Palmer Amaranth Plants Research Articles

Influence of gender and glyphosate resistance on Palmer amaranth growth and interference with cotton

AbstractManagement of herbicide‐resistant weeds can be improved by understanding the biology of resistant biotypes. While the majority of research has focused on female plants and seed production of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) that are resistant to glyphosate, growth of male plants that are resistant to this herbicide has not been studied in detail. Additionally, interference of male versus female Palmer amaranth plants on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) yield has not been reported. Plant height and biomass of male and female plants from a mixed population of glyphosate‐resistant (GR) and glyphosate‐susceptible (GS) plants was studied in North Carolina when grown season‐long with cotton. Palmer amaranth height was less for GR male plants compared with GS males and both GR and GS females. Biomass of Palmer amaranth female plants was twice that of male plants irrespective of glyphosate resistance. Cotton yield was affected similarly by Palmer amaranth regardless of either gender or glyphosate resistance status. The implications of shorter GR male plants on pollen dispersal and ramifications on management of glyphosate resistance are not known. Results from these trials did not address implications of the height of male plants on fitness of GR resistance. Nonetheless, the finding that GR male plants were shorter in the field than GS male plants warrants a new look at this topic. Similar reductions for cotton yield in presence of both GR and GS biotypes and genders suggest that current yield loss assessments and management decisions do not need to consider these variables in Palmer amaranth populations.

Elucidation of sex from mature Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) leaves using a portable Raman spectrometer.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a pervasive and troublesome weed species that poses significant challenges to agriculture in the United States. Identifying the sex of Palmer amaranth plants is crucial for developing tailored control measures due to the distinct characteristics and reproductive strategies exhibited by male and female plants. Traditional methods for sex determination are expensive and time-consuming, but recent advancements in spectroscopic techniques offer new possibilities. This study explores the potential of portable Raman spectroscopy for determining the sex of mature Palmer amaranth plants in-field. Raman analysis of the plant leaves reveals spectral differences associated with nitrate salts, lipids, carotenoids, and terpenoids, allowing for high accuracy and reliable identification of the plant's sex; male plants had higher concentrations of these compounds compared to females. It was also found that male plants had higher concentrations of these compounds compared to the females. Raman spectra were analyzed using a machine learning tool, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), to generate accuracies of no less than 83.7% when elucidating sex from acquired spectra. These findings provide insights into the sex-specific characteristics of Palmer amaranth and suggest that Raman analysis, combined with PLS-DA, can be a promising, non-destructive, and efficient method for sex determination in field settings. This approach has implications for developing sex-specific management strategies to monitor and control this invasive weed in real-world environments, benefiting farmers, agronomists, researchers, and master gardeners.

Spray interval, application order, and plant height influences control of dicamba-resistant Palmer amaranth

Abstract Palmer amaranth, which is resistant to glyphosate and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors, remains a threat to cotton and soybean production in Tennessee. This is partly due to the recent evolution of dicamba-resistant Palmer amaranth in western Tennessee, which further complicates weed management. Experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to determine the best timing between sequential applications and the order in which 2,4-D or dicamba should be used with glufosinate to control resistant Palmer amaranth. Palmer amaranth control increased when the interval between postemergence herbicide applications decreased from 21 to 7 d. At the 7-d interval in a dicamba-based system, the order of herbicides did not affect Palmer amaranth control. However, in a 2,4-D-based system, the greatest control was achieved when 2,4-D was applied first, followed by either 2,4-D or glufosinate. While weed height at the time of application had a significant effect on Palmer amaranth control with auxin herbicides, control was still unacceptable in the field at the labeled rates of dicamba or 2,4-D when applied to weeds that were <10 cm tall (48% and 53%, respectively). Neither dicamba nor 2,4-D provided acceptable control of the Palmer amaranth populations evaluated in this study. Sequential applications separated by 7 d provided better weed control than those separated by 21 d. Given that the better 7-d sequential treatments provided less than 90% control and resulted in more than 64,000 surviving Palmer amaranth plants per hectare suggests that relying solely on these herbicides for Palmer amaranth control is not a sustainable weed management strategy.

