WERA_OLD77: Managing Invasive Weeds in Wheat

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[04/22/2010] [06/06/2011] [05/14/2012] [04/10/2013]

Date of Annual Report: 04/22/2010

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/08/2010 - 03/08/2010
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2009 - 09/01/2010

Participants

Lee Sommers, Colorado State University;Phil Westra, Colorado State University;Andy Hulting, Oregon State University;Andrew Kniss, University of Wyoming;Corey Ransom, Utah State University;Fabian Menalled, Montana State University;Thomas Peeper, Oklahoma State University;Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University;Donn Thill, University of Idaho;Jim Parochetti, National program Leader, Plant and Animal Systems, USDA-NIFA

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting was held on March 8th, 2010, in conjunction with the WSWS annual meeting at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, Waikoloa, HI. Meeting was called to order by Chair Andy Hulting at 9:00 a.m. Andy welcomed the group and gave an overview of the meeting agenda.

Renewal of WERA077. Hulting reported that the project has been renewed for another five years. The renewal documents were handed out to meeting participants. Lee Sommers informed the group that the WERA077 was viewed favorably by the Western Ag. Exp. Directors. However, participation is still lower than previous iterations of the project. Lee encouraged those in attendance to make sure their AES directors add them to the list of participants or that people sign up with the group through the NIMSS system (http://nimss.umd.edu/). Hulting pointed out that the WERA077 meeting competes with the WSWS board meeting. However, participants agreed that meeting the Monday before the WSWS annual meeting is better than trying to meet at the end of the meeting or at a separate meeting time. Westra asked if all major states are represented, and pointed out that perhaps we should specifically recruit someone from North Dakota.

USDA Update. Jim Parochetti provided an update on what is happening in the USDA. NIFA competitive grants will be similar in scope, but will support larger, multi-state projects. Funding commitments will be made for up to 5 years. Jim encouraged actively seeking funding the first year of the AFRI, as there will be significant funding available; however funding levels in subsequent years are still unknown. Invasive species will likely not be a priority area in upcoming RFA. There is a new federal focus on cheatgrass. NIFA RFA will likely be released sometime this month. Turnaround time for submission will be SHORT.

Discussion of Possible Grant Proposals. Hulting asked how the new funding structure will affect this group. The group has been unsuccessful recently in seeking grant funding. Jim strongly encouraged identifying major issues, then focusing in on how it relates to overall sustainability. Hulting suggested shifting focus to smaller granting opportunities for very targeted issues, or very large AFRI grants. It appears very little middle ground will be available in the foreseeable future. Donn Thill asked about earmarks and Parochetti said that these will likely continue to some extent, but they will certainly need to be multi-disciplinary; pure weed science projects will likely not be viewed favorably. It is highly unlikely that this group would be the group to spearhead a large project; rather it seems that this group could be a major contributor to another group (such as a sustainable wheat production group, etc). Thill mentioned that the key is finding someone who can orchestrate the project, and finding the right people to manage the sub-disciplines. Also there are opportunities for planning grants, in order to assemble a team to compete for the larger research & extension grants.

Tom Peeper mentioned that millions of acres of CRP ground will be placed into production in the coming year. Many of these acres will be moldboard plowed. The conversion from CRP may be a nice fit for the WERA077 group members expertise. Removing grasses, no-tillage production, etc. are notable strengths of group members. This may be an opportunity to address many issues such as weed management, carbon sequestration, climate change, no-till production, sustainable cropping systems, insect pests, etc. Thill mentioned that there have already been requests for extension bulletins on how to convert CRP into production. Many of the issues will be very different for the various regions. By the time we get the information on how to convert, many of the acres will have already been converted. The CRP conversion is one component of a larger sustainability project on no-till cropping in some regions. What other groups may be interested in a project like the CRP? If we could utilize expertise of other projects that may also be interested, the WERA077 may be able to provide one component of a larger project. The key will be to identify a project manager that can coordinate such a project. Perhaps it is worth making a list of other potential contributors from each university. Sommers volunteered to be a facilitator in discussions with other groups that we may identify to manage a larger project of which we may play a role.

Outline for Possible CRP Conversion Proposal.

Positioning CRP conversion as a model for a larger system of food production.
What will be the impact of CRP take-out on ______?

1. Overall sustainability of agricultural systems

a. Climate change

b. Carbon sequestration

c. Small farm profitability

d. Rural community health & demographics

2. Cropping system replacement

a. wheat-fallow

b. diversified systems

c. biofuels

d. no-till cropping systems

3. Wildlife habitat

4. Endangered species

5. Fire ecology

6. Environmental quality issues

a. Pesticide use

b. Fertilizers

c. Soil erosion

7. Sustainable food production and food security

a. Population growth & food needs

b. CRP land as a reserve food supply

8. Nutrient cycling

9. Water issues (particularly availability, but also groundwater depletion)

a. Inter-state disputes on water use

Hulting will develop an outline of the identified issues and send it to the group for input and to help identify other potential collaborators.

Next meeting. Hulting proposed keeping the meeting associated with WSWS. There was no opposition to the proposal. Phil Westra suggested keeping a secondary meeting as an option if the discussed project becomes closer to reality.

Nomination & Elections. Drew Lyon will move into the Chair role for 2010-2011. Thill nominated Ian Burke for Secretary. It was seconded by Kniss. The group voted unanimously to elect Burke for the Secretary for 2010-2011. Burke agreed to serve as Secretary.

