Soybean Weed Research Articles

RNAseq reveals weed-induced PIF3-like as a candidate target to manipulate weed stress response in soybean.

Weeds reduce yield in soybeans (Glycine max) through incompletely defined mechanisms. The effects of weeds on the soybean transcriptome were evaluated in field conditions during four separate growing seasons. RNASeq data were collected from six biological samples of soybeans growing with or without weeds. Weed species and the methods to maintain weed-free controls varied between years to mitigate treatment effects, and to allow detection of general soybean weed responses. Soybean plants were not visibly nutrient- or water-stressed. We identified 55 consistently downregulated genes in weedy plots. Many of the downregulated genes were heat shock genes. Fourteen genes were consistently upregulated. Several transcription factors including a PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3-like gene (PIF3) were included among the upregulated genes. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated roles for increased oxidative stress and jasmonic acid signaling responses during weed stress. The relationship of this weed-induced PIF3 gene to genes involved in shade avoidance responses in Arabidopsis provide evidence that this gene may be important in the response of soybean to weeds. These results suggest that the weed-induced PIF3 gene will be a target for manipulating weed tolerance in soybean.

Use of Hppd-inhibiting Herbicides for Control of Troublesome Weeds in the Midsouthern United States

Transgenic crops provide cotton and soybean producers additional weed control options for many of the most problematic weeds in mid southern US. production systems. The expected commercialization of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-resistant soybean in 2017 and cotton in 2020 will provide producers the option to apply HPPD-inhibiting herbicides that will offer an alternative mechanism of action for previously hardto- control weeds. Experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine the efficacy of HPPD-inhibiting herbicides applied pre emergence (PRE) or post emergence (POST) for control of problematic weeds of cotton and soybean in the mid southern US. PRE experiments were conducted to understand the length and degree of control of Palmer amaranth and barn yard grass that could be expected with HPPD-inhibiting herbicides compared with current standards on silt loam and clay soil textures. The HPPD herbicides evaluated included mesotrione, tembotrione, and isoxaflutole compared to several standards currently labeled in soybean. In the POST experiment, applications of isoxaflutole, tembotrione, glyphosate, and two rates of glufosinate applied alone and both HPPD herbicides combined with glyphosate or glufosinate were evaluated for control of Palmer amaranth, barn yard grass, hemp sesbania, and yellow nutsedge. When herbicides were applied PRE, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides and the current standard treatments all provided greater than 90% control of Palmer amaranth 4 weeks after treatment (WAT) on both soil textures. Barn yard grass control with HPPD-inhibitors was generally weaker than the current standards with the exception of mesotrione which proved to be comparable to the standards 4 WAT. In the POST experiment, all treatments, except for glyphosate alone, provided excellent (>85%) control of Palmer amaranth less than 10 cm in height. Barn yard grass, yellow nutsedge, and hemp sesbania were effectively controlled with HPPDinhibiting herbicides with and without glufosinate or glyphosate.

Biodegradation of propyzamide by Comamonas testosteroni W1 and cloning of the propyzamide hydrolase gene camH

Propyzamide is a widely used benzamide herbicide for controlling weeds in lettuce, soybeans, cotton and other crops. An efficient propyzamide-degrading strain W1 was firstly isolated from activated sludge and identified as Comamonas testosteroni. A metabolite of propyzamide by strain W1 was firstly identified. The novel gene camH encoding a hydrolase that catalyzed the amide bond cleavage of propyzamide was cloned from strain W1. The gene contained an open reading frame of 1452bp, the deduced amino acid sequence showed low identity with other amidases. The recombinant enzyme CamH was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and purified. CamH displayed the highest activity at 30°C and pH 8.0 with propyzamide as the substrate. These results provide important knowledge on the fate of propyzamide in the biodegradation, and elucidate the biodegradation mechanism of propyzamide by the strain W1.

