Field studies conducted in Missouri and Mississippi, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, indicated no droplet size effect on PRE herbicide efficacy, regardless of the herbicide, weed, soil, crop residue and weather conditions during spraying. Nozzle type enhanced herbicide efficacy for one location and herbicide. The TTI60 dual fan nozzle increased pendimethalin weed control, up to 91%, in a high organic matter (OM) soil with large clods and substantial weed pressure. Pendimethalin efficacy was reduced under high OM soils (> 2%) while metribuzin efficacy was reduced under low OM (< 0.7%), low cation exchange capacity (<13.1%) soils and 12.2 mm of rain three days after application. The greenhouse studies indicated that increasing crop residue levels reduced velvetleaf control by 7%. Simulated rainfall eight days after herbicide application decreased johnsongrass dry weight reductions by 29% in comparison to two day rainfall.

Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri [S.] Wats) is an economically troublesome weed to southeastern United States soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) growers. Palmer amaranth is troublesome due to its evolution of resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action, competiveness, and prolific seed production. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to evaluate different rates of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for control of Palmer amaranth. Field experiments were conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate Palmer amaranth emergence using a cultural practice and a residual herbicide. Field experiments were also conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate Palmer amaranth control with applications of glyphosate, glufosinate, and 2,4-D alone and in mixtures.

Research was conducted at the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center from 2015 to 2018 to (1) determine the effects of sub-lethal concentrations of paraquat, metribuzin, fomesafen, and cloransulam-methyl applied at different rice growth stages, determine the effects on rice growth of simulated off-target paraquat applications at varying concentration based on a proportionally decreased carrier volume characterize rice response to a sub-lethal concentration of paraquat in combination with common POST and residual herbicides, assess whether starter N fertilizer or different N fertilizer management strategies can aide in rice recover after exposure to a sub-lethal concentration of paraquat, and define a maximum soil concentration of S-metolachlor that will allow rice to germinate and emerge. Rice yield was negatively affected following exposure to paraquat applied any time after rice emergence. Paraquat applications to rice in early reproductive growth reduced rough rice yield and seed germination the greatest. Paraquat plus metribuzin injured rice 68 to 69% 14 and 28 d after treatment (DAT), which was 10 to 13% greater than following paraquat alone or paraquat plus fomesafen. Pooled across metribuzin and fomesafen treatments, paraquat reduced rough rice yields 23%. Paraquat plus 10 different residual herbicides injured rice ≥51% 28 DAT and reduced rough rice yields ≥21%. In spite of starter N fertilizer applications, paraquat injured rice ≥41%, reduced height 57%, reduced dry weight prior to flooding 77%, delayed maturity 10 d, reduced dry weight at maturity 33%, and reduced rough rice yield 35%. Similar results were observed in the N Fertilizer Timing Study. Soil concentrations of s-metolachlor 28 DAT were 30, 31, 32, 36, 61, and 488 ppm following exposure to s-metolachlor applied at 0, 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, 1/4, and 1X concentration. A soil analysis would be the best option to determine levels of s-metolachlor prior to planting rice if an off-target herbicide movement containing s-metolachlor occurred. These data indicate that paraquat can have negative impact on rice growth and development. Therefore, it is crucial that if environmental conditions are conducive for off-target herbicide movement extreme caution should be exercised when applying paraquat adjacent to fields devoted to rice production.

Herbicides have become a key component in modern agricultural production. Meanwhile, there is a concern that some herbicides persist past the growing season of the treated crop, and negatively influence the production of the subsequently planted crops. Amongst various herbicides used in western Canada, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides warrant special attention given their residual properties and acute plant toxicity at low concentrations in soil. Soil residual AHAS inhibitors have the potential to influence both leguminous host plants and their bacterial symbiotic partners; consequently, the use of an AHAS inhibitor in a given year can negatively influence the inoculation success and grain yield of legumes cropped in the following year. <p>The present thesis project focused on one of the AHAS inhibiting herbicides (flucarbazone) and studied its potential for carryover injury and negative influence on the success of inoculation in field pea. A series of growth chamber and field experiments were conducted to test the following null hypothesis: the presence of residual flucarbazone in soil does not affect nodulation of field pea by inoculum rhizobia. <p>A growth chamber experiment clearly demonstrated the susceptibility of field pea to the presence of flucarbazone in soil where the lowest concentration of flucarbazone amendment (5 ìg kg1) significantly reduced the crop growth. In contrast, a field study failed to reveal any negative effects of flucarbazone use on crop growth and N2 fixation. <p>It was concluded that if the weather and soil conditions favour decomposition of flucarbazone as described in the present study, flucarbazone applied at the recommended field rate will not persist into the following season at high enough concentrations to negatively influence field pea growth, grain yields, and inoculation success. To ensure safety of rotational crops, it is important to strictly adhere to the herbicide application guidelines. Additionally, producers are cautioned to be particularly aware of the environmental and soil conditions that may reduce the rate of herbicide degradation.

Herbicides have become a key component in modern agricultural production. Meanwhile, there is a concern that some herbicides persist past the growing season of the treated crop, and negatively influence the production of the subsequently planted crops. Amongst various herbicides used in western Canada, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides warrant special attention given their residual properties and acute plant toxicity at low concentrations in soil. Soil residual AHAS inhibitors have the potential to influence both leguminous host plants and their bacterial symbiotic partners; consequently, the use of an AHAS inhibitor in a given year can negatively influence the inoculation success and grain yield of legumes cropped in the following year. <p>The present thesis project focused on one of the AHAS inhibiting herbicides (flucarbazone) and studied its potential for carryover injury and negative influence on the success of inoculation in field pea. A series of growth chamber and field experiments were conducted to test the following null hypothesis: the presence of residual flucarbazone in soil does not affect nodulation of field pea by inoculum rhizobia. <p>A growth chamber experiment clearly demonstrated the susceptibility of field pea to the presence of flucarbazone in soil where the lowest concentration of flucarbazone amendment (5 ìg kg1) significantly reduced the crop growth. In contrast, a field study failed to reveal any negative effects of flucarbazone use on crop growth and N2 fixation. <p>It was concluded that if the weather and soil conditions favour decomposition of flucarbazone as described in the present study, flucarbazone applied at the recommended field rate will not persist into the following season at high enough concentrations to negatively influence field pea growth, grain yields, and inoculation success. To ensure safety of rotational crops, it is important to strictly adhere to the herbicide application guidelines. Additionally, producers are cautioned to be particularly aware of the environmental and soil conditions that may reduce the rate of herbicide degradation.