Effect of ammonium sulphate and related salts on the phytotoxicity of dichlorprop and other herbicides used for broadleaved weed control in cereals

In glasshouse experiments, additions of 10–100 g 1^?1 ammonium sulphate enhanced the phytotoxicity to broadleaved weeds and cereals of several water-soluble herbicides applied post-emergence in 75–300 1 ha^?1 with hydraulic nozzles. Studies with dichlorprop potassium salt and chickweed Stellaria media (L.) Vill. examined interactions between ammonium sulphate and environmental, application and formulation factors. Simulated rainfall immediately after spraying greatly reduced dichlorprop activity, whether or not ammonium sulphate was present. However, when there was an interval of 2–24 h between spraying and rainfall, the additive increased phytotoxicity. Surfactants tended to reduce dichlorprop phytotoxicity to Stellaria media, both in the presence and absence of ammonium sulphate. Certain other inorganic salts including sodium sulphate also enhanced phytotoxicity. Applications by rotary atomizer in very low spray volume (15 1 ha^?1, 250–280 μm drops) were less effective than conventional 150 1 ha^?1 applications. When very low volume application was used, addition of ammonium sulphate or nitrate tended to reduce activity further. In the field, ammonium sulphate significantly increased the effects against weeds of a commercial dichlorprop potassium salt formulation applied conventionally in 200 1 ha^?1 spray volume. Neutralized phosphoric acid had a similar effect but a mixture of this additive and ammonium sulphate reduced phytotoxicity. Both additives slightly increased dichlorprop injury to barley.     

Diclofop-methyl antagonism by broadleaf weed herbicides: the importance of leaf expansion rate

Avena saliva cv. Amuri and A. fatua were sprayed with diclofop methyl (1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1) alone and in combination with 2,4-D (1.1 kg a.i. ha^?1), bentazone (1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1), chlorsulfuron (15 g a.i. ha^?1) or dicamba (0.3 kg a.i. ha^?1). Effects of the herbicides on leaf extension rate during the first 8 to 10 days after spraying and subsequent growth (dry weight) after 57–75 days were determined by comparison with unsprayed plants. Diclofop-methyl applied alone did not cause a decrease in leaf extension rate of A. saliva or A. fatua until at least 4 days after spraying. All broadleaf weed herbicides in combination with diclofop-methyl caused a decrease in leaf extension rate of both species within 2 days of spraying. Ten days after spraying, leaf extension rates for plants sprayed with a broadleaf weed herbicide plus diclofopmethyl (all combinations) were lower than for unsprayed plants but greater than for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. With the exception of A. fatua sprayed with bentazone, long-term growth of plants sprayed with a broadleaf weed herbicide plus diclofop-methyl (all combinations) was lower than for unsprayed plants but greater than for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. Bentazone applied with diclofop-methyl caused a substantial decrease in leaf extension rate of A. fatua within 24 h of spraying but at harvest, dry weight of plants from this treatment was similar to or less than that for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. Application of diclofop-methyl with bentazone at a rate of 0.3 kg a.i. ha^?1 also caused a reduction in leaf extension rate of A. fatua within one day of spraying. At this rate of bentazone, dry weight of plants at harvest was intermediate to that of unsprayed plants and those sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. It is proposed that decreased leaf expansion rate during the first few days afte spraying is the cause of broadleaf weed herbicide antagonism of diclofop-methyl.     

Effects of repeated applications of fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop and sethoxydim on Elymus repens in strawberries

Fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop and sethoxydim with adjuvant oil were applied for three successive growing seasons to established strawberries infested with Elymus repens. The weed was virtually eradicated by three applications of haloxyfop (0.8 kg a.e. ha^?1) in successive years. A similar effect was given by five applications of haloxyfop (0.4 kg a.e. ha^?1) and fluazifop-butyl (1.6 kg AI ha^?1) in three growing seasons. Lower rates of haloxyfop and fluazifop-butyl, and a high rate of sethoxydim (1.6 kg AI ha^?1) applied five times were less effective, the ground cover of E. repens shoots not being reduced by the end of the experiment although weight of living rhizome was only 10-30% of that on untreated plots. Fruit yields on treated plots generally reflected the level of E. repens control, but there was some evidence of crop phytotoxicity from herbicide treatments. During the experiment E. repens untreated plots increased from about 30-100% ground cover and reduced yield 13, 28 and 68% in successive years compared with weed-free plots.     

