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.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, March 2017. / Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an example of an alien invasive plant, threatening ecosystems around the world. Taking into consideration all the negative impacts caused by the proliferation of water hyacinth, many control measures have been implemented to manage this weed. These include mechanical control, chemical control and biological control. But in recent years, the focus has shifted towards natural enemies for control (biological control) of water hyacinth because they have many advantages for environmental safety. However, in South Africa, success is limited in most parts of the country. Factors affecting the success of biological control of water hyacinth in South Africa have been attributed in part to weather conditions. Therefore, further studies and other strategies are needed to reinforce the biological control of water hyacinth. This is why this research investigated the influences of temperature on Neochetina eichhorniae larvae feeding and development on water hyacinth, to contribute to the future management of water hyacinth biological control. To measure the effect of temperature on the feeding and development of Neochetina eichhorniae larva, experiments were conducted at four fixed temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C). Larval feeding is expected to be greater and the development faster at warm temperatures compared with cold temperatures. The results of this study confirmed that, both feeding and larval development increased with an increase in temperature. The highest larval feeding damage was recorded at 30°C and the lowest at 15°C. Similar to the feeding of larvae, warmer temperatures were more favourable to the growth of larvae than cold temperatures; all larvae found at 30°C were in their third instars (with 0.72 mm being the biggest headwidth found) while all larvae at 15°C were in the first instars (with 0.28 mm being the smallest headwidth found). Even if the optimal temperature for larval performance took place at 30 °C (with a high amount of biomass removal), it was at 25 °C that the larvae had a larger effect on the growth of water hyacinth. Larval feeding damage reduced the growth of water hyacinth by 30 % at 25 °C and only affected 24 % of water hyacinth growth at iv 30 °C. Therefore, for the biocontrol of water hyacinth, the ideal temperature to slow the progression of the weed will be recommended at between 25- 30 °C. / LG2017

<p>Acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors are a widely used class of selective herbicides used to control grass and broadleaf weeds. The repeated use of ALS-inhibiting herbicides has selected for biotypes of weeds resistant to ALS inhibitors, especially in the weeds most problematic to growers in the Midwest. While ALS inhibitor use seems futile, new mechanisms of herbicide action are not predicted to be commercialized in the near future to solve this problem. This leads to the main objective of this research, determining what value ALS inhibitors provide in controlling populations of weeds with resistance to ALS inhibitors. </p> <p>Field experiments with soil-applied (PRE) applications of ALS inhibitors on horseweed (<i>Erigeron canadensis</i>) and tall waterhemp (<i>Amaranthus tuberculatus </i>var. <i>rudis</i>) exhibited higher efficacy than would be expected given the frequency of the ALS resistance trait in the population. Whereas control of these species with POST-applied applications was similar or less than the proportion of the population characterized as susceptible using molecular techniques. Soil-applied applications, therefore, resulted in relatively greater control than POST applications in populations with known ALS-inhibitor-resistance mechanisms.</p> <p>Greenhouse experiments showed that overall resistance ratios were higher for PRE applications of ALS inhibitors in horseweed, tall waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i>). However, GR₅₀ values decreased for both susceptible and resistant biotypes for the PRE applications compared to POST, suggesting the biologically effective dose of these herbicides is lower in soil residual applications. This research found that PRE applications of ALS inhibitors resulted in some level of control on horseweed and tall waterhemp classified as resistant to ALS inhibitors due to the higher efficacy of PRE herbicide applications.</p> <p>Genetic analysis assessing the amino acid substitutions that confer resistance to ALS inhibitors in tall waterhemp confirmed a difference in selection pressure between PRE and POST applications and between ALS active ingredients in tall waterhemp. Applications of chlorimuron PRE at 11 g ai ha^-1selected for 35% homozygous W574L genotypes and at 44 g ha^-1 selected for 70% homozygous W574L genotypes. An increase of homozygous W574L individuals along with a decrease in heterozygous individuals from 65 (11 g ha^-1) to 29% (44 g ha^-1) suggests that W574L is semi-dominant in tall waterhemp and that high labeled rates of chlorimuron applied PRE can partially overcome the heterozygous W574L-resistance mechanism. In horseweed, no difference in selection pressure was observed between application timing or between chlorimuron or cloransulam. A new mutation conferring ALS-inhibitor resistance in horseweed was discovered, a Pro197Leu amino acid substitution, with resistance ratios of 21X to chlorimuron and 8.6X to cloransulam. These