Accomplishments

Colorado - submitted by Phil Westra Research. Variable control of feral rye has sometimes been seen in growers fields, but the response cannot always be correlated with stage of growth or growing conditions. When 95 feral rye accessions from Colorado were treated with several rates of imazamox, some accessions showed high sensitivity and were well controlled at low herbicide rates while a few accessions were not controlled by a field labeled rate. More basic research showed that under cold conditions, imazamox uptake by feral rye is limited, resulting in a situation where rye plants can survive a field application. Development of double gene Clearfield wheat varieties is well advanced and will allow growers to use higher imazamox rates or to use more active surfactant packages to provide enhanced feral rye control in Clearfield wheat. Molecular markers were used to show that there is more jointed goatgrass genetic variation within a region than there is between regions where it exists as a weed. Gene flow does occur between jointed goatgrass and winter wheat; using special molecular markers provides the ability to determine the exact parentage of hybrids. Work is underway to try and quantify the drought tolerance of different jointed goatgrass accessions from across the United States. Over the past 3 or 4 years people have received increasing reports of kochia populations no longer controlled by labeled rates of glyphosate. Research at Colorado State University has confirmed that low level glyphosate likely allows some individual plants to escape control under field conditions, although most survivors are severely injured, frequently suffering the death and loss of the terminal meristem. All populations evaluated to date show segregation for the resistance trait, and we are partners of a multi-state effort to develop proactive steps to manage kochia that may exhibit glyphosate resistance. Idaho - submitted by Donn Thill and Don Morishita Research. A multi-year study to determine the effectiveness of herbicide-resistant crop technology for weed control in direct-seed, dry land wheat production was in its 8th year. At present, no Beyond resistant weeds have been identified in the HRC management strategy. A long-term experiment to evaluate wild oat herbicide resistance management was in its 4th year. Currently, no resistant wild oat plants have been identified. Field studies were established near Moscow, ID, Pendleton, OR and Pullman, WA to examine the effect of winter wheat variety and the interaction of Pursuit carryover with and without Osprey treatment. At 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT) of Osprey, all wheat varieties were injured 18 and 8%, respectively, but did not differ between Pursuit dose. At 7 DAT, Osprey injured ORCF 102 less (7%) than Brundage 96 (9%) and Tubbs 06 (9%). By 21 DAT, wheat injury was not visible. Field studies also were established near Moscow, Pendleton, and Pullman to examine the effect of winter wheat variety and Osprey treatment on wheat injury. Herbicide applications were made in the spring under a high stress environment. The variety by treatment interaction was not significant for wheat injury, yield, or test weight. At 7DAT, Osprey plus Bronate Advanced and Osprey alone injured wheat 7, 10 and 9%, respectively. In an Axiom/winter wheat study, Axiom + Amber or PowerFlex, Osprey, Atlantis, or GoldSky controlled Italian ryegrass 83-92%. Axial treatments did not control Italian ryegrass most likely due to ACCase resistance. In a preemergence and postemergence combination study, Hoelon, Hoelon + Everest, Define, Hoelon + Define and the split applications of Beyond and Everest controlled downy brome 75-90%. In a timing study, PowerFlex, Olympus, and Olympus Flex tended to control downy brome better at the 2 leaf timing (90 to 92%) compared to the 3 tiller timing (49-69%). In a Roundup Original Max plus Everest combination study, Roundup Original Max ( 21 or 27 oz/A) + Everest applied preplant or Everest as a split application improved rattail fescue control 82-91% compared to glyphosate alone (7%). In an Axiom alone or plus Everest, Maverick, or Direx controlled rattail fescue 93-99%. A study was conducted to compare pyroxsulam formulations with other herbicides for wild oat and broadleaf weed control in irrigated spring wheat. Chlorosis was visible on all herbicide treatments 5 days after application (DAA) ranging from 5 to 19% and became less at subsequent evaluations for all herbicide treatments. Kochia control and common lambsquarters control ranged from 97 to 100% over both evaluation dates. Wild oat control was very similar to broadleaf weed control and ranged from 96 to 100% for all herbicide treatments. The untreated check grain yield, which averaged 60 bu/A, was statistically lower than all herbicide treatments with yields greater than 73 bu/A. GoldSky appears to be a good alternative mode of action for controlling wild oats in spring wheat. Three studies were conducted to compare various herbicides alone and in tank mix combinations for broadleaf weed control in irrigated spring wheat. Crop injury (chlorosis and growth inhibition) ranged from 0 to 3% at all evaluation dates. Kochia control with the Group 2 herbicides was ineffective, unless they were applied with Huskie, or Starane. All of the same treatments controlled common lambsquarters. Only Starane alone did not control common lambsquarters. Redroot pigweed control ranged from 90 to 100% for all herbicide treatments except fluroxypyr alone. Annual sowthistle, which is a late emerging weed, was controlled 90% or better with all herbicides except GF-1847 + NIS + AMS, Everest + 2,4-D LVE, and Rimfire + Bronate Advanced + NIS + AMS. Annual sowthistle and redroot pigweed were effectively controlled with all herbicide treatments that ranged from 90 to 100%. Due to the variability of wheat crop stand caused by wireworm, the yields were somewhat variable between replications of various treatments. Consequently, there were no differences in wheat yield among treatments including the untreated check. Extension. The Herbicide Resistance and Persistence computer program for dryland grain producing areas is accessible from the Univ. of Idaho website for free download via a link on the PSES website http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/pses/. Montana - submitted by Fabian Menalled Research. In Montana, Canada thistle is category one noxious weed that infests thousands of acres. This project evaluates if the joint usage of pathogens, insects, and herbicides