Fate of the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, phenmedipham, ethofumesate and metamitron in two Finnish arable soils

The fate of five herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, phenmedipham, ethofumesate and metamitron) was studied in two Finnish sugar beet fields for 26 months. Soil types were sandy loam and clay. Two different herbicide-tolerant sugar beet cultivars and three different herbicide application schedules were used. Meteorological data were collected throughout the study and soil properties were thoroughly analysed. An extensive data set of herbicide residue concentrations in soil was collected. Five different soil depths were sampled. The study was carried out using common Finnish agricultural practices and represents typical sugar beet cultivation conditions in Finland. The overall observed order of persistence was ethofumesate > glyphosate > phenmedipham > metamitron > glufosinate-ammonium. Only ethofumesate and glyphosate persisted until the subsequent spring. Seasonal variation in herbicide dissipation was very high and dissipation ceased almost completely during winter. During the 2 year experiment no indication of potential groundwater pollution risk was obtained, but herbicides may cause surface water pollution.     

The relative movement and persistence in soil of chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl and triasulfuron

Summary. Adsorption and degradation rates of triasulfuron in 8 different soils were negatively correlated with soil pH and were generally lower in subsoils than in soils from the plough layer. The half-life at 20°C varied from 33 days in a top soil at pH 5·8 to 120 days in a subsoil at pH 7·4. Adsorption distribution coefficients in these two soils were 0·55 and 0·19, respectively. Movement and persistence of residues of chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl were compared in a field experiment prepared in spring 1987. Triasulfuron was less mobile in the soil than the other two compounds. Residues of all three herbicides were largely confined to the upper 40–50 cm soil 148 days after application. With an initial dose of 32 g ha⁻¹, residues in the surface soil layers were sufficient to affect growth of lettuce and sugar-beet sown approximately one year after application. Laboratory adsorption and degradation data were used with appropriate weather data in a computer model of herbicide transport in soil. The model gave good predictions of total soil residues during the first five months following application, and also predicted successfully the maximum depth of penetration of the herbicides into the soil during this period. However, more herbicide was retained close to the soil surface than was predicted by the model. The model predicted extensive movement of the herbicides in the soil during winter but did not predict that residues sufficient to affect crop growth could be present in the upper 15–20 cm soil after one year.     

Movement of pendimethalin,ioxynil and soil particles to field drainage tiles

Knowledge of the movement of herbicides and soil particles to sub-surface tile drainage may help to predict chemical leaching to surface waters and deeper groundwater systems. The movement of pendimethalin (2 years), ioxynil (1 year) and soil particles (3 years) to two tile drains was investigated on a sandy loam soil under natural weather conditions. Herbicide and particle concentrations in the drain water showed a very dynamic pattern. The largest herbicide concentrations were detected during the first tile drain flow events after application. Very little herbicide was lost with drain water later than 2 months after application. The turbidity, reflecting concentrations of soil particles, correlated positively and strongly with the pendimethalin concentration and negatively with the rate of drain water discharge, whereas it was uncorrelated with the ioxynil concentration. Peak turbidity values occurred during or shortly after rainfall events, either in break of frost situations, or on unfrozen soil coinciding with the occurrence of peak moisture contents in the topsoil well (3-7%) above field capacity. On average, 0.0013% of the applied pendimethalin and 0.0015% of the applied ioxynil were lost with drain water. The results suggest that preferential flow promotes the movement of all three substances to the tile drains but indicate somewhat different transport mechanisms for the two herbicides.     

Influence of topsoil tilth and soil moisture status on losses of pesticide to drains from a heavy clay soil

