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Pennsylvania smartweed [Persicaria pensylvanica(L.) M. Gómez] is a common weed of rice (Oryza sativaL.) in the midsouthern United States and has recently become a concern for farmers because of reduced tillage systems. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have been extensively used for controlling smartweeds in imidazolinone-resistant and conventional rice. In the present study, we confirmed resistance to commonly used ALS inhibitors in rice and characterized the underlying resistance mechanism in aP. pensylvanicabiotype from southeast Missouri. A dose–response experiment was conducted in the greenhouse using bensulfuron-methyl, imazethapyr, and bispyribac-sodium to determine the resistance index (resistance/susceptibility [R/S]) based on GR50estimates. The target-siteALSgene was amplified from R and S plants, and sequences were analyzed for mutations known to confer ALS-inhibitor resistance. TheP. pensylvanicabiotype in question was found to be resistant to bensulfuron-methyl (R/S=2,330), imazethapyr (R/S=12), and bispyribac-sodium (R/S=6). Sequencing of theALSgene from R plants revealed two previously known mutations (Pro-197-Ser, Ala-122-Ser) conferring resistance to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones. This is the first report of ALS-inhibitor resistance inP. pensylvanica.

Broadleaf weed control on rice levees is an emerging problem faced by growers and consultants in Arkansas, USA. Field experiments were conducted at Lonoke and Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the effectiveness of various postemergence herbicides applied alone or in tank mixture with propanil or quinclorac for large-sized broadleaf weed control on rice levees. Rice injury was minimal (≤5%) from all herbicides at 2 weeks after treatment (WAT), and no injury was observed at 4 WAT. Sida spinosa (prickly sida) and Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) were the most difficult-to-control weeds on levees. Of the herbicides applied alone, 2,4-D generally supplied the highest and most consistent weed control across the six species evaluated. Quinclorac was generally a better tank-mix partner than propanil for control of the weed spectrum evaluated. Propanil at 4.48 kg/ha lowered the activity of several systemic herbicides on S. spinosa, Polygonum pensylvanicum (Pennsylvania smartweed), and Ipomoea wrightii (palmleaf morningglory). Quinclorac plus 2,4-D was the most consistent tank mixture, providing more than 80% control of all weeds at 2 and 4 WAT, except A. palmeri.

Current interest in biological-based management of weed seed banks in agriculture furthers the need to understand how microorganisms affect seed fate in soil. Many annual weeds produce seeds in high abundance; their dispersal presenting ready opportunity for interactions with soil-borne microorganisms. In this study, we investigated seeds of four common broadleaf weeds, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), woolly cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa), Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum), and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), for potential as sources of carbon nutrition for soil fungi. Seeds, as the major source of carbon in an agar matrix, were exposed to microbial populations derived from four different soils for 2 months. Most seeds were heavily colonized, and the predominant 18S rRNA gene sequences cloned from these assemblages were primarily affiliated with Ascomycota. Further, certain fungi corresponded to weed species, regardless of soil population. Relatives of Chaetomium globosum (98–99% sequence identity) and Cordyceps sinensis (99%) were found to be associated with seeds of woolly cupgrass and Pennsylvania smartweed, respectively. More diverse fungi were associated with velvetleaf seeds, which were highly susceptible to decay. The velvetleaf seed associations were dominated by relatives of Cephaliophora tropica (98–99%). In contrast to the other species, only few giant ragweed seeds were heavily colonized, but those that were colonized resulted in seed decay. The results showed that seeds could provide significant nutritional resources for saprophytic microbes, given the extant populations can overcome intrinsic seed defenses against microbial antagonism. Further, weed species-specific associations may occur with certain fungi, with nutritional benefits conferred to microorganisms that may not always result in seed biodeterioration.

Can banded herbicide be eliminated in ridge-tilled soybean (Glycine max)? The effects of banded herbicide, rotary hoeing and cultivation on weed populations and soybean yield in a ridge-tillage system were tested on three farms in Iowa, USA in 1989 and 1990. In 1989, plots either had no herbicide or had herbicide banded in the row at planting in mid-May; all plots received two rotary hoeings and two cultivations. In 1990, treatments were banded herbicide with no rotary hoeing, banded herbicide with one rotary hoeing, and no herbicide with one or two rotary hoeings; all plots received two or three cultivations. In both years, over all weed species [primarily giant foxtail (Setaria faberi), Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)], seedling emergence was highest in late May and early June, with few seedlings emerging after mid-June. Weed populations were highest in May and June, after which rotary hoeing and cultivation reduced weed numbers in all plots. There were no consistent differences among treatments in weed numbers in early August for the 2 years. In both years, there was no significant difference in soybean yield among treatments. Within-farm mean yields ranged from 2.26 to 3.01 Mg ha−1among farms in 1989 and from 2.07 to 2.93 Mg ha−1among farms in 1990. Ridge-tillage without herbicide was generally equivalent to ridge-tillage with banded herbicide, with respect to total number of weeds and number of broad-leaved weeds remaining in August after tillage, and to soybean yield.

