CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN SPRING-SOWN BROAD BEANS

Summary. During the period 1956-61, twelve replicated field experiments were conducted to determine the response of spring-sown broad beans ( Vicia faba L.) and annual weeds to various pre- and post-emergence herbicides. On a sandy loam, the best results were given by pre-emergence applications of simazine 0.75 lb/ac, trietazine 1.5 lb/ac, chlorpropham 1 lb+diuron 0.2 lb/ac or dinoseb-amine 4 lb/ac. Amiben proved insufficiently selective, while chlorpropham+fenuron caused greater crop injury than the corresponding mixture with diuron. Post-emergence application of dinoseb-amine was less satisfactory than the best of the pre-emergence treatments.
Le désherbage chimique des fèves semées au printemps     

THE SYNERGISTIC ACTION OF HERBICIDE COMBINATIONS CONTAINING PARAQUAT ON AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.*

Summary. Herbicide combinations containing paraquat were synergistic and provided control of established Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. (quackgrass) sods for the entire growing season. Paraquat applied at 0–5 lb/ac with simazine or diuron at 4–0 lb/ac was more phytotoxic than either herbicide applied singly and the enhanced activity was more than additive. This synergism was not due to increased absorption or translocation of either herbicide in aerial portions of the plant. Paraquat applied to the shoot increased the susceptibility of quackgrass to simazine action through the soil. Pre-treatment of quackgrass with aminotriazole or amitrole-T at 10 lb/ac 7 days before paraquat application at 0–5 lb/ac provided increased toxicity over that obtained when the two herbicides were applied together or singly. Subsequent studies indicated that aminotriazole applications prior to shoot destruction by either paraquat or clipping resulted in more chronic aminotriazole toxicity. Using methyl-¹⁴C-paraquat it was found that aminotriazole pre-loading also increased the movement of paraquat in and out of the treated leaf. This increase was even more pronounced with amitrole-T. When the two herbicides were applied together, antagonism in absorption and translocation occurred. Action synergique de combinaisons d'herbicides comprenant du paraquat sur Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effects of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the morphology, yield and maturity of French beans, and on the morphology of broad beans, were studied in field and glasshouse experiments. Epinasty in French beans developed at 0.002 lb/ac a.e., but formative effects were not seen at less than 0–1 lb/ac. With doses up to 0.4 lb/ac there was no significant reduction in yield or haulm weight, but at 1.0 lb/ac and above, yield was reduced and some of the plants sprayed at an early stage of growth were killed. There were characteristic modifications of the roots and stems and of those leaves which were at a susceptible stage of development when sprayed. Broad beans were only slightly injured by 0.2 lb/ac but were generally killed by 2.0 lb/ac. Abnormalities were noted in the germination of seed produced by affected plants.
Effets de doses sub-léthales de MCPA sur la morphologic et le rendement des cultures légumières IV. Haricots verts et fèves     

THE PERSISTENCE AND PENETRATION OF LARGE DOSES OF SIMAZINE IN UNCROPPED SOIL

Summary. The residues remaining in the soil from repeated annual application of simazine at 2–8, 5–6, and 22–4 kg/ha to uncropped plots on a loam soil were measured by chemical or bioassay methods at various intervals after treatment.
The total simazine residue present 12 months after the last of three treatments with 2–8 kg/ha and 8 months after the last of five treatments with 5–6 kg/ha was less than 10% of the annual dose. This rapid decomposition is considered consistent with the soil and climatic conditions. In contrast a much larger residue (a mean value of 1·7 kg/ha) was found on plots sampled 21/2 years after the last of two annual applications of simazine at 22·4 kg/ha and the reduction in the amount of residue during the next 12 months was only of the order of 25%.
In all treatments the highest concentration of simazine was found in the surface layers of the soil but measurable residues were detected to 60 cm depth, 31/2 years after the last 22·4 kg/ha application.
There was considerable variation in the total residues recovered between replicate plots and between different positions on the same plots in all treatments regardless of the depth of the sample. The possible causes of this variation are discussed.
Persistance et pénétration de fortes doses de simazine dans un sol non cultivé     