provides efficient, durable, and sustainable management of Canada thistle. It complements field and greenhouse experiments with extension material to illustrate the effect of synergistic interactions on the management of Canada thistle. Stakeholders across the Northern Great Plains identified wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds as major burdens threatening the economic and environmental sustainability of the small grain production system. A main reason for the importance of these pests is that they represent a multitrophic complex whose synergistic impact on yields and grain quality varies with management. Because of these interactions, there are evident limitations in current single-pest control recommendations. In collaboration with plant pathologists and entomologist, we initiated an integrated research program to determine the joint impact of several easy-to-adopt management practices on the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and weeds. Every year, new herbicides and re-formulations of existing products are released into the market. As part of a service to Montana agricultural producers and in close collaboration with the Industry, we conducted herbicide screening trials to assess the effectiveness of these products under a range of environmental and crop conditions representative of Montanas agriculture. This study is being developed with the help of Mr. Edward S. Davis, Weed Research Associate, MSU. Extension. The lack of up-to-date information on the ecology and management of weeds and the difficulty to obtain correct weed identification has been cited as factor hindering the adoption of integrated weed management programs. In collaboration with IPM specialist at Colorado State University, we are developing an electronic key to id weed species and a Wiki-based fact sheets with biological and management information on weeds. Nebraska - submitted by Drew Lyon Research. Two field studies were completed in 2009 at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. One was a repeat of a 2006-2007 study to investigate the effect of different liquid fertilizer rates as part of the herbicide carrier on the activity of imazaox (Beyond) and imazamox + MCPA ester (Clearmax) on feral rye control. Andrew Kniss repeated this study at Lingle, WY. Andrew also conducted a greenhouse study that called into question the nitrogen source used at Sidney. This led to a series of investigative studies that we hope to summarize and publish in 2010. The major findings were that the addition of MCPA to imazamox does appear to improve feral rye control. This improved control appears to be primarily the result of increased plant uptake when MCPA is added to imazamox. Additionally, 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer tends to antagonize imazaomox activity on feral rye as rates increase up to 50% of the carrier volume, while 32-0-0 liquid fertilizer tends to improve feral rye control as rates increase. The second study compared pyroxsulam (PowerFlex) for downy brome control in winter wheat to sulfosulfuron (Maverick) and propoxycarbazone-sodium (Olympus). Applications were made in fall and spring. The three herbicides performed similarly. Fall applications provided > 90% control of downy brome, while spring applications provided only about 60% control. A smaller version of this study was initiated in the fall of 2009 and results should be available later this year. Other studies initiated in the fall of 2009 include a study to look at flucarbazone (Pre-pare) applied PRE to winter wheat in combination with other herbicides for downy brome control. No downy brome had emerged in the plots prior to the start of winter, which came early in 2009. We are hoping for some winter emergence. We are also looking at a new product for feral rye control, but we have nothing to report at this time. Extension. No specific extension programming focused on invasive weeds in winter wheat in 2009 or early 2010. Drew Lyon was asked to develop and manage web pages on downy brome, jointed, goatgrass, feral rye, and blue mustard for the High Plains IPM site (http://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Small_Grains). Oregon - submitted by Dan Ball, Andrew Hulting, and Carol Mallory-Smith Research. A statewide effort focusing on evaluation of newer herbicide products for management of invasive weeds in wheat based cropping system was undertaken in 2008-2009. Evaluations of the following herbicide products were completed: saflufenacil (Sharpen) from BASF, aminocyclopyrachlor from DuPont, pyroxasulfone from Kumiai, pyraflufen-ethyl (Vida) from Gowan, and florasulam + MCPA (Orion) from Syngenta. In addition, expanded uses for pyrasulfotole + bromoxynil (Huskie), a newly registered HPPD inhibitor broadleaf herbicide with excellent activity on several broadleaf weeds species including sulfonylurea and imidazolinone resistant weeds, were investigated. Pyroxsulam (PowerFlex and a component of GoldSky) from Dow has recently been registered for grass weed control in wheat, but with very little data from our area. Therefore, extensive herbicide evaluation studies were completed across OR with this active ingredient. In summary, during the 2008-2009 crop year, there were 15 wheat herbicide studies conducted in western Oregon, and another 16 field trials in eastern Oregon. Eastern Oregon trials focused on improving effectiveness of downy brome control with PowerFlex, PrePare/Everest, Atlantis, Axiom, and Far-Go compared to commercial standard treatments. Trials in eastern and western Oregon identified and highlighted effective treatments for control of rattail fescue. Two trials in eastern Oregon evaluated winter wheat varietal tolerance to Osprey herbicide and also investigated the potential for wheat injury when Osprey and bromoxynil containing herbicides are tank-mixed. All wheat varieties tested exhibited injury if Osprey was applied under adverse (cold) conditions. The addition of Bronate to the Osprey treatments increased wheat injury. Several broadleaf herbicide trials were conducted, including evaluations of Sharpen or Huskie tank-mixes, and on experimental formulations of 2,4-D. Trials in western Oregon focused on grass control in winter and spring wheat. Control of Italian ryegrass, California brome, downy brome and rattail fescue was evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides in several studies. Rattail fescue, California brome, and downy brome control is being evaluated in the 2009-2010 crop year with fall versus spring applications of herbicides. Results