Effect of sequential application of metribuzin on selectivity and weed control in soybean

Post-emergence treatments are often the keys to efficient weed control, and could be a substitute or supplementary to pre-emergence treatment. Accordingly, this study was designed to test the selectivity and efficacy of sequential (pre- + post-emergence) applications of metribuzin on weeds in soybean, and to optimize the dose, volume rate and time of application. We observed that sequential metribuzin treatments were more toxic to soil micro-organisms and caused greater inhibition in photosynthesis, acetylene reduction activity and nodulation of soybean compared to only pre-emergence applications of metribuzin or pendimethalin. The negative effects, however, were mitigated by increased activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in soybean. The sequential applications left negligible residues at harvest. A sequential application of metribuzin 0.25 kg ha−1 2 days after sowing and 0.1 kg ha−1 20 days after sowing with 200 Lha−1 of water gave a higher seed yield. This ensured the possibility of sequential application of metribuzin with an optimized dose, volume rate and time of application.

Effect of herbicides applied against of weeds in soybean (Glycine max L.) field

Herbicides, if used properly, are safe and effective in controlling weeds in soybean. The choice of herbicide, however, depends on the predominant weed species and the availability of the herbicide. In soybean field distributed 21 species of weedsof 20 genus belonging to 14 families, that are the determined 71.5% annual, 9.5% biennialweeds and 19.0% perennial weeds. Herbicides are available for pre-emergence or post emergence weed control in soybean. For examining testable variations, 278 weeds in 1m2 area were counted awet weight 1000 g, a dry weight 138.1 referring to weed density at the highestdoses 1.5-2.0 L of Targonherbicide applied in variations, whereas 92 weeds in 1m2 area were counted a wet weight 575 g, a dry weight 120.1 were to rubbish most lesser Gallant superherbicide doses at 0.45-0.65 L/ha applied in variations. In soybean field for controlling to weeds were applied Targon herbicide at doses 1.0-2.0l/ha , whereas weed species density reduced by 91.4-93.2% and the weight by 47.2-59.7%, Gallant super herbicide at doses 0.45-0.65 l/ha,the weed species density reduced by 91.1-96.3, and the weight by 37.3-58.9%, Cobra herbicide at doses 0.45-0.55 l/ha that weed species density reduced by 90.2- 95.0% and the weight by 36.7-41.4%, Flex herbicide at doses 1.65-1.85 l/ha that weed species density reduced by 95.6-94.6% and the weight by 31.2-32.5 percent respectively. The effect of chemical weed control with reduced herbicide doses on the weed population density in soybean yield was observed. Weed competition has reduced an important morpho-physiological trait in soybean. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjas.v11i2.218 Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.11(2) 2013 pp.59-62

Influence of Application Timing and Glyphosate Tank-Mix Combinations on the Survival of Glyphosate-Resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) in Soybean

In recent years, glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed has become an increasingly problematic weed in soybean in Missouri and throughout many areas of the Midwest. Field trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine the influence of various application timings and glyphosate tank-mix combinations on the survival of GR giant ragweed in soybean. Glyphosate was applied alone and in combination with selected tank-mix combinations early POST (EPOST) to 10-, 20-, or 30-cm GR giant ragweed. Treatments received late POST (LPOST) applications approximately 3 wk after EPOST applications, once GR giant ragweed resumed growth. GR giant ragweed survival 2 wk after EPOST applications (2 WAEPOST) ranged from 60 to 100%. Glyphosate plus fomesafen applications to 10-cm plants resulted in 60% survival of GR giant ragweed, which was the lowest survival observed across all treatments and application timings. However, GR giant ragweed survival ranged from 37 to 98% 4 wk after LPOST applications (4 WALPOST). Glyphosate plus fomesafen applications to 10-cm plants resulted in 37% survival of GR giant ragweed 4 WALPOST, which was the lowest survival observed across all treatments and application timings. Few differences in soybean yields were observed between herbicide treatments within application timings in either year, and all herbicide treatments resulted in yields higher than the nontreated control. In 2011, soybean yields were reduced following glyphosate tank-mix combinations to larger plants. Overall, higher soybean injury and GR giant ragweed survival was observed in response to glyphosate tank-mix combinations made to taller plants. Results from this research indicate that additional methods of GR giant ragweed control, other than POST-only glyphosate tank-mix combinations, will be needed for effective management of GR giant ragweed in GR soybean.