Growth and fecundity of Palmer amaranth escaping glufosinate in soybean with and without grass competition

Abstract Field experiments were conducted at Clayton and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, during the summer of 2020 to determine the growth and fecundity of Palmer amaranth plants that survived glufosinate with and without grass competition in soybean crops. Glufosinate (590 g ai ha−1) was applied at early postemergence (when Palmer amaranth plants were 5 cm tall), mid-postemergence (7–10 cm), and late postemergence (>10 cm) and at orthogonal combinations of those timings. Nontreated Palmer amaranth was grown in weedy (i.e., intraspecific and grass competition), weed-free in-crop (WFIC), and weed-free fallow (WFNC) conditions for comparisons. No Palmer amaranth plants survived the sequential glufosinate applications and control decreased as the plants were treated at a larger size in both experiments. The apical and circumferential growth rate of Palmer amaranth surviving glufosinate was reduced by more than 44% compared with the WFNC Palmer amaranth. The biomass of Palmer amaranth plants that survived glufosinate was reduced by more than 87% compared with the WFNC Palmer amaranth. The fecundity of Palmer amaranth that survived glufosinate was reduced by more than 70% compared with WFNC Palmer amaranth. Palmer amaranth plants that survived glufosinate were as fecund as the WFIC Palmer amaranth in both experiments in soybean fields. The results prove that despite the significant vegetative growth rate decrease of Palmer amaranth that survived glufosinate, plants can be as fecund as nontreated plants. The trends in growth and fecundity of Palmer amaranth that survives glufosinate with and without grass competition were similar. These results suggest that glufosinate-treated grass weeds may not reduce the growth or fecundity of Palmer amaranth that survives glufosinate.

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) and Soybean (Glycine max L.) Classification in Greenhouse Using Hyperspectral Imaging and Chemometrics Methods

HighlightsHyperspectral image processing was used to classify Palmer amaranth and soybean species.Chemometrics methods (PCA, PLS-DA, and SIMCA) were used to extract features and establish classification models.Abstract. Herbicide-resistant weed species are one of the largest threats to modern agriculture, as ineffective weed control results in significant yield losses or increased costs through alternatives such as mechanical methods. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) has been one of the most troublesome weeds. Its identification through the adoption of site-specific weed management systems will help farmers select more appropriate control options to reduce costs and improve efficacy, resulting in increased farm revenue. In this study, a pixel-wised method was evaluated for the classification of Palmer amaranth and soybean (Glycine max L.). A pushbroom hyperspectral imagery acquisition system was used to collect imagery from 224 spectral bands ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in three different runs. Greenhouse-grown plants were evaluated to generate predictive models from paired samples generated with 56 replications in each run. Data collection occurred weekly when Palmer amaranth plants were between approximately 2.5 and 12.7 cm tall. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) were tested to classify Palmer amaranth and soybean. Half of the dataset (Palmer amaranth = 42, soybean = 42) was used to train the models, and the other half (Palmer amaranth = 42, soybean = 42) was used to test model performance. Preliminary results showed that the PLS-DA model with PLS factors as input had a cumulative variation (R2Y(cum)) of 60% and predictive ability (Q2Y(cum)) of 60%. The SIMCA model showed a cumulative variation of 85% and a predictive ability of 82%. Overall, this study illustrated the capability of hyperspectral imagery to classify Palmer amaranth and soybean, which will increase the efficiency of weed control in modern agriculture. Keywords: Chemometrics methods, Hyperspectral imaging, Palmer amaranth classification.

