Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an invasive, perennial, C₄ bunchgrass. Buffelgrass has a rapid invasion rate, a tendency to displace native vegetation, and presents a fire risk to native plant communities, adjacent developed areas and their associated infrastructure. Mechanical control is impractical and unable to keep pace with regional spread. Chemical control has offered the most promise for successful and cost-effective management on a regional scale. The predominant herbicide used to control buffelgrass is glyphosate, which requires active vegetative growth when applied for optimum uptake and translocation to meristematic tissue. The timing and duration of active growth is difficult to predict. In this dissertation I addressed three related topics to improve effectiveness of buffelgrass management in the Sonoran Desert. First, I used digital time-lapse photography and weather data to predict the timing and length of future active growth based on day of year and antecedent weather at three sites in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, AZ that were representative of habitats currently infested by buffelgrass in the region. I was able to correctly predict greenness above or below a threshold of herbicide susceptibility at 81 to 95% for a basin floor site and at 61-88% for slope sites. Second, I evaluated the effects of different rates of two herbicides (imazapic and clethodim), alone or in combination with different rates of glyphosate, for pre- (imazapic only) and postemergence control of buffelgrass. I found a minimum glyphosate application rate of 2.52 kg ae ha⁻¹ glyphosate consistently killed mature buffelgrass plants; clethodim at had no effect on mature buffelgrass; and imazapyr was successful in killing mature plants when applied during the dormant season at 0.56 kg ae ha⁻¹ and provided preemergence control. Imazapic severely damaged but did not kill mature buffelgrass plants at the maximum label rate of 0.21 kg ae ha⁻¹. Finally, we evaluated results from a helicopter broadcast herbicide application trial conducted in the Tucson Mountains. We demonstrated that most species and life forms were less affected than buffelgrass to glyphosate deposition rates achieved in the study, but asserted that procedural changes were necessary to achieve effective buffelgrass control.

Corn or maize (Zea mays L.) has been grown in North America for many centuries, and an increase in corn production will continue to be needed. Agriculture producers must meet the demands of feeding and providing for an increasing population of people. In order to meet those needs, different production practices are being investigated as a way to increase grain yield. Field plots were conducted across the state of Kentucky in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the interaction between hybrid, row width, and plant density on corn yield. The primary objectives were to test if 1) narrower rows increase grain yield, 2) higher plant densities increase yield in narrow and twin rows, and 3) the interactions among all factors. Three hybrids were evaluated in three row widths (76, 38 cm or twin) at target densities ranging from 74 000 to 124 000 plants ha-1. Interactions between hybrid, row width, and plant density occurred; however, effects on grain yield and plant physiological characteristics were small and variable across all environments. Plant density had the greatest impact on IPAR and grain yield. Field trials were conducted near Lexington and Princeton, Kentucky in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the effects of row width on different weed management treatments in corn. The objectives were to 1) evaluate five weed management methods in three row widths (76, 38 cm or twin) and 2) estimate the effect of these practices on corn yield. Herbicides used within each weed management strategy included the residual herbicide S-metholachlor + atrazine (1.4 + 1.8 kg/ha) applied preemergence (PRE) and/or glyphosate (0.86 kg/ha) postemergence (POST). Weed management treatments consisted of a PRE only, PRE followed by POST, POST only, POST + PRE, and an untreated control. Row spacing had little effect on weed suppression and control except for two cases. In general, PRE followed by POST and POST + Residual treatments controlled weeds better compared to PRE only and POST only treatments. Corn yields were higher when a herbicide was used compared to applying no herbicide application. KEYWORDS: Row spacing, Plant Density, Corn Hybrids, Weed Management, Herbicide Application Timing

This thesis concerns on biology, occurrence and especially, herbicide regulation of Viola arvensis Murray on arable land. On the land of the farm DZV NOVA Bystřice a small-plot experiment focused on monitoring and regulation of Viola arvensis was carried out. This experiment was carried out from September 2012 to January 2014 on three crops (winter wheat, winter barley and winter rape) in three locations. In the theoretical part we describe the biology and occurrence of this frequent weed. The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the abundance of Viola arvensis and other weed species and verify the effect of different herbicides on Viola arvensis and other weeds. The effectiveness of the tested herbicide combinations was statistically significant for Viola arvensis and also for the other weeds (P 0, 05). The exceptions were Veronica persica, Geranium pussilum and Hordeum vulgare, where the effectiveness of these agents was not proved (P > 0, 05). The results summarize the numbers of weed species and effectiveness of applied herbicides. Viola arvensis was the most frequent weed species found on the examined sites. The effectiveness of herbicide agents used against this weed was very high. The highest was by preparations Maraton + Glean 75 WG, Maraton + Logran 20 WG, Cougar Forte + Logran 20 WG a Sumimax + Glean 75 WG (100 %). Lower was by preparations Butisan 400 SC + Command 36 SC (80 %) a Butisan Star + Garland Forte (75 %). In the winter barley and winter wheat, the applied herbicides were 100% effective, only in the winter rape the effectiveness was lower (75 - 80%). I can confirm the initial hypothesis about the effectiveness of the different herbicides on field pansy because their effectiveness differed.