Twelve lysimeters with a surface area of 0.5 m² and a length of 60 cm were taken over mole drains from a Denchworth heavy clay soil and divided into two groups with either a standard agricultural tilth or a finer topsoil tilth. The influence of topsoil tilth on leaching of the herbicide isoproturon and a bromide tracer was evaluated over a winter season. The effect of variations in soil moisture status in the immediate topsoil on leaching of isoproturon, chlorotoluron and linuron was investigated in the following winter season. Here, water inputs were controlled such that lysimeters received 50 mm at a maximum intensity of 2 mm h^?1 over a 4‐week period with herbicides applied on day 15. Three treatments received the water either all prior to application, all after application, or evenly spread over the 4‐week period. Leaching losses of the three herbicides were monitored for a subsequent drainage event. Analysis of covariance showed a significant effect of topsoil tilth and total flow on both the maximum concentrations (P = 0.034) and total losses (P = 0.012) of isoproturon in drainflow. Both concentrations and losses were c 35% smaller from lysimeters with the finer tilth. However, generation of the fine tilth in the field was restricted by a wet autumn and this is not considered a reliable management option for reducing pesticide losses from heavy clay soils. In the second experiment, variation in soil moisture content prior to and after application did not have any significant effect (P < 0.05) upon subsequent losses of the three herbicides to drains. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improved chemical control of Conyza bonariensis in wheat limits problems in the following fallow

Conyza bonariensis is a major weed infesting zero‐tilled cropping systems in subtropical Australia, particularly in wheat and winter fallows. Uncontrolled C. bonariensis survives to become a problem weed in the following crops or fallows. As no herbicide has been registered for C. bonariensis in wheat, the effectiveness of 11 herbicides, currently registered for other broad‐leaved weeds in wheat, was evaluated in two pot and two field experiments. As previous research showed that the age of C. bonariensis, and to a lesser extent, the soil moisture at spraying affected herbicide efficacy, these factors also were investigated. The efficacy of the majority of herbicide treatments was reduced when large rosettes (5–15 cm diameter) were treated, compared with small rosettes (<5 cm diameter). However, for the majority of herbicide treatments, the soil moisture did not affect the herbicide efficacy in the pot experiments. In the field, a delay in herbicide treatment of 2 weeks reduced the herbicide efficacy consistently across herbicide treatments, which was related to weed age but not to soil moisture differences. Across all the experiments, four herbicides controlled C. bonariensis in wheat consistently (83–100%): 2,4‐D; aminopyralid + fluroxypyr; picloram + MCPA + metsulfuron; and picloram + high rates of 2,4‐D. Thus, this problem weed can be effectively and consistently controlled in wheat, particularly when small rosettes are treated, and therefore C. bonariensis will have a less adverse impact on the following fallow or crop.     

Effect of long‐term field application of pendimethalin: enhanced degradation in soil

The effect of long‐term application of pendimethalin in a maize–wheat rotation on herbicide persistence was investigated. Pendimethalin was applied at 1.5 kg AI ha⁻¹ separately as one or two annual applications for five consecutive years in the same plots. Residues of pendimethalin were determined by gas chromatography. Harvest‐time residues of the herbicide decreased gradually over the years and at the end of five years less than 3% of applied pendimethalin was recovered from soil as against 18% in the first year. Residues were found distributed in the soil profile up to 90 cm depth at the end of the experiment with peak distribution of 0.03 µg g⁻¹ in the surface layer of soil treated with 10 herbicide applications. The minimum distribution was, however, in the deepest soil (75–90 cm) profile. Some of the metabolites of pendimethalin ie dealkylated pendimethalin derivative, partially reduced derivative and cyclized product were also traced in surface and sub‐surface soils up to 90 cm. A study of the rate of degradation of pendimethalin in field‐treated soils under laboratory conditions revealed faster degradation compared to control soils. Only the surface soil (0–15 cm) showed this enhanced degradation of the herbicide, which could be due to the adaptability of the aerobic micro‐organisms to degrade pendimethalin. Microbes capable of degrading herbicide were isolated, identified and pendimethalin degradation was confirmed in nutrient broth. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

不同除草剂对稻田杂草群落演替的影响

为了明确除草剂对稻田杂草群落演替的影响,2001～2004年,连续4年施用7种稻田除草剂控制移栽稻田杂草,每年调查稻田杂草的种类、密度和鲜重,分析稻田杂草种群的变化.结果表明：连续使用同一除草剂对稻田杂草群落演替影响显著,靶标杂草的优势度值与药剂使用年限存在显著的线性或非线性关系：Y=a＋bx或Y=ax^2＋bx＋c;非靶标杂草优势度值与药剂使用年限呈极显著正相关线性关系.不同药剂处理的杂草群落有一定的差异,连续使用二元复配除草剂,杂草群落的均匀度和多样性指数分别为0.40～0.43和1.57～1.84,明显低于单剂处理和对照区,田间主要杂草是陌上菜、水苋、千金子和水莎草,其杂草的鲜重显著低于其它处理.     