Biological effects on Palmer amaranth surviving glufosinate

AbstractPalmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is a difficult weed to manage due to competitive growth, fecundity, and evolved herbicide resistance. Limited information exist on the fecundity of vegetative stage Palmer amaranth surviving glufosinate applied at different timings. In addition, research has not investigated the germination or glufosinate susceptibility of the offspring from these surviving plants. Field experiments were conducted across three locations in 2019 to determine (a) the fecundity of Palmer amaranth plants surviving glufosinate applied at different vegetative growth stages, and (b) if the offspring from the surviving plants exhibited differential germination and susceptibility to glufosinate. Palmer amaranth was treated at three different vegetative sizes (5 cm, 7–10 cm, > 10 cm) and orthogonal combinations of these application timings. The application timings corresponded to early‐, mid‐ and late‐postemergence applications. Palmer amaranth plants surviving the mid‐, late‐, and the mid postemergence followed by late postemergence glufosinate application were fecund. Palmer amaranth plants surviving the mid postemergence followed by late postemergence application produced less seed than the plants surviving the mid postemergence and late postemergence application. Palmer amaranth was controlled with other glufosinate applications resulting in no seed production. Germination was affected across location and glufosinate treatments, but no clear trend/pattern was observed. The offspring from Palmer amaranth plants surviving glufosinate applications were controlled by all glufosinate rates tested. These experiments provide evidence that Palmer amaranth surviving glufosinate in the vegetative stages may remain fecund, but fecundity can vary with application timing. No measurable effect on the offspring germination or susceptibility to glufosinate was apparent.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) interference and seed production in dry edible bean

AbstractAlthough Palmer amaranth is currently not widespread in most dry edible bean−producing states in the United States, it is widespread in western Nebraska, a major dry edible bean−producing region. There is currently a lack of research on management and biology of Palmer amaranth within dry edible bean production. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of season-long Palmer amaranth interference on yield of dry edible bean and seed production of Palmer amaranth. A field study was conducted in Scottsbluff, NE, in 2020 and 2021. Palmer amaranth interference at densities of 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, and 2 plants m−1row of dry edible bean was evaluated. Palmer amaranth interference reduced dry edible bean yield by 77% at a weed density of 2 plants m−1row compared to the weed-free control, and a 5% yield reduction threshold was estimated to occur at a Palmer amaranth density of 0.02 plants m−1row. Yield reduction occurred primarily through a reduction in the number of pods per plant as Palmer amaranth density increased. Palmer amaranth plants produced 91,000 to 376,000 seeds per plant depending on densities, and as many as 140,000 seeds m−2. Study results will help farmers and other stakeholders estimate Palmer amaranth interference within their fields, and may help justify the economic cost of incorporating additional Palmer amaranth management practices.

First Report of Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. in Cotton, Maize and Sorghum in Greece and Problems with Its Management

Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats., or commonly Palmer amaranth, is an invasive plant species that has invaded many countries worldwide and causes significant yield losses to annual spring crops. Palmer amaranth biotypes were detected in maize and sorghum fields in Western Greece and cotton fields in Central Greece in 2020. The infestations were recorded both inside the crops and in the margins of the fields, indicating that Palmer amaranth could be characterized as an invasive weed for these regions and, thus, must be urgently managed. Four biotypes were screened for resistance to 2,4-D and nicosulfuron by using NDVI, canopy cover, photochemical efficiency, plant height and fresh weight values. All biotypes showed resistance to nicosulfuron. Resistance cases to important herbicides (i.e., ALS and synthetic auxins) in spring crops, such as maize and cotton, indicate that management could become even more challenging if farmers do not adopt integrated strategies and tools to manage this weed. The eradication of Palmer amaranth plants is imperative, since it has yet to be dispersed in several agricultural areas of Greece. Palmer amaranth is recommended to be enlisted as quarantine pest for regulation in Greece.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) control in postharvest wheat stubble in the Central Great Plains

AbstractLate-season control of Palmer amaranth in postharvest wheat stubble is important for reducing the seedbank. Our objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of late-season postemergence herbicides for Palmer amaranth control, shoot dry biomass, and seed production in postharvest wheat stubble. Field experiments were conducted at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS, during 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The study site had a natural seedbank of Palmer amaranth. Herbicide treatments were applied 3 wk after wheat harvest when Palmer amaranth plants had reached the inflorescence initiation stage. Palmer amaranth was controlled by 96% to 98% 8 wk after treatment and shoot biomass as well as seed production was prevented when paraquat was applied alone or when mixed with atrazine, metribuzin, flumioxazin, 2,4-D, sulfentrazone, pyroxasulfone + sulfentrazone, or flumioxazin + metribuzin, and with glyphosate + dicamba, glyphosate + 2,4-D, saflufenacil + 2,4-D, glufosinate + dicamba + glyphosate, and glufosinate + 2,4-D + glyphosate. Palmer amaranth was controlled by 89% to 93% with application of glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba + 2,4-D, saflufenacil + atrazine, and saflufenacil + metribuzin resulting in Palmer amaranth shoot biomass of 15 to 56 g m−2 and production of 1,080 to 7,040 seeds m−2. Palmer amaranth control was less than 86% with application of dicamba, 2,4-D, dicamba + atrazine, and saflufenacil resulting in Palmer amaranth shoot biomass of 38 to 47 g m−2 and production of 3,110 to 6,190 seeds m−2. Palmer amaranth was controlled 63% and 72%, shoot biomass was 178 and 161 g m−2, and seed production was 35,180 and 39,510 seeds m−2, respectively, with application of 2,4-D + bromoxynil + fluroxypyr, and bromoxynil + pyrasulfotole + atrazine. Growers should use these effective postemergence herbicide mixes for Palmer amaranth control to prevent seed prevention postharvest in wheat stubble.