An approach to investigate the costs of herbicide‐resistant Alopecurus myosuroides

Herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides causes severe problems in Western European cropping systems. Costs of herbicide resistance were investigated in this study by analysing variable production costs and sales revenues. Three farms were selected for this study, with winter wheat as the dominating crop in all farms. Resistance in A. myosuroides populations was verified at all locations. Four farming approaches were simulated over a period of 20 years: (i) continuing the actual cropping system without increase of resistance, (ii) continuing the actual cropping system with increase of resistance, (iii) changing cropping practice to overcome resistance and (iv) changing cropping practice to prevent resistance. Contribution margins representing the proportion of sales revenue that is not consumed by variable costs were calculated for all approaches. Comparative static simulations showed that average contribution margins in a cropping system with more than 60% winter cereals and reduced tillage practice dropped from 807 € ha^?1 a^?1 without herbicide resistance to 307 € ha^?1 a^?1 with herbicide resistance. Alopecurus myosuroides population densities increased to more than 1000 plants m^?2. Diverse crop rotations, including spring crops, clover–grass leys and intensive tillage, suppressed A. myosuroides populations, and average contribution margin was 630 € ha^?1 a^?1. Preventive methods with rotations of winter cereals and spring crops with less clover–grass leys resulted in an average contribution margin of 691 € ha^?1 a^?1. In conclusion, rotations of winter cereals and spring crops combined with inversion tillage and herbicides provide stable yields and can prevent weed population increase.     

Abscisic acid as a protectant of Avena fatua L. against diclofop-methyl activity

The imposition of water stress before or al the time of spraying diclofop-methyl reduced efficacy against wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Similar reductions in herbicide performance were obtained by application of 20 μg of the methyl ester of abscisic acid (ABA) to plants with three to four leaves before spraying with I kg ha^?1 diclofop-methyl. Application of 40–100 μg ABA per plant effectively protected plants against damage from diclofop-methyl applied at 1 5–2 0 kg ha ^?1. The application of 20 μg ABA induced rapid stomatal closure and a reduction in leaf extension rate, which were sustained for 7–8 days after treatment. These changes were associated with an overall reduction in shoot growth. ABA-treated plants that were additionally sprayed with diclofop-methyl sustained ABA symptoms, but no additional weight loss or leaf chlorosis. The mechanism of the protective action of ABA on diclofop-methyl has not been determined.     

Sugarbeet tolerance and weed control efficacy with split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham

Sugarbeet and weeds were treated with phenmedipham plus desmedipham either as single applications or as split applications in which 50% of the equivalent single application rate was applied at each application. Split application did not alter the phytotoxicity to the crop when environmental conditions did not predispose the Sugarbeet to injury by the herbicide. Split applications at 1-1 or 1-4 kg ha^?1 spaced from 0-5 to c. 5 days apart caused more injury to the crop than the respective single applications when environmental conditions were such that injury to the crop resulted from the single applications. Injury to Sugarbeet following application of 0-72 kg ha^?1 of phenmedipham plus desmedipham was always low, regardless of the type of application. Susceptible weeds were controlled by single applications of 1 1-1 ?4 kg ha^?1, but 0-72 kg ha^?1 did not reliably provide adequate control. Split applications c. 3-8 days apart gave improved control. Control achieved by 0-72 kg ha^?1 of the herbicide applied as split treatments equalled or exceeded that produced by single applications of 1-4 kg ha^?1. Improvement in the control of tolerant weed species by split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham was species dependent. Use of low-rate split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham thus resulted in reduced injury to the Sugarbeet, and the introduction of less herbicide into the ecosystem, while maintaining or improving the control of susceptible weeds.     