Predicted impact of transgenic, herbicidetolerant corn on drinking water quality in vulnerable watersheds of the mid-western USA

In the intensely farmed corn-growing regions of the mid-western USA, surface waters have often been contaminated by herbicides, principally as a result of rainfall runoff occurring shortly after application of these to corn and other crops. In some vulnerable watersheds, water quality criteria for chronic human exposure through drinking water are occasionally exceeded. We selected three settings representative of vulnerable corn-region watersheds, and used the PRZM-EXAMS model with the Index Reservoir scenario to predict corn herbicide concentrations in the reservoirs as a function of herbicide properties and use pattern, site characteristics and weather in the watersheds. We compared herbicide application scenarios, including broadcast surface pre-plant atrazine and alachlor applications with a glyphosate pre-plant application, scenarios in which losses of herbicides were mitigated by incorporation or banding, and scenarios in which only glyphosate or glufosinate post-emergent herbicides were used with corn genetically modified to be resistant to them. In the absence of drift, in almost all years a single runoff event dominates the input into the reservoir. As a result, annual average pesticide concentrations are highly correlated with annual maximum daily values. The modeled concentrations were generally higher than those derived from monitoring data, even for no-drift model scenarios. Because of their lower post-emergent application rates and greater soil sorptivity, glyphosate and glufosinate loads in runoff were generally one-fifth to one-tenth those of atrazine and alachlor. These model results indicate that the replacement of pre-emergent corn herbicides with the post-emergent herbicides allowed by genetic modification of crops would dramatically reduce herbicide concentrations in vulnerable watersheds. Given the significantly lower chronic mammalian toxicity of these compounds, and their vulnerability to breakdown in the drinking water treatment process, risks to human populations through drinking water would also be reduced.     

Sensitivity of Echinochloa crus‐galli populations to maize herbicides: a comparison between cropping systems

Echinochloa crus‐galli is an important maize weed with significant variation in herbicide sensitivity. This differential response may reflect differences in selection pressure caused by years of cropping system‐related herbicide usage. The herbicide sensitivity of E. crus‐galli populations from three divergent cropping systems was evaluated in dose–response pot experiments. Populations were collected from sandy fields with (i) a long‐term organic cropping system, (ii) a conventional cropping system with maize in the crop rotation or (iii) a conventional cropping system with long‐term monocropping of maize. Each cropping system was represented by six E. crus‐galli populations. The effectiveness of three foliar‐applied maize herbicides (nicosulfuron, cycloxydim and topramezone) and two soil‐applied maize herbicides (S‐metolachlor and dimethenamid‐P) was tested at three doses and two runs. Foliar‐applied herbicides were applied at the three true leaves stage. Soil‐applied herbicides were applied immediately after sowing. The foliage dry weight per pot was determined 4 weeks after treatment. Plant responses were expressed as biomass reduction. Herbicide sensitivity was consistently lowest for populations from maize monocropping systems. Compared with populations from organic cropping systems, populations from monocropping systems showed 6.9%, 9.8% and 29.3% lower sensitivity to cycloxydim, topramezone and nicosulfuron respectively. Populations from the conventional crop rotation system showed intermediate sensitivity levels, which did not significantly differ from sensitivity levels of populations from the other cropping systems. Sensitivity to dimethenamid‐P and S‐metolachlor was not affected by cropping system. Environmental conditions influenced herbicidal response . This study indicated that integrated weed management may be necessary to preserve herbicide efficacy over the long term.     