Control of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) regrowth following failed applications of glufosinate and fomesafen

AbstractRapid vegetative growth and adverse application conditions are common factors leading to the failure of postemergence herbicides on Palmer amaranth. A sequential herbicide application, or respray, is often necessary to control weeds that have survived the initial herbicide application to protect crop yield and minimize weed seed production. The optimum timing after the initial application and the most effective herbicide for control of Palmer amaranth has not been characterized. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the optimum herbicide for treating Palmer amaranth regrowth, the optimum timing for each of those herbicides, and how the initial failed herbicide might affect efficacy of a second herbicide application. Bare ground field experiments were performed in 2017 and 2018 in which glufosinate or fomesafen herbicide failure was induced on Palmer amaranth plants that were 30 cm in height. Respray treatments of glufosinate, fomesafen, lactofen, 2,4-D, and dicamba were applied once at timings of 4 to 5 d, 7 d, or 11 d after the initial spray application. Nearly all herbicide treatment and timing combinations increased control by at least 13 percentage points compared to no respray herbicide treatment. Regardless of initial herbicide, glufosinate applied as a respray treatment was the most consistent and efficacious with up to 97% control. The specific herbicide used in the second application impacted final weed control more so than timing of the respray application. For instance, control by glufosinate respray treatments was 10 to 18 percentage points greater than control from lactofen respray treatments, whereas control decreased by 3 percentage points when respray applications of any herbicide were made 11 d after initial application of glufosinate compared to 4 to 5 and 7 d after initial application of glufosinate. In the event of failure to control Palmer amaranth with glufosinate or fomesafen, glufosinate should be applied in order to maximize control.

Effect of single or sequential POST herbicide applications on seed production and viability of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in dicamba- and glyphosate-resistant soybean

AbstractGlyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth is a troublesome weed that can emerge throughout the soybean growing season in Nebraska and several other regions of the United States. Late-emerging Palmer amaranth plants can produce seeds, thus replenishing the soil seedbank. The objectives of this study were to evaluate single or sequential applications of labeled POST herbicides such as acifluorfen, dicamba, a fomesafen and fluthiacet-methyl premix, glyphosate, and lactofen on GR Palmer amaranth control, density, biomass, seed production, and seed viability, as well as grain yield of dicamba- and glyphosate-resistant (DGR) soybean. Field experiments were conducted in a grower’s field infested with GR Palmer amaranth near Carleton, NE, in 2018 and 2019, with no PRE herbicide applied. Acifluorfen, dicamba, a premix of fomesafen and fluthiacet-methyl, glyphosate, or lactofen were applied POST in single or sequential applications between the V4 and R6 soybean growth stages, with timings based on product labels. Dicamba applied at V4 or in sequential applications at V4 followed by R1 or R3 controlled GR Palmer amaranth 91% to 100% at soybean harvest, reduced Palmer amaranth density to as low as 2 or fewer plants m−2, reduced seed production to 557 to 2,911 seeds per female plant, and resulted in the highest soybean yield during both years of the study. Sequential applications of acifluorfen, fomesafen and fluthiacet premix, or lactofen were not as effective as dicamba for GR Palmer amaranth control; however, they reduced seed production similar to dicamba. On the basis of the results of this study, we conclude that dicamba was effective for controlling GR Palmer amaranth and reduced density, biomass, and seed production without DGR soybean injury. Herbicides evaluated in this study had no effect on Palmer amaranth seed viability.