Adoption of Best Management Practices for Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Midsouthern United States Cotton, Rice, and Soybean

In fall 2011, cotton and soybean consultants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were surveyed through direct mail and on-farm visits, and rice consultants from Arkansas and Mississippi were surveyed through direct mail to assess the importance and level of implementation of herbicide resistance best management practices (HR-BMPs) for herbicide-resistant weeds. Proper herbicide timing, clean start with no weeds at planting, application of multiple effective herbicide modes of action, use of full labeled herbicide rates, and prevention of crop weed seed production with importance rating of ≥ 4.6 out of 5.0 were perceived as the most important HR-BMPs in all crops. Purchase of certified rice seed was on 90% of scouted hectares. In contrast, least important HR-BMPs as perceived by consultants with importance ratings of ≤ 4.0 in cotton, ≤ 3.7 in rice, and ≤ 3.8 in soybean were cultural practices such as manual removal of weeds; tillage including disking, cultivation, or deep tillage; narrow (≤ 50 cm)-row crops, cover crops, and altered planting dates. Narrow crop rows and cover crops in cotton; altered planting dates in cotton and soybean; and cleaning of farm equipment and manual weeding in rice and soybean is currently employed on ≤ 20% of scouted hectares. Extra costs, time constraints, adverse weather conditions, lack of labor and equipment, profitability, herbicide-related concerns, and complacency were perceived as key obstacles for adoption of most HR-BMPs. With limited adoption of most cultural practices that reduce risks of herbicide-resistant weeds, there are opportunities to educate growers concerning the proactive need and long-term benefits of adopting HR-BMPs to ensure sustainable weed management and profitable crop production.

제초제 저항성작물에서 잡초관리기술 동향 및 전망

This paper reviews current status of weed control practices in herbicide-resistant crops to examine weed management strategies in cope with cropping herbicide-resistant crops in the near future. Herbicide-resistant crops were rapidly adopted weed management technologies due to broad-spectrum weed control without crop injury. Transgenic glyphosate-resistant cultivars in soybean, corn, canola, and cotton were adopted to manage weeds at lower cost in a simplified weed management system. Dual stack crops with glyphosate and glufosinate resistance were developed to control glyphosate resistant weeds in corn, soybean and cotton. New multiple herbicide-resistant crops with resistance to glyphosate and glufosinate, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, synthetic auxin herbicides, 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors or acetyl Coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors will expended the utility of existing herbicide technologies to manage the evolution of resistant weeds. However, herbicide resistant crops alone cannot solve weed problems and thus studies on diverse weed managements using an array of alternating herbicides of mode of action, mechanical, and cultural practices are needed for integrated weed management systems in the future.

Farmer Involvement in the Development and Adoption of Improved Nutrient Management Technologies Using the Mother–Baby Trial Approach in Vertisols

Research findings are often not adopted by farmers, for which many reasons have been suggested including poor communication between researchers and farmers. Mother–baby trials, involving on-farm participation to introduce and test technology options, was used to evaluate possible nutrient management technologies in a soybean–wheat system on vertisols deficient in N, P, S and Zn in Madhya Pradesh, India. Seven treatments were tested in four mother trials in 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 on farmers’ fields of soybean (monsoon season) and wheat (rabi season) in the Rajgarh and Bhopal districts. In soybean, balanced fertilization (BF) with recommended rates (kg ha−1) of 25 N, 26 P, 17 K, 20 S, and 5 Zn and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM2) (50 % of the recommended inorganic fertilizer + 5 t farmyard manure ha−1 + seed inoculation with Rhizobium) increased seed yield by ca. 26 % over the farmers’ practice (FP). In wheat, BF (120 N, 26 P, 17 K, and 20 S kg ha−1) and INM2 (75 % of the recommended inorganic fertilizer + P-solubilizing bacteria) increased grain yield by ca. 17 % over the FP treatment. Two sets of >90 baby trials conducted by farmers in 2007–2008 and 2009–2010 in 10 villages showed the benefits of these two promising technologies. In poor-yielding fields of soybean (seed yield <1 t ha−1), there was no benefit of applying fertilizers. In contrast, INM2 increased grain yield by 48 % over the FP treatments in fields with fewer limitations. In 2007–2008, wheat responded well to INM2 in fields irrigated three to four times but not in those where irrigation was limited. Field days conducted in 2007–2008 helped the farmers understand the importance of timely control of weeds and insect pests in soybean, and almost all 98 farmers produced higher soybean seed yield over the FP with BF and INM2 during 2009–2010. In this season with timely winter rainfall, almost all farmers at all levels of wheat production obtained good responses to BF and INM2 of 44 and 28 %. The involvement of farmers from the outset proved valuable in the adoption of improved nutrient management technologies for higher productivity of the soybean–wheat system, and farmers became aware that higher yields through better nutrient managements are achieved with proper weed and insect pest management in soybean and adequate irrigation in wheat.