Frequency and distribution of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations randomly collected across the Western Australian wheatbelt

In 2003, a random survey was conducted across the Western Australian wheatbelt to establish the extent and frequency of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations infesting crop fields. Five hundred cropping fields were visited, with 90 R. raphanistrum populations collected, representative of populations present in crop fields throughout the Western Australian wheatbelt. Collected populations were screened with four herbicides of various modes of action that are commonly used for the control of this weed. The majority of Western Australian R. raphanistrum populations were found to contain plants resistant to the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicide chlorsulfuron (54%) and auxin analogue herbicide, 2,4‐D amine (60%). This survey also determined that over half (58%) of these populations were multiple resistant across at least two of the four herbicide modes of action used in the screening. Only 17% of R. raphanistrum populations have retained their initial status of susceptibility to all four herbicides. The distribution patterns of the herbicide‐resistant populations identified that there were higher frequencies of resistant and developing resistance populations occurring in the intensively cropped northern regions of the wheatbelt. These results clearly indicate that the reliance on herbicidal weed control in cropping systems based on reduced tillage and stubble retention will lead to higher frequencies of herbicide‐resistant weed populations. Therefore, within intensive crop production systems, there is a need to diversify weed management strategies and not rely entirely on too few herbicide control options.     

Application of bispyribac‐sodium provides effective weed control in direct‐planted rice on a sandy loam soil

An increasing water crisis, as well as the unavailability and high cost of labor, in Pakistan has forced rice‐growers to plant rice directly into the field. However, severe weed infestation causes disastrous effects on the productivity of this rice system. In this study, three herbicides (pendimethalin, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium) were evaluated for weed control in direct‐planted rice on a sandy loam soil. Weedy check and weed‐free plots were established for comparison. Weed infestation decreased the rice yield by 75.2%. However, the application of herbicides suppressed the weed infestation, with a simultaneous increase in the rice yield. The postemergence application of bispyribac‐sodium was the most effective herbicide in reducing the total weed density and dry weight over the weedy check, followed by penoxsulam and pendimethalin, respectively. Bispyribac‐sodium increased the number of productive tillers, 1000‐grain weight, number of grains per panicle and grain yield over the control, as well as improved the water productivity and economic returns of direct‐planted rice. The weeds' proliferation increased the number of unproductive tillers and decreased the plant height. In conclusion, the postemergence application of bispyribac‐sodium can be used effectively to control weeds, increase water productivity and improve the economic returns and yield of direct‐planted rice on a sandy loam soil in Pakistan.     

Establishing targeted control of creeping perennial weeds with soil‐active chemical injections: Assessment of subterranean bud responses in contact

Increased infestation of aggressive creeping perennial weeds is a significant problem in urban vegetation management programs. These weeds produce vigorous biomass and extensive underground networks of either rhizomes or creeping roots that easily regrow from numerous buds. Foliar application of proper systemic herbicides has been a most effective way to suppress regrowth from underground creeping organs; however, killing the mature plants has disadvantages from aesthetic, economic, and ecological viewpoints. Therefore, we intended to test the possibility of soil‐injection of soil‐active herbicides for effective control of the perennial weeds which develop underground network systems. A pot experiment using combinations of seven species (seven rhizomatous and two having creeping roots) and five chemicals (four herbicides and a plant growth regulator) was conducted to assess whether and how chemicals diffused in soil affect the sprout and growth of buds on creeping organs. All the tested herbicides completely inhibited bud sprouting in one and more species when applied at median or high rates, while most of the flurprimidol‐applied segments sprouted but shoot elongation was significantly reduced. Characteristics of each herbicide were also reflected in the selectivity and features of new outgrowth. The results indicated that chemicals existing in soil were undoubtedly absorbed and affected bud activities. It is concluded that soil injection that delivers the probable soil‐active chemicals to subterranean creeping systems could be a promising technology for controlling noxious creeping perennials.     

Action of two herbicides on the microbial activity of soil cultivated with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in conventional-till and no-till systems

The effects of application of the herbicides fluazifop‐p‐butyl and fomesafen and the commercial mixture of these herbicides on the microbial activity of a soil, cultivated with common bean under no‐till (NTS) and conventional‐till (CTS) systems, were evaluated. Microbial respiration was monitored for 63 days after application (DAA) of the herbicides, and the following evaluated at 12 and 51 DAA: microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial quotient (qMIC), metabolic quotient (qCO₂), percentage of bean root colonisation by mycorrhizal fungi and grain yield at the end of the cycle. A greater microbial respiratory rate was observed under NTS, with fluazifop‐p‐butyl providing the lowest respiration. At 12 DAA, MBC and qMIC were most affected negatively by fomesafen and by the commercial mixture of the two herbicides. Mycorrhizal colonisation was affected by the herbicides only at 12 DAA under CTS; however, in both periods, the highest value was found under NTS. All the herbicides caused a decrease in the MBC and qMIC values at 51 DAA; the qCO₂, which is related to the soil system stability, indicated a greater NTS balance over CTS. The herbicide fomesafen induced lower stability in the system. Lower grain yield was obtained without weed control (no herbicides) and with fomesafen‐only treatments, which may be attributed to the high weed infestation in the experimental area.     