A laboratory bioassay was conducted to describe the effects of cold stratification and solid matrix priming (SMP®) on the germination response of common lambsquarters and Pennsylvania smartweed seeds. Treating seeds of common lambsquarters with a combination of cold stratification and SMP resulted in 78% germination compared with 13% in control seeds. Analogous treatments of Pennsylvania smartweed seeds resulted in 22% germination compared with 1% for control. Improved germination of common lambsquarters and Pennsylvania smartweed seeds suggested that the combination of cold stratification and SMP treatments have potential for improving seed germination in other weed species that exhibit high levels of seed dormancy. Nomenclature: Common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. #3 CHEAL; Pennsylvania smartweed, Polygonum pensylvanicum L. # POLPY. Additional index words: Seeds, scarification, stratification, sulfuric acid, potassium hydroxide. Abbreviations: H2SO4, sulfuric acid; KOH, potassium hydroxide; SMP, ...

Field studies were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to evaluate crop response, weed control, Glycine max yield, and economic returns of labeled (1×) and one-half labeled (½×) rates of early preplant (EPP) sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron and postemergence glyphosate, compared to glyphosate-alone systems in no-till, narrow-row, glyphosate-resistant G. max. Treatments containing a 1× or ½× rate of EPP sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron with glyphosate followed by (fb) a postemergence treatment of glyphosate provided 80 to 100% control of Xanthium strumarium, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Polygonum pensylvanicum and 82 to 100% control of Setaria faberi and Amaranthus rudis if glyphosate was applied mid-postemergence (MPOST) or late postemergence (LPOST). Glyphosate alone EPP fb glyphosate postemergence or sequential postemergence treatments of glyphosate provided 77 to 100% control of S. faberi, A. artemisiifolia, and P. pensylvanicum. Glycine max yield did not significantly differ between treatments that contai...

Suspected triazine resistant Pennsylvania smartweed plants were discovered near Holy Cross, Dubuque County, IA. Subsequent variable chlorophyllafluorescence assays confirmed these selections to be triazine resistant. This is the first reported evidence ofs-triazine resistance in Pennsylvania smartweed.

Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvani- cum L.) achenes were harvested from plants growing either free from competition or in competition with corn (Zea mays L. 'Pioneer 3780') plants. Seeds were dormant when harvested. After 15 weeks of prechilling, 4 and 35% of the seeds germi- nated from plants with and without corn competition, re- spectively; after 30 weeks of prechilling, more than 92% of all seeds germinated. Scanning electron microscopy re- vealed that the carpel walls of achenes from plants with corn competition were porous with many channels. Carpel walls of achenes from plants without corn competition were without pores and channels. Transmission electron microscopy showed more lipid bodies in the embryo epidermal cells of seeds from plants with corn competition. Cell walls of em- bryos from non-prechilled seeds from plants with corn com- petition contained lipoidosomes that traversed cell walls. Lipoidosomes did not occur in cells of prechilled seeds. Additional index words. Zea mays, crop competition, electron microscopy, cell structure, germination.

Vegetative cover of weeds was determined in 84 agricultural fields representing a number of crops in Alaska. Multivariate statistical techniques were used with weed, soil, and management data to determine if weed vegetation was related to particular environmental and management variables. Field age was the variable that best explained the variation in vegetation composition. In fields recently cleared, native species were most important, being replaced by introduced weed species with increasing field age. Field horsetail (Equisetum arvenseL.) was an exceptional native species that persisted under cultivation. Total weed cover was low in the first few years of cultivation, but increased as introduced species such as common lambsquarters (Chenopodium albumL.), common chickweed [Stellaria media(L.) Cyrillo], quackgrass [Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.], and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatumL.) became more prevalent. A number of introduced species such as hempnettle (Galeopsis tetrahitL.) and Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicumL.) were restricted to just a few fields, emphasizing the importance of using weed-free seed and other management practices to minimize the spread of introduced weeds.