indicate that applying postemergence herbicides such as PowerFlex and Osprey to the winter wheat by the end of November provides the best control of these weedy grass species compared to a spring application in western OR production systems. Addition of NIS + AMS, compared to solely NIS, to these treatments in the fall also improves control of rattail fescue. These results, particularly with respect to fall PowerFlex treatments, are consistent with those from the 2008-2009 wheat cropping year. Studies during the 2008-2009 crop year were also conducted at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center near Pendleton to improve weed management techniques in chemical fallow. Continued studies with Sharpen and Huskie in chemical fallow indicate that these materials may provide improved late-season fallow control of Russian thistle and prickly lettuce when tank mixed with glyphosate, thereby reducing the reliance on the high rates of glyphosate used alone. Investigations with aminocyclopyrachlor, a DuPont experimental herbicide, indicate a significant problem with carryover to winter wheat when used the previous season for residual weed control in chemical fallow. Further testing of this experimental compound in eastern OR will be limited due to this finding. Evaluations of cost-effective herbicide treatment regimes in chemical fallow are being conducted during the 2009-2010 crop year. Ph.D. students are continuing studies on jointed goatgrass, looking at differences among populations of jointed goatgrass to identify competitiveness traits and survey wheat fields for herbicide resistant hybrids produced by crossing of Clearfield wheat with jointed goatgrass. Several projects are also conducted in cooperation with researchers at Washington State University and the University of Idaho. Combined results from these studies improve the reliability of findings and are complimentary for the broad range of PNW dryland or high rainfall cropping environments. Extension. Extension presentations have been ongoing statewide throughout 2008-2009 and have included research update presentations at several industry winter grower meetings and Extension meetings across the state. Field tours of research plots at Hyslop Farm and at the Columbia Basin Ag Research Center have also been completed. Extension bulletins were produced, published, and made available on-line through OSU Extension and Experiment Station Communications with hard copies available through OSU Extension offices. Data from research trials are used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems in Oregon. Research and experience using recently registered products provides critical information to growers and agri-business consultants that allow them to refine their weed control practices, control invasive weeds efficiently, and avoid wheat injury and yield reductions. The research is also critical to aiding the early adoption of new technologies in wheat production which maintains the competitiveness of Oregon wheat production. The results of these studies are passed on to growers in many Extension venues and through publication of the wheat-based chapters of the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook (http://www.ipmnet.org/IPM_Handbooks.htm). Washington - submitted by Joe Yenish Research. Several studies were conducted during the recent growing season. These included studies looking directly at options for control and more involved systems research. The greatest concern remains the development of herbicide resistant weeds. Group 2 herbicides remain the primary herbicides for selective control of downy brome (Bromus tectorum) and other winter annual grass weeds. There are suspected cases of full blown failure of sulfosulfuron and possibly other active ingredients in downy brome. There are efforts underway to more fully investigate these failures along with efforts to survey the general landscape for group 2 resistant down brome. Recent introductions of sulfosulfuron formulations for use in non-crop areas has lead to concern for the development of resistant populations that could invade croplands. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) continues to increase in the higher rainfall grain producing areas of the state. Herbicide control relies heavily on group 1 and group 2 herbicides. Resistance, cross-resistance, and multiple resistance is still a concern with this species. Extension. In regards to herbicides in eastern Washington, pyroxulam rapidly gained rapid marketshare as a grass herbicide during the past year with Powerflex being labeled in winter wheat and GoldSky in spring wheat. Recently, GoldSky received a label for winter wheat. Continued changes to plantback restrictions following applications of Beyond herbicide is becoming a concern. Shorter plantback intervals for non-Clearfield varieties, particularly winter wheat, may result in more frequent use of the herbicide or planting of Clearfield varieties without using the herbicide. Use of Clearfield varieties without the Beyond application could increase the potential for outcrossing the herbicide resistance trait to jointed goatgrass. However, resistance population development through repeated imazamox applications remains the greater threat. Wyoming - submitted by Andrew Kniss Research. Field studies conducted from 2008 to 2009 determined that fallow applications of aminocyclopyrachlor to fallow caused significant injury to the subsequent winter wheat crop, even when visual injury symptoms were not present. A manuscript summarizing this research was submitted to Weed Technology in early 2010 in collaboration with Dr. Drew Lyon of the University of Nebraska. Field research on downy brome control in winter wheat continued in 2009. Results from this year indicated that Powerflex was slightly less effective compared to Olympus and Maverick when applied in the fall, but all herbicides provided similar control in the spring. Split applications of Olympus were effective for downy brome control, but split applications of reduced Powerflex rates reduced control compared to either fall or spring applications. Field and greenhouse studies continued in collaboration with Dr. Drew Lyon at the University of Nebraska. A manuscript is nearing completion reporting the results of this line of research. General conclusions of this research are that (1) MCPA-ester improves imazamox control of feral rye, although the mechanism is yet unclear; and (2) The type of nitrogen fertilizer additive may have a significant impact on feral rye control with imazamox.