Diclofop-methyl tolerance in cultivated oats (Avena sativa L.)

The feasibility of achieving selective wild oat (Avena fatua L.) control in a stand of the Australian oat (Avena sativa L.) cv. Savena I was examined. Diclofop-methyl was applied at rates of 0·4–0·7 kg a.i. ha^?1 at the three- and five-leaf stages of A. fatua (84–132 culms m²). Although all rates of diclofop-methyl caused initial chlorosis and necrosis to the crop, the subsequent control of A. fatua permitted increased crop tillering. Avena fatua control and crop yield response were maximized when diclofop-methyl was applied at the three-leaf stage. Crop grain yield was increased by as much as 32% and 22% during 1984 and 1985, respectively. In the absence of A. fatua competition, crop shoot dry weight at ear emergence was reduced only where diclofop-methyl was applied at 0·6 or 0·7 kg ha^?1. However, final grain yield was not reduced by any treatment. Only 11 of 240 cultivars or lines tolerated diclofop-methyl, and none reached the level attained by Savena I and a closely related Australian line [(Irwin × (West × New Zealand Cape/42)) × West]/24. The nature of the inheritance of diclofop-methyl tolerance was examined (1983–1985) by crossing and backcrossing (BC) Savena I with four diclofop-methyl susceptible, but agronomically superior, lines. Inheritance of diclofop-methyl tolerance appeared to be controlled by two genes, with susceptibility being dominant to tolerance in F₃, BCIF₂ and BCIF₃ lines.     

Effects of application method on the performance of some soil-applied herbicides. I. Glasshouse experiments

Chlortoluron, propyzamide, terbutryne and nitrofen were applied to the soil in pots with a rotary atomizer at 301 ha^?1, with a conventional hydraulic nozzle at 400 1 ha^?1 at several doses, or as discrete 2-μl drops applied with a microsyringe at 2-cm spacings. The test plants were Alopecurus myosuroides, Stellaria media, Chenopodium album, Avena fatua, perennial ryegrass and radish. Chlortoluron, propyzamide and terbutryne had the same activities following the rotary atomizer or conventional spray application but the rotary atomizer application of nitrofen was less effective against A. fatua than the conventional spray treatment. Chlortoluron, propyzamide and terbutryne showed appreciable activity applied as drops 2 cm apart at rates equivalent to 2 kg ai ha^?1, on plants growing equidistant from the drops, but nitrofen showed no activity under these circumstances. The activity of chlortoluron was investigated at different soil moisture contents; it was more active when applied to moist soil than to dry soil which was not wetted for at least 10 h. Application method did not affect this response     

Efficacies of low- to high-volume (960-10 700 litre ha− 1) citrus sprayers for applying petroleum spray oil to control chinese wax scale

Petroleum spray oil (2, 4 and 6% in water) was applied to Valencia orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, for the control of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis del Guercio, using a low-volume ( <2000 litre ha^?1)air-blast (LV AB) sprayer, a low- to high-volume (L-HV) (up to 7000 litre ha^?1) sprayer with four fan-assisted rotary atomiser (FARA) spray heads mounted on a vertical tower, and a high-volume (>7000 litre ha^?1) oscillating boom (HV OB) sprayer. The most effective sprayer was the L-HV FARA sprayer. The most cost-effective treatment was a 20 ml litre^?1 (60 litre oil ha^?1) spray applied at 3000 litre ha^?1 by the L-HV FARA sprayer. It gave mortality equivalent to a standard 20 ml litre^?1, 10 700 litre ha^?1 spray (214 litre oil ha^?1) applied by the HV OB sprayer but with 72% less spray and significantly less oil deposited per cm² of leaf area. Equivalent or significantly (P = 0·05) higher mortality than that given by the 10 700 litre ha^?1 HV OB spray was given by the 40 ml litre^?1, 3000 (120 litre oil ha^?1) and 60 ml litre^?1, 2180 and 3000 litre ha^?1 (130·8 and 180 litre oil ha^?1) L-HV FARA sprays, but the 60 ml litre^?1 sprays deposited more oil per cm² than the 20 ml litre^?1 HV OB spray and were considered to be potentially phytotoxic. The least effective sprayer was the LV AB sprayer, which applied a 60 ml litre^?1 spray (57·6 litre oil ha^?1) at 960 litre ha^?1. Linear relationships were established for Chinese wax scale mortality, transformed using an angular transformation (arcsin proportion), versus log₁₀ spray volume for the 20, 40 and 60 ml litre^?1 sprays applied by L-HV FARA at 1260,2180 and 3000 litre ha^?1, mortality versus log₁₀ μg oil cm^?2 and log₁₀ μg oil versus log₁₀ volume of oil sprayed.     

