The study was initiated to determine the effects of RGP and three levels on weed control: no weed control (control), herbaceous weed control (Oust), and woody and herbaceous weed control (Oust-Garlon) on three pine seedlots: pitch x loblolly pine hybrid (pxL-F2), Virginia Department of Forestry loblolly pine (VDF-Iob), and westvaco loblolly pine (WCO-Iob). Lateral roots had the greatest response to the Oust treatment compared to all other seedling parts. All seedlot and treatment interactions were associated with lateral roots. After one growing season the Oust treatment resulted in a 148% increase in lateral root biomass compared to the control treatment. Shoot biomass in the Oust treatment increased by 70% compared to the control. The ability to respond to weed control was related to RGP. Compared the loblolly pine seedlots the PxL-F2 had both significant higher RGP at planting and biomass accumulation in response to the Oust treatment. Compared to the loblolly pine seedlots the PxL-F2 lateral root biomass and total tree biomass increased by 44% and 30%, respectively. The addition of woody weed control to herbaceous weed control in the Oust-Garlon treatment did not result in significant increasings in loblolly pine seedling biomass compared to herbaceous weed control. Because of a to sensitivity to Garlon 4™ the (PxL-F2) had 22% reduction in total tree biomass in the Oust-Garlon treatment compared to the Oust treatment. Therefore, the control of woody weeds in pitch x loblolly pine plantations will need to be accomplished using another herbicide. / Master of Science

Experiments were conducted at two sites in Blacksburg, Virginia to study the effects of tillage (conventional plow-disk and no-tillage) and overseeding (underseeding) of legume cover crops (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.; white clover, Trifolium repens L.; and hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth.) at transplanting on weed suppression and yield of ’Big Sur’ broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck). In both sites, weed suppression from overseeded red clover, white clover, and hairy vetch equalled or surpassed that of the preemergent herbicide (oxyfluorfen) control. The legumes did not affect broccoli yield components in site 1 nor head number in site 2. However, hairy vetch reduced broccoli yield and head size in site 2. These reductions were attributed to competition with the broccoli. Overseeding tended to delay broccoli yield and head number in the two sites, but this trend was not significant. Tillage system did not affect weed suppression or broccoli yield components, and there were no tillage x overseeding effects. Based on this data, overseeded legumes can provide residual weed control in no-till broccoli, thus allowing a more sustainable production method. / Master of Science

Thifensulfuron is a new herbicide of the sulfonylurea class under development by E. I. Dupont de Nemours Company Inc. for postemergence broadleaf weed control in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. Field studies evaluated the influence of adjuvants and chlorimuron upon the efficacy of thifensulfuron. Thifensulfuron applied alone provided smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L. #AMACH) control at application rates 12% of those of the similar herbicide chlorimuron. Nonionic surfactant or crop oil concentrate increased soybean sensitivity to thifensulfuron, but an adjuvant was required to obtain consistent seedling common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L. #CHEAL) control. Chlorimuron and thifensulfuron combinations did not control ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. #IPOHE]. Greenhouse studies evaluated soybean cultivar sensitivity to thifensulfuron. Seven popular Virginia soybean varieties and one national variety (Williams 82) were screened for tolerance to thifensulfuron. Differences in varietal sensitivity was verified. Soybean varieties Vance, Essex, Hutcheson, and York proved to be more sensitive to 9.1 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron than FFR 561, Williams 82, or Deltapine 105. No relationship between sensitivity to thifensulfuron and Essex parentage could be drawn. The selectivity of the sulfonylurea class of herbicides is reportedly based on differential metabolism of the herbicide between sensitive and tolerant weed and crop species. Laboratory studies were conducted utilizing thifensulfuron-sensitive and tolerant weed species, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. #ABUTH) and spurred anoda [Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht #ANVCR], respectively, as well as the relatively tolerant Williams 82 and sensitive Vance soybean. Absorption and distribution studies indicated that all species absorbed and translocated similar amounts of ¹⁴C 1, 3, and 5 days after application of the methyl ester of [¹⁴C-thiophene] thifensulfuron. Metabolism studies indicated that both tolerant spurred anoda and sensitive velvetleaf metabolized thifensulfuron at similar rates 3 days after treatment. Metabolism appears to be the major mechanism for the selectivity of thifensulfuron to soybeans. The mechanism for spurred anoda tolerance to thifensulfuron has yet to be determined. This research indicates that broadcast foliar applications of 4.5 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron with 0.125% v/v nonionic surfactant or 1% v/v crop oil concentrate can provide selective postemergence smooth pigweed and common lambsquarters control for soybean production in Virginia. Caution should, however, be taken in prescribing greater than 4.5 g ha⁻¹ thifensulfuron due to the variability in cultivar sensitivity to thifensulfuron. / Ph. D.