Control of glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane [Conyza canadensis(L.) Cronq.] with preplant herbicide tankmixes in soybean [Glycine max. (L). Merr.

Byker, H. P., Soltani, N., Robinson, D. E., Tardif, F. J., Lawton, M. B. and Sikkema, P. H. 2013. Control of glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane [ Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.] with preplant herbicide tankmixes in soybean [ Glycine max . (L). Merr.]. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 659–667. Glyphosate previously provided excellent control of Canada fleabane; however, with the evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Canada fleabane in Ontario, alternative herbicides must be identified for control of this weed in soybean. The objective of this study was to identify preplant herbicide tankmixes that provide effective control of GR Canada fleabane. A total of 12 field trials were completed over a 2-yr period (2011, 2012) in fields previously confirmed with GR Canada fleabane. Preplant tankmixes of glyphosate (900 g a.e. ha−1) plus saflufenacil (25 g a.i. ha−1) or saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p (245 g a.i. ha−1) provided greater than 87% control 4 wk after application (WAA) across all sites. Glyphosate (900 g a.e. ha−1) tankmixed with metribuzin (1120 g a.i. ha−1), cloransulam-methyl (35 g a.i. ha−1) or flumetsulam (70 g a.i. ha−1) provided 78 to 99% control 8 WAA. Control of GR Canada fleabane prior to soybean emergence is essential as currently there are no herbicides that provide acceptable control in-crop. Because of the lack of in-crop options, spring residual herbicides may be required for season long control in regions where Canada fleabane emerges throughout the year to reduce Canada fleabane seed production and populations in subsequent years.

The Effect of Cations and Ammonium Sulfate on the Efficacy of Dicamba and 2,4-D

Dicamba or 2,4-D will be used POST for the control of weeds in soybean when dicamba- or 2,4-D-resistant soybean are commercialized. The active ingredients of both herbicides are weak acids in solution and may bind to cations present from hard water used as herbicide carrier or from foliar fertilizers added to spray solutions. The objectives of this research were (1) to determine if the efficacy of dicamba or 2,4-D are influenced by divalent cations, namely calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), in the spray solution, and (2) to determine if adding ammonium sulfate (AMS) to the spray solution can overcome antagonism. The factorial study included five cation solutions (deionized water [dH2O], Ca at 590 mg L−1, Mg at 630 mg L−1, Mn at 4.97 L ha−1, and Zn at 2.33 L ha−1), two herbicide treatments (dicamba or 2,4-D), and two water conditioner treatments (without or with AMS at 20.37 g L−1). Treatments were applied to common lambsquarters, horseweed, and redroot pigweed. Control of horseweed and redroot pigweed increased when AMS was added to the 2,4-D treatments, irrespective of cation solution. Control of common lambsquarters was increased when AMS was added to 2,4-D for only the Ca and Mn cation solution. In contrast to the results obtained with 2,4-D, control of horseweed with dicamba was not influenced by cation solution. Tank-mixing AMS with dicamba increased control of both redroot pigweed and common lambsquarters in the dH2O, Mg, and Mn solutions.