CHEMICAL FALLOW CONTROL OF NUTSEDGE

Summary. Field experiments were conducted to find a herbicide for complete control of nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus L.). We applied seventeen herbicides and some of their combinations as chemical fallow. EPTC and CP-31675 (6- tert -butyl-2-chloro-o-acetotoluidide) gave good but only temporary control of nutsedge. Dichlobenil at 2·5 or 5 lb/ac gave fair control for 1 year. Rates of 10 or 20 lb/ac of dichlobenil controlled nutsedge completely for 1 year but severely reduced the yield of oats planted 5 months after application. The highest rate completely killed tubers and prevented reinfestation for 1 year. Analyses indicated no residue of dichlobenil or of its metabolite, 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid, in vegetative parts and seeds of oats planted 5 months after application of 2.5, 5 or 10 lb/ac of dichlobenil. At equivalent rates the herbicide TH-073-H (N-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dichlorothiolbenzamide) gave control of nutsedge similar to that with dichlobenil. The combinations of 8 lb/ac amitrole-T and 10 lb/ac dichlobenil or TH-073-H were just as effective in controlling nutsedge shoots and tubers as dichlobenil or TH-073-H applied alone. The mixture of dichlobenil plus CP-31675, each at 5 lb/ac, gave excellent control of nutsedge and tubers for 1 year. The herbicides terbacil ( 3-ter -Nbutyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil) or Du Pont 733 ( 3-tert -butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil) at 10 lb/ac provided almost complete control of nutsedge. Application of terbacil to plants aged 4–6 weeks gave better results than application to mature nutsedge in the fall.
La lutte chimique contre le cypirus     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLECROPS

Summary. The effects of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the morphology and yield of red beet, turnip and onion and on the morphology of spinach were studied in field and glasshouse experiments. Epinastic responses of beet were seen at 0.003 lb/ac a.c., but no serious formative effects or yield reductions occurred below 0–07 lb/ac and plants were only killed by doses above 0–1 lb/ac. Spinach was affected at 0–06 lb/ac, the lowest dose used, but the plants were not killed at 0–33 lb/ac. Epinasty in turnip occurred at 0–002 lb/ac, and at 0–01 lb/ac many of the roots were abnormal, while spraying with 0–1 lb/ac and above resulted in severe distortion or death of the plants. Onion was the least affected of all the crops studied. When a welting agent was included in the spray epinasty occurred at 0–3 lb/ac, but there were no serious formative effects or yield reductions below 1–0 lb/ac. The symptoms of injury in onion were often transitory because the affected parts were replaced as the bulb developed.
Effets de doses sub-léthatles de MCPA sur la morphologie et If rendement des cultures légumiéres. V. Betteraves, Epinards, Navets et Oignons     

THE COMBINED ACTION OF 3-AMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE AND AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE ON PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN COTTON THISTLE (ONOPORDUM ACANTHIUM L.)