Predominance of Metabolic Resistance in a Six-Way-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Population.

Evolution of multiple herbicide resistance in Palmer amaranth across the United States is a serious challenge for its management. Recently, a Palmer amaranth population (KCTR; Kansas Conservation Tillage Resistant) from a long-term conservation tillage research project in Kansas, United States, was found uncontrolled by several commonly used herbicides. Importantly, this field did not have a history of repeated use of some of the herbicides for which the KCTR Palmer amaranth population showed lack of control. The objectives of this study were to confirm the evolution of multiple resistances and determine possible mechanism(s) of resistance in KCTR Palmer amaranth plants. In response to post-emergence application, 28–100% of KCTR Palmer amaranth survived field recommended rates of 2,4-D, ALS-, PS II-, EPSPS-, PPO-, HPPD-inhibitor herbicides, or tank- or pre-mixture of PS II- and HPPD-inhibitor herbicides, confirming evolution of six-way resistance in this Palmer amaranth population. However, this population was found susceptible to the PS I- and glutamine synthetase inhibitor herbicides. Chlorsulfuron-, imazethapyr-, and atrazine-resistant plants did not show any previously reported mutation in ALS and psbA genes, the target sites of these herbicides, respectively. However, the survivors of glyphosate treatment showed amplification of EPSPS gene (up to 88 copies). The KCTR plants pretreated with cytochrome P450 or GST inhibitors along with atrazine, 2,4-D, lactofen, or mesotrione had significantly less biomass accumulation than those treated with herbicides alone. Plants treated with P450 inhibitor followed by imazethapyr showed moderate reduction of biomass in KCTR which was statistically similar to a susceptible Palmer amaranth population treated with imazethapyr. These results suggest predominance of metabolic resistance possibly mediated by cytochrome P450 and GST enzyme activity that may have predisposed the KCTR Palmer amaranth population to evolve resistance to multiple herbicides. This is the first report of evolution of six-way resistance in a single Palmer amaranth population. Appropriate management strategies, including integration of cultural, and mechanical, and herbicide mixtures, are warranted to control such Palmer amaranth populations.

Evaluation of the time-of-day effect of herbicides applied POST on protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase–resistant and –susceptible Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

AbstractStudies to evaluate the effect of application time of day (TOD) and protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicide–resistant Palmer amaranth on the efficacy of commonly used herbicides was conducted in Tennessee in 2017 and 2018. Treatments of fomesafen, lactofen, acifluorfen, paraquat, glufosinate, glufosinate plus fomesafen, paraquat plus fomesafen, and paraquat plus metribuzin were applied to PPO-resistant (PPO-R) and PPO-susceptible (PPO-S) Palmer amaranth at sunrise and midday. Control of Palmer amaranth with acifluorfen, glufosinate, and glufosinate plus fomesafen was greater with the midday application. However, control of Palmer amaranth with paraquat-based treatments was greater with the sunrise application. TOD effects on PPO-inhibiting herbicides and paraquat-based treatments were more prominent for the PPO-R Palmer amaranth biotype. The TOD effect observed when applying glufosinate in early morning hours on PPO-S Palmer amaranth can be minimized by adding fomesafen to the tank mix. However, this strategy did not provide consistent performance on PPO-R Palmer amaranth. The percentages of living Palmer amaranth plants and control were greater when paraquat plus metribuzin was applied to both biotypes. These results highlight the necessity of at least two effective herbicide sites of action for POST applications intended for controlling PPO-R Palmer amaranth. In addition, the timing of herbicide applications can affect their activity in both PPO-R and PPO-S Palmer amaranth populations.