The effect of the physico-chemical stability of emulsions of an ester of 2, 4-D on their biological activity

The phytotoxicity of oil-in-water emulsions containing the ‘iso-octyl’ ester of 2, 4-D [(2, 4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], prepared by the dilution of emulsifiable concentrates, to Phaseolus vulgaris, was found to be independent of the surfactant concentration (‘Synperonic NPE 1800’ + ‘Ethoduomeen T20’) and of the emulsion stability. Moreover, spray retention was also independent of the surfactant concentration within the range studied (0.01-150 g litre^?1); this could be accounted for in terms of the energetic processes involved during impaction, and the subsequent adhesion of the spray droplets to the target surface. However, the independence of the phytotoxicity of the surfactant concentration and emulsion stability was not expected, and some tentative explanations are given for these results.     

Effects of application method on the performance of some soil-applied herbicides II. Field studies

Plots sown with a range of test species were treated with chlortoluron, nitrofen, propyzamide or terbutryne applied at several doses either by rotary atomizer (30 1 ha^?1), conventional hydraulic nozzle (250 1 ha^?1) or dribble bar (with orifices spaced at 2-cm intervals) (520 1 ha^?1). The performance of chlortoluron, propyzamide and terbutryne was similar with all the methods used, regardless of soil and weather conditions. Vertical movement in the soil was similar for each application method. Horizontal variability following dribble-bar application was measured for chlortoluron and was very large across short distances but weed control was as uniform as with the other application methods. In a further experiment, the phytotoxicity of chlortoluron applied by each of the three methods was less in a seed bed prepared by minimum tillage following straw burning than in a ploughed and cultivated seed bed. Activity following minimum tillage and straw baling was intermediate. This difference in phytotoxicity probably resulted from greater adsorption in the surface layers of the minimal cultivation treatments.     

The use of bendiocarb in ryegrass establishment

Problems with the establishment of autumn-reseeded ryegrass can be attributed to a number of causes, one of which is damage by pests, particularly larvae of shoot-boring flies such as the frit fly (Oscinella frit). In trials over a period of 2 years, bendiocarb has been tested as a seed treatment and as spray and granule formulations for the protection of ryegrass seedlings from pest attack. The trials have included both conventional broadcasting of seed following ploughing of the old sward, and direct drilling following the use of total herbicide. Seed treatments at rates of 10 g a.i. kg^?1 of seed and above have given greatly improved plant stands, resulting in yield increases in some trials. Spray and granule applications at 0.5-1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1 have significantly improved establishment at some sites. Bendiocarb has also been tested on spring reseeded leys and although results have been less dramatic than on autumn sowings, significant increases in plant stand were obtained. No evidence of phytotoxicity has been found with any variety of Italian or perennial ryegrass which has been tested, nor with timothy and cocksfoot which have been included in mixtures.     