resistance ratios are slightly less than those reported for the Pro197Ala and Pro197Ser amino acid substitutions in conferring ALS-inhibitor resistance in horseweed. </p> <p>Finally, a survey of 42 populations of tall waterhemp in Indiana counties with confirmed ALS-inhibitor resistant populations of tall waterhemp found that all populations contained at least 16% individuals with the W574L amino acid substitution, 35 populations contained at least 1% individuals with the S653N substitution, and 9 populations contained at least 1% individuals with the S653T substitution. Taking into consideration the three mutations tested, 8 of the 42 populations tested contained <50% ALS-inhibitor resistant individuals within the population. Using the same tall waterhemp populations as collected in the survey, Next-Generation Sequencing was used to determine if other amino acid substitutions conferring resistance to ALS inhibitors existed. Results from WideSeq revealed that 10 other amino acid substitutions in the ALS protein may be conferring resistance in tall waterhemp in Indiana: A122T, A122N, A122S, P197T, P197L, P197H, D376E, and G654F. Further research from this survey also suggests that metabolic resistance to ALS inhibitors is likely a contributor to resistance in tall waterhemp in Indiana.</p> <p>This research suggests that ALS-inhibiting herbicides, more specifically chlorimuron, would provide the greatest contribution to management of tall waterhemp. Chlorimuron would perform best when used in soil residual applications and in populations of tall waterhemp containing either individuals susceptible to chlorimuron or individuals heterozygous for ALS inhibitor resistance conferred by the W574L mutation. This research also demonstrates the specificity of the amino acid substitutions in the ALS protein and by weed species to realize the benefit of these herbicides for management of weeds resistant to ALS inhibitors. Molecular characterization of target site resistance to ALS inhibitors has traditionally been considered relatively simple. However, we found 11 new amino acid substitutions that confer resistance to ALS inhibitors in horseweed and tall waterhemp. The complexity of ALS inhibitor resistance calls for the use of methods such as NGS to detect all potential resistance mutations in a timely manner and for the use of tests detecting metabolic resistance. Overall, this research demonstrates that ALS inhibitors still provide some utility for management of weed populations classified as resistant to ALS inhibitors and that the resistance mechanisms in horseweed and tall waterhemp are more numerous than previously reported. </p>

This study investigated methods to reduce herbicide application through improved targeting of weeds, thereby also reducing damage to pastures. The focus was to evaluate and improve wiper and spot-spraying application techniques for pasture herbicides as they reduce chemical use by treating just the weed. Wiper application of herbicides was shown to be a useful technique for controlling Californian thistles. In one trial, a stem reduction of over 90% when assessed 10 months post application was achieved with a double pass of clopyralid, metsulfuron and glyphosate when the plants were treated at the post-flowering stage and were vigorously growing. A double pass was superior to a single pass for glyphosate and triclopyr/picloram, but not for clopyralid and metsulfuron. Subsequent trials produced poor results possibly because of the stressed condition of the thistles and their growth stage as well as lack of consistency in wiper output and operator differences. Despite wiper applicators usually being selective, some damage to pastures was observed in the field, and from a series of experiments it was concluded that rain falling soon after wiper application was the likely cause of pasture damage. An innovative and highly sensitive technique using a spectrophotometer was developed to measure herbicide output from wiper applicators. A spectrophotometer could accurately measure clopyralid concentrations as low as 0.02 g active ingredient in a litre of water. The Eliminator and Rotowiper outputs were found to be highly variable while the Weedswiper was more consistent although it applied less herbicide than the other two wipers. Spot spraying experiments confirmed that glyphosate and metsulfuron create bare patches by damaging both grass and clover while clopyralid and triclopyr/picloram only eliminate clover. However, metsulfuron patches stayed bare for much longer while glyphosate ones quickly filled up with weeds and clover. Ingress of clover stolons appeared to be more important than re-establishment from seed in the recovery of patches. The bigger the damaged patch, the higher the likelihood of recolonisation by opportunistic weeds. Bioassay studies found that over-application of clopyralid and triclopyr/picloram provided residual activity up to 18 and 30 weeks, respectively, thereby potentially preventing re-establishment of white clover. The negative effects on clover seedlings from metsulfuron ranged from 3 to 6 weeks for standard and high rates, respectively, with a stimulatory effect on seedlings thereafter for up to 18 weeks. Dose-response curves for the application of metsulfuron and triclopyr/picloram into the centre 5% versus full plant coverage of Scotch thistle and ragwort rosettes showed that application of herbicide to the centre 5% was as effective at the same concentration and greatly reduced the risk of damage to pasture.

