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.     

Effect of fluazifop-butyl on the chlorophyll content, fluorescence and chloroplast ultrastructure of Elymus repens (L.) Gould. leaves

Some aspects of the action of fluazifop-butyl on the chlorophyll content, chloroplast functioning and chloroplast ultrastructure of Elymus repens are reported. Over a period of 0–12 days after spraying with 0.25 or 1.0 kg ha^?1 of the herbicide, chlorophyll a and b contents of this susceptible plant decreased, progressing from the youngest to the more mature leaves. Newly formed tillers and the youngest expanding leaves exhibited a more severe type of chlorosis and were often found to be devoid of chlorophyll. A similar progressive decline of the chlorophyll content was observed in an experiment where leaf segments were floated in fluazifop-butyl. Evidence of a rapid and significant alteration of the normal chlorophyll fluorescence of E. repens leaves treated with fluazifopbutyl was obtained. The herbicide, at a concentration range of 0.25–1.0 μg μ1^?1, caused a significant loss of the fast fluorescence rise, fluorescence yield and, after 24 h, caused a total abolition of the fluorescence decay (PS decas). These results are discussed. Ultrastructural damage to chloroplasts was seen within 24 h after treatment with fluazifop-butyl. This damage ranged from a partial to total disruption of the outer chloroplast envelope and a disorganization of the internal thylakoid system. Such Ultrastructural effects on chloroplasts were found to intensify up to about 6–7 days after spraying, by which time nearly all chloroplasts in tissue sections were affected to some degree.     

Influence of environmental factors on the performance of sethoxydim against Elymus repens (L.)

The performance of sethoxydim on Elymus repens (L.) Gould was studied under contrasting levels of humidity, light intensity, temperature, soil moisture and simulated rainfall using controlled environment chambers. Over a 24-h post-spraying period, increases in humidity and temperature markedly enhanced herbicide performance, while effects of light intensity were less pronounced. Soil moisture deficit significantly reduced herbicide performance, but there were no adverse effects of wet soil conditions (twice field capacity) on activity. The effects of simulated rain depended upon herbicide dosage, time interval between spraying and the onset of rain, and rain intensity. A low rain intensity of 0.5 mm h^?1 did not reduce herbicide performance even when applied 10 min after spraying. The longer term studies, over 4 weeks, showed increases in herbicide activity with higher temperatures but lower light intensities.     

Fate of glyphosate in Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. growing under low temperature conditions

Absorption, translocation and distribution of ¹⁴C-glyphosate were examined in Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. plants growing under field conditions in the autumn. Glyphosate absorption did not increase beyond 3 days after application, whereas translocation to the rhizomes continued up to 7 days after application. The translocated glyphosate accumulated more in new rhizomes than in older parts of the rhizomes. Ten per cent of the glyphosate translocated out of the treated shoot was recovered in younger shoots 7 days after application. Plants harvested the following spring contained less than 20% of the glyphosate originally applied. Although a growth cabinet experiment indicated that 34% of the glyphosate in the rhizomes of treated plants could be remobi-lized into new aerial shoots, considerably less was recovered in new, aerial shoots in the spring in the field-grown plants. Freezing experiments showed that glyphosate translocation to the rhizomes was only prevented when cold treatment caused visible damage to A. repens foliage.     

The effect of temperature and nitrogen level on the morphology of Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.

