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Competitive relationships between johnsongrass, smooth pigweed, and soybean were examined in 1986 and 1987, and the adequacy of an additive response model (ARM) and product response model (PRM) in predicting yield reductions due to multispecies weed populations was assessed. A severe drought reduced soybean yields statewide in 1986, whereas ideal conditions for soybean production were experienced in 1987. Averaged over monospecific weed densities of 1, 2, 4, and 8 plants 4.6 m−1of row, smooth pigweed intercepted 2.5 and 1.8 times more light than johnsongrass in 1986 and 1987, respectively. In multispecies populations having either 4 or 8 smooth pigweed plants 4.6 m−1of row, light interception by johnsongrass was negligible. Averaged over monospecific weed densities, smooth pigweed produced 5160 and 1760 kg ha−1, while johnsongrass produced 1530 and 450 kg ha−1dry weight in 1986 and 1987, respectively. In multispecies populations, smooth pigweed contributed more than 80% of the total weed biomass. As monospecific johnsongrass density increased, reductions in soybean seed yield were linear, whereas exponential response patterns adequately characterized reductions in soybean seed yield due to smooth pigweed interference. Based on calibrated monospecific responses, the ARM and PRM generally projected higher soybean seed yield reductions for multispecies weed populations than were observed. When crop production conditions were favorable and competitive effects of weeds were low, both models adequately predicted soybean seed yield reductions. When dry conditions unfavorable for crop production existed, the PRM best accommodated the interactive effects between johnsongrass, smooth pigweed, and soybean.

A comparative study of the growth and development of several populations of dinitroaniline-susceptible (DS) and -resistant (DR) goosegrass [Eleusine indica(L.) Gaertn. # ELEIN] biotypes was conducted under noncompetitive field conditions. Plant height and width, number of tillers, aboveground dry weight, relative growth rate (RGR), number of inflorescences/plant, total inflorescence dry weight, individual inflorescence dry weight, number of spicate branches/inflorescence, and flag leaf length and width were recorded periodically during the growing season. There were no significant differences between biotypes in most characteristics with the exception of total inflorescence dry weight. The DS biotype produced more total inflorescence dry weight than the DR biotype at 8 and 13 weeks after transplanting. Significant variation among DS and DR populations occurred in 37 and 33 of 56 evaluations, respectively. When variation existed within a biotype, populations exhibited broad ranges of response for the various growth parameters. With the exception of total inflorescence dry weight, DS and DR biotypes generally exhibited similar ranges of variability.

The effects of tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fuscaHinds) control and herbicides on peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL. ‘Florigiant’) canopy development and competition with large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis(L.) Scop. # DIGSA] were examined in field experiments during 1983 and 1984. Greater early-season peanut canopy development generally occurred when tobacco thrips were controlled with aldicarb [2-methyl-2-(methylthio) propionaldehyde-O-(methylcarbamoyl)oxime]. Tobacco thrips control did not affect large crabgrass dry weights or peanut seed yields with no herbicide, alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide], vernolate (S-propyl dipropylcarbamothioate) + benefin [N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] + alachlor, and handweeding + sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio) propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}. Averaged across weed control levels, large crabgrass dry weights with and without aldicarb were 320 and 310 g/m2in 1983, and 260 and 250 g/m2in 1984, respectively. Peanut seed yields with and without aldicarb were 1550 and 1630 kg/ha in 1983, and 2870 and 2920 kg/ha in 1984, respectively.

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

The presence of a common cocklebur (Xanthium strumariumL. # XANST) population resistant to organic arsenical herbicides was confirmed in three adjoining counties of South Carolina's ten-county cotton-growing region, but little evidence of resistance was found in the remaining seven counties. This population was resistant to both disodium salt of methylarsonic acid (DSMA) and monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid (MSMA) but not to herbicides from nine other chemical groups. A much greater level of resistance was apparent in the field than under greenhouse conditions and larger plants were more resistant than small plants.

Seed dormancy and soil longevity characteristics of three weedy cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.] cultivars were investigated. Seed germination was maximum at 40 C; however, ‘Clay’ had greater germination than ‘Black’ or ‘Red Ripper’ cowpea at temperatures ≥ 20 C. Concentrated sulfuric acid soaks, hot (70 C)-water soaks, and piercing the seed coat promoted germination. Seed with an initial water content of 12.3% were stored at relative humidities ranging from 0 to 60% at 25 C. After 4 weeks of storage at relative humidities of 0 to 50%, seed water content varied from 4.6 to 11.4%. Germination and hard seed content was 11% or more and 89% or less, respectively, for seed with water content ranging from 6.9 to 11.4%. Except for seed with an initial water content of 6.9%, cowpea seed water content increased after 3 weeks of storage in a 70% relative humidity environment. Rehydration increased germination for seed with initial water content of 9.2% or more, but not for seed with initial water content of 8.4% or less. In mid-November 1981 and 1982, Black, Clay, Red Ripper, and sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL. # CASOB) seed were buried at soil depths of 2.5, 7.5, and 15 cm for 3, 6, and 9 months. Seed survival of Black and Red Ripper was similar to that of sicklepod; however, longevity of Clay seed was less than sicklepod. Survival was greater for seed buried in 1981 than in 1982 because of low seed water content of the 1981 seedlots.

Application of chlorimuron and imazaquin at 0.28 kg ai/ha to field-grown sicklepod at early bloom and early fruit stages in 1984 and 1985 almost eliminated seed production. In addition, none of the seed produced following these treatments were capable of emergence during a 4-week period following acid scarification. Glyphosate applied at 0.28 kg ai/ha at early bloom decreased seed production 84% but did not affect seedling emergence in 1984, and precluded production of seed capable of emergence in 1985. Glyphosate applications at the early fruit stage reduced the number of seed that emerged 93 and 90% in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Application of 2,4-DB at 0.28 kg ai/ha and 2,4-D at 0.56 kg ai/ha at early bloom did not affect seed production or emergence in 1984 but almost eliminated production of seed capable of emergence in 1985. Applications of 2,4-DB and 2,4-D at the early fruit stage decreased the number of seed that emerged 99 and 52% in 1984 and 46 and 57% in 1985, respectively. Herbicide applications at the late fruit stage were generally less effective than earlier applications in reducing seed production and emergence.

‘Ransom’, ‘Govan’, and ‘Bragg’ soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] were seeded in 30-, 61-, and 91-cm row spacings to achieve a uniform population of 323 000 plants/ha. In 1979 and 1980, shade development within the row was similar for all row spacings, but 15 cm from the row the inflection point occurred earlier when soybeans were seeded at the 30-cm row spacing. In 1979, shading 30 cm from the row was similar with the 61- and 91-cm row spacings, but in 1980 the 61-cm row spacing provided earlier shading. Shading within the row and 15 and 30 cm from the row was similar for all cultivars in 1979, but Govan and Bragg shaded row middles earlier than Ransom at the 91-cm row spacing. In 1980, shade development in the row was similar for all cultivars, but delayed shading was observed between the rows with Ransom. In 1979, maximum soybean seed yields were produced with 2, 2, and 0 weed-free weeks at the 30-, 61-, and 91-cm row spacings, respectively. In 1980, 2 weed-free weeks prevented soybean seed yield reductions at all row spacings. In 1979, Ransom, Bragg, and Govan required 4, 2, and 0 weed-free weeks, respectively, for maximum seed yields. In 1980, all cultivars achieved maximum seed yields with 2 weed-free weeks.