Management Considerations for Palmer Amaranth in a Northern Great Plains Soybean Production System

Core Ideas Soybean yield loss in South Dakota was dependent on Palmer amaranth density if it emerged before canopy closure. Soybean yield losses were not Palmer amaranth density dependent when it emerged at the R2 soybean growth stage. The relative growth rate of Palmer amaranth was rapid and suggests a limited period for effective post‐emergence control. The South Dakota biotype was insensitive to several broadleaf herbicides that typically are recommended for Palmer amaranth control. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) was first observed in a South Dakota field in 2015. This study assessed Palmer amaranth growth based on planting date (PD), impact on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield, and response of seedlings of South Dakota biotype seedlings to herbicides with different mechanisms of action (MOA). Soybean yield loss was influenced by Palmer amaranth density in 2016 (p = 0.001), with yield losses of 33% at densities greater than 15 plants m−2 (R2 = 0.65), although yield losses at low densities were greater than predicted by the fitted model. In 2017, yield loss was not correlated to Palmer amaranth density when Palmer amaranth established later in the season. Relative growth rates (RGR) of Palmer amaranth (based on plant volumes) were rapid just after transplanting, irrespective of the initial PD (ranging from mid‐May to mid‐June). Late‐planted cohorts had lower final volumes (0.23 m3) at August harvest compared with early planted cohorts (6.5 m3), but even late‐planted cohorts were two to three times larger than other common South Dakota Amaranth species [A. retroflexus L. and A. tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], which emerged at similar times. In greenhouse studies, labeled rates of atrazine (6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine)), and mesotrione (2‐[4‐(methysulfonyl)‐2‐nitrobenzoyl]‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione) did not control Palmer amaranth plants grown from SD biotype seed, but were controlled with S‐metolachlor (2‐chloro‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐N‐[(1S)‐2‐methoxy‐1‐methyethyl]acetamide), dicamba [3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid], and glufosinate (2‐amino‐4(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid). However, Palmer amaranth biotypes resistant to S‐metolachlor, dicamba, and several other herbicides have been reported, so techniques to limit future herbicide resistance should be followed.

Long‐term Management of Palmer Amaranth with Herbicides and Cultural Practices in Cotton

Core Ideas Deep tillage reduced Palmer amaranth populations Hand‐removal of Palmer amaranth over 4 yr reduced the soil seedbank and maintained a low frequency of glyphosate resistance Hand‐removal of Palmer amaranth was more effective than deep tillage in preventing an increase in glyphosate resistance Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watts) has become one of the most problematic weeds in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems throughout the southern United States. Research was conducted from 2012 through 2015 in continuous cotton to determine the influence of a single deep tillage operation and annual hand‐removal of Palmer amaranth plants prior to seed production on weed populations, cotton yield, and economic returns when a commercial standard herbicide program was implemented each year. Treatments consisted of both a one‐time deep tillage operation in fall of 2011 and no deep tillage, each with and without annual hand‐removal of Palmer amaranth. The single deep tillage operation reduced Palmer amaranth populations 75% during the 2013 growing season. Differences in weed populations with deep tillage did not always translate into increased yield and economic return. After four growing seasons, cumulative economic return was not affected by deep tillage or hand‐removal. However, hand‐removal of Palmer amaranth plants prior to seed production each year resulted in a lower density and a lower frequency of glyphosate resistance after 4 yr.

Seed Retention of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in Soybean

Harvest weed seed control is an alternative non-chemical approach to weed management that targets escaped weed seeds at the time of crop harvest. Relatively little is known on how these methods will work on species in the US. Two of the most prominent weeds in soybean production in the midsouthern US are Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass. Typically, when crop harvesting occurs the weed seed has already either shattered or is taken into the combine and may be redistributed in the soil seedbank. This causes further weed seed spread and may contribute to the addition of resistant seeds in the seedbank. There is little research on how much seed is retained on different weed species at or beyond harvest time. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the percentage of total Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass seed production that was retained on the plant during delayed soybean harvest. Retained seed over time was similar between 2015 and 2016, but was significantly different between years for only Palmer amaranth. Seed retention did not differ between years for either weed species. Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass retained 98 and 41% of their seed at soybean maturity and 95 and 32% of their seed one month after soybean maturity, respectively. Thus, this research indicates that if there are escaped Palmer amaranth plants and soybean is harvested in a timely manner, most seed will enter the combine and offer potential for capture or destruction of these seeds using harvest weed seed control tactics. While there would be some benefit to using HWSC for barnyardgrass, the utility of this practice on mitigating herbicide resistance would be less pronounced than that of Palmer amaranth because of the reduced seed retention or early seed shatter.