The effects of temperature and nitrogen level on the morphology of Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. were investigated in a factorial experiment involving three temperatures (10°, 15° and 20°C) and three nitrogen levels (15, 120 and 960 ppm N). The main effects on axillary bud outgrowth were found at 15 ppm N and 10°C. At 15 ppm N there was an increase in the frequency of dormant buds in the axils of the coleoptile and leaf 3, and a tendency for the buds in the axils of leaves 1 and 2 to produce rhizomes or rhizome-tillers instead of tillers. At 10°C there was a high proportion of dormant buds in the colcoptile axil but all buds in higher axils grew out. Both 15 ppm N and 10°C led to the production of relatively fewer secondary rhizomes and tillers. Maximum leaf length was attained at 20°C/120 ppm N, when leaves were 40–50% longer than those at 10°C/15 ppm N. Nitrogen level had little effect on total stem height, but at all nitrogen levels stem height and the height of individual internodes increased with increasing temperature. The size of the shoot apex and the number of leaf primordia borne on it increased with decreasing temperature and increasing nitrogen level. Effets de la temperature et du niveau d'azote sur la morphologie de l'Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. Les effets de la témperature et du niveau d'azote sur la morphologie de l'Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. ont étéétudiés dans une expérience factorielle mettant en jeu trois températures (10°, 15° et 20° C) et trois niveaux d'azote (15, 120 et 960 ppm). L'effet principal sur l'éclosion du bourgeon axillaire a été observéà 15 ppm d'azote et 10° C. A 15 ppm d'azote, il y a eu un accroissement de la fréquence des bourgeons dormants aux aisselles du coleoptile, et de la feuille 3, et une tendance pour les bourgeons aux aisselles des feuilles 1 et 2 à produire des rhizomes ou des tallesrhizomes au lieu de talles. A 10° C il y a eu une proportion élevée de bourgeons dormants à l'aisselle du coléoptile, mais tous les bourgeons des aisselles plus élevées sc sont dévetoppés. 15 ppm d'azolc et 10° C ont provoqué une production reiativement plus faible de rhizomes secondaires et de talles. La longueur maximale des feuilles a été atteinte a 20° C et 120 ppm d'azote, lorsque les feuilles furent 40 à 50% plus longues que celles obtenues a 10° C et 15 ppni d'azote. Le niveau d'azote a eu peu d'influence sur la hauteur totale de la tige, mais, à tous les niveaux d'azote, la hauteur de la tige et celle des internoeuds individuets a augments avec la temperature. La taille de l'apex des pousses et le nombre d'ébauches de feuilles apparaissant dessus a augmentéà mesure que la température diminuait et que s'accroissait le niveau d'azote. Die Wirkung von Temperatur und Stickstoffversorgung auf die Morphologie von Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. In einem mehrfaktoriellen Versuch wurde der Einfluβ von Temperatur (10, 15 and 20°C) und Stickstoffgaben (15, 120 und 960 ppm N) auf die Morphologie von Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. untcrsucht. Die Hauptwirkung auf den Austrieb der Achselknospen wurde bei 15 ppm N und 10°C beobachtet. Bei 15 ppm N war eine Zunahme in der Häufigkeit dormanter Knospen in der Koleoptilenachsel und der Achsel des dritten Blattes zu verzeichnen. Weiterhin bestand die Tendenz, daβ die Knospen in den Blattacbseln des 1. und des 2. Blattes Rhizome oder Rhizom-Bestockungstriebe siatt Bestockungstriebe bildelen. Bei 10°C war ein groβer Anteil dormanter Knospen in der Koleoptilachsel vorhanden; aber alle Knospen der höheren Achseln trieben aus. 15 ppm N, als auch 10°C bewirkten die Bildung von relaliv wenigen sekundären Rhizomen und Bestockungstrieben. Maximale Blattiängen wurden bei 20°C/120 ppm N erhalten. Hierbei waren die Blätter um 40–50% Iänger als bei 10°C/15 ppm N. Der Slickstoffgehalt hatte nur eine geringe Wirkung auf die gesamte Sproβhöhe, aber bei alien Stickstoffgehaiten nahm die Sproβhöhe und die Länge der Internodien mit steigender Temperatur zu. Das Ausmaβ der Sproβspitze und die Zahl der Blattaniagen nahm mit abnehmender Temperatur und steigender Stickstoffversorgung zu.     

Growth of Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. at different light intensities

Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. raised from rhizomes both responded to reduced light intensity by increased stem length, while the number of aerial shoots was reduced. The weight of the aerial parts was not influenced by a 50% reduction of the daylight intensity, but a further reduction of light caused a significant decrease in weight. The production of new rhizomes was more influenced by shading than were the aerial shoots. The consequence was an increase in the shoot/rhizome ratio. The food reserve per bud measured as inter-node weight in E. repens and A. gigantea was reduced only with intensive shading, and the vitality of the rhizomes appeared independent of light intensity. Intensive shading in early as compared to late summer caused a reduction in the number and weight of aerial shoots, but not in the weight of new rhizomes. Light intensities equal to those found in a spring wheat crop allowed more E. repens growth than light intensities equal to those in a spring oat crop. E. repens raised from seeds and grown at light intensities equal to those found in a cereal crop, showed insignificant rhizome production.     

Growth of seedlings of Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth in cereal crops

Experiments were undertaken to define the conditions under which seeds and seedlings of Agropyron repens and Agrostis gigantea may start infestations in cereal crops. When seedlings were planted early or late in spring wheat and spring barley, most growth of shoots and rhizomes was produced by Agropyron planted early in wheat. Late planting halved the amount of shoot growth and severely inhibited rhizome formation. In winter wheat given a moderate or zero amount of nitrogen fertilizer in spring, growth of the weed seedlings was slow. Rhizomes were not produced during the time the crop was growing but only after harvest. Agrostis made more growth than Agropyron in most treatments throughout most of the experiment. Late planting decreased growth more than in the spring cereals. Nitrogen fertilizer, although it had little effect on the amount of growth made by winter wheat, increased the growth of the early-planted seedlings but decreased that of the late-planted ones of both weed species. When planted into plots given nitrogen, more seedlings of both species died after late than after early planting. Clearly, the amount of growth and rhizome produced by seedlings of these two species will depend on the type of cereal, the time of emergence of the seedlings in relation to the cereal, and on other factors affecting the relative vigour of cereal and weed. Evidently, where the weed seedlings emerge early in weakly or moderately competitive cereal crops or when growth is unchecked in the cereal stubble, seedlings could give rise to infestations.     