Competitive Effects of Volunteer Corn on Hybrid Corn Growth and Yield

Transgenic volunteer corn is a competitive weed in soybean that decreases soybean yield at densities as low as 0.5 plants m−2, yet the competitive effects of volunteer corn in corn have yet to be quantified in the peer-reviewed literature. In order to quantify competition between volunteer corn and hybrid corn, seed was harvested from transgenic hybrid corn. The seed was then hand-planted at two locations (Lafayette, IN and Wanatah, IN) into 3 by 9 m plots of hybrid corn at five densities: 0 (control), 0.5, 2, 4, and 8 plants m−2. Volunteer corn competition reduced leaf area and biomass of hybrid corn plants. Hybrid corn grain yield at Lafayette, IN, was reduced by 23 and 22% due to competition with volunteer corn growing in densities of 8 plants m−2in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but when volunteer corn grain yield was combined with the hybrid corn grain yield, there was no reduction in total grain yield. This study demonstrates that the competitive effects on the grain yield of the hybrid corn will be offset by the grain yield of the volunteer plants. However, because the unpredictable locations and densities of volunteer corn plants present challenges to machine harvesting, future studies should examine what proportion of the volunteer crop is actually harvestable.

Influence of Glyphosate or Glufosinate Combinations with Growth Regulator Herbicides and Other Agrochemicals in Controlling Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds

With the forthcoming release of the 2,4-D- and dicamba-resistance traits stacked with either glyphosate or glufosinate resistance, the use of 2,4-D or dicamba alone or in tank mix with glyphosate or glufosinate likely will increase the control of glyphosate-resistant weeds in soybean. There also is an increasing trend among soybean growers to apply POST herbicides in combination with fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers to reduce trips over the field. Greenhouse experiments were conducted during 2011 and 2012 to evaluate glyphosate or glufosinate applications with growth regulator herbicides and other agrochemicals for the control of glyphosate-resistant horseweed and glyphosate-resistant common lambsquarters. In most cases, glyphosate or glufosinate application with 2,4-D or dicamba provided 80% or more control of glyphosate-resistant horseweed and glyphosate-resistant common lambsquarters. These studies demonstrate that performance of glufosinate alone and with agrochemicals was poor on glyphosate-resistant common lambsquarters. However, no differences in glyphosate-resistant common lambsquarters biomass were noted among treatments including glufosinate alone, glufosinate plus growth regulator herbicides, and glufosinate plus growth regulator herbicides plus agrochemicals. The agrochemicals lambda-cyhalothrin, manganese, and pyraclostrobin did not affect weed control by glyphosate or glufosinate combinations with growth regulator herbicides. Visible soybean injury was noted at 1 wk after treatment (WAT) only when glufosinate was applied with lambda-cyhalothrin or pyraclostrobin but no differences in visible injury were seen with these combinations at 3 WAT.

Degradation of chlorimuron-ethyl byAspergillus nigerisolated from agricultural soil

Chlorimuron-ethyl, ethyl-2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-chloro-pyrimidin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino] sulfonyl]benzoate, is used as a pre- and postemergence herbicide for the control of important broadleaved weeds in soybean and maize. Due to its phytotoxicity to rotation crops, concerns regarding chlorimuron contamination of soil and water have been raised. Although it is degraded in the agricultural environment primarily via pH- and temperature-dependent chemical hydrolysis, microbial transformation also has an important role. Fungi such as Fusarium and Alternaria are unable to survive in artificial media containing chlorimuron-ethyl at 25mgL(-1) . However, Aspergillus niger survived in minimal broth containing chlorimuron at 2mgmL(-1) . Aspergillus niger degraded the herbicide to harvest energy through two major routes of degradation. One route involves the cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge, resulting in the formation of two major metabolites, namely ethyl-2-aminosulfonylbenzoate (I) and 4-methoxy-6-chloro-2-amino-pyrimidine (II). The other route is the cleavage of sulfonylamide linkage, which generates the metabolite N-(4-methoxy-6-chloropyrimidin-2-yl) urea (III). Two other metabolites, saccharin (IV) and N-methyl saccharin (V), formed from metabolite II, were also identified. A metabolic pathway for the degradation of chlorimuron-ethyl by A.niger has been proposed.