Publications

Preston, C., D. S. Belles, P. H. Westra, S. J. Nissen, and S. M. Ward. 2009 Inheritance of resistance to the auxinic herbicide dicamba in kochia (Kochia scoparia). Weed Science 57:43-47. Harrington, J., Byrne, P.F., Peairs, F.B., Nissen, S.J., Westra, P., et al. (2009). Perceived consequences of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops on integrated pest management strategies in the western United States: Results of an online survey. AgBioForum, 12(3&4), 412-421. Available on the World Wide Web: http://www.agbioforum.org. Ecanopouly, B. F., J. K. McKay, H. Meimbery, S. Reid, and P. Westra. 2009. Molecular evidence for genetic structure in jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical) Abstracts WSWS. p. 18. Westra, P., T. Gaines, P. Byrne, S. Ward, and S. Nissen. 2009. Jointed goatgrass research in Colorado over eleven years. Abstracts WSWS. p. 29. Yenish, J., A. Hulting, A. Kniss, D. Lyon, and P. Westra. 2009. WERA-077 managing invasive weeds in wheat. Abstracts WSWS. p. 31. Bridges, M., P. Westra, and D. Shaner. 2009. Effect of imazamox on feral rye at different physiological stages. Abstracts WSWS. p. 77. Ostlie, M., P. Westra, G. Brunk, T. Gaines, M. Bridges, and B. Lindenmayer. 2009. Variation in imazamox response among Colorado feral rye populations. Abstracts WSWS. p. 78. Stahlman, P. W., P. W. Geier, T. F. Peeper, D. J. Lyon, S. D. Miller, P. Westra, and G. W. Wicks. 2009. Integrated jointed goatgrass management systems in the central and southern great plains. Abstracts WSWS. p. 80. Campbell, J. and D. Thill. 2009. Prickly lettuce and mayweed chamomile control with pyrasulfotole combinations in winter wheat. Res. Prog. Rep. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 132-133. Campbell, J. and D. Thill. 2009. Prickly lettuce control in fallow. Res. Prog. Rep. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 104. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen, and D.L. Shouse. 2009. Wild oat and broadleaf weed control with pyroxsulam in irrigated spring wheat. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 62:57. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen, and D.L. Shouse. 2009. Broadleaf weed and green foxtail control with pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil in comparison with other herbicides. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 60:82-83. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen, and D.L. Shouse. 2009. Broadleaf weed control with and without pyroxsulam tank mix partners in spring wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 60:118-119. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen, and D.L. Shouse. 2009. Wild oat control in irrigated spring wheat with pyroxsulam compared to other herbicides. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 60:116-117. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Broadleaf weed control in winter wheat with 2,4-D formulations and sulfonylurea combinations. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 126-128. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Broadleaf weed control with sulfonylurea herbicides in winter wheat. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 135. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Common lambsquarters control in spring wheat with pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 115. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Downy brome control in winter wheat. Res. Prog. Rep. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 129-131. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Italian ryegrass and ventenata control in winter wheat with flucarbazone. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 139-141. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Italian ryegrass control in winter wheat. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 136-138. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Preplant broadleaf weed control with BAS 800H in spring pea and wheat. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 109-110. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Tolerance of winter wheat varieties to imazethapyr and mesosulfuron. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 142-143. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2009. Wild oat control in wheat. Res. Prog. Rep. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 122-125. Rauch, T.A., D. Thill, I. Burke, D. Pittman, J. Yenish, R. Rood, D. Ball, and L. Bennett. 2009. Response of winter wheat varieties to mesosulfuron applied under adverse environmental conditions.. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 15. Rood, J. R., T. A. Rauch, and D. C. Thill. 2009. Tillage affects imazamox carryover in yellow mustard. Res. Prog. Report. Western Soc. Weed Sci. 105-107. Young, F.L., J.P. Yenish, D. Ball, and D.C. Thill. 2009. Integrated management of jointed goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 79. Menalled, F., B. Grimberg, and C. Jones. 2009. Evaluation of agricultural professionals perceptions and knowledge on sustainable agriculture: A useful step in the development of an on-line extension program. J. Agr. Education 50: 86-97. Pollnac, F.W., B. Maxwell, and F. Menalled. 2009. Weed community characteristics and crop performance: a neighborhood approach. Weed Res. 49:242-250. Pollnac, F., B. Maxwell, and F. Menalled. 2009. Using species-area curves to examine weed communities in organic and conventional spring wheat systems. Weed Sci. 3:241-247. Baer, S., D. Engle, J. Knops, K. Langeland, B. Maxwell, F. Menalled, A. Symstad. 2009. Vulnerability of rehabilitated agricultural production systems to invasion by nontarget plant species. Environ. Mgmt. 43: 189-196 Harbuck, K., F. Pollnac, and F. Menalled. 2009. Impact of cropping systems on weed seedbanks in the Northern Great Plains. Weed Biol. Mgmt. 9:160-168. Smith. R., M.R. Ryan, and F. Menalled. Direct and indirect impacts of weed management practices on soil quality. In Press. Soil Management: Building a Stable Base for Agriculture. J. Hatfield and T. Sauer (eds.) Gan, Y., H.R. Kutcher, F. Menalled , G. Lafond , and S.A. Brandt . Intensifying production of using broadleaf crops in cereal-based cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. In Press. Current Advancements in Soil Science and Agronomy Research in the Northern Great Plains. D. Malhi, ed. Burrows, M., D. Weaver, and F. Menalled. 2009. 2010 Common Montana Wheat Pests calendar. Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and Montana State University Extension. Menalled, F., C. Jones, D. Buschena, and P. Miller. 2009. From conventional to organic cropping: what to expect during the transition years. MT 200901Ag issued 2/09 McVay, K., M. Burrows, C. Jones, K. Wanner, and F. Menalled. 2009. Montana barley production guide. Montana State University Extension Service. Lyon, D. J., R. E. Blackshaw, and G. S. Gill. 2009. Cutting down on weeds to cut a cleaner crop. p. 251-272. In B. F. Carver (ed.) Wheat: Science and trade. Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA. Ball, D. and A. Hulting. 2009. Rattail Fescue Biology and Management in PNW Wheat Cropping Systems (PNW 613) http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/12927/1/PNW613.pdf Yenish, J., D. Ball and R. Schirman. 2009. Integrated Management of Jointed Goatgrass in the PNW (EB2042) http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/EB2042/eb2042.pdf Hulting, A.G., B. Hinds-Cook, D. Curtis, B. Brewster, and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Evaluation of pyroxasulfone (KIH-485) for grass weed management in winter wheat. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:60. Yenish, J., A.G. Hulting, A. Kniss, D. Lyon, and P. Westra. 2009. WERA-077 Managing invasive weeds in wheat. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol. 62:31. High Plains IPM Wiki (online crop and pest management guides and tools). 2009. http://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Main_Page Role: Hulting primary author and on-going editor for the following six fact sheets on management of problem weeds in the Northern Plains and Inland PNW: Common Bedstraw, Wild Carrot, Persian Speedwell, Mayweed Chamomile, Coast Fiddleneck and Italian ryegrass. Martins, B., A.Perez-Jones, and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Imazamox-resistant jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical) by Clearfield wheat (Triticum aestivum) hybrids in a commercial production field. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:17. Sanchez-Olguin, E. and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Seed shattering in jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical )populations from cropping and non cropping systems. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:19. Avila, W., A. Perez-Jones and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Resistance in four new glyphosate-resistant Lolium multiflorum populations in Oregon is not due to an altered target-site. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:21. Quinn, M., C. Mallory-Smith and L. Fandrich. 2009. Ecotype response of jointed goatgrass caryopses to vernalization duration. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:22. Fandrich, L. and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Size of jointed goatgrass seed varies by floret position. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:30. Fandrich, L. and C. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Seed dormancy and germination characteristics of jointed goatgrass. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:35. Ball, D., J. O. Evans and G. Wicks. 2009. Influence of fallow tillage on jointed goatgrass emergence and competition in winter wheat. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.62:31. Burke, I. C., J. P. Yenish, D. Pittmann, and R. S. Gallagher. 2009. Resistance of a Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) Biotype to 2,4-D. Weed Technol. 23:586-591. Baley, J. G., K. G. Campbell, J. Yenish, K. K. Kidwell, and T. C. Paulitz. 2009. Influence of Glyphosate, Crop Volunteer and Root Pathogens on Glyphosate-Resistant Wheat under Controlled Environment Conditions. Pest Manag. Sci. 65:288-299.