Summary. In phosphatase extracts prepared from untreated leaves of Onopordum acanthium , phosphatase activity was stimulated by amitrole (0·04 M) and ammonium thioeyanate (0·04 M), alone and together. The effect of the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate was more than additive in experiments set up at pH 4·0, less than additive at pH 4·6 and roughly additive at pH 5·3 and 5·8. The effect of amitrole alone could be explained simply in terms of the increase in pH it effected.
In leaves harvested 4, 7 and 9 days after spraying rosettes with 1/8 lb/ac (140 g/ha) amitrole and 1/4 lb/ac (280 g/ha) ammonium thioeyanate, alone and together, more than additive or additive increases in phosphatase activity of plants sprayed with the mixture were recorded. These increases are interpreted as being due to increases in the amount of soluble protein.
Inorganic phosphate levels showed different trends with time in plants treated with amitrole alone compared with plants treated with the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate.
These interactions between amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate are taken to indicate a possible chemical basis for the increased herbicidal activity of the mixture over amitrole alone.
Histochemical studies on the mature leaves of rosettes showed that phosphatase activity was confined to the vascular tissues while in the very young leaves it was high in the chlorenchymatous tissue and appreciable in the epidermal and hair cells.
Attention is drawn to the strong buffering action of amitrole in the pH range 4·0–5·3. This may be relevant to herbicidal activity, the vacuolar pH of the outer cells of leaves of Onopordum being in the range 4·8-5·2.
L'action combinée du 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole et du thioeyanate d'ammonium sur l'activité de la phosphatase chez Onopordum acanthium L.     

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO NEW HERBICIDES—IOXYNIL AND BROMOXYNIL

Summary. The preparation of ioxynil, bromoxynil, and their salts is described, and information on solubilities and stability to storage is summarized. Although the toxicology of the herbicides is to be reported in greater detail, a preliminary statement is made here. Evidence of herbicidat activity under glasshouse conditions is indicated briefly, and supports the conclusion that both compounds are effective when applied to the foliage of a wide range of dicotyledon weed species. Seedlings of some weed species resistant to the phenoxy alkanoic acids are controlled under glasshouse conditions at doses as low as 0.125 lb/ac, and ioxynil has a wider range of activity than bromoxynil at these low doses. Graminaceous species tolerate 4–8 lb/ac of both herbicides without injury, and certain leguminous crops tolerate one or other herbicide at doses of 0.5–0.75 lb/ac. The contact action of the herbicides is rapid, there are also slower systemic effects, and seed germination is inhibited. In susceptible species the level of post-emergence activity is shown to be influenced by the growth stage of the weed, the distribution of herbicide on the foliage, and environmental factors of which light intensity appears to be most important.
Propriétés chimiques et biologiques de deux nouveaux herbicides: ioxynil et bromoxynil     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effect of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the morphology, growth and yield of carrots and parsnips was studied in twenty replicated field experiments. Slight epinasty was produced in carrots by doses as low as 0.002 lb/ac a.e., but formative effects were not usually seen below 0.01 lb/ac. Crop weight was only reduced by doses greater than 0.1 lb/ac, but abnormalities rendered a proportion of the roots unmarketable at doses below 0.05 lb/ac. Small plants were sometimes killed by 0.3 lb/ac, but larger plants survived treatment with up to 0.5 lb/ac. Tests on carrots which were unmarketable on grounds of appearance failed to reveal any effect of MCPA on flavour, sweetness or texture of the roots. The effects of MCPA on parsnips were similar to those on carrots, but the expression of injury symptoms was generally less marked.
Les effets de doses sub-létales de MCPA sur la morphologie et le rendement des cultures légumières III. Carottes et panais     

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN MAIZE

Summary. From 1959 to 1962 the effects of some triazine and growth regulator herbicides applied pre-emergence and post-emergence to maize grown for silage were studied in field experiments on light to medium loam soils at Harper Adams College, Shropshire.
Atrazine applied pre-emergence at 1–1.5 lb/ac gave good control of annual weeds and was superior to simazine at equivalent rates. Soil moisture and rainfall after spraying were found to influence the activity of the triazines, but both were completely tolerated by maize. In 1960, 1961 and 1962 atrazine was much more effective against annual weeds than post-emergence applications of MCPA and 2,4-D. However MCPA and 2,4-D gave adequate control of a range of annual and perennial weeds under favourable conditions in 1959 and 1960 but results were poor in the two following years due to the presence of resistant and late germinating weeds .
The effect of the herbicides on development and yield of ihe maize are discussed.
Le désherbage chimique dans le mais     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF HERBICIDES ON YOUNG COCONUTS