[Truncated abstract] Annual grasses have colonised a diverse range of environments in southern Australia. The “Silvergrasses” of the genus Vulpia are excellent examples being widely distributed, are prevalent weeds of agriculture and have had a long history to naturalise on the continent. Research was undertaken on Vulpia populations to identify if naturalising species have reproductive traits that provide propagules with the best chances of success. Furthermore, research aimed at investigating if these traits vary between species and their populations and how this variability related to the environment. A herbarium and field study was undertaken to establish what Vulpia species occur in SW Australia and to investigate environmental factors affecting their distribution. 169 herbaria specimens was examined and a botanical field survey of 189 sites was carried out in September 1998. Four species occur in the region: V. fasciculata, V. muralis, V. bromoides and two variants of V. myuros (V. myuros var. megalura and V. myuros var. myuros). V. bromoides and V. myuros were introduced early into the region while V. fasciculata and V. muralis more recently. It is plausible that Vulpia invaded the region via early seaport settlements and was spread by agricultural expansion. 96% of field sites contained V. myuros var. myuros, 79% V. myuros var. megalura, 50% V. bromoides, 6% V. fasciculata and 6% contained V. muralis. 90% of sites contained a mix of species and 9% of sites contained pure species stands. V. myuros var. myuros is the most widespread species and dominant form of V. myuros. It is found from high rainfall regions through to arid locations occurring on mostly light textured low fertility soils. V. muralis and V. fasciculata occur infrequently with the former widely dispersed and the later occurring predominantly on sands. V. bromoides occurs extensively in high rainfall regions but rarely extends to locations receiving less than 400-450mm annual rainfall and northward above 30°00’ latitude. It is predominantly on light to loamy textured soils that are fertile and acid. The most common species V. myuros and V. bromoides often coexist within sites but the dominance of one over the other is strongly correlated with growing season length and false break frequency. V. bromoides is positively correlated to growing season length and V. myuros is negatively related. The distribution of Vulpia species is strongly influenced by climate and soils. Variability in distribution is a reflection of the ecological differentiation between species to colonise different environments

The aim of the present diploma thesis is to widen knowledge of the chemical regulation of weeds in row crops. To establish the effectiveness of herbicides, we set up a small lot at a carefully chosen spot in the potato-growing region near Strakonice. We conducted a comparison of the effects of three herbicide combinations on two potato varieties (Red Anna, Laura). Two combinations proved pre-emergent (Afalon 45 SC+Command 36 SC; Sencor 70 WG+Command 36 SC), one post-emergent (Titus 25 WG). Subsequently, we evaluated economic costs on weeds regulation and suggested preliminary measures to be taken.