Concentrations of herbicides in our aquatic ecosystems increase more and more. Among these, the herbicide glyphosate is the most common one. This ecotoxicological study was performed in order to examine the toxic effect of the herbicide glyphosate on aquatic invertebrates. Odonata were selected as study organisms in order to serve as bio-indicators of environmental contamination. Two populations, each of two species (Erythromma najas and Libellula quadrimaculata) were collected from four different locations, to study inter-specific differences, as well as, differences among populations within a species, in response to herbicide exposure. The experiment was conducted for 15 days in a 2 x 4 factorial design with 4 replicates (n = 32). The most common brand of weed-killer ‘Roundup’ containing 7.2 gL-1 of glyphosate) was used as source of glyphosate. Glyphosate was applied at a concentration of 7.6 mgL-1 in the experiment equalling the high end of environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate present in contaminated shallow waters. Response variables measured were larval survival, growth and activity. The results showed that glyphosate exposure reduced the survival of the larvae, but the magnitude of the glyphosate effects depended on species identity of the larvae and varied also with population within species. This study clearly shows that herbicide effects on invertebrate fitness depends on species identity and may even vary within species from different populations, possibly due to evolved resistance of random genetic variations between populations or due to random genetic variation between populations.

<p dir="ltr">Cover crops and soil residual herbicides are some of the essential tools within the integrated weed management. When used at cover crop termination, residual herbicides can extend the period of weed control and reduce the selection pressure for herbicide resistance. However, previous research has indicated that the use of cover crops can increase the microbial activity of the soil which, in turn, is the primary route for herbicide degradation in the soil. In addition to the potential effect on the microbial breakdown of herbicides, cover crops can also alter the fate of herbicides by interception. Three field projects were established to (1) investigate the influence of cover crop [cereal rye (<i>Secale cereale</i> L.) and crimson clover (<i>Trifolium incarnatum</i> L.)] use on soil enzyme activities [β-glucosidase (BG) and dehydrogenase (DHA)], its effect on the concentration of residual herbicides (sulfentrazone, <i>s</i>-metolachlor, cloransulam-methyl, atrazine, and mesotrione) in the soil, and the interception of herbicides by cover crop residue; (2) to investigate the effect of cover crop termination strategies (fallow, standing, and roller crimped 1 d prior to application) and simulated rainfall volumes (0, 4.2, and 8.3 mm simulated over 20 min; equivalent to 0, 12.5, and 25 mm h^-1) on atrazine wash off from cereal rye biomass onto the soil; (3) to investigate the effect of cereal rye termination strategies on the concentration of sulfentrazone, <i>s</i>-metolachlor, and cloransulam-methyl in the soil, weed control, and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield.</p><p dir="ltr">Results from the first project suggests that the use of cover crops occasionally resulted in increased BG and DHA activities relative to the fallow treatment. However, even when there was an increase in the activity of these two enzymes, increased degradation of the residual herbicides was not observed. Furthermore, the use of cereal rye or crimson clover as cover crops did not reduce the efficacy of the residual herbicides in controlling weeds early in the growing season.</p><p dir="ltr">In regards to the fate of atrazine after simulated rainfall, the results from the second project indicated that cereal rye biomass accumulation negatively impacted the amount of herbicide reaching the soil at the time of application. Although the roller crimped cereal rye reduced the amount of herbicide reaching the soil relative to the standing cereal rye, it also reduced atrazine leaching below the 0-5 cm of soil. Furthermore, in cover cropping systems with high levels of cereal rye biomass, more than 8.3 mm of rain are required to wash most of the atrazine off of the biomass.</p><p dir="ltr">Lastly, the adoption of the planting green systems resulted in up to 84% interception of residual herbicides by the roller crimped cereal rye biomass. The use of cereal rye as cover crop did not improve the weed control relative to the fallow during the two years of field research. Soybean yield losses ranged from 10 to 44% with the adoption of the planting green system, primarily due to stand losses. However, there are strategies and proper equipment available that can be used to minimize soybean stand losses.</p>

Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum L.) is an evergreen ericaceous shrub that plays a dynamic role in the southern Appalachian forests. Commonly located on mesic sites, this understory shrub forms dense thickets that greatly reduce the amount of light available to herbaceous and woody plants found on the forest floor. Past research has shown that silvicultural methods can be used to eradicate R. maximum, however it is unclear which of these methods is most efficient and what effects other than stem mortality may occur. In this study, treatments involving prescribed fire, mechanical cutting, and herbicide applications were applied to R. maximum dominated forests in southwestern Virginia to determine what effect seven different silvicultural treatments had on 1) controlling of R. maximum as a forest weed 2) fuel loading inside of a R. maximum thicket, and 3) canopy tree seedling regeneration. Mechanical cutting treatments were successful in reducing R. maximum basal area per acre; however stump sprouting and increased fuel loading occurred. Herbicide applications were successful in controlling only the smallest diameter class of R. maximum stems. Prescribed fire reduced litter layers and caused delayed mortality on R. maximum stems three years following treatment. Hemispherical photographs taken within each plot showed that silvicultural treatments that successfully increased the amount of light entering each plot were influential in seedling establishment three years following treatments. Results from this study can be used to further perfect silvicultural applications that alleviate R. maximum cover on the forest landscape. / Master of Science

Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum L.) is an ericaceous shrub commonly found in riparian areas of the Appalachian Mountains. After more than a century of fire exclusion in the U.S., the distribution of R. maximum and its dominance of forest understories have increased. Rhododendron expansion has caused a decline in overstory regeneration and the potential for dangerous fuel conditions around suburban structures near the wildland-urban interface. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of seven silvicultural treatments on both the fuel loading within an R. maximum thicket and the control of R. maximum as a forest weed. The final objective of the project was to determine the cost effectiveness of each implemented treatment. Due primarily to moisture conditions, a single prescribed burn was relatively ineffective in reducing fuel loading and causing R. maximum mortality. Mechanical cutting caused a drastic shift in the size-class distribution of R. maximum but resulted in heavy sprouting and increased fuel loading. Herbicide application did not reduce or increase fuel loading and was important in R. maximum control only when combined with other treatments. The prescribed burning treatment was the least expensive individual treatment while mechanical cutting was the most expensive. Combination treatments showed increased effectiveness in controlling R. maximum but were more expensive than the individual treatments. The results of the treatments from this study will be used over the long term to demonstrate to land managers the effects of vegetation control on rhododendron. / Master of Science