Changes in the Prevalence of Weed Species in the Major Agronomic Crops of the Southern United States: 1994/1995 to 2008/2009

Changes in the weed flora of cropping systems reflect the impacts of factors that create safe sites for weed establishment and facilitate the influx and losses to and from the soil seedbank. This analysis of the annual surveys of the Southern Weed Science Society documents changes in the weed flora of the 14 contiguous southern states since the advent of transgenic, herbicide-resistant crops. In 1994 and 2009, the top five weeds in corn were morningglories, Texas millet, broadleaf signalgrass, johnsongrass, and sicklepod; in this same period Palmer amaranth, smartweeds, and goosegrass had the greatest increases in importance in corn. In cotton, morningglories and nutsedges were among the top five most troublesome weeds in 1995 and 2009. Palmer amaranth, pigweeds, and Florida pusley were also among the five most troublesome species in 2009; the weeds with the largest increases in importance in cotton were common ragweed and two species with tolerance to glyphosate, Benghal dayflower and Florida pusley. In soybean, morningglories, nutsedges, and sicklepod were among the top five weed species in 1995 and 2009. Two species with glyphosate resistance, Palmer amaranth and horseweed, were the second and fourth most troublesome weeds of soybean in 2009. In wheat, the top four weeds in 2008 were the same as those in 1994 and included Italian ryegrass, wild garlic, wild radish, and henbit. Crop production in the southern region is a mosaic of various crop rotations, soil types, and types of tillage. During the interval between the surveys, the predominant change in weed management practices in the region and the nation was the onset and rapid dominance of the use of glyphosate in herbicide-resistant cultivars of corn, cotton, and soybean. Because of the correspondence between the effects of glyphosate on the respective weed species and the observed changes in the weed flora of the crops, it is likely the very broad use of glyphosate was a key component shaping the changes in weed flora. Only eight of the top 15 most troublesome weeds of cotton and soybean, the crops with the greatest use of glyphosate, were the same in 1995 and 2009. In contrast, in corn and wheat where adoption of glyphosate-resistant cultivars lags or is absent, 12 of the 15 most troublesome weeds were the same in 1994 and 2008. These findings show on a regional scale that weeds adapt to recurrent selection from herbicides, currently the predominant weed management tool. Future research should seek methods to hinder the rapid spread of herbicide-tolerant and evolution of herbicide-resistant weed species. As new tools are developed, research should focus on ways to preserve the efficacy of those tools through improved stewardship.

Biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p in soybean (Glycine max)

Miller, R. T., Soltani, N., Robinson, D. E., Kraus, T. E. and Sikkema, P. H. 2012. Biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid- in soybean (Glycine max). Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 517–531. A total of five field studies were conducted over a 2-yr period (2009, 2010) at three Ontario locations to determine the biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied preemergence (PRE) for the control of annual weeds in soybean. The rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p required for the control of annual weeds was influenced by environmental conditions. With adequate moisture and above-average temperatures in 2010, between 224 and 374 g a.i. ha-1 of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p was required for 80% control of common ragweed, common lamb's quarters, and green foxtail 4 wk after treatment (WAT). In contrast, below-average temperatures and excessive moisture in 2009 resulted in higher rates of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p being necessary for the same level of weed control. Pigweed species were l...

Biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p in soybean (Glycine max)

Miller, R. T., Soltani, N., Robinson, D. E., Kraus, T. E. and Sikkema, P. H. 2012. Biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid- in soybean ( Glycine max ). Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 517–531. A total of five field studies were conducted over a 2-yr period (2009, 2010) at three Ontario locations to determine the biologically effective rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied preemergence (PRE) for the control of annual weeds in soybean. The rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p required for the control of annual weeds was influenced by environmental conditions. With adequate moisture and above-average temperatures in 2010, between 224 and 374 g a.i. ha−1 of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p was required for 80% control of common ragweed, common lamb's quarters, and green foxtail 4 wk after treatment (WAT). In contrast, below-average temperatures and excessive moisture in 2009 resulted in higher rates of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p being necessary for the same level of weed control. Pigweed species were least affected by environmental conditions after application at 4 WAT with only 245 g a.i. ha−1 required for 80% control in both years. By 11 WAT, 320 g a.i. ha−1 or less of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p was required to achieve 80% control of these species in 2010, while 845 g a.i. ha−1 or more was needed in 2009 for equivalent control. The potential of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p as a set-up treatment prior to a postemergence (POST) glyphosate application was also examined. Excellent full season control of all weed species was achieved with saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied PRE followed by glyphosate POST. However, there was no difference in yield when saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p was followed by glyphosate POST compared with a single glyphosate POST application.