Distribution and activity of spray deposits in an oak canopy following aerial application of diluted and undiluted formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner against the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The distribution and biological activity of spray deposits resulting from aerial applications of diluted and undiluted Bacillus thuringiensis, ‘Dipel 64AF’ against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., were examined in oak stands in south-eastern Ontario, Canada. The sprays were applied by fixed-wing aircraft equipped with four ‘Micronair AU4000’ atomizers. Application of diluted formulation at 30 BIU ha^?1 in 6.0–6.4 litre generally resulted in a higher droplet density (10–28 cm ^?2 leaf) than application of undiluted product at the same dosage rate in 1.8 litre ha^?1 (4–10 cm ^?2). However, spray deposits of undiluted product with a volume median diameter (D_v.5) of 90–130 μm caused as much mortality of gypsy moth larvae in bioassays of sprayed foliage as deposits of diluted product with a D_v.5 of 150–350 μm despite a two- to three-fold reduction in droplet density. Our data suggest that by using fine spray atomization, undiluted application of these formulations can offer the same efficacy against gypsy moth as coarsely atomized sprays of diluted product.     

Effect of ammonium sulphate and other additives upon the phytotoxicity of glyphosate to Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv

In several pot and field experiments additions of 1–10% w/v ammonium sulphate and/or 0.1–2.5% w/v surfactant increased the phytotoxicity to A. repens of sprays containing 0.2–0.5 kg/ha glyphosate. There were similar results with technical glyphosate-isopropylamine salt and formulated ‘Roundup’. Higher ammonium sulphate concentrations were sometimes antagonistic. Additions of ammonium sulphate without surfactant generally had less effect on phytotoxicity. While several surfactants increased glyphosate activity the order of effectiveness of these products varied according to whether or not ammonium sulphate was also present. When used alone, relatively hydrophilic non-ionic or cationic products had more effect. In mixtures with ammonium sulphate, however more lipophilic surfactants gave superior results. Ammonium sulphate (5%) with a lipophilic cationic surfactant (0.5% Ethomeen C12) enhanced the effects of very low volume controlled-drop applications as well as conventional medium volume sprays. In a field trial 0.25 kg/ha glyphosate applied with those additives in 20 l/ha of spray had as much effect on bud viability as l kg/ha applied conventionally.     