Impact Statements

Data from research trials are used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems in Oregon. Research and experience using recently registered products provides critical information to growers and agri-business consultants that allow them to refine their weed control practices, control invasive weeds efficiently, and avoid wheat injury and yield reductions.
The Herbicide Resistance and Persistence computer program for dryland grain producing areas is accessible from the Univ. of Idaho website for free download via a link on the PSES website http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/pses/.
In collaboration with IPM specialist at Colorado State University, we are developing an electronic key to id weed species and a Wiki-based fact sheets with biological and management information on weeds.

Date of Annual Report: 06/06/2011

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/07/2011 - 03/07/2011
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2010 - 09/01/2011

Participants

Drew Lyon, University of Nebraska;Ian Burke, Washington State University;Phil Westra, Colorado State University;Andy Hulting, Oregon State University;Dan Ball, Oregon State University;Andrew Kniss, University of Wyoming;Phil Stahlman, Kansas State University;Corey Ransom, Utah State University;Fabian Menalled, Montana State Universit;Joe Armstrong, Oklahoma State University;Joan Campbell, University of Idaho;Jim Parochetti, National program Leader, Plant and Animal Systems, USDA-NIFA

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting was held on March 7th, 2010, in conjunction with the WSWS annual meeting at the Doubletree Hotel City Center, Spokane, WA. Meeting was called to order by Chair Drew Lyon at 8:00 a.m. Drew welcomed the group and gave an overview of the meeting agenda.

USDA Update. Jim Parochetti provided an update on what is happening in the USDA. The budget is serious. Earmarks are likely to go away with a new budget (not with continuing resolutions). The new budget currently has IPM centers cut. The current thinking within the USDA is that bigger grants foster more awareness in Congress that we need more dollars in the programs. The current view of the agency is that overhead is good because universities need it. For new faculty, ask Mike Bowers about what opportunities are available in Weed Science.

It was noted that there was an error in the Weedy and Invasive Species RFA, which is in Foundations programs. Should be herbicide resistance OR non-chemical, not AND. Jim will follow up on questions if we email him with them. Hatch funds - there will be a new formula for distributing it to states, but the dollars are there. It has shrunk in real dollars.

Cini Brown presented an overview of Bromus REE NET. The Bromus Research, Education, and Extension (REE NET) project proposes to coordinate networking on the distribution and abundance, impacts, and management of exotic and invasive species in the genus Bromus (Poaceae).

Following Dr. Browns presentation, the group discussed future collaborative activities related to invasive weeds in wheat. In particular, the group discussed:
1) How cheatgrass serves to connect crop and noncrop agroecosystems and may contribute to biological exchanges between them. A few thought that would be an exciting line of research.
2) Synthesis of work done on cheatgrass in the Great Basin beyond the effort of Bromus REE NET.
3) Effects of cheatgrass on ecosystem processes (soil microbial communities, invertebrates, pollinators) across systems.
4) Gene flow between crop and non-crop species.
5) Lessons learned from cropland: dont just focus on herbicides as the solution. Consider competitive relationships, etc.

Discussion of Possible Grant Proposals.

The group discussed a granting effort led by Andy Hulting in collaboration with Idaho, Oklahoma, and Washington to address management of Italian ryegrass in wheat. It was agreed to continue to discuss the feasibility of re-submitting the proposal in response to the Weedy and Invasive Species RFA, although Dr. Hulting indicated he did not feel that he could lead the effort.