Effect of Plant Nitrogen Concentration on the Response of Glyphosate-Resistant Corn Hybrids and Their Progeny to Clethodim and Glufosinate

Rapid adoption of glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn hybrids has led to the reemergence of volunteer corn as a problematic weed in soybean and has made controlling the initial stand of corn in a replant situation more difficult. If volunteer corn in soybean or the initial corn stand in a replant situation is not controlled, yield loss can occur. Clethodim and glufosinate are often used to control GR corn in corn replant situations and in soybean. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the response of two hybrid corn varieties and their F2progeny to clethodim and glufosinate and to evaluate the effect of plant nitrogen (N) concentration on clethodim and glufosinate efficacy. First, a dose-response study was conducted with clethodim and glufosinate on DeKalb 60-18 and 60-18F2, and DeKalb 63-42 and 63-42F2to compare the response of the hybrids and their F2progeny to the herbicides. DeKalb 63-42 was more tolerant to clethodim than 60-18 and 60-18F2. No differences were found between the hybrids and their respective F2progeny in the response to clethodim or glufosinate. In a second dose-response study assessing the effect of N conditions on herbicide efficacy, both clethodim and glufosinate were less injurious to plants growing in low N than in high N availability.

Co-application of glyphosate plus an insecticide or fungicide in glyphosate-resistant soybean

Soltani, N., Shropshire, C. and Sikkema, P. H. 2012. Co-application of glyphosate plus an insecticide or fungicide in glyphosate-resistant soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 297–302. Six field trials were conducted from 2008 to 2010 in Ontario to evaluate soybean injury and weed control efficacy with glyphosate tankmixed with various insecticides or fungicides. There was minimal visual injury (less than 4%) in glyphosate-resistant soybean and no adverse effect on soybean height and yield when cyhalothrin-lambda (Matador®), dimethoate (Lagon®), imidacloprid/deltamethrin (Concept®), spirotetramat (Movento®), pyraclostrobin (Headline®), azoxystrobin (Quadris®), propiconazole (Tilt®), azoxystrobin/propiconazole (Quilt®), tebuconazole (Folicur®) and trifloxystrobin/propiconazole (Stratego®) were tankmixed with glyphosate. Velvetleaf, pigweed species, common ragweed, common lambsquarters and green foxtail control ranged from 91–97, 94–99, 92–99, 80–94 and 98–100%, respectively. However, there was no adverse effect on velvetleaf, pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters and green foxtail control, density and dry weight when one of the insecticides or fungicides evaluated was tankmixed with glyphosate. Based on these results, glyphosate tankmixed with cyhalothrin-lambda, dimethoate, imidacloprid/deltamethrin, spirotetramat, pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin, propiconazole, azoxystrobin/propiconazole, tebuconazole or trifloxystrobin/propiconazole causes minimal crop injury and has no adverse effect on weed control in glyphosate-resistant soybean under Ontario environmental conditions.

Light Quality and the Critical Period for Weed Control in Soybean

The critical period for weed control (CPWC) is an integral component of integrated weed management strategies. Several studies have defined the CPWC in soybean under varying agronomic conditions, yet none have described the mechanisms involved in crop yield losses caused by weed competition. We hypothesized that under nonresource-limiting conditions, morphological changes resulting from the expression of shade avoidance could be used to define a period of developmental sensitivity to low red-to-far-red ratio (R : FR) that would overlap with the defined CPWC in soybean. Two experiments (a sequential harvest and a weed addition/removal series) were conducted in 2008 and 2009 under controlled environmental conditions to address this hypothesis. Two light-quality treatments were used: (1) high R : FR ratio (i.e., weed-free), and (2) low R : FR ratio (i.e., weedy). The low R : FR ratio treatment induced shade avoidance responses in soybean, which included increases in height, internode length, and the shoot : root ratio, as well as a reduction in biomass accumulation and leaf number. Using the morphological changes in biomass and leaf number observed in the weed addition/removal series, a period of developmental sensitivity to low R : FR was defined between the first trifoliate (V1) and third trifoliate (V3) stages of soybean development. This period was found to be very similar to the CPWC previously defined by field studies of soybean–weed competition.