Effect of chlorsulfuron on four graminicides for weed control and wheat yield

In field experiments with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Neepawa), the low rate (0·02 kg ha^-1) of chlorsulfuron significantly reduced wild oat control from individual applications of only barban and diclofop-methyl. The high rate (008 kg ha^-1) affected wild oat control by all four graminicides, including difenzoquat and flam-prop-methyl. In most cases, the graminicides did not affect the broad-leaved weed control of chlorsulfuran. Overall, a low rate of chlorsulfuron in mixture with graminicides did not reduce wheat yield, whereas a high rate of chlorsulfuron in the mixtures gave a significant yield reduction compared with individual graminicides applied alone. All herbicide treatments increased wheat yield over the control. In the glasshouse, reduction in wild oat control by diclofop-methyl was directly related to the rate of chlorsulfuron added to diclofop-methyl. The effect of 0·02 kg ha^-1 chlorsulfuron on control of wild oat was decreased when the rate of diclofop-methyl increased from 0·5 to 0·9 kg ha^-1 and was completely eliminated when diclofop-methyl reached 1·1 kg ha^-1. Conversely, diclofop-methyl (0·7 and 1·1 kg ha^-1) gave some reduction of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retrofiexus L.) control by chlorsulfuron (0·01 and 0·02 kg ha^-1), even though in some cases diclofop-methyl/chlorsul-furon gave better control of these broad-leaved weeds. In the laboratory, the absorption and translocation of [¹⁴C]-diclofop-nieihyl in wild oat seedlings were significantly reduced when chlorsulfuron was added, compared with [¹⁴C]-diclo-fop-methyl applied alone. Effet du chlorsulfuron sur l'efficacité et l'effet sur le rendement de quatre graminicides Dans des essais de plein champ sur blé de printemps (Triticuni aestivum L., cv. Neepawa), la faible dose (0, 02 kg ha^-1) de chlorsulfuron a réduit significativement l'efficacité d'une application séparée de barbane et de diclofop-methyl. La forte dose (0, 08 kg ha^-1) a contrarié la destruction de la folle avoine pour les quatre graminicides dont le difenzoquat et le flamprop-methyl. Dans la plupart des cas, les graminicides n'ont pas eu d'incidence sur la destruction des dicotylédones par le chlorsulfuron. Par ailleurs. une faible dose de chlorsulfuron en mélange avec les graminicides n'a pas réduit le rendement en blé, en revanche, une forte dose de chlorsulfuron en mélange a entrainé une baisse significative de rendement en comparaison des graminicides appliqués seuls. Tous les traitements herbicides ont entrainé un gain de rendement par rapport au témoin non traité. En serre, la réduction d'efficacité sur folle avoine du diclofop-methyl était directement correlée à la dose de chlorsulfuron ajouté. Les effets de 0, 02 kg ha^-1 sur la destruction de la folle avoine baissaient quand le niveau de diclofop-methyl augmentait de 0,5 à 0,9 kg ha^-1 et étaient complètement éliminés quand la dose de diclofop-methyl atteignait 1, 1 kg ha^-1. Par ailleurs, le diclofop-méthyl (0,7 et 1,1 kg ha^-1) a réduit l'efficacité du chlorsulfuron (0,01 et 0,02 kg ha^-1) sur la sanve (Sinapis arvensis L.) et l'amaranthe réflechie (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) même si dans certains cas l'association diclofop-mélhyl-chtorsulfuron a eu une meilleure efficacité sur ces mauvaises herbes. Au laboratoire, l'ab sorption et la translocation du diclofop-methyl C¹⁴ dans les plantules de folle avoine ont été réduites significativement par l'addition de chlor-sulfuron en comparaison du diciofop-méthyl C¹⁴ appliqué seul. Wirkung von Chlorsulfuron zusammen mil Vier Graminiziden auf die Unkrautbekämpfung und den Ertrag von Weizen In Freilandversuehen mit Sommerweizen (Triticum aesttotm L. ‘Neepawa’) verminderie Chlorsulfuron in niedriger Aufwandmenge (0,02 kg ha^-1) den Bekämpfungserfolg gegen Flug-Hafer nur bei Barban und Diclofop-menthyl. Die hohe Aufwandmenge (0,08 kg ha^-1)beeinträchtigte die Wirkung aller 4 Graminizide, einschliesslich Difenzoquat und Flamprop-methyl. Die Graminizide beeinfiussten die Wirkung von Chlorsulfuron gegen zweikeimblättrige Arten meistens nicht, Der Weizenertrag blieb bei der Mischung der niedrigen Aufwandmenge von Chlorsulfuron mit den Graminiziden unverändert, die hohe Aufwandmenge führte aber in den Mischungen zu einem signifikaten Abfall des Ertrags, vergli-chen mit dem bei Anwendung der Graminizide allein. Mit allen Herbizidbehandlungen wurden gegenüber Unbehandelt höhere Erträge erzielt. Im Gewächshaus war die Wirkung von Diclofopmethyl gegen Flug-Hafer direkt von der zugefügten Menge an Chlorsulfuron abhängig. Der Einfluss von 0,02 kg ha^-1 Chlorsulfuron aif die Bekämpfung von Fiug-Hafer nahm ab. wenn die Aufwundmenge von Diclofop-methyl von 0,5 auf 0,9 kg ha^-1 gesteigert wurde; bei 1, 1 kg ha^-1 Diclofop-methyl war er aufgehoben. Andererseits trat bei 0,7 und 1,1 kg ha^-1 Diclofop-methyl eine Minderung der Wirkung von Chlosulfuron (0,01 und 0,02 kg ha^-1) gegen Acker-Senf (Sina-psis arvensis L.) und Zurückgekrümmten Fuchsschwanz (Amarenthus retroflexus L.) ein, wenn auch dise Mischung in einigen Fällen gegen dise Arten starker wirkte. Im Labor wurde einc signifikant geringere Absorption und Trans-lokation von ¹⁴C-Diclofop-methyl in Keimpflan-zen des Flug-Hafers beobachtet, wenn Chlorsulfuron zugefügt worden war.     