Nomination & Elections. Ian Burke will move into the Chair role for 2011-2012. Hulting nominated Joe Armstrong for Secretary. It was seconded by Kniss. The group voted unanimously to elect Armstrong for the Secretary for 2011-2012. Armstrong agreed to serve as Secretary.

Accomplishments

Colorado (Phil Westra): Research. The CSU weed science program continues to work closely with Dr. Scott Haley, CSU wheat breeder, on the development of 2-gene hard red winter Clearfield wheat. Research shows that the 2-gene wheat is much more tolerant to Beyond herbicide applied with very effective adjuvant products such as MSO adjuvants. Using a system with higher herbicidal activity will provide for more aggressive and effective control of weeds such as feral rye. Downy brome We continue to evaluate downy brome control with registered herbicides, including the evaluation of new formulations. Use of post emerge ALS inhibiting herbicides on conventional wheats, or the use of imazamox on Clearfield wheat varieties, give Colorado growers effective tools for downy brome management. Clearfield wheat varieties are planted on 8% of all Colorado wheat acres where they have provided excellent agronomic performance as well as control of winter annual grasses and mustards. Jointed Goatgrass We have a new MS weed science student, Craig Beil, working on DNA transfer between jointed goatgrass and winter wheat over several generations. We hope to generate BC2 plants in a field study put out in the fall of 2010. If this effort is successful, we will use molecular techniques to try to determine the amount of additional DNA that may be moved when a gene such as the Clearfield ALS gene is exchanged between these two grass species. This project is part of a USDA biotech risk assessment research grant program. Idaho(Donn Thill and Don Morishita): Research. Studies were established to evaluate Italian ryegrass control in wheat. In a KIH-485 + Roundup PowerMax (RPM) burndown study, RPM (preplant) + Osprey (post) with or without Axiom (pre) or KIH-485 at 1.5 oz/A (middle rate) (preplant), and RPM + KIH-485 at 2 oz (high rate) injured wheat 10 to 18%. RPM + KIH-485 at 1, 1.5 , and 2 oz/A (preplant), RPM + KIH-485 (middle rate) + Osprey or Axial XL (post), RPM + Axiom (pre) alone or + Osprey or Axial XL, RPM + Osprey controlled Italian ryegrass 81 to 94% but was not controlled by RPM + Axial XL or KIH-485 (low rate) (38 and 72%). Axial XL alone did not control Italian ryegrass due to an ACCase resistant population. In a KIH-485 and Amber study, KIH-485 at 2 oz/A (high rate) injured wheat 12%. Preemergence treatments (KIH-485 at 1, 1.5, and 2 oz/A, Axiom, KIH-485 (mid rate) + Amber or Axiom, Amber + Axiom; postemergence treatments (PowerFlex, Osprey, Atlantis); and combinations treatments (Amber plus PowerFlex, Osprey, or Atlantis) controlled Italian ryegrass 86 to 94%, but was not controlled by Amber and Axial XL alone or in combination (56 to 68%). Axial XL alone did not control Italian ryegrass due to an ACCase resistant population. In the Axiom combination study, Italian ryegrass control tended to be better with postemergence treatments alone (PowerFlex, Osprey, Atlantis) or in combination with Axiom at 8 or 10 oz/A (85 to 95%). Studies were established in winter wheat to evaluate rattail fescue control. In the PowerFlex and GoldSky timing study, Axiom treatments alone or combination with PowerFlex, GoldSky and Osprey controlled rattail fescue 90 to 95% at both evaluation times. Application timing (2 leaf or 2 tiller rattail fescue stage) for POST treatments (PowerFlex, GoldSky, and Osprey) without Axiom did not affect rattail fescue control (35 to 68%). In the Axiom and PrePare combination weed control study, preemergence treatments (KIH-485, Axiom at 8 and 10/oz, Axiom at each rate + PrePare, Axiom (low rate) + KIH-485, KIH-485 + PrePare); POST treatments (Maverick, Everest) and combinations (Axiom at each rate + Maverick, Everest, and PowerFlex) and PrePare + Everest controlled rattail fescue 84 to 95% but was not controlled by PrePare or PowerFlex alone (49 and 72%). In the Axiom and PrePare combinations weed-free tolerance study, wheat grain yield and test weight ranged from 88 to 103 bu/A and 63.6 to 64.3 lb/bu, respectively, and did not differ among herbicide treatments and the untreated check. Studies were established to evaluate downy brome control in winter wheat. In a preemergence combination study, Axiom, Axiom + KIH-485, Hoelon, Define, Hoelon (32 or 40 oz/A) combined with Define (7, 9, or 11 oz/A), and Olympus + Sencor (POST) controlled downy brome 90 to 99%. In a timing study, Olympus Flex applied to 3 tiller downy brome controlled it 97%, which did not differ from the 3 tiller timing of PowerFlex (88%). The early timing (80 to 97%) treatments tended to control downy brome better than the late timing (68 to 80%). In an Everest study, downy brome control was best with PowerFlex (96%). Everest combined with Ally XP, Amber, or ARY-0547-001 (tribenuron) controlled brome 44 to 56%. Studies were established in spring wheat to evaluate wild oat control with flucarbazone formulations at two timings. A water dispersible granule (WDG) flucarbazone formulation was compared to a suspension concentrate (SC) of flucarbazone. Due to a known heavy wild oat population, studies were established without and with FarGo, which was applied post plant incorporated. In the study without FarGo, Axial XL + Widematch + Rhonox and all treatments applied to 2-leaf wild oat (flucarbazone WDG + Widematch or Supremacy and flucarbazone SC + Widematch) controlled it 84 and 95%, respectively, on June 8. By June 23, Axial XL and Wolverine controlled wild oat 95%. Over the growing season, wild oat control decreased for all 2 leaf timing treatments from 95 to 76% likely due to continued emergence. On June 8 in the study with FarGo, Axial XL + Widematch + Rhonox and Wolverine injured spring wheat 16 to 18%, and wild oat control was 95% with all treatments