Summary Freshly matured, seeds of the four summer annuals Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Amaranthus hybridus and Chenopodium album were buried in soil at (12/12 h) daily thermoperiods of 15/6, 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C and at a constant temperature of 5°C. After 0, 1, 3 and 5 months, seeds of each species at each temperature were exhumed and tested at a 14-h daily photoperiod at all six temperatures. Fresh seeds of A. artemisiifolia and P. pensylvanicum did not germinate at any temperature, those of A, hybridus germinated to 4 and 64% at 30/15 and 35/20°C, respectively, and those of C. album to 11–20% at 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C. Seeds of A. artemisiifolia and P. pensylvanicum, which germinate only in spring, required exposure to low (5, 15/6°C) temperature to after-ripen completely (i.e., to gain the ability to germinate over a wide range of temperatures), and little or no after-ripening occurred at high (25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C) temperatures. Seeds of A. hybridus and C. album, which germinate in spring and summer, required exposure to low temperature to after-ripen completely, but at high temperatures they rapidly gained the ability to germinate at high temperatures. Regardless of the burial temperatures and species, when after-ripening occurred, seeds firs germinated at high and then at low temperatures. The minimum germination temperature for a species decreased with after-ripening temperature and with an increase in the length of the burial period.

A model for determination of economic thresh- olds, or minimum weed population densities justifying the use of postemergence herbicide treatment, for five weed species in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is presented. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the model with respect to economic, statistical, and agronomic variables. The model was refined to include uncertainty about lost field days during the spraying period. Predictions from both the simple and refined models were consistent with economic theory. It was also determined that the economic threshold is sensi- tive to choice of data-collection ranges and functional form in weed-interference studies. Additional index words. Amaranthus bybridus L., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth., Polygonum pensylvanicum L., Xantbium pensylvanicum Wallr., inte- grated pest management, weather risk, AMBEL, PHBPU

The effects of Pennsylvania smartweed(Polygonum pensylvanicumL.) interference in soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Pickett 71’] were studied in the field under a naturally occurring weed population. Soybean seed yield was reduced an average of 13% by a density of eight Pennsylvania smartweed plants per 10 m of row. Greater yield reductions of 21, 37, and 62% resulted from full-season interference by densities of 16, 32, and 240 weeds per 10 m of row, respectively. Fewer than five weeds per 10 m of row did not significantly reduce crop yield. A natural population of 240 weeds per 10 m of row did not reduce soybean yield if the period of interference was limited to 6 weeks or less after crop emergence. However, more than 6 weeks of weed interference resulted in significant yield reduction. Conversely, if the crop was kept weed-free for a period of 4 weeks or more after emergence, seed yield was not reduced. No allelopathic interaction between the two species was observed in greenhouse studies using a recirculating nutrient solution and alternate pots of soybeans and Pennsylvania smartweed.

Seeds of yellow foxtail [Setaria lutescens(Weigel) Hubb.], ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea(L.) Jacq.], common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.), jimsonweed (Datura stramoniumL.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastiMedic.), and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifidaL.) were buried in the soil November 20 and 21, 1966 at Urbana, Illinois for noting emergence of seedlings from April 1 through August 18, 1967. Similarly, seeds of yellow foxtail, ivyleaf morningglory, jimsonweed, velvetleaf, giant ragweed, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.), and Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicumL.) were buried on October 25, 1968 for emergence observations from April 1 to August 18, 1969. Pennsylvania smartweed, giant ragweed, and common ragweed had large flushes of germination from early April through early May, with no emergence after June 1. Velvetleaf displayed similar early flushes and had additional small flushes of emergence in late May or June. Yellow foxtail seedlings also emerged in April and May in 1969 and in May and June during both years. Common cocklebur seedlings emerged abundantly in April and May but less abundantly in June. Ivyleaf morningglory and jimsonweed displayed flushes of emergence sporadically after May 1. Flushes of emergence for all species which occurred after May 1 were preceded by sufficient rainfall to bring the surface 10 cm of soil to field capacity. Cumulative heat units in the soil above 10 C were not correlated with initiation of emergence for any species. The early emergence was attributed to stimuli from general soil warming while emergence after May 1 was stimulated by favorable soil moisture from rainfall.