<p> Brown patch (caused by various <em>Rhizoctonia </em>and <em>Rhizoctonia-</em>like species) is one of the major summer diseases of tall fescue [<em>Schedonorus arundinaceus</em> (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.]. Fungicides are available to suppress brown patch; however, there is increasing interest to reduce lawn pesticide inputs. Excessive summer nitrogen (N) applications and extended periods of leaf wetness have been suggested to enhance brown patch. Five projects were conducted from 2020 to 2022 to evaluate individual and various combinations of cultural management practices to improve brown patch management strategies through reducing chemical inputs and promoting environmentally sound integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Brown patch host resistance of 15 tall fescue cultivars was evaluated in a controlled environment study and various morphological characteristics were correlated to brown patch severity. A 45% reduction in brown patch was observed with a resistant cultivar, and cultivars with faster growth rates, wider sheath widths and shorter sheath length correlated with reduced brown patch resistance. A field study evaluated five cultivars fertilized with urea-N from April to July, totaling 73.5 or 245.0 kg N ha^-1. A resistant cultivar had the greatest influence on reducing disease, and N-rate generally did not influence disease severity. Differences in seasonal brown patch was compared in a three-year field study for various natural organic fertilizers. Feather-bone meal and soybean meal-based products decreased disease compared to non-fertilized turf. Chemical suppression of leaf-wetness was studied using different surfactant chemistries applied on a 14 to 21-d application frequency and some chemistries reduced disease. When evaluating the various interactions of cultivar, N rate, and surfactant compared to a granular fungicide, the greatest impact was achieved when planting a resistant cultivar, reducing disease severity by 68%. Additionally, the combination of a resistant cultivar and application of a surfactant had the same seasonal brown patch compared to a susceptible cultivar with fungicide applications during year two of evaluation. In summary, these studies demonstrate significant reductions in brown patch can be achieved when utilizing the aforesaid best management practices which can substantially reduce the need for frequent lawn fungicides.  </p>

<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>

Orientador: Dagoberto Martins / Banca: Mario Sergio Tomazela / Banca: Sidnei Roberto de Marchi / Banca: Fernando Tadeu de Carvalho / Banca: Eduardo A. Lemus Erasmo / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a deposição proporcionada por diferentes pontas e volumes de calda de pulverização sobre a cultura do milho e duas espécies de plantas daninhas presentes na linha e entrelinha da cultura em duas épocas de aplicação. O estudo em campo foi conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agronômica - FCA/UNESP, campus de Botucatu/SP, e as análises laboratoriais foram realizadas no Núcleo de Pesquisas Avançadas em Matologia / FCA. O milho foi semeado em espaçamento de 0,8 m, com 7 plantas/m. Sementes de Euphorbia heterophylla e Brachiaria plantaginea, foram semeadas e em média obteve-se 222,1 e 164,3 plantas/mø, respectivamente. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de duas pontas (DG 11002VS, TX08) e dois volumes de pulverização (100 e 200 Lha-1). Aos 13 dias após a germinação do milho realizou a primeira aplicação, pulverizando uma calda com corante alimentício azul brilhante FDC-1, a uma concentração de 3000 ppm. Para tal, foi utilizado um pulverizador costal pressurizado a CO2 com pressão constante de 30 l/polø, equipado com uma barra de pulverização com quatro bicos. Após a aplicação, coletaram-se 20 plantas daninhas de ambas as espécies presentes na linha e entrelinha do milho, e em seguida coletaram-se 20 plantas de milho. As plantas coletadas foram colocadas em sacos plásticos nos quais as plantas daninhas foram lavadas com 35,7 ml e o milho com 100 ml de água destilada. Após a lavagem as plantas foram colocadas em sacos de papel e levadas para estufa de ventilação forçada para secagem. Aos 26 dias após o início da germinação do milho realizouse segunda aplicação, com procedimentos idênticos ao da primeira, com exceção para coleta e lavagem. As plantas de milho foram divididas em ápice e base e a quantidade de água de lavagem, nesta ocasião, foi de 100 ml para as plantas daninhas e 300 ml para o milho... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this reseach was to evaluate the deposition of different nozzles and spraying volumes on maize crop and two species of weed in the line and space between lines at two application times. The field trial was carried in the Faculdade de Ciências Agronômica - FCA/UNESP, campus of Botucatu/SP, and the laboratories analyses had been carried through in the Núcleo de Pesquisas Avançadas em Matologia from FCA. The maize was sown in space of 0,8 m, with 7 plants/m. Seeds of Euphorbia heterophylla and Brachiaria plantaginea had been sown and in 164.3 average it got 222.1 plants/mø, respectively. The treatments had been constituted of two nozzles (DG 11002VS, TX08) and two spraying volumes (100 and 200 Lha-1). After 13 days the germination carried through the first application, spraying with brilliant blue FDC-1 tracer solution (3000 ppm). It was used a back pack sprayer pressurized by CO2 at 30 l/polø, equipped with spraying bar with four nozzles. After the application, were collected 20 plants of both weeds and crop in the line and space between lines of the maize. The collected had been put in plastic bags in which the weed had been washed with 35,7 ml and the maize with 100 ml of distilled water. After the plants had been put in bags of paper to drying. After 26 days the germination beginning of the maize carried through the second spraying, with identical procedures to the first one, with exception for the maize plants, which had been divided in apice and base and, the amount of water, with the tracing but in two case had been 100 ml to weed and 300 ml to the maize. The samples obtained were analyzed through spectrophotometer at wavelength of 630 nm. Just to determine the tracer concentration. The plants stadium influenced the spraying drift. In the crop, the spraying deposition was depended of the stadium, type of nozzles and volume of application... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Doutor

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de densidades de Aeschynomene rudis Benth. na cultura do arroz irrigado e a eficiência do herbicida ethoxysulfuron aplicado em duas épocas como pós-emergente, foi instalado um experimento no município de Taubaté, região do Vale do Paraíba-SP, no ano agrícola de 2001/2002. O cultivar de arroz Epagri 109 e a planta daninha A. rudis foram semeados em 30/10/2001 em solo drenado. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de quatro densidades de A. rudis (3, 6, 12 e 24 plantas por metro quadrado) e duas épocas de aplicação do herbicida ethoxysulfuron dentro de cada densidade (estádio de 4 e 6 folhas do A. rudis), e cinco parcelas testemunhas com densidades de 0, 3, 6, 12 e 24 plantas de A. rudis por metro quadrado sem a aplicação do produto, constituindo 13 tratamentos com 4 repetições, delineados em blocos ao acaso. O herbicida foi aplicado na dose de 80 g.ha-1, sendo adicionado à calda o adjuvante lauril éter sulfato de sódio na dose de 0,3 % base volume, e as pulverizações efetuadas nos dias 27/11/2001 e 04/12/2001. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: número de plantas, colmos e panículas por metro, altura das plantas de arroz, comprimento de panículas, número de espiguetas por panícula, número de grãos formados por panículas, rendimento de grãos, eficiência do herbicida no controle de A. rudis e fitointoxicação à cultura. Considerando-se os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que: a) densidades de 3, 6, 12 e 24 plantas de A. rudis por metro quadrado, influenciam negativamente de forma linear, o número de colmos e de panículas por metro, o comprimento das panículas, o número de espiguetas e de grãos formados por panícula, o rendimento de grãos e o índice para colheita mecânica e não afetam o número de plantas por metro e a altura das plantas de arroz. b) o herbicida ethoxysulfuron é eficiente no controle de A. rudis nos estádios de 4 e de 6 folhas, nas densidades de 3, 6, 12 e 24 plantas por metro quadrado. c) ethoxysulfuron na dose de 80 g.ha-1, quando aplicado em pós-emergência precoce e mediana em densidades de 3, 6, 12 e 24 plantas de A. rudis por metro quadrado é seletivo para o cultivar de arroz Epagri 109, não interferindo nos parâmetros avaliados. / During the season 2001/2002, an experiment was conducted in Taubaté city, area of the Paraíba-SP valley, to evaluate the effect of Aeschynomene rudis Benth. densities on paddy rice, and the efficacy of the herbicide ethoxysulfuron applied in early and mid post emergence. The rice variety Epagri 109 and A. rudis were planted October 30, 2001 in dry soil. The treatments were four A. rudis densities (3, 6, 12 and 24 plants per square meter) and two application timings of the herbicide ethoxysulfuron in each density. The two application timings were at the 4 and 6 leaf stage of A. rudis. There were also untreated densities of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 plants of A. rudis per square meter without the herbicide application, resulting in 13 treatments with 4 replications