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Much of South African lowland fynbos vegetation has been transformed by agriculture and invasive alien grass species. The artificial reduction of plant available N and P levels in soils, through the addition of carbon and calcium respectively, may provide a means of retarding the growth of alien grasses stimulated by soil nutrient enrichment. Furthermore, the competitive advantage of native lowland fynbos species adapted to nutrient impoverished soils may be increased by these additions. The above premise was tested in both field- and greenhouse-based trials by applying systemic and contact herbicides to reduce the large alien invasive grass biomass. This was followed by the addition of C as sucrose and Ca as gypsum to reduce plant available N and P respectively in the soils. The effects of these combined herbicide and soil nutrient amendment treatments on plant physiology and growth were examined in both resident alien and indigenous species and in several herbaceous and woody native species introduced as seeds and seedlings. Also, soils sampled from the different treatments in both trials were chemically analyzed. There was a total absence of seedling recruitment from seeds of all 9 indigenous species sown into soils in the field-based trial while introduced juveniles of another 9 indigenous species displayed a high mortality during the dry summer season. These detrimental effects were less severe in the greenhouse-based trial which received more regular watering and where successful seedling recruitment from seeds sown occurred in four indigenous species. Sucrose additions, both exclusively and in combination with gypsum, caused significant reductions in foliar chlorophyll, photosystem II (PSII) function and above-ground biomass of most resident and introduced alien and indigenous species. These reductions were less prominent where herbicides were applied, a possible consequence of N and P supplementation of soils by the decomposing plant biomass. This was supported by the elevated soil K, Na and N concentrations measured in soils where contact and systemic herbicides were applied. However, no significant changes in soil N or P were apparent following sucrose and gypsum additions respectively, the latter attributed to the acidic soils which precluded the formation of insoluble P complexes. A second study tested the hypothesis that exogenous sucrose addition to soils inhibits plant growth by stimulating soil microbial biomass which accumulates soil nitrogen rendering it unavailable to plants. Two native, early seral species (Dimorphotheca pluvialus (L.) Moench and Ursinia anthemoides (L) Poir. subsp anthemoides) were cultured in heat sterilized (2200C for 72 hours) and non-sterilized soils in a greenhouse under four different levels of sucrose (0, 100, 200 and 300 g m-2) supplied monthly over a four-month active growing period. Foliar chlorophyll iii contents, photosystem II (PSII) efficiencies, shoot and root lengths and dry mass, inflorescence numbers and N and P contents were measured in the plants, and N and P contents and bacterial cell and coliform numbers analyzed in the soils. Both D. pluvialis and U. anthemoides displayed significant reductions in PSII efficiency, chlorophyll content, accumulation of biomass and N and P in response increased levels of sucrose, which initially seemingly supported the hypothesis as these reductions were of substantially greater magnitude in plants cultivated in non-sterilized than sterilized soils. Despite this, there was no evidence of any significant increases in bacterial and coliform cell numbers in response to increased levels of sucrose supplied or any significant reductions in soil N and P contents following sucrose additions in both sterile and non-sterilized soils. Greater numbers of bacteria and coliforms were measured in sterilized than non-sterilized soils which corresponded with reduced soil N contents but these were not reflected in like changes in plant PSII efficiency and growth and total amounts of N taken up by plants which displayed massive increases in sterilized soils. The findings did not support the hypothesis and pointed to an abiotic mechanism of sucrose inhibition of plant photosynthesis and growth. The study concludes that the suitability of adding sucrose and gypsum to degraded renosterveld ecosystem soils to promote the competitiveness of native taxa against alien grasses is dubious. Other restoration alternatives such as natural re-colonization, transfer of soils containing viable seeds from pristine communities and top soil removal should be considered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Baie van Suid Afrika se laagland fynbos plantegroei is verander deur landbou en uitheemse indringer grasspesies. Die kunsmatige reduksie van plantbeskikbare N en P vlakke in die grond deur die toevoeging van koolstof en kalsium onderskeidelik, kan ’n metode wees om die groei van indringer grasse te vertraag, wat gestimuleer