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.     

The control of Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. in the stubble using glyphosate

A series of experiments using N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate) for controlling Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. is described. Glyphosate, applied to undisturbed stubble in 1971 and 1972 controlled A. repens well. Rotary cultivation 5 weeks (1971) or 8 weeks (1972) prior to treatment, or 8 days after treatment (1972) did not affect the subsequent control. In two out of three experiments control of this weed resulted in significant increases in barley yield. This increase especially in one experiment was partly due to the inability to produce a good seedbed on the untreated control plots because of the vegetation. On the site where no increase in yield was measured, the population of A. repens was much less. Lutte contre l'Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. dans les chaumes, avec le glyphosate Une série d'essais utilisant la N-(phosphonométhyl) glycine (glyphosate) pour lutter contre l'Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. sont décrits. Le glyphosate appliqué sur des chaumes non retournés en 1971 et 1972 a fait preuve d'une bonne efficacité contre A. repens. Une façon culturale rotative exécutée 5 semaines (1971) ou 8 semaines (1972) avant le traitement, ou 8 jours après le traitement (1972) n'a pas affecté Fefficacité ultérieure. Dans deux des essais sur trois, l'efficacité contre cette mauvaise herbe s'est traduite par une augmentation significative du rendement de l'orge. Cette augmentation, en particulier dans un essai, a été provoquée en partie par l'impossibilité d'obtenir un bon lit de semence dans les parcelles non traitées, en raison de la végétation. Dans les emplacements où il n'a pas élé constaté d'accroissement de rendement, la population d'A. repensétait beaucoup plus faible. Die Bekämpfung von Agropyron repens (i.) Beauv. auf der Stoppel mit Glyphosate Es wird eine Reihe von Versuchen beschrieben, in denen N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycin (Glyphosate) zur Bekämpfung von Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. eingesetzt wurde. Die Anwendung von Glyphosate in unbearbeiteter Stoppel in den Jahren 1971 und 1972, führte zu einer guten Bekämpfung von A. repens. Fräsen 5 Wochen (1971) bzw. 8 Wochen (1972) vor der Behandlung, oder 8 Tage nach der Behandlung (1972), beeinträchtigte den Bekämpfungserfolg nicht. In zwei von drei Versuchen bewirkte die Queckenbekämpfung einen gesicherten Mehrertrag bei Gerste. Besonders in einem Versuch war dieser Mehrertrag auf die starke Verqueckung in Unbehandelt zurückzuführen, wo eine optimale Bereitung des Saatbetts nicht möglich war. Dort, wo kein Ertragszuwachs festgestellet werden konnte, war die Verseu-chung mit A. repens viel schwächer.     

Modelling the effects of Elymus repens (L.) Gould competition on yield of cereals, peas and oilseed rape