Effects of fluazifop-butyl on shoot growth and rhizome buds of Elymus repens (L.) Gould

A series of glasshouse experiments was conducted to evaluate the activity of fluazifop-butyl, butyl 2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate, against Elymus repens. Foliar applications of doses 0·25–1·0 kg ha^?1 consistently gave better control than did soil applications. The most obvious phytotoxic symptoms were chlorosis and necrosis, beginning with the youngest leaves 5–6 days after spraying, which spread to all leaves within 2 weeks. Translocation was measured by defoliating plants at different times after spraying and assessing regrowth and by evaluating rhizome-bud viability. At low doses (0·125 and 0·25 kg ha^?1) translocation to rhizomes occurred mainly between 6 and 48 h. When fluazifop-butyl was sprayed at a dose range of 0·125–1·0 kg ha^?1, at least 90% of the rhizome buds had accumulated a lethal dose within 72 h of spraying. In another experiment, with a dose of 0·25 kg ha^?1, 31, 72 and 92% of rhizome buds were found to be non-viable when sampled 2, 24 and 48 h respectively after spraying. At 1·0 kg ha^?1 all the buds had accumulated sufficient herbicide to prevent sprouting 48 h after spraying.     

Reinvestigating adjuvants for the wild oat herbicide,flamprop-M-isopropyl. II: Field performance

A field trials programme was conducted in which the performance of a new emulsifiable concentrate formulation (ECI) of flamprop-M-isopropyl containing the adjuvant, ‘Dobanol’ 25-7, in a ratio of 2:1 (by weight) with the AI, was compared with the current commercial formulation of ‘Commando’, in combination with its recommended adjuvant, ‘Swirl’, for the control of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A further treatment, in which the ‘Dobanol’ 25-7: AI ratio was increased to 4:1 by the spray tank addition of the former, was also included. The mean results from six trials (five wheat, one barley) showed that the addition of ‘Swirl’ to ‘Commando’ was beneficial, increasing wild oat floret control from a mean value of 80% to 92% at current recommended rates (flamprop-M-isopropyl, 600 g ha^?1; ‘Swirl’, 2.5 litre ha^?1). However, combinations of flamprop-M-isopropyl and ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 gave superior levels of control even at lower AI application rates. For example, a mean level of 96% control of Avena spp. was obtained at 300 g AI ha^?1 with 1200 g ha^?1 ‘Dobanol’ 25–7; with even better control at higher rates of application of both components. This improvement in performance was accompanied by a higher risk of crop phytotoxicity than observed with the ‘Commando’/‘Swirl’ mixtures. Symptoms initially were scorch and subsequently growth depression, particularly of tillers. None of the mean values in the six ‘efficacy’ trials reached commercially unacceptable levels, but in a further six ‘crop effects’ trials (three wheat, three barley), in which double rates were applied, the levels of phytotoxicity did become unacceptable and subsequently reduced grain yields. In contrast, two barley ‘crop effects’ trials gave yields higher than the control plots, possibly through the effects of reducing stem length and lodging thereby enabling more efficient harvesting. Nevertheless, there were rates of application of flamprop-M-isopropyl in the range 300–400 g ha^?1 with ratios of ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 in the range 2:1 to 4:1 that would achieve high levels of control of Avena spp. without undue risk of crop phytotoxicity and further trials are planned to support this new adjuvant system.     