Summary. Phytotoxic effects of eight herbicides on young coconuts were assessed by recording visual symptoms of injury and growth following treatment. The growth-regulators 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and MCPB were lethal at the normal doses used for annual weed control. Dalapon at 5–9 lb/ac applied in 100 gal/ac of water caused yellowing and necrosis of the foliage, reduced growth, and sometimes killed the whole plant, while doses down to 2.2 lb/ac caused some fusion of the pinnae. Monuron at 3.2 and 6.4 lb/ac resulted in serious frond damage and reduced growth, and some frond injury occurred at 1–6 lb/ac. Diquat at 0.25–1.0 lb/ac and paraquat at 1.0–l.5 lb/ac caused extensive necrosis of existing fronds but there was no appreciable reduction in new growth. Amitrole produced considerable chlorosis both at 3.1 and G.3 lb/ac, but only the higher dose caused a reduction in growth.
Essai d'herbicides sur jeunes cocotiers     

THE REACTION OF TRIFOLIUM REPENS (L.) IN GRASSLAND TO 2,4-D, MCPA AND MIXTURES OF 2,4-D AND MCPB

Summary. Eight experiments were carried out on a range of pasture lypes under different management and in different years to lest the reaction of white clover ( Trifolium repens in grasstand to doses of up to 4 lb/ac of the herbicides MCPA-sodium or-potassium and 2,4-D-amine. The initial effect of the treatments was to reduce the amount of dover in the sward, the size of the reduction varying greatly from field to field for any one dose. In general, the higher the dose, the more severe was the depression of the clover 1 month after spraying. Both herbicides at 2 and 4 lb/ac caused substantial depressions on some of the fields. The growth of the treated clover was examined during the year following spraying. The ability of the clover to recover from the initial depression varied considerably in the different fields; on some, recovery started in the year of spraying and on others in the following year. Quick recovery was usually associated with a high initial resistance but there were fields in which the clover showed contrasting rates of recovery following similar depressions. The experiments produced no clear-cut evidence as to why the initial resistance and speed of recovery varied in different fields. In one experiment the effects of MCPB-sodium and 2,4-D-amine on white clover were compared separately and in a series of mixtures. An examination made 6 weeks after spraying showed that MCPB at up to 8 lb/ac had no significant effect on the clover, whereas 2,4-D at 1 lb/ac caused a 22% reduction. Mixtures containing up to 0.37 lb 2,4-D and up to 6 lb MCPB caused no reduction while those containing 0.75 lb 2,4-D and 4 lb MCPB were not significantly different from 1 lb 2,4-D alone.
Reaction de Trifolium repens (L.) en prairie au 2,4-D, au MCPA, et aux mélanges de1, 2,4-D et de MCPB     

PERSISTENCE OF PHYTOTOXIC RESIDUES OF TRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN SOIL

Summary. A bioassay technique for the determination of phytotoxic residues of triazine herbicides and monuron in soil from field plots is described. The effect of a dilution series with untreated soil on shoot growth of Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is compared with that in a corresponding assay at the lime of application of the herbicide. This method was used to compare the persistence of residues of simazine, propazine, prometon and monuron, and to compare persistence in 3 years and in three soil types. The time required for disappearance of 80% of the activity following application of 2 lb/ac of simazine varied from 7 to 27 weeks, according to the year. Prometon was the most persistent of the triazines tested.
Persistance de résidus phyloloxiques d'herbicides à base de triazines dans le sol     