Magistrantūros studijų baigiamajame darbe pateikiami piktžolių dygimo dinamikos (trumpaamžių, daugiamečių ir vyraujančių rūšių piktžolių) ir burokėlių derlingumo duomenys tiriant įvairių organinių mulčių ir skirtingo storio sluoksnių liekamąjį poveikį. Darbo objektas – raudonojo burokėlio (Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris) agrofitocenozė. Darbo metodai: piktžolių daigų skaičiavimui kiekviename laukelyje buvo pažymėtos keturios pastovios aikštelės 0,2 x 0,5 m. Apskaita atlikta kas 10 dienų, nuo gegužės 20 d. iki rugsėjo 30 d. Kiekvienos rūšies piktžolių daigai suskaičiuoti ir išrauti. Piktžolių kiekis perskaičiuotas vnt. m-2. Pagal piktžolių biologinį grupavimą išskirtos trumpaamžės ir daugiametės piktžolės. Nustatytos vyraujančios piktžolių rūšys. Burokėlių derlingumas nustatytas svėrimo metodu. Gautas derlius iš laukelio perskaičiuotas į t ha-1 absoliučiai švarių burokėlių derlių. Darbo rezultatai. Gausiausiai piktžolės dygo gegužės trečią – 765,6 vnt. m-2 ir birželio pirmą – 270,6 vnt. m-2 dekadas. Vėliau piktžolių dygimas mažėjo visų variantų laukeliuose. Anksčiau įterpti šiaudų, durpių ir žolės mulčiai nežymiai (4,7-6,7 proc.) skatino piktžolių dygimą per visą tyrimų laikotarpį. Nustatytas nevienodas mulčių liekamasis poveikis trumpaamžių piktžolių dygimui. Įterpti durpių ir žolės mulčiai skatino trumpaamžių piktžolių dygimą nuo 5,2 iki 12,6 proc. Paprastosios rietmenės 20 proc. gausiau rasta ankstesniais metais durpių mulčiu mulčiuotuose laukeliuose, smulkiažiedės galinsogos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Master degree final research paper provides weed germination dynamics (annual, perennial and predominant weeds sorts) and red beet productivity data when researching residual effect of various organic mulches and different thickness layers. Object of the work – red beet (Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris) crop. Method of the work – to compute weed sprouts each field was divided into four permanent sites 0.2 x 0.5 m. These were observed every 10 days from May 20 till August 30. Each weed species sprouts were counted and torn out. Number of weeds was translated into units. m-2. According to biological grouping of weeds annual and perennial were distinguished. Predominant weed species were established. Red beet productivity was determined by weighting. Received yield from the field was translated into t ha-1 totally useful red beet yield. The results of work. Most of the weeds germinated in the 3rd decade of May – 765.6 weeds number m-2 and 1st decade of June – 270.6 weeds number m-2. Later germination of the weeds decreased in the plots of all treatments. Straw, peat and grass mulches, previously incorporated, moderately (4.7 to 6.7 percent) stimulated weed germination during the entire study period. The different residual effect of mulches was determined for germination of annual weeds. The incorporated peat and grass mulches promoted germination of the annual weeds from 5.2 to 12.6 percent. Echinochloa crus - galli were found thicker by 20 percent in the plots that in previous... [to full text]

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:15:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MaykyFPL_Dissert.pdf: 583480 bytes, checksum: b5156cac19b83224804fef6b4df642d2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-23 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / There is no doubt that the effect of weed causes damage to various human activities and especially those for agricultural use. Therefore, if not properly handled, can reduce productivity and production quality due to competition for light, nutrients, and especially water, which is the most abundant resource, while the most limiting to agricultural productivity. This study aimed to assess the potential for competition four weed species by water. The experiment was conducted in a factorial 4 x 2, distributed in a randomized complete block design, with five replications. were studied species malva-branca (Waltheria indica L.); crotalária (Crotalaria retusa L.); mussambê (Cleome affinis DC.) and trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.), with two water regimes (with and without water stress). Plants subjected to water stress had suspended irrigation during flowering, and maintained until the CO2 assimilation rate of plants to morning 9am reached values close to zero, at the resumed irrigation. As from the date irrigation suspension the plants were submitted to the following evaluations: water potential before dawn (&#936;AM) and water potential at noon (&#936;MD) (MPa); photosynthesis (A; CO2 &#956;mol m-2); stomatal conductance (gs; &#956;mol H2O m-2 s-1), and transpiration (E; mmol H2O m-2 s-1) carried out every day until the photosynthetic rates of plants subjected to water stress is to equalize plants without stress. At the end of the experiment was measured leaf area (cm2), the dry mass of roots, stems, leaves and total (g), the chlorophyll content index near the apex of the leaves and the next leaves the base. Was also determined daily water consumption species (mL). The results grouped the plants into two groups: trapoeraba and mussambê, considered conservative, keeping the high water potential and transpiration, being uncompetitive by water, and crotalária and malva-branca, medium investors, able to reduce the water potential and stomatal aperture values higher, resulting in greater potential for competition for water. And in low water availability conditions, the mauve-white is the most competitive for water, because it can maintain high water consumption levels over time / Não há dúvidas de que a interferência das plantas daninhas causa prejuízos a diversas atividades do ser humano e principalmente aquelas destinadas à agricultura. Por isso, se não forem manejadas adequadamente, podem reduzir a produtividade e a qualidade da produção, devido à competição por luz, nutrientes e principalmente água, que é o recurso mais abundante e, ao mesmo tempo, o mais limitante à produtividade agrícola. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de competição de quatro espécies de plantas daninhas por água. O experimento foi conduzido no esquema fatorial 4 x 2, distribuídos no delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Foram estudadas as espécies malva-branca (Waltheria indica L.); crotalária (Crotalaria retusa L.); mussambê (Cleome affinis DC.) e trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.)], com dois regimes hídricos (com e sem estresse hídrico). As plantas submetidas ao estresse hídrico tiveram a irrigação suspensa por ocasião do florescimento, e mantida até a taxa de assimilação de CO2 das plantas às 9h da manhã atingisse valores próximos a zero, quando foi retomada a irrigação. A partir da data da suspensão da irrigação as plantas foram submetidas às seguintes avaliações: potencial hídrico antes do amanhecer (&#936;AM) e potencial hídrico ao meio dia (&#936;MD) (MPa); fotossíntese (A; &#956;mol CO2 m-2); condutância estomática (gs; &#956;mol H2O m-2 s-1), e a transpiração (E; mmol H2O m-2 s-1) realizadas todos os dias até que as taxas de fotossíntese das plantas submetidas ao estresse hídrico se igualassem à das plantas sem estresse. Ao final do experimento foi mensurada a área foliar (cm2), a massa seca das raízes, caules, folhas e total (g), o Índice de conteúdo de clorofila das folhas próximas ao ápice e das folhas próximas a base. Também foi determinado o consumo de água diário das espécies (mL). Os resultados permitiram agrupar as plantas em dois grupos: trapoeraba e mussambê, consideradas como conservadoras, mantendo o potencial hídrico alto e com baixa transpiração, sendo pouco competitivas por água, e crotalária e malva-branca, medianamente investidoras, capazes de reduzir o potencial hídrico e com valores de abertura estomática mais altos, implicando em maior potencial de competição por água. E em condições de baixa disponibilidade de água, a malva-branca é a mais competitiva por água, pois consegue manter altos valores de consumo de água por mais tempo

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MaykyFPL_Dissert.pdf: 583480 bytes, checksum: b5156cac19b83224804fef6b4df642d2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-23 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / There is no doubt that the effect of weed causes damage to various human activities and especially those for agricultural use. Therefore, if not properly handled, can reduce productivity and production quality due to competition for light, nutrients, and especially water, which is the most abundant resource, while the most limiting to agricultural productivity. This study aimed to assess the potential for competition four weed species by water. The experiment was conducted in a factorial 4 x 2, distributed in a randomized complete block design, with five replications. were studied species malva-branca (Waltheria indica L.); crotalária (Crotalaria retusa L.); mussambê (Cleome affinis DC.) and trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.), with two water regimes (with and without water stress). Plants subjected to water stress had suspended irrigation during flowering, and maintained until the