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, pelargonic acid, acetic acid, and oxadiazon. In addition to providing postemergence control of these weeds, flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, and oxidiazon also had residual activity when applied to potting media. However, the length and effectiveness of the preemergence control with flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, and oxadiazon was dependant upon formulation. In a separate study comparing granular and sprayable formulations of flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, and oxidiazon, results indicated control of established marchantia and silver thread moss was greater with sprayable formulations when compared with granular formulations. Similarly, sprayable formulations of these active ingredients enhanced residual marchantia and silver thread moss control. The granular and sprayable formulations of flumioxazin provided greater preemergence and postemergence control of marchantia and silver thread moss when compared with granular or sprayable formulations of oxyfluorfen and oxadiazon, and of the products evaluated, displayed the greatest level of activity against these weeds.

Controlled environment experiments were completed to determine the effect of temperature on giant foxtail and fall panicum germination, emergence, and growth. Giant foxtail seed germination decreased when exposed to a constant 30 C compared to 20 C. Germination also decreased in the alternating 20/30 C temperature regime when the hours of exposure to 30 C as compared to 20 C increased. Fall panicum required alternating temperatures of 14 C (9 h)/28 C (15 h) to germinate. Giant foxtail seed germination exceeded 60% 4 d after exposure to an alternating temperature of 7 C (9.4 h)/20 C (14.6 h). Conversely, fall panicum seed did not germinate at the 7 C (9.4 h)/20 C (14.6 h) temperature regime and required a minimum of 7 d exposure to alternating temperatures of 13 C (8.7 h)/26 C (15.3 h) for 88% of the seed to germinate. The greatest emergence of giant foxtail and fall panicum was from 1 cm and 1 to 2.5 cm, respectively. Less than 5% of the giant foxtail and fall panicum seed emerged from 7.5 cm. The growth of giant foxtail seedlings was five times greater than that of fall panicum at each temperature regime tested. Incorporation of this information into bioeconomic models could result in accurate predictions of weed germination for effective weed management strategies.