COMPARISION OF RATES OF PARAQUAT PRIOR TO DIRECT-DRILLING CEREALS

Summary. Trials were conducted in East Anglia to compare direct-drilling following paraquat at 1 and 2 lb/ac with normal cultivations for both winter wheat and spring barley. The three treatments were compared at two levels of nitrogen.
With direct-drilled winter wheat, yields were higher after using paraquat at 2 lb/ac and at this rate there was little difference between direct-drilling and normal cultivations when 100 units of nitrogen were applied in spring. When only 50 units were given the results were more variable, with direct-drilling significantly outyielding normal cultivations in one trial, being outyielded in another and showing no difference in the third.
Yields of spring barley were slightly higher after paraquat at 2 lb/ac as compared with 1 lb/ac, but not significantly so. The time of application of paraquat influenced yield; when applied in December yields from direct-drilling and normal cultivations were similar, but when applied in February higher yields were recorded with normal cultivations.
Comparaison des doses de paraquat a utiliser avant un semis direct de dreales     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effect of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the growth, yield and marketability of summer cabbage lettuce was studied in seventeen replicated field experiments.
Initial epinasty was produced by doses as low as 0.002 lb/ac a.e., and formative effects of the leaves developed at doses below 0.01 lb/ac. In plants treated at early or intermediate growth stages, two distinct types of formative effects occurred, With doses in the range 0.0025-0.03 lb/ac, a zone of characteristic abnormal leaves developed. This reduced the marketability of the crop and the maturity was delayed, but the weight per plant at harvest was not affected. At higher doses these a abnormal leaves were not evident but the whole plant became distorted, growth was suppressed and few marketable plants were produced. In plants treated at the hearting stage, plant weight and maturity were not affected, but the marketability was reduced at doses of 0.01 lb/ac and above. The effects produced by MCPA in cos and curly crisp lettuce were compared with those produced in cabbage lettuce.     

THE EFFECT OF JULY APPLICATIONS OF DALAPON ON THE GROWTH AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF AN AGROSTIS/LOLIUM PASTURE

Summary. Dalapon–sodium at 3.3–7.5 Ib ac/a.e. was applied in early, mid– and late July 1964 to an Agrostis/Lolium pasture for selective control of the weed grasses Agrostis stolonifera, Poa trivialis and Holcus lanatus. These species were significantly more susceptible than Lolium perenne to dalapon at all doses regardless of the time of spraying. The most promising treatment was 33 lb/ac applied on 4th July, which increased the ground cover of L. perenne and substantially reduced Agrostis stolonifera and Poa trivialis. The total yield of herbage 12 weeks after spraying was only 50% of that from the unsprayed control, but the yield of Lolium perenne was not affected. When cut on 21st May and 5th August 1965, total yield was only slightly reduced and that of L. perenne was increased by 60–90%. The successful practical utilization of this selectivity is likely to depend largely on the spacing of the plants of L. perenne in the pasture. Simazine at 0.75 Ib/ac applied to half of each plot 3–4 weeks alter dalapon treatment had no lasting beneficial effect on the composition of the sward.     

SHOOT ZONE UPTAKE OF SOIL-APPLIED HERBICIDES IN PISUM SATIVUM L.

Summary. The effects of localized herbicide placement at different internodes of pea ( Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) shoots below the soil surface after plant emergence were studied by removing the soil from around the shoots and replacing with herbicide-treated soil. The first internode proved insensitive to linuron, diuron, atrazine and simazine at 4·5 kg/ha, while treatment of the second and third internodes markedly reduced plant growth 4–6 days after treatment. Separate exposure of the first internode alone, and the second and part of the third together to ¹⁴C-labelled atrazine indicated no difference in herbicide metabolism. However, a two- to threefold increase in ¹⁴C uptake and movement to the foliar parts occurred when the second and part of the third internode was treated, as compared to first internode treatment. Thus the differential sensitivity of the internodes to atrazine, and possibly to the other herbicides, may be because the more mature first internode allows less uptake and subsequent movement to the foliar parts.
Absorption dans la zone des tiges des herbicides appliqués dans le sol chez Pisum sativum L.     