Differential Response of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Gender to Abiotic Stress

Knowledge of Palmer amaranth biology and physiology is essential for the development of effective weed management systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of Palmer amaranth gender to nutrient deficiency and light stress. Differential gender responses were observed for all the growth, phenology, and photochemistry parameters measured. Female plants, for example, invested more in height, stem, and total dry weight, whereas male plants invested more in leaf area and leaf dry weight. The growth rate of females was higher than that of male Palmer amaranth plants, although both followed similar declining trends as the experimental period progressed. Initiation of flowering of female plants occurred 6 to 8 d earlier compared with male plants. Nitrogen and to a certain extent phosphorous were the most influential nutrients that affected measured parameters in both Palmer amaranth genders, particularly under high light intensity. Electron transport rate and chlorophyll content of female Palmer amaranth plants compared with male plants was lower at high light intensity in combination with nitrogen and phosphorous deficiencies. There is a potential to manipulate Palmer amaranth population structure by altering microenvironments at the field level.

Spray Tip Configurations with Pulse-Width Modulation for Glufosinate-Ammonium Deposits in Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

Abstract. A commercial sprayer operated at a field speed of 24 km h-1 simultaneously applied glufosinate-ammonium through seven spray tip treatments spaced along a 30.5 m boom for measured foliar deposits of herbicide in 35 cm tall Palmer amaranth weeds and spray deposits on foliar-mounted water-sensitive paper (WSP). The experiment followed one that found increased herbicide deposits for dual tips with an adjacent, fore-aft mount, downward-pointed pre-orifice tip (Extremely Coarse) operated with blended pulse-width modulation (bPWM) and a pre-orifice tip (Fine) operated constant (non-bPWM) under moderate ambient wind velocities from 3.1 to 4.1 m s-1. Additional dual-tip treatments were added to the dual-tip configuration for the current experiment to expand droplet Coarseness and to add dual tips operated constant to isolate bPWM effects. Tested treatments in common with the previous experiment included the original dual-tip bPWM and non-bPWM combination, Y-adapter fore-aft-mounted pre-orifice tips with diverging spray patterns both operated bPWM, and an air-induction extended-range tip operated constant. Palmer amaranth weeds, total spray volume rate of 93.5 L ha-1, sprayer speed of 24 km h-1, and test methods were similar between studies, except for negligible wind in the current experiment. Conditions were clear and sunny during spraying without indicators of a stable atmosphere. Overall mean glufosinate-ammonium deposits recovered from leaves were greatest for dual-tips operated constant at reduced droplet size (Very Coarse and Fine) due to reduced required tip size operated without bPWM, and for increased droplet size for Y-adapter-mounted pre-orifice tips (Extremely Coarse and Coarse) operated with bPWM, resulting in overall mean glufosinate-ammonium leaf deposits of 15.9 and 15.0 µg a.i. cm-2, respectively. The combination of dual tips at reduced droplet size or the Y-adapter fore-aft spray pattern divergence of bPWM tips coupled with high sprayer speed enhanced droplet interception by Palmer amaranth plants under negligible wind conditions, since the collected deposits, even without summed integration over foliage height, significantly exceeded the applied rate of 8.2 µg a.i. cm-2. An air-induction extended-range tip non-bPWM (Very Coarse) provided the next highest mean in overall glufosinate-ammonium deposit. One increased-droplet size dual-tip, pre-orifice tip bPWM and non-bPWM (Ultra Coarse and Coarse) resulted in a mean deposit that was not significantly different from the air-induction extended-range tip operated non-bPWM. Other dual-tip combinations with bPWM and non-bPWM, including the original dual-tip configuration in the previous study, resulted in significantly reduced mean herbicide deposits. Considering all tested tips, advantages of bPWM depended on spray tip droplet size classifications and Y-mounted fore-aft divergence of spray patterns. Overall mean WSP spot deposits were greatest for reduced droplet size (Very Coarse and Fine) dual pre-orifice tips operated non-bPWM, corresponding with the highest numerical overall mean of glufosinate-ammonium deposit. This correspondence of highest spot deposits and highest mean glufosinate-ammonium deposit also occurred in the previous study. Increased Palmer amaranth control correlated with increased glufosinate-ammonium deposit and decreased volume median diameter (Dv0.5) determined with WSP electronic scans, with the air-induction extended-range tip operated constant and the Y-adapter pre-orifice tip operated as bPWM providing the highest weed control. Overall mean WSP spot deposits ranged from 42.3 to 81.1 spots cm-2, compared to 14.0 to 47.0 spots cm-2 previously reported for similar spray conditions, with spot deposits attributed to negligible wind versus wind, respectively. Thus, the spray environment, particularly wind, exhibited effects on nozzle tip comparisons for foliar deposition and may offer some rationale for the conflicting published data beyond the examined treatments. Keywords: Application technology, Blended pulse-width modulation, Herbicide, Herbicide resistance, Nozzle, Spray deposition, Water-sensitive paper, Weed.