delineated in randomized blocks. The herbicide was applied at 80 g.ha-1, with the adjuvant laurel ether sulfate of sodium at .3% v/v. The applications were made on November 27 and December 4, 2001. The assessed crop parameters were: number of plants, stems and panicles per meter, height of the plants, panicle length, number of spikelets by panicle, number of grains formed by panicles, income of grains, A. rudis control and crop damage. We can conclude from the results that A. rudis densities of 3, 6, 12 and 24 plants per square meter influence the crop negatively, in a linear way, the number of stems and panicles per meter, the length of the panicles, the number of spikelets and grains formed by panicles, the mechanical harvest index, and rice yield. There were no effects on the number of rice plants per meter or the height of the rice. Also, ethoxysulfuron was effective in controlling A. rudis at both the 4 and 6 leaf stage, in densities of 3, 6, 12 and 24 plants per square meter. Ethoxysulfuron at 80 g.ha-1, when applied early post or mid post emergence in densities of 3, 6, 12 and 24 plants per square meter was selective to the rice variety Epagri 109, not affecting the assessed parameters.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal a classificação do risco de infestação por regiões de culturas vegetais por plantas daninhas. Os riscos por regiões são obtidos por um sistema de classificação fuzzy, usando métodos de Krigagem e análise de imagens. A infestação é descrita por atributos da cobertura foliar, densidade de sementes, extensão dos agrupamentos de sementes e competitividade, obtidos a partir das amostras de densidades de sementes e de plantas daninhas, da cobertura foliar e da biomassa de plantas daninhas. O atributo da cobertura foliar indica a porcentagem de ocupação das plantas emergentes e é obtido a partir de um mapa de cobertura foliar, construído usando Krigagem. O atributo da densidade de sementes caracteriza a localização das sementes que podem germinar e é obtido a partir de um mapa da distribuição da produção de sementes das plantas daninhas, também construído usando Krigagem. O atributo da extensão dos agrupamentos de sementes reflete a influência das sementes vizinhas em uma certa localização e também é obtido a partir do mapa de distribuição da produção de sementes. O atributo da competitividade entre plantas daninhas e cultura é obtido a partir de um sistema neurofuzzy, utilizando amostras de densidade e de biomassa das plantas daninhas. Para reunir os riscos de infestação semelhantes, os valores de risco inferidos por região pelo sistema fuzzy são agrupados considerando valores e localizações próximas utilizando o método k-médias com coeficiente de variação. Uma abordagem probabilística com redes de classificação Bayesianas é também empregada para a obtenção de um conjunto de regras linguísticas para classificar a competitividade e o risco de infestação, por motivo de comparação. Resultados para o risco de infestação são obtidos para uma área experimental em uma cultura de milho indicando a existência de riscos diferenciados que são explicados pela perda de rendimento da cultura. / The goal of this work is the classification of the risk of infestation per regions of a crop by weeds. The risks per regions are obtained by a fuzzy classification system, using kriging and image analysis. The infestation is described by attributes of the weed coverage, weed seed density, weed seed patches and competitiveness, obtained from weed seeds and weed densities, weed coverage and biomass. The attribute of the weed coverage indicates the percentage of infested surface of the emergent weeds which is obtained from a weed coverage map built with kriging. The attribute of the weed seed density is obtained from a weed seed production map also built with kriging which characterizes the locations of seeds which can germinate. The attribute of the weed seed patches is also obtained by the weed seed production map which reflects how the seeds contribute to weed proliferation in the surroundings. The attribute of the competitiveness among weeds and crop is obtained from a neurofuzzy system, using the weeds density and biomass of the plants. In order to aggregate the similar risks of infestation, the values of risks per region inferred by the fuzzy system are clustered according to similar values and locations using the k-means method with a variation coefficient. A probabilistic approach with Bayesian networks classifiers is also considered to obtain a set of linguistic rules to classify the competitiveness and the risk of infestation, for comparison purposes. Results for the risk of infestation are obtained for an experimental area in a corn crop which indicate the existence of different risks, explained by the yield loss of the crop.