CO2 assimilation rate of plants to morning 9am reached values close to zero, at the resumed irrigation. As from the date irrigation suspension the plants were submitted to the following evaluations: water potential before dawn (&#936;AM) and water potential at noon (&#936;MD) (MPa); photosynthesis (A; CO2 &#956;mol m-2); stomatal conductance (gs; &#956;mol H2O m-2 s-1), and transpiration (E; mmol H2O m-2 s-1) carried out every day until the photosynthetic rates of plants subjected to water stress is to equalize plants without stress. At the end of the experiment was measured leaf area (cm2), the dry mass of roots, stems, leaves and total (g), the chlorophyll content index near the apex of the leaves and the next leaves the base. Was also determined daily water consumption species (mL). The results grouped the plants into two groups: trapoeraba and mussambê, considered conservative, keeping the high water potential and transpiration, being uncompetitive by water, and crotalária and malva-branca, medium investors, able to reduce the water potential and stomatal aperture values higher, resulting in greater potential for competition for water. And in low water availability conditions, the mauve-white is the most competitive for water, because it can maintain high water consumption levels over time / Não há dúvidas de que a interferência das plantas daninhas causa prejuízos a diversas atividades do ser humano e principalmente aquelas destinadas à agricultura. Por isso, se não forem manejadas adequadamente, podem reduzir a produtividade e a qualidade da produção, devido à competição por luz, nutrientes e principalmente água, que é o recurso mais abundante e, ao mesmo tempo, o mais limitante à produtividade agrícola. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de competição de quatro espécies de plantas daninhas por água. O experimento foi conduzido no esquema fatorial 4 x 2, distribuídos no delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Foram estudadas as espécies malva-branca (Waltheria indica L.); crotalária (Crotalaria retusa L.); mussambê (Cleome affinis DC.) e trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.)], com dois regimes hídricos (com e sem estresse hídrico). As plantas submetidas ao estresse hídrico tiveram a irrigação suspensa por ocasião do florescimento, e mantida até a taxa de assimilação de CO2 das plantas às 9h da manhã atingisse valores próximos a zero, quando foi retomada a irrigação. A partir da data da suspensão da irrigação as plantas foram submetidas às seguintes avaliações: potencial hídrico antes do amanhecer (&#936;AM) e potencial hídrico ao meio dia (&#936;MD) (MPa); fotossíntese (A; &#956;mol CO2 m-2); condutância estomática (gs; &#956;mol H2O m-2 s-1), e a transpiração (E; mmol H2O m-2 s-1) realizadas todos os dias até que as taxas de fotossíntese das plantas submetidas ao estresse hídrico se igualassem à das plantas sem estresse. Ao final do experimento foi mensurada a área foliar (cm2), a massa seca das raízes, caules, folhas e total (g), o Índice de conteúdo de clorofila das folhas próximas ao ápice e das folhas próximas a base. Também foi determinado o consumo de água diário das espécies (mL). Os resultados permitiram agrupar as plantas em dois grupos: trapoeraba e mussambê, consideradas como conservadoras, mantendo o potencial hídrico alto e com baixa transpiração, sendo pouco competitivas por água, e crotalária e malva-branca, medianamente investidoras, capazes de reduzir o potencial hídrico e com valores de abertura estomática mais altos, implicando em maior potencial de competição por água. E em condições de baixa disponibilidade de água, a malva-branca é a mais competitiva por água, pois consegue manter altos valores de consumo de água por mais tempo

Aquatic weeds transform and degrade the ecosystems which they invade, impacting various aspects of their surroundings ranging from the community level to disrupting important processes affecting ecosystem services. All of the major aquatic weeds of South Africa are found in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area. Landowners, whether private or public, are legally obliged to manage the listed invasive species through applying environmentally acceptable methodologies. This thesis provides an overview of the strategic management options, prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication of new invasions, and containment and control species of established species. It discusses the different control methods available for managing aquatic weeds, namely mechanical, manual, chemical and biological, and the integration of different