Effects of repeated applications of ten soil-active herbicides on weed population,residue accumulation and nitrification*

Ten herbicides, bromacil, chlorthal-dimethyl, diphenamid, diuron, fluometuron, neburon, prometryne, pyrazon, simazine and trifluralin at two doses were repeatedly sprayed, in autumn and in spring, for 4 consecutive years on non-cultivated, sprinkler-irrigated field plots. Herbicidal effect was assessed at 1–2 month intervals on the natural weed population and after each observation a paraquat + diquat spray destroyed emerged weeds. The response of various weed species to herbicides varied markedly but a herbicide-induced shift in the composition of weed population did not occur, presumably because of the paraquat treatment. The overall phytotoxicity to weeds present was, in decreasing order: diuron, bromacil, simazine, trifluralin, prometryne, neburon, fluometuron, pyrazon, diphenamid, chlorthal-dimethyl. Persistence of herbicides was in decreasing order: diuron = bromacil, simazine, neburon (at higher rate), fluometuron, trifluralin, prometryne. Control produced by pyrazon improved with the number of applications, but that of diphenamid and chlorthal-dimethyl remained weak and short. After repeated applications, the activity of these herbicides increased or remained at similar level, but in no case decreased. Soil samples were taken 5 months after each application and bioassayed. Phytotoxic residues were detected beneath the disturbed top-soil from bromacil, diuron, fluometuron and simazine after the first application, and from neburon after the second application; residues from trifluralin were found in the top soil only after the fifth application. After the seventh spraying, residues of bromacil were found in the 45–60-cm soil layer. Ammonia content in soil samples taken from treated plots after the fourth, sixth and seventh application was generally similar to the untreated control. In these samples, nitrate content appeared to be correlated negatively with remaining weed number; the control thus contained less nitrate than efficient herbicidal treatments. Soil samples taken after the seventh application of bromacil, diuron, fluometuron, neburon and simazine, which contained appreciable residual concentrations, did not show significant differences from control, in an in vitro nitrification test.     

THE INFLUENCE OF SIMAZINE ON SHOOT AND ROOT GROWTH OF APPLES AND PLUMS

Summary. In loamy soil with a low humus content (0·8% organic carbon) simazine at a concentration of 2'5 ppm reduced growth of shoots, roots and trunk diameter in 1-year-old scions of five apple varieties on M IX rootstock. The most susceptible was Cox's Orange Pippin; 5 ppm was lethal for this variety only. In experiments with vertically divided pots, where one part of the root system developed in soil with simazine (2–5 ppm and 5–0 ppm for apple and 5·0 ppm for plum) and the other part in simazine-free soil, there was less effect on shoot growth and less leaf damage than where all the soil contained simazine. Growth of that part of the root system in soil containing simazine was stimulated.     

SELECTIVE HERBICIDAL CONTROL OF BARLEY GRASS IN PASTURE AND LUCERNE

Summary. Comparative experimental results with dalapon-sodium and paraquat for the control of barley grass ( Hordeum leporinum Link) in lucene and subterranean clover pasture are reported. Sprays were applied 3–4 days after a simulated grazing.
At all rates tested (1–4 lb/ac), dalapon provided satisfactory control of, but did not eradicate, barley grass. Subterranean clover productivity was reduced substantially whether application was in May or July; lucerne growth was retarded by 4 lb/ac applied in July.
Paraquat applied at 0.06–0.25 lb/ac in May gave similar but somewhat less effective control than did dalapon. Some re-establishment of barley grass occurred as a result of late germinations following the May applications. Paraquat applied in July at 0.06 lb/ac gave unsatisfactory results, but at 0.12 and 0.25 lb/ac the control was comparable with that given by dalapon. Subterranean clover was damaged slightly by the May treatments but recovered quickly, after initial scorching, following applications in July. Lucerne was neither damaged nor retarded by paraquat.
The addition ofa wetting agent increased the efficacy of paraquat in controlling certain more tolerant annual grasses, but not barley grass.
Désherbage sélectif des pâtures ft des luzernes: lutte contre l'orge des lièvres