word deur grondvoedingstofverryking. Die kompeterende voordeel van die inheemse laagland fynbosspesies wat aangepas is tot voedingstofarme grond kan verhoog word deur die toevoegings. Bogenoemde postulaat is in beide die veld- en die glashuis-gebaseerde eksperimente getoets deur die aanwending van sistemiese en kontak onkruiddoder om die groot indringer grasbiomassa te verminder gevolg deur die byvoeging van C as sukrose en Ca as gips om die plantbeskibare N en P onderskeidelik te verminder in die grond. Die effekte van die gekombineerde onkruiddoder en grondvoedingstof verbeteringsbehandelings op die fisiologie en groei van die plante is ondersoek in beide inheemse- en residente indringerspesies asook in verskeie kruidagtige- en houtagtige inheemse spesies wat aangeplant was as sade en saailinge. Grondmonsters van die verskillende behandelings in beide studies was versamel en was chemies geanaliseer. Daar was ’n definitiewe afwesigheid van nuwe saailinge van sade van al nege indringerspesies wat gesaai was in grond in die veldgebaseerde studie, en saailinge van nog nege inheemse spesies het ’n hoë mortaliteit getoon gedurende die droë somerseisoen. Hierdie skadelike effekte was minder ernstig in die glashuisgebaseerde studie wat meer benat was, en waar nuwe saailinge suksesvol geproduseer was deur sade in vier inheemse spesies. Sukrose byvoegings, beide uitgesluit en in kombinasie met gips, het ’n afname in blaarchlorofil, fotosisteem II en bogrondse biomassa van die meeste van die residente en aangeplante indringer- en inheemse spesies getoon. Hierdie afnames was minder prominent waar onkruiddoder aangewend was, ’n moontlke oorsaak van N en P aanvulling van grond deur die verrottende plantbiomassa. Dit word ondersteun deur verghoogde grond K, Na en N konsentrasies, gemeet in grond waar kontak en sistemiese onkruiddoder toegevoeg was. Geen noemenswaardige veranderinge in grond N of P was sigbaar na byvoeging van sukrose en gips onderskeidelik nie. Laasgenoemde het bygedra tot suuragtige grond wat die formasie van onoplosbare P komplekse verkom het. ‘n Tweede studie het die hipotese getoets waar eksogene sukrose byvoeging tot grond plantegroei inhibeer deur die grond mikrobe biomassa te stimuleer wat akkumuleer wat in grond stikstof en dit nie beskikbaar maak vir plante nie.Twee inheemse vroeë intermediêre stadium spesies (Dimorphotheca pluvialus (L.) Moench en Ursinia anthemoides (L) Poir. subsp v anthemoides) was gekweek in hitte gesteriliseerde grond (2200 C vir 72 uur) en in nie-gesteriliseerde grond in ’n glashuis onder vier verskillende vlakke van van sukrose (0, 100, 200 en 300 g m-2) bygevoeg maandeliks oor ‘n 4 maande aktiewe groei periode. Blaarchlorofilinhoud, fotosisteem II (FS II) doeltreffendheid, groeipunt en wortel lengte en droë massa, blomgetalle en N en P inhoud was gemeet in die plante sowel as N en P inhoud en bakteriële sel en kolivorm getalle was geanaliseer in die grond. Beide D. pluvialis en U . anthemoides het ’n afname getoon in FS II doeltreffendheid, chlorofilinhoud, biomassa akkumulasie, N en P response op verhoogde vlakke van sukrose, wat aanvanklik aangetoon het dat dit die hipotese ondersteun want hierdie afnames wat heelwat groter in plante wat gekweek was in ongesteriliseerde grond as in gesteriliseerde grond. Daar was geen toename in baketriële en kolivorm sel getalle in rssponse tot verhoogde vlakke van sukrose byvoegings of enige noemenswaardige in grond N en P inhoud na byvoeging van sukrose in beide steriele en nie-steriele grond nie. Groot getalle bakterieë en kolivorme was gemeet in gesteriliseerde grond as in ongesteriliseerde grond. Dit korrespondeer met verminderde grond N inhoud maar dit was nie gereflekteer in veranderinge in plant FS II doeltreffendheid, groei en die totale hoeveelhede N wat opgeneem was deur plante wat ’n massiewe toename getoon het ongesteriliseerde grond nie. Hierdie bevindings het nie die hipotese ondersteun nie en het gewys na ’n abiotiese meganisme van sukrose inhibisie van plant fotosintese en groei. Die studie lei dus af dat die geskiktheid om sukrose en gips by te voeg tot gedegradeerde renosterveld ekosisteemgrond om kompetisie tussen inheemse plante en indringer grasse te promoveer, twyfelagtig is. Ander restorasie alternatiewe soos natuurlike herkolonisasie, oordrag van grond wat lewensvatbare sade bevat van onbeskadigde gemeenskappe en bogrond verwydering word oorweeg.

