Field experiments were conducted during 1985 and 1986 to determine the response of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Coker 156’], pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosaL. # IPOLA), and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea(L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] to acifluorfen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid}, fomesafen {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide}, and lactofen {(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-dinitrobenzoate}. Acifluorfen and lactofen were more phytotoxic to soybean 15 days after treatment (DAT) than fomesafen. All herbicides at low rates controlled 80% or more pitted morningglory. However, only the high rates (0.6 kg ai/ha) of acifluorfen and fomesafen controlled 80% or more ivyleaf morningglory 90 DAT. Full-season competition from untreated pitted morningglory reduced soybean seed yields 44 and 22% in 1985 and 1986, respectively, compared to 58 and 49% with untreated ivyleaf morningglory. Soybean seed yields were higher in plots receiving acifluorfen or fomesafen applications than lactofen applications.

Field trials evaluated sequential applications of plant growth retardants (PGRs) to bahiagrass for a 3-yr period at two Florida locations: Newberry (north Florida) and Okeechobee (south Florida). Seven PGRs from various chemical families were used: glyphosate, fluazifop, sethoxydim, maleic hydrazide, trinexapac-ethyl, imazapic, and imazaquin. In 1991 and 1992, PGRs reduced turf color for 2 to 4 wk after treatment (WAT) at the Newberry location but remained above acceptable levels (> 5.0) and recovered by 6 WAT. In 1993, glyphosate, fluazifop, and maleic hydrazide reduced turf color below acceptable levels (< 5.0) 4 WAT, but turf color was acceptable by 6 WAT. Turf color was slightly reduced following single and sequential imazapic applications in Okeechobee; however, turf recovered by 8 WAT. Cumulative seedhead suppression at both locations increased during the 3 yr resulting in at least a 60% reduction in seedhead numbers. Seedhead production each year was 10 to 50% less at 12 WAT in treated plots than in the previous year. Single applications of imazapic and imazapic + imazaquin provided 85 to 100% seedhead suppression for 12 WAT and 100% suppression for up to 16 wk following sequential applications made 8 wk after the initial application (WAI). Single applications of glyphosate, fluazifop, and maleic hydrazide provided ≥ 70% seedhead suppression for 4 to 8 WAT. Sequential applications of fluazifop made 8 WAI provided > 70% control of seedheads through 8 to 16 WAI for 3 yr.

Torpedograss has invaded fine turfgrasses in the Southern U.S. due to its tolerance to most commonly used turfgrass herbicides. Research was conducted to determine torpedograss and ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass tolerance to quinclorac and tank-mix combinations with other turf herbicides. Quinclorac rates in excess of 2.2 kg ai/ha were required for control (≥ 80%) of torpedograss. Sequential applications were more effective than single applications. Generally, sequential applications made 3 wk after the initial were more effective than delaying sequential applications until 4 wk after the initial application. Tifway bermudagrass injury from quinclorac applied at 4.5 kg/ha, or at 2.2 kg/ha followed by a sequential application of 1.1 or 2.2 kg/ha, was observed at 4 to 10 wk; however, turf recovered thereafter. Sequential applications of quinclorac plus imazaquin (1.1 + 0.6 kg/ha) increased torpedograss control (approximate 35%) as compared to quinclorac plus MSMA (1.1 + 1.1 kg/ha) but also decreased turf quality versus quinclorac applied alone or in combination with MSMA. Quinclorac applied at 2.2 kg/ha followed by 1.1 kg/ha applied 3 or 6 wk after the initial controlled torpedograss best with least reduction in bermudagrass quality. Quinclorac is the first herbicide reported to selectively control torpedograss in bermudagrass turf.

Experiments were conducted to determine14C absorption, translocation, and metabolism by pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosaL. # IPOLA) and ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea(L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] foliarly treated with14C-acifluorfen [5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoic acid] or14C-lactofen [(±)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl-5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-dinitrobenzoate]. Seventy-one to 84% of applied14C-acifluorfen was recovered in leaf water wash of ivyleaf morningglory compared to 32 to 46% from pitted morningglory. Sixty-four percent of applied14C-lactofen was recovered in leaf water wash 96 h after treatment in both morningglory species. Thirty-five to 37% more14C from applied14C-acifluorfen was found in pitted morningglory treated leaves than ivyleaf morningglory treated leaves. Less than 28% of applied14C-lactofen was extracted from treated leaves of either morningglory species. Translocation and metabolism of14C-acifluorfen and14C-lactofen were minimal in both morningglory species.

Field research was conducted at two locations in 1982 and 1983 to evaluate the competitiveness of coffee senna (Cassia occidentalisL. # CASOC) with cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.). With season-long competition, each increase of 1 coffee senna plant/7.5 m of row reduced seed cotton by 9 to 117 kg/ha. Each additional week of competition from a dense stand (40 plants/m of row) of coffee senna reduced seed cotton yield by 118 kg/ha and cotton main stem height by 1.25 cm. Neither cotton stand density nor fiber properties were affected by coffee senna density or duration of competition. Seed cotton yields and main stem heights obtained when cotton was kept weed free for 6 weeks after cotton emergence were not significantly different from those kept weed free for 8, 10, or 14 weeks. Coffee senna dry-matter production was essentially zero when cotton was maintained weed free for 8 or more weeks.