methods to improve their effectiveness. Although various studies have shown that biological control is the most cost–effective, environmentally-friendly and sustainable method, it is not yet fully integrated into weed management programmes in South Africa. In addition, the successes achieved in other parts of the world with the control of water hyacinth through biological control have not been repeated in the urban environment, despite the fact that South Africa has the highest number of biological control agents available for the weed. Urbanisation puts pressure on the natural environment and ecosystem functioning. Nutrient-enriched waters support aquatic weed growth and pose a challenge to the management thereof, in particular with regard to integrating biological control into management programmes. The aims of this study were to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes in South Africa, to determine the feasibility of integrating biological control in aquatic weed management programmes in a complex urban environmental and socio-political landscape by means of three case studies in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area, which showed that biological control is feasible in urban environments and should be considered. Two surveys were conducted to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes. The surveys showed that there is a gap between research and implementation as a result of poor communication, non-supporting institutional arrangements and a lack of appropriate capacity and skills at the implementation level. Recommendations were offered to address these issues.

<p dir="ltr">The Asiatic garden beetle (AGB), in its larval stage, has become an increasingly detrimental to the health of commercially grown mint in northern Indiana by feeding on their roots. In my research, I have optimized a method to quantify populations by determining the proper sample size to maintain accurate and precise estimates, determining the best sampling method and sampling scheme. Additionally, I established the relationship between AGB larval feeding and mint performance and have established a threshold of the average number of larvae required to cause significant yield loss. </p>

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agronomy / Phillip W. Stahlman / Saflufenacil is an experimental herbicide for control of broadleaf weeds in various crops including several herbicide resistant weed biotypes. Wheat is highly tolerant to preplant and preemergence applications of saflufenacil, but winter wheat growers prefer to apply herbicides postemergence (POST) in early spring. Objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate winter wheat and four common broadleaf weed species response to POST treatments of saflufenacil applied alone and in combination with bentazon or auxin herbicides at various rates both with and without adjuvants, and to (2) determine the possible mechanism(s) responsible for crop safening observed when saflufenacil is applied with 2,4-D amine or bentazon in winter wheat. Growth chamber, greenhouse, and field studies showed saflufenacil at a minimum rate of 25 g/ha controlled blue mustard and flixweed >85% when saflufenacil was applied alone or mixed with dicamba, 2,4-D amine, 2,4-D ester, or MCPA ester. Also, mixtures of bentazon with 13 g/ha of saflufenacil resulted in death of kochia, but increasingly higher rates of 2,4-D amine were needed to achieve 90% growth reduction when saflufenacil rates were decreased from 50 to 25 to 13 g/ha. In general, most of the saflufenacil combinations tested controlled henbit <85%. Leaf necrosis and stunting of winter wheat were reduced by tank mixing saflufenacil with dicamba, 2,4-D amine, or bentazon, but not with MCPA ester or 2,4-D ester. Including nonionic surfactant (NIS) in mixtures of saflufenacil plus 2,4-D amine resulted in significant wheat injury similar or greater than injury caused by saflufenacil plus NIS. Finally, 2,4-D amine enhanced saflufenacil absorption into winter wheat plants, whereas bentazon reduced absorption of saflufenacil. No more than 11% of applied saflufenacil translocated out of treated leaves to other plant parts when applied alone or when saflufenacil was mixed with 2,4-D amine or bentazon. Metabolism of saflufenacil by wheat plants was not affected by tank mixing with bentazon, but saflufenacil metabolism was slowed by mixing with 2,4-D amine. Overall, these studies indicate saflufenacil can potentially be used POST in wheat at an optimum rate of 25 g/ha plus 2,4-D amine or dicamba to effectively control blue mustard and flixweed.