<p>Control of weeds that have survived a postemergence (POST) herbicide often need to be controlled in order to prevent seed production and interference with crops. The most efficacious herbicides and timings used for respray applications has not been determined in many problematic weed species. Previous research has demonstrated that weeds clipped to simulate a failed herbicide application responded differently to herbicide applications to regrowth based on herbicide used and weed species. Other research is conflicting as to the optimum timing of an herbicide respray application with various herbicides. Gaining a better understanding of how to maximize respray herbicide performance will help growers and land managers to preserve crop yield and prevent weed seed production in the event of POST contact herbicide failure. The objectives of this research were to determine the optimum respray herbicide and timing combinations for control of four problematic weed species in the midwestern United States that have survived an application of either glufosinate or fomesafen: waterhemp<i> </i>[<i>Amaranthus tuberculatus</i> (Moq.) J. D. Sauer], Palmer amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i> S. Watts), giant ragweed (<i>Ambrosia trifida</i> L.), and horseweed (<i>Erigeron canadensis</i> L). Through a series of field and greenhouse experiments we determined that respray herbicide, respray application timing, initial herbicide, and level of injury from the initial application influence efficacy of the respray herbicide in a species-specific manner. Waterhemp regrowth following a failed glufosinate application was controlled most effectively by applying glufosinate or fomesafen 7 to 11 days after initial treatment. When following fomesafen, applications of 2,4-D 3-7 days after initial treatment or glufosinate 7 to11 days after initial treatment were most effective. Control of Palmer amaranth regrowth following either initial herbicide is best achieved with respray applications of glufosinate, fomesafen, or 2,4-D applied no later than 7 days after initial treatment. The best strategy to control giant ragweed regrowth following a failed fomesafen applications is to apply 2,4-D, dicamba, fomesafen, or glufosinate at any timing between 3 and 11 days after initial treatment. Efficacy of the respray glufosinate application was maximized when applied 11 days after the initial application rather than 3 days after initial application. Horseweed regrowth was best controlled by 2,4-D, dicamba, or glufosinate applied at any timing between 3 and 11 days after the initial application. Where injury from the initial herbicide application is high, there were fewer differences among herbicide treatments and treatment timings. A greenhouse bioassay revealed that as waterhemp injury from an initial glufosinate application increases, control with a respray herbicide also increases. Therefore, complete control of weed regrowth is achieved more easily with increasing injury from the initial application. This research suggests that timing of herbicide respray applications is more urgent than previously thought, so scouting must be done within days of a contact herbicide application to ensure adequate control. </p>

Over the last decades the amount of weeds in our fields have noticeably decreased. The easily annihilated and susceptible species were almost eradicated by means of herbicides and agrotechnical operations. Their place was taken by more resistant species, which are a huge problem for the farmers. For this purpose I decided to make an experiment under the working circumstances. I observed the occurrence of the weeds in certain localities. Especially I concentrated on the silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti), on its occurrence, regulation, extension and susceptibility or resistance to certain herbicides. The effect of the tested herbicide combinations was statistically significant for silky bent grass as well as for the other weeds (P 0.05). The coach grass was the only exception, where the effect of these preparations was not proved, as well as Vicia cracca, Lamium purpurem, Galium aparine, Geranium pusillum (P > 0.05). However the coach grass appeared among these inconclusively responsive weeds more frequently. (P >0.05). As the results of experiment showed, the most effective combinations for elimination of the silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti) were Sumimax + Glean, Cugar Forte + Glean + Dural a Cugar Forte + Logran. All these combinations were proved to be 100% effective against the silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti). The other combinations were not 100% effective. These comprised Rapsan + Command+ Grounded with 89 % effectivity, Sumimax + Logran 91 % effectivity a Butisan+ Clomate+ Grounded 67 % effectivity. The results show that the silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti) is more susceptible to some herbicide combinations and in the fields it can be successfully reduced. On the contrary the silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti) is resilient to some other agents. From this point of view the right choice of the herbicides is crucial in next year.