Effects of a magnetic field and adjuvant in the efficacy of cycloxydim and clodinafop‐propargyl on the control of wild oat (Avena fatua)

The reduction of herbicide applications is a main research priority in recent years. One way to achieve this goal is by using adjuvants that can increase the efficacy of foliar‐applied herbicides by reducing surface tension. Previous studies have shown that the surface tension of distilled water decreases under the influence of a magnetic field. In order to compare the effects of a magnetic field and Frigate in clodinafop‐propargyl and cycloxydim in controlling wild oat and evaluating the surface tension, a dose–response greenhouse experiment was conducted by using 0, 8, 16, 32, 48, and 64 g ai ha^?1 of clodinafop‐propargyl and 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g ai ha^?1 of cycloxydim with Frigate and/or by passing them through a magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate caused a significant reduction in the surface tension of the herbicide solutions. But, Frigate was more effective in reducing the surface tension of the herbicide solutions, compared with the magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate increased the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and cycloxydim remarkably. Frigate increased the efficacy of the herbicides more than did the magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate collectively had more of an effect on the herbicides' efficacy than when they were applied individually. The magnetic field and Frigate were more effective in increasing the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl than that of cycloxydim.     

Increased foliar activity of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl by surfactants and their synergistic action on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

Surfactants can improve postemergence herbicide efficacy and reduce the amount of herbicide required to obtain weed control. The effect of surfactants on the efficacy of herbicides is complicated and depends on the interaction among the plant, surfactant, and herbicide. The effects of surfactants on the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) under greenhouse conditions were investigated. In addition, the surface tension of aqueous solutions of the surfactants and surfactants + herbicides was determined. Significantly lower surface tension values were obtained with the aqueous solutions of citofrigate (Citogate plus Frigate) alone and with the herbicides used in this study. The citofrigate surfactant lead to the greatest enhancement of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl efficacy and the effect was species‐dependent. The efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl in the presence of surfactants in controlling wild oat was higher than for wild mustard. The foliar activity of the tested herbicides rose with increasing surfactant concentrations. The tank mixture of clodinafop‐propargyl and tribenuron‐methyl showed a synergistic effect in controlling wild oat and wild mustard. The synergistic effect in controlling wild mustard was greater than for wild oat.     

Rainfastness and adsorption of herbicides on hard surfaces

Herbicides are still used to control weeds on hard surfaces, including municipal, private and industrial sites. Used under unfavourable conditions, especially when rain occurs shortly after application, herbicides may run off to surface waters. Such losses of herbicides from hard surfaces are estimated to be much higher than for herbicides used in arable fields. In this study, three kinds of hard surface were evaluated: asphalt, concrete surface and gravel (fine and coarse). Three herbicides were applied: glyphosate, diuron and diflufenican. Adsorption isotherms of diuron and diflufenican to the three surfaces were determined. At different times after treatment with the herbicides, rainfall was simulated by use of a rain-droplet spray nozzle, and the run-off was collected for analysis. After this run-off event, the materials were immersed in water to measure desorption which, together with the compound in the run-off, gave a measure of the dislodgable residues. The apolar herbicides diuron and especially diflufenican adsorbed strongly to asphalt. The polar herbicide glyphosate lost 75% in run-off from asphalt but was adsorbed strongly to soil and concrete pavement.     