Effects of Elymus repens (L.) Gould competition on yield of winter rye (Secale cereale L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), peas (Pisum sativum L.), and spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were studied in field trials conducted on the same location through 3 years. The competitiveness of the five crops against E. repens could be ranked as follows, with the most competitive crop mentioned first: rye wheat, barley rape, peas. Yield losses ranged from 8% in rye to around 35% in peas and rape at a density level of 100 primary shoots m^?2 in spring. The different prevailing climatic conditions in the growing seasons had no effect on the yield-density relationships in rye, peas, and barley, whereas significant interactions were found in wheat and rape. The cumulative emergence patternsof primary shoots were described in the spring-sown crops, and models were derived to simulate the sensitivity of competition parameters to the actual time of shoot recording. The importance of choosing the right time for shoot emergence counts in relation to threshold recommendations and other aspects is discussed. Modélisation de l'effet de la concurrence de Elymus repens (L.) Gould sur les rendements de céréales, de pois et de colza Nous avons étudié au champ les effets de la concurrence de Elymus repens (L.) Gould sur le rendement du seigle d'hiver (Secale cereale L.), du blé d'hiver (Triticum aestivum L.), de l'orge de printemps (Hordeum vulgare L.), du pois (Pisum sativum L.) et du colza de printemps (Brassica napus L.). Les essais ont été conduits durant trois ans sur le même site. L'aptitude à la concurrence des cinq cultures à l'égard de E. repens peut être classée ainsi, en ordre décroissant: seigle blé et orge colza et pois. Les pertes de rendement allaient de 8% chez le seigle à environ 35% chez le pois et le colza, à un densité de pousses primaires 100 m^?2, mesurée au printemps. Les différentes conditions météorologiques ayant régné lors des périodes de croissance n'ont eu aucun effet sur les relations densité-rendement chez le seigle, le pois et l'orge, alors que des interactions significatives ont été observées chez le blé et le colza. Le patron cumulatif de l'émergence des pousses primaires a été décrit pour les cultures de printemps, et des mode les en ont été déduits pour simuler la sensibilité des paramètres de concurrence à la date à laquelle les levées sont enregistrées. L'importance est discutée du choix d'une date correcte pour les comptages de levées dans l'optique de recommandations de seuils de densité. Modellierung der Wirkung der Konkurrenz von Elymus repens (L.) Gould auf den Ertrag von Getreide, Erbse und Raps Die Wirkung der Konkurrenz der Gemeinen Quecke (Elymus repens) auf Winterroggen (Secale cereale L.), Winterweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) Sommergerste (Hordeum vulgare L.), Saat-Erbse (Pisum sativum L.) und Sommerraps (Brassica napus L.) wurde in Feldversuchen über drei Vegetationsperioden am selben Ort untersucht. Für die Konkurrenzkraft der fünf Kulturen gegenüber der Quecke ergab sich folgende Reihenfolge: Roggen Weizen, Gerste Raps, Erbse. Die Ertragsverluste lagen bei einer Dichte von 100 Queckenhalmen m² im Frühjahr zwischen 8 % beim Roggen und rund 35 % bei Erbse und Raps. Die verschiedenen Witterungsbedingungen in den Versuchsjahren blieben ohne Einfluß auf die Ertrags-Dichte-Beziehungen bei Roggen, Erbse und Gerste, während bei Weizen und Raps eine signifikante Beeinflussung gefunden wurde. Das Austriebsverhalten der Queckentriebe wurde in den Sommerkulturen festgehalten, und es wurden Modelle entwickelt, um die Empfindlichkeit der Konkurrenzparameter in Abhängigkeit vom Zeitpunkt der Zählung der Triebe zu simulieren. Die Bedeutung der Wahl des richtigen Zeitpunkts für die Erfassung des Austriebs der Quecke hinsichtlich der Empfehlung von Schwellenwerten und anderen Aspekten wird diskutiert.     

Influence of light, temperature and humidity on the translocation and activity of glyphosate in Elymus repens (=Agropyron repens)

The effects of light, température and humidity on the performance and translocation of glyphosate in Elymus repens (L.) Gould (=Agropyron repens L. (Beauv.)), during the period of 48 h after treatment, were studied in controlled-environment cabinets. Increases in the levels of all three factors resulted in increases in herbicide performance. In general, these differences were statistically significant at all treatment periods except the longest when almost full control was achieved. The results highlight the important influence of environmental factors on herbicide performance during the short-term, post-spraying period. The application of ¹⁴C-labelled glyphosate to the adaxial leaf-sheath surface resulted in very rapid uptake and was used as a method of treating plants to study herbicide translocation under different environmental conditions. Increased light levels and temperatures enhanced basipetal translocation to the crowns and rhizomes but increased humidity had no significant effect with this form of application.     

Physiological effects of buthidazole on Zea mays L., Amaratithus retroflexus L., Medicago sativa L. and Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.*

Buthidazole (3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3.4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-l-methyl-2-imidazolidinone) at concentrations of 10^?6-10^?4M did not affect germination of corn (Zea mays L.,‘Pioneer 3780’), redroot pigweed (Amaranlhus retroflexus L.), alfalfa (Medicago saliva L., ‘Vernal’), and quackgrass (Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.) seeds. Stressing the seeds obtained from mature corn plants treated either pre-emergence or pre- plant incorporated with buthidazole at several rates by accelerated ageing and cold treatments further indicated that this herbicide did not affect germination. Total photosynthesis and dark respiration of corn plants 12 days after pre-emergence application and of redroot pigweed, alfalfa, and quackgrass plants after postemergence application of buthidazole at several rates were measured with an infrared CO₂ analyser. The results suggested that buthidazole was a rapid inhibitor of photosynthesis of the sensitive redroot pigweed and quackgrass plants, with less effect on corn and alfalfa. Buthidazole did not affect respiration of the examined species except for a transitory increase in corn and alfalfa 12 days after pre-emergence or 4 h after postemergence treatment with buthidazole at 0.56 or 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha, respectively. A long-term inhibition of quackgrass respiration 96 h after treatment with buthidazole at 1.12 and 224 kg/ha was also evident.     