Baseline Sensitivity of Nebraska Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth to Dicamba and 2,4‐D

The development of dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid)‐ and 2,4‐D [(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid]‐resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] will increase the frequency of applying these herbicides to control broadleaf weeds in soybean production systems. We evaluated the sensitivity of randomly selected waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer var. rudis (Sauer) Costea and Tardif] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthuspalmeri S. Wats) populations to a single dose of dicamba and 2,4‐D. Selected populations were then used in dicamba and 2,4‐D dose‐response experiments to evaluate: (i) visual injury at 28 d after treatment; and (ii) plant survival, biomass accumulation, and flowering at 84 DAT. Across selected populations, the estimated dicamba dose for 50% visual injury (I50) was below the recommended field rate (560 g ha−1) and ranged between 59 and 117 g ha−1 for waterhemp and 43 and 81 g ha−1 for Palmer amaranth populations. The estimated 2,4‐D dose for I50 was also below the recommended field rate (800 g ha−1) and ranged between 127 and 242 g ha−1 for waterhemp and 127 and 196 g ha−1 for Palmer amaranth. Waterhemp plants flowered with up to 560 g ha−1 dicamba and 2240 g ha−1 2,4‐D, while Palmer amaranth plants flowered with up to 280 g ha−1 dicamba, and 1120 g ha−1 2,4‐D. Individual plants will likely survive and flower following recommended field rates of dicamba (waterhemp) and 2,4‐D (both species). Close monitoring of weed populations are needed for the stewardship of available weed management technologies.Core Ideas We conducted a state‐wide baseline study of auxinic herbicide sensitivity in randomly selected waterhemp and Palmer amaranth populations. Individual plants of both species will likely survive and flower after field rates of dicamba and/or 2,4‐D. Close monitoring of weed populations and continuous update of best management practices are needed for the stewardship of available weed management technologies. This study sets a benchmark to detect shifting in sensitivities to dicamba or 2,4‐D after resistant crops are released.

Evaluation of Herbicide Programs for Use in a 2,4-D–Resistant Soybean Technology for Control of Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

Two separate field experiments were conducted over a 2-yr period in Fayetteville, AR, during 2012 and 2013 to (1) evaluate POST herbicide programs utilizing a premixture of dimethylamine (DMA) salt of glyphosate + choline salt of 2,4-D in a soybean line resistant to 2,4-D, glyphosate, and glufosinate and (2) determine efficacy of herbicide programs that begin with PRE residual herbicides followed by POST applications of 2,4-D choline + glyphosate DMA on glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. In the first experiment, POST applications alone that incorporated the use of residual herbicides with the glyphosate + 2,4-D premixture provided 93 to 99% control of Palmer amaranth at the end of the season. In the second experiment, the use of flumioxazin, flumioxazin + chlorimuron methyl, S-metolachlor + fomesafen, or sulfentrazone + chloransulam applied PRE provided 94 to 98% early-season Palmer amaranth control. Early-season control helped maintain a high level of Palmer amaranth control throughout the growing season, in turn resulting in fewer reproductive Palmer amaranth plants present at soybean harvest compared to most other treatments. Although no differences in soybean yield were observed among treated plots, it was evident that herbicide programs should begin with PRE residual herbicides followed by POST applications of glyphosate + 2,4-D mixed with residual herbicides to minimize late-season escapes and reduce the likelihood of contributions to the soil seedbank. Dependent upon management decisions, the best stewardship of this technology will likely rely on the use multiple effective mechanisms of action incorporated into a fully integrated weed management system.