applied to 2 leaf wild oat (flucarbazone WDG + Widematch or Supremacy and flucarbazone SC + Widematch), but did not differ from Osprey (82%). By June 23, Wolverine and Axial XL treatment controlled wild oat 94 and 95%, respectively. Similar to the study without FarGo, wild oat control decreased for all 2 leaf treatments due to continued emergence. At 8 days after treatment (DAT), studies in winter wheat near Lapwai showed that Huskie combined with Starane NXT, Bronate Advanced or Starane Ultra controlled catchweed bedstraw 95 to 96%. By 40 DAT, catchweed bedstraw control ranged from 79 to 91% with Widematch, Huskie + Widematch, Starane NXT, or Bronate Advanced. In a Supremacy study, catchweed bedstraw control was 84 to 95% with Supremacy at 6 oz/a (high rate) + Rhonox or NIS alone or in combination, Supremacy at 5 oz/A (middle rate) + Rhonox, and Widematch + Rhonox. Huskie, Widematch + Rhonox, Supremacy at 6 oz/A + Bronate Advanced, Rhonox or NIS alone or in combination, and Supremacy at 5 oz/A + Weedone LV4 or Bronate Advanced controlled mayweed chamomile 78 to 95%. In a study near Genesee, Affinity Tankmix alone or combined with Widematch, Huskie, Orion, Bronate Advanced, and Starane + Sword controlled field pennycress, shepherds purse, and scentless chamomile 100%. Prickly lettuce was controlled 81 to 99% by Affinity Tankmix combinations (see above). Affinity Tankmix alone did not control prickly lettuce (50%) due to ALS resistance. Xerpha, soft white winter wheat was released by WSU in 2008 and was planted extensively throughout the PNW during fall 2009. Xerpha injury symptoms were reported by growers following herbicide application in spring 2010. In response to these reports, a study was established in Xerpha near Potlatch to evaluate crop response to commonly used broadleaf and grass herbicides. At 4 DAT, Olympus, Olympus Flex, Osprey, Affinity BroadSpec, Axial XL, and PowerFlex + Bronate Advanced caused 5 to 9% leaf margin burn, but these treatments did not differ from Huskie, Bronate Advanced, PowerFlex alone or combined with Affinity Tankmix or Huskie (0%). By 12 DAT, no injury was visible. Extension. Project personnel participated in several extension meetings and field days throughout the State, including annual cereal schools. A weed management guide on Italian ryegrass biology and control is being prepared. The Herbicide Resistance and Persistence computer program version for southern Idaho is complete and contains data for the irrigated grain producing area. The program is accessible from the UI website for free download via a link on the PSES website http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/pses/. Montana (Fabian Menalled): Research. Evaluation of multi-trophic pest interactions in agricultural systems. Wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and cheatgrass form a multitrophic pest complex that threatens the economic and environmental sustainability of wheat cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. This study aims to 1) pinpoint first principles related to multitrophic interactions in this pest complex as its members may influence each other in both positive and negative ways and 2) evaluate the joint impact of simple, easy to adopt, management practices such as crop variety, stand density and herbicide application rate on these pests. Role of wheat variety, weed biotype, and stress on virus transmission and crop-weed competitive interactions. Stakeholders across the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest region have identified wheat viruses and grassy weeds as having major impacts on yield and grain quality. We are evaluating approaches to provide joint weed control and virus management recommendations for small grain growers. We will achieve this goal by 1) assessing the interrelationships between crop stress including soil moisture, viruses, and weeds on achievable wheat yields and 2) evaluating the susceptibility of crop varieties and weed biotypes to virus infection by wheat viruses including Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), High Plains virus (HPV), and a newly identified virus, Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV). Effectiveness of newly developed herbicides for weed control in Montanas agriculture. Every year, new herbicides and re-formulations of existing products are released into the market. As part of a service to Montana agricultural producers and in close collaboration with the Industry, we conducted herbicide screening trials to assess the effectiveness of these products under a range of environmental and crop conditions representative of Montanas agriculture. This study is being developed with the help of Mr. Edward S. Davis, Weed Research Associate, MSU. Nebraska (Drew Lyon): Research. Two field studies related to winter annual grass weeds in winter wheat were completed in 2010 at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. The first study was initiated in the fall of 2009 to look at flucarbazone (Pre-pare) applied PRE to winter wheat in combination with other herbicides for downy brome control. The plot area was tilled prior to initiating the study and emerged downy brome was killed at that time. Dry weather after tillage and wheat seeding resulted in no downy brome emergence that fall or over the winter. Consequently, POST treatments were not applied and the study was redirected in the late spring to look at the potential of recrop injury in grain sorghum, sunflower, and proso millet. Visual injury and crop heights were measured approximately four weeks after crop emergence. Crops were not taken to yield. No crop injury was observed in sunflower or proso millet. Crop injury was observed in grain sorghum, which was known to be sensitive to flucarbazone. This study suggests that proso millet and sunflower, two common rotational crops with winter wheat in western Nebraska, may be tolerant to residual levels of flucarbazone in the soil within one year of