Uptake of phorate by lettuce

Following experimental and commercial applications to soil of a granular formulalation of phorate (O,O-diethyl S-ethylthiomethyl phosphorodithioate), residues in the soil and in lettuce were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. When applied by the bow-wave method as a continuous logarithmically-changing dose ranging from approximately 0.9 to 16.0 kg a.i. ha^?1, the proportional rate of oxidation in soil of phorate sulphoxide to phorate sulphone was inversely related to dose. Ten weeks after application, total phorate residues in the soil had declined by about 35% at all dose levels. Residues in mature lettuce, from the 1-5 kg ha^?1 dose-range, comprised the parent and oxygen analogue sulphoxides and sulphones; the relative proportions of the individual metabolites were independent of dose. Over this dose-range, total residue concentrations in the crop became proportionally slightly greater with increasing dose. When single doses of 1.1, 2.0 or 2.2 kg a.i. ha^?1 were applied at drilling, the total residue concentrations in the lettuce declined from 5 mg kg^?1 in seedlings from some treatments to <0.05 mg kg^?1 at harvest. In plants raised in peat blocks containing 10 or 20 mg a.i. per block, however, residues in seedlings totalled 45-47 mg kg^?1 and declined to only 0.7 mg kg^?1 at harvest. It was concluded that bowwave applications of phorate when field-sowing lettuce were unlikely to lead to unacceptable residues in the harvested crop, but that residues in lettuce raised in phorate-treated peat blocks may be unacceptably high.     

Low doses of glyphosate change the responses of soyabean to subsequent glyphosate treatments

Many herbicides promote plant growth at doses well below the recommended application rate (hormesis). The objectives of this study were to evaluate glyphosate‐induced hormesis in soyabean (Glycine max) and determine whether pre‐treating soyabean seedlings with low doses of glyphosate would affect their response to subsequent glyphosate treatments. Seven doses (1.8–720 g a.e. ha^?1) of glyphosate were applied to 3‐week‐old seedlings, and the effects on the electron transport rate (ETR), metabolite (shikimate, benzoate, salicylate, AMPA, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan) levels and dry weight were determined. The lowest dose stimulated ETR and increased biomass the most. Benzoate levels increased 203% with 3.6 g a.e. ha^?1 glyphosate. Salicylate content and tyrosine content were unaffected, whereas phenylalanine and tryptophan levels were increased by 60 and 80%, respectively, at 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1. Dose–response curves for these three amino acids were typical for hormesis. In another experiment that was replicated twice, soyabean plants were pre‐treated with low doses of glyphosate (1.8, 3.6 or 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1) and treated with a second application of glyphosate (1.8, 3.6, 7.2, 36, 180 or 720 g a.e. ha^?1) 14 days later. For total seedling dry weight, a 3.6 and 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1 glyphosate dose preconditioned the soyabean seedlings to have greater growth stimulation by a later glyphosate treatment than plants with no preconditioning glyphosate exposure. Optimal hormetic doses were generally higher with pre‐treated plants than plants that had not been exposed to glyphosate. Thus, pre‐exposure to low doses of glyphosate can change the hormetic response to later low‐dose exposures.     

Surfactant and salt affect glyphosate retention and absorption

The influence of nonylphenoxy surfactants and glyphosate salt formulation on spray retention, phytotoxicity and [¹⁴C]glyphosate uptake was investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L). and Kochia scoparia L. The amount of spray retained, and uptake of [¹⁴C]glyphosate increased with increasing hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of surfactants. The volume of spray delivered to the plant treatment area and retained by wheat and K. scoparia plants increased with increasing surfactant HLB values, but this only partly accounted for the higher spray retention. Spray retention by leaves of plants was not affected by calcium chloride, either alone or with ammonium sulphate in the glyphosate spray solution. [¹⁴C]Glyphosate absorption by wheat and K. scoparia was reduced by calcium chloride alone, but not in mixtures with ammonium sulphate, regardless of surfactant. Phytotoxicity and uptake of glyphosate salt formulations for wheat was: isopropylamine > ammonium > sodium > calcium; these results indicate that the surfactant selected is important to maintain glyphosate efficacy and that sodium and calcium cations antagonize glyphosate by forming salts that are absorbed less than commercial isopropylamine formulations.