Seed germination behavior of glyphosate‐resistant and susceptible Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)

Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is one of the most difficult annual weeds to control in cultivation systems worldwide, especially in temperate regions. The widespread use of herbicides in the past two decades has selected resistant biotypes of ryegrass in crops in Southern Brazil. Ryegrass seeds are dormant when disseminated and germination can be staggered over time (crop‐growing season). Knowledge of the germination behavior of seeds from herbicide‐resistant plants has been little studied, but it would be very useful in integrated weed management. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the dynamics of the soil seed bank of two biotypes of L. multiflorum, one glyphosate‐resistant and the other glyphosate‐susceptible, under a no‐tillage system. The treatments were arranged in a bifactorial scheme, using seeds from biotypes (glyphosate‐resistant and glyphosate‐susceptible) with monthly periods of removal from field (one to 12 months). Seeds of each biotype were placed on the soil surface and covered with soil and straw to simulate no‐till conditions. The percentage of germinated, dormant, and dead seeds was evaluated every 30 days. The ryegrass seed bank of glyphosate‐susceptible and glyphosate‐resistant biotypes was reduced to 11 and 15% of dormant seeds, respectively, at the end of 12 months. However, there was no variation in germination, dormancy, and seed mortality between susceptible and glyphosate‐resistant ryegrass. Seeds of glyphosate‐resistant biotype and susceptible showed germination behavior with similar dynamics in the soil over a period of 12 months.     

Sorption-desorption of flucarbazone and propoxycarbazone and their benzenesulfonamide and triazolinone metabolites in two soils

Sorption-desorption interactions of pesticides with soil determine the availability of pesticides in soil for transport, plant uptake and microbial degradation. These interactions are affected by the physical and chemical properties of the pesticide and soil and, for some pesticides, their residence time in the soil. While sorption-desorption of many herbicides has been characterised, very little work in this area has been done on herbicide metabolites. The objective of this study was to characterise sorption-desorption of two sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides, flucarbazone and propoxycarbazone, and their benzenesulfonamide and triazolinone metabolites in two soils with different physical and chemical properties. K(f) values for all four chemicals were greater in clay loam soil, which had higher organic carbon and clay contents than loamy sand. K(f-oc) ranged from 29 to 119 for the herbicides and from 42 to 84 for the metabolites. Desorption was hysteretic in every case. Lower desorption in the more sorptive system might indicate that hysteresis can be attributed to irreversible binding of the molecules to soil surfaces. These data show the importance of characterisation of both sorption and desorption of herbicide residues in soil, particularly in the case of prediction of herbicide residue transport. In this case, potential transport of sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicide metabolites would be overpredicted if parent chemical soil sorption values were used to predict transport.     

土壤湿度对三氮苯类除草剂药效的影响及优化方案

以稗草为生物测定材料,运用二次正交旋转组合设计,以土壤湿度和除草剂用量二因子为决策变量,对稗草的抑制率为目标函数,研究土壤湿度对三氮苯类除草剂药效的影响。结果表明,适当的土壤水分是三氮苯类除草剂发挥药效的重要因素,药效随土壤湿度的提高而提高。不同的土壤湿度对不同除草剂药效影响各异,高湿条件下,湿度差异对药效影响大小依次为嗪草酮、西草净、扑草净、莠去津,低湿条件下则相反。除草剂用量与土壤湿度存在最佳发挥药效的组合。     

Are pre‐spraying growing conditions a major determinant of herbicide efficacy?

To evaluate the effect of pre‐spraying growing conditions on herbicide efficacy, two years of experimentation were conducted in which Persicaria maculosa plants were exposed to different light intensities for 1–4 days before metribuzin treatment. Specific leaf area, rather than plant growth rate or plant size, was the only parameter that correlated well with herbicide efficacy in both years of experimentation. The negative relationship between the ED₅₀ and the specific leaf area indicates that leaf characteristics might be an important determinant of herbicide efficacy, for instance through an effect on herbicide uptake. In the third year of experimentation this hypothesis was further investigated by raising six cohorts of weed plants at a 1‐week interval and thus exposing them to a range of weather conditions. Clear relationships between uptake and herbicide efficacy were found for a combination of four plant species (Solanum nigrum, Senecio vulgaris, Chenopodium album and Brassica napus) and two herbicides (phenmedipham and bentazone). For phenmedipham, uptake was negatively correlated with global radiation and positively correlated with relative humidity. For the herbicide bentazone the opposite was found. These results were not species‐specific. This study shows the importance of the sensitivity of herbicide × species combinations and indicates that pre‐spraying weather information is relevant for the development of reduced dose rate recommendations.