Effects of ethephon pre-treatment on the response of Elymus repens to fluazifop-butyl

Growth inhibition of pot-grown Elymus repens (L.) Gould by fluazifop-butyl was occasionally enhanced by pre-treatment with ethephon. Studies with ¹⁴C-labelled fluazifop-butyl showed that ethephon increased the accumulation of ¹⁴C in basal buds and proximal parts of the rhizome system. This potential modification in the distribution of fluazifop-butyl within E. repens rhizomes may have reduced regeneration and recovery of the E. repens, particularly from the basal buds, although there was no increase in the proportion of ¹⁴C translocated into the rhizome. Also, ethephon not only activated the sinks in the rhizome but in the foliage of E. repens as well, and could initiate buds without sinks. The effects of ethephon on fluazifop-butyl phototoxicity were irregular in their occurrence and degree, and possible reasons for this are discussed. Effets depré-traitements à I'étéphon sur la réponse de Elymus repens au fluazifop-butyl Lors d'expériences en pots, des pré-traitements & 1'étéphon augmentaient occasionnellement 1'inhibition de croissance d'Elymus repens (L.) Gould traité au fluazifop-butyl. Des etudes avec du fluazifop-butyl marqué au ¹⁴C ont montré que l'éléphon augmentait l'accumulation de ¹⁴Cdans les bourgeons de la base et dans les parties proximales des rhizomes. Bien que la proportion de ¹⁴C transportée dans le rhizome ne soit pas accrue, cette modification de la distribution du fluazifop-butyl à l'intérieur des rhizomes d'E. repens pourrait limiter la régénération et la reprise de croissance, en particulier à partir des bourgeons de la base. En outre, l'étéphon activait des puits métaboliques non seulement dans le rhizome mais aussi dans le feuillage d'E. repens et pouvait initier des bourgeons qui ne se comportaient pas comme des puits métaboliques. Tant 1'existence que 1'intensité des effets de 1'étéphon sur la phytotoxicité du fluazifop-butyl étaient irréguliers et les raisons possibles en sont discutées. Wirkung einer Vorbehandlung mit Ethephon auf die Reaktion von Elymus repens (L.) Gould auf Fluazifop-butyl In Gewächshausversuchen war die Wuchshem-mung von Elymus repens durch Fluazifop-butyl gelegentlich durch eine Vorbehandlung mil Ethephon verstärkt. Untersuchungen mil ¹⁴C-Fluazifop-butyl ergaben, daß Ethephon die Ak-kumulation von ¹⁴C in basalen Knospen und proximalen Teilen des Rhizoms förderte. Die so mögliche Veränderung der Verteilung von Fluazifop-butyl in den Quecke-Rhizomen kann zu der reduzierten Regeneration der Pflanzen geführt haben, vor allem aus den basalen Knospen, obwohl insgesamt keine groBere ¹⁴C-Menge im Rhizom gefunden wurde. Ethephon aktivierte nicht nur die Sinks im Rhizom, son-dern auch in den oberirdischen Teilen und kon-nte zur Ausbildung von Knospen ohne Sinks führen. Die Wirkungen des Ethephons auf die herbizide Wirkung des Fluazifop-butyls war unregelmaßig, und die moglichen Grunde dafiir werden diskutiert.     

Pre-treatment environmental effects on the uptake, translocation, metabolism and performance of fluazifop-butyl in Elymus repens

The performance of fluazifop-butyl against Elymus repens (L.) Gould was significantly influenced by the environmental conditions in which the plants had grown prior to treatment as follows: soil moisture deficit (greatest reduction of herbicide performance) > cool temperatures > low light intensity. The level of control under conditions in which none of these factors was reduced (so-called ‘standard’ conditions) was similar to that observed for‘low light’regime plants. Significant effects of environment on spray retention, foliar uptake and amounts of herbicide translocated to the roots and rhizomes were observed. The lowest rates of herbicide uptake were found with plants grown under cool conditions, the greatest amount of basipetal herbicide translocation being associated with low light intensities. Rates of herbicide de-esterification were much lower in plants grown under low light intensities, cool temperatures, or soil moisture deficits than in those plants grown under the ‘standard’ conditions. This result was confirmed by studies of herbicide deesterification using cell-free leaf homogenates.     

Some effects of manual and chemical defoliation on the growth and carbohydrate reserves of Panicum repens (L.) Beauv.

In pot experiments on Panicum repens manual and chemical defoliation at intervals of 2–6 weeks decreased the growth of shoots, roots and new rhizomes and reduced the carbohydrate reserves. The most frequent manual defoliation did not completely suppress growth even when continued for 9 months. The plants were killed, however, by application of paraquat at doses of 0–14-0′56 kg/ha every 2 weeks for a period of 3 months. It is suggested that repeated mechanical defoliation may help to reduce plant vigour and limit the rate of spread in the field and that it may be possible to develop a method of more permanent control based on repeated application of paraquat. Quelques effets de la ddfoliation manuelle et chimique sur la croissance el les reserves en hydrates de carbone de Panicum repens (L.) Beauv. Dans des expériences en pots sur Panicum repens, des défoliations manuelles et chimiques effectuées à des inter-valles de 2 à 6 semaines ont diminué la croissance de la partie aérienne, des racines, et des nouveaux rhizomes et ont réduit les réserves en hydrates de carbone. Dans la plupart des cas, Ia défoliation manuelle n'a pas complétement supprimé la croissance, mêmc lorsquété a ete poursuivie pendant 9 mois. Toutefois, les plantes ont été tuées par une application de paraquat à des doses de 0,14 à 0,56 kg/ha, toutes les deux semaines pendant une pédode de 3 mois. Ceci suggére que les défoliations mécaniques répétées peuvent contribuer à la réduction de la vigueur de la plante et à la limitation du taux d'infestation au champ, ce qui rendrait possible l'établissement d'une méthode de lutte plus définitive, basée sur des applications répétées de araquat. Einige Auswirkungen von mechanischer und chemischer Blattabtötung auf das Wachstum und die Kohlehydratreserven von Panicum repens (L.) Beauv. Bei Topfversuchen mit Panicum repens verminderte mechanische und chemische Blattabtötung in AbstSaUden von 2–6 Wochen das Wachstum von Spross, Wurzel und neuen Rhizomen. Ebenso wurden die Kohlehydratreserven herabgesetzt. Die in Abstönden von zwei Wochen durchgeführte mechanische Blattabtötung führte auch nach neun Monaten nicht zu einer vollständigen Unterdrückung des Wachstums. Jedoch wurden die Pftanzen durch Paraquat abgetötet wenn dieses in zweiwöchigem Abstand drei Monate hin-durch in Aufwandmengen von 0.14–0.56 kg/ha angewandt wurde. Es wird angenommen, dass wiederholte mechanische Blattabtötung dazu beilrägt, die Widerstandsfähigkeit der Pflanzen zu vermindern und die Ausbreitung im Feld zu begrenzen, Es wird der Hoffnung Ausdruck gegeben, dass es möglich sein wird, eine Methode fur länger anhaltende Bekämpfung auf der Grundlage von wiederholt ausge-brachtem Paiaquat zu entwickeln.     

The addition of ammonium salts or a phosphate ester to herbicides to control Agropyron repens (L) Beauv.

N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate) at 0·5-1·0 kg a.i./ha controlled Agropyron repens grown in specially established 1-m² field plots in three out of four experiments. The addition of butyl acid phosphate or ammonium sulphate to the spray liquid improved the level of control given by glyphosate alone, where there was scope for such improvement: the addition of ammonium nitrate had no effect. When ammonium sulphate was added to either dalapon or asulam there was also no increased control of A. repens. However, when added to activated aminotriazole at 2·0 kg a.i./ha, ammonium sulphate significantly increased the level of control of A. repens in one experiment. Addition de sets d'ammonium ou d'un ester phosphorique à des herbicides en vue de la destruction de l'Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. La N- (phosphonométhyl) glycine (glyphosate) à al dose de 0.5–1.0 kg m.a./ha a été efficace contre l'Agropyron repens poussant au champ dans des parcelles spécialement établies de 1-m² dans trois essais sur quatre. L'addition de phosphate acide de butyle ou de sulfate d'ammonium au liquide pulvérisé a augments le niveau d'efflcacité obtenu avec le glyphosate seul, là oú il y avait possibilité de réaliser cette amélioration; l'addition de nitrate d'ammonium fut sans effet. Lorsque le sufate d'ammonium fut ajouté soit au dalapon, soit à l'asulame, il n'y eut pas non plus augmentation de l'efficacité contre A. repens. Toutefois, lorsque fut ajouté de l'aminotriazole activéà raison de 2 kg m.a./ha, le sulfate d'ammonium dans un essai accrut significativement le niveau d'efficacité contre A. repens. Der Zusatz von Ammoniumsalzen oder eines Phosphatesters zu Herbiziden zur Bekämpfung von Agropyron repens (L) Beauv. In drei von vier Versuchen wurde Agropyron repens in 1 m² grossen Feldparzellen durch 0.5–1.0 kg A.S./ha von N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycin (Glyphosate) bekämpft. Die Zugabe von Phosphorsäure-dibutylester oder von Ammoniumsulfat zur Spritzbrühe erhöhte die Wirkung, verglichen mit Glyphosate alleine. Der Zusatz von Ammoniumnitrat brachte keine Verbesserung. Auch wenn Ammoniumsulfat zu Dalapon oder zu Asulam zugesetzt wurde, wurde die Bekämpfung von A. repens nicht verbessert. Wenn aber zu ‘aktiviertem’ Aminotrizol (Aminotriazol+Ammonium-rhodanid) bei 2,0 kg A.S./ha Ammoniumsulfat zugegeben wurde, wurde in einem Versuch die Bekämpfung von A. repens deutlich verbessert.     

Agronomic performance of a triazine resistant foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)

The agronomic performance of a foxtail millet line resistant to atrazine, obtained through interspecific hybridization between Setaria viridis and S. italica, was compared to that of the original susceptible cultivar of S. italica. In spite of lower grain yields when both were grown in identical conditions, the use of this resistant material is justified because its yield when weeded with atrazine was similar to that of the susceptible cultivar with handweeding. There were no differences in early season growth rates between these lines at cool temperatures.     

The effect of temperature on the activity and metabolism of glyphosate applied to rhizome fragments of elymus repens (=Agropyron repens)

The effect of temperature on the activity and metabolism of glyphosate, as its mono(isopropylammonium) salt, in single-node rhizome fragments of Elymus repens was investigated in controlled environment cabinets. Post-treatment temperatures of 26/16° (day/night) reduced the activity of the herbicide compared with that at 10/6°, respectively. Under both temperature regimes and using [¹⁴C]glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium), more [¹⁴C]glyphosate accumulated in the node tissues and buds than in the internodes, but at teh higher temperature the rate of glyphosate metabolism was greater, and more ¹⁴C was lost as [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide. Evidence is presented to indicate that plant extracts contained at least two components which yielded glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid after both acid or base treatment, but not on incubation with β-glucosidase. It is therefore tentatively suggested that these metabolites are not β-glycosides but perhaps are conjugates with other natural plant constituents involving the phosphonyl and/or amino groups of the herbicide.     

Potential safeners for protecting sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) against chlorsulfuron,fluazifop-butyl and sethoxydim*

In greenhouse studies, the efficacy of the herbicide safeners NA(1,8-naphthalic anhydride), R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide), cyometrinil and CGA-92194 [N-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl-methoxy)imino-benzeneaceto-nitrile] in protecting grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. ‘Funk G623’) against injury from pre-emergence or early post-emergence applications of the herbicides chlorsulfuron, fluazifop-butyl and sethoxydim was examined. NA as a seed dressing at 0·5 or 1·0% (w/w) was the most effective of the four safeners and offered partial to good protection to sorghum against injury from the lower rates of pre-emergence applications of all three herbicides. R-25788 was totally ineffective as a sorghum protectant against fluazifop-butyl injury but it did antagonize partially the injurious effects of the lower rates of sethoxydim and chlorsulfuron on sorghum. Cyometrinil and CGA-92194 offered partial protection to sorghum against injury from the lowest rate of all herbicides but their efficacy against higher rates of the three herbicides was very limited. None of the four safeners was effective in protecting grain sorghum against injury from post-emergence applications of the three herbicides tested.     

Germination and longevity of seeds of Agropyron repens L. Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth. in soil in relation to different cultivation regimes

Results arc reported of two experiments done during 1971–76. which investiga ted the germination and longevity in soil of seeds of Agropyron repens L. Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth. The effects of different cultivation regimes and paraquat were investigated in a field experiment and the effects of different frequencies of cultivation in a sandy loam and silty loam soil were studied in the glasshouse. Seeds of neither species were innately dormant and most germination occurred during the first autumn. Agrostis seeds germinated most readily on the soil surface and persisted longest where the seeds were incorporated in soil al the outset and not cultivated in the spring. In contrast. Agropyron seeds germinated most readily when incorporated in soil at the cutset and their depletion was largely independent of cultivations in the spring; they persisted longest where they remained on the soil surface dtiring the firstautumn. Paraquat, sprayed on to dry seeds, greatly decreased the number of Agropyron seeds, giving emerged seedlings early during the first autumn but did not afTect the number emerging after this. Agrostis was aflected little by paraquat. Agrostis seeds were more persistent than Agropyron in most treatments of both experiments; in the field, on average, only abotit 0.3% of Agropyrim seeds gave emerged seedlings during the fourth year whereas about three times as many Agrostvis seedlings would be expected to emerge during the fifth year. The number of seedlings, particularly of Agrostis. emerging in consecutive years did not decrease continuously from year to year. There was some indication that longevity of Agrostis seeds might be greater in a sandy loam than in a silly loam soil. The much smaller percentage of seeds accounted for in the field than in the glasshouse is emphasised and the implications of the findings to practical control measures, particularly that depletion of seed reserves is dependent on initial cultivations, are briefly discussed. Germination et longévité des sentences d' Agropyron repens L. Beauv. et d'Agrostis gigantea Roth, dans le sol, en relation avec different régimes de culture. Les auteurs rapportent les résultats de deux expériénces effectuées de 1971 à 1976, destinées àétudier la germination et la longevité dans le sol des seremencesd d' Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv. et d'Agrostis gigantea Roth. Les effets de différents régimes de culture et du paraquat ont étéétudiés dans une expérience au champ et les effets de différentes fréquences de culture, dans un sol de limon sableux et dans un limon fm ont étéétudies en serre. Les semenees des deux espéces ne se sont pas révélées naturellement dormantes et la plus grande partie de la germination s'est produite durant le premier automne, Les semenees d'Agrostis ont germé plus aisément à la surface du sol et ont persisté plus longtemps là oü les semenees ont été incorporées dans le sol dés le début el non irultivées au printemps. En revanche, tes sentences d’ Agropyron ont germé plus aisément lcirsqu'elles ont été incorporées dans les sol dés le debut et leur épuisement a été en grande partie indépendant des facons culturales effectuées au printemps; elles ont persisté plus longtemps lä oü elles sont restées à la surface du sol durant le premier automne. Le paraquat, pulvérisé sur les semenees séches, a diminué de facon importante le nombre de semenees d'Agropyron donnant des levées précoces de plantules durant le premier automne; par la suite, le paraquat n'a pas eu d'effet sur le nombre des levées. L'Agrostis a été peu aftecté par le paraquat. Les semenees d’ Agrostis se sont montrées plus persistantes que celles ti’ Agropyron dans la plupart des conditions des deux expériences; au champ environ 0,03% seulement en moyennede semenees d'Agropyron ont levé au cours de la quatriéme année alors que trois fois autani de levées d'Agrostisétaient attendues au cours de la cinquiéme année. Le nombre de plantules d’Agrosits en particulier. levant au cours des annees consecutives n'a pas continuellement diminué d'année en année, ll y a quelques raisons de penser que la longévité des semenees d'Agrostis pourrait étre plus grande dans un limon sableux que dans un limon fin. Les auteurs insistent sur le fait que le pourcentage de semenees enregistré au champ a été beaucoup plus faible qu'en serre. Les implications des constatations faites dans les mesures pratiques de lutte sont briévement discutées, en particulier le fait que la diminution des reserves des semenees dépend des facons culturales initiates. Keimung und Lebensdauer der Samen von Agropyron repens L. Beauv. und Agrostis gigantea Roth, im Boden in Be:iehung zu unterschiedlicher Bodenhearbeitung Es wird üher Versuche berichiet, die in der Zeit von 1971–1976 durchgeführt wurden. und in denen die Keimung und die Lebensdauer der Samen von Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. und Agrostis gigantea Roth, im Boden untersucht wurden. In einem Feldversuch wurde die Wirkung verschiedener Bodenbearbeitungen und von Paraquat untersucht. und in einem Gewâhshausversuch die Wirkung unterschiedlichcr Abstände in der Bodenbearbeitung bei cinem saodigen Lehmboden und einem Schluff-Lenmbodcn. Bei keiner der beiden Arten waren die Samen endogen dormant, und die mcisten keimten im ersten Herbst. Die Samen von Agrostis keimten am schnellsten auf der Bodenoberfläche und überlebten am längsten, wenn sie am Anfang eingearbeitet wurden. der Boden im Frühjahr aber niirht bearbeitet wurde. In Gegensatz dazu keimten die Samen von Agropyron am schnelllsten, wenn sie am Anfang eingearbeitel wurden, und die Erschöpfung des Samenvorrats war unabhängig von Bodenbearbeirtungen im Frühjahr; sie überlebten am längsten, wenn sie im ersten Herbsi auf der Bodenoherflächc verblieben. Wurde Paraquat auf trockene Samen gespritzl. dann nahmen die Agropyron-Sdmen stark ab, da im Frühberbst des ersten Jahres Pflanzen aufliefen, was aber keine Auswirkung auf die Anzahl der auflaufenden Pflanzen in der Folgezeit hatte. Bei Agrostis wirkte Paraquat nur schwach. In den meisten Varianien der beiden Versuche überlebten mehr Samen von Agrostis ah von .Agropyron. Im vicrten Jahr des Feldvcrsuchs liefen durchschnittlich etwa 0,03% der Agropvron-Samcn auf, während bei .Agrostis im fünften jahr etwa dreimal soviel erwartet werden können. Die Zahl der in den Folgejahren a ufgelaufenen Keimpflanzen nahm bcsounders bei Agrostis nicht kontinuierlich von Jahr zu Jahr ab. Es gab einige Hinweise dafür. dass die Lebensdauer von .Agrostiis-Samen im sandigen Lehmboden grösser sein könnte als im Schluff-Lehm- boden. Es wird auf den wesentlich geringeren Prozentsatz an Samen unter Feld- als unter Gewächshausbedingungen hingewiesen. Die Folgen diescr BEfunde für die praktische Bekämplung, insbesondere, dass dcr SamenvorraT im Boden von der ersten Bodenbearbeitung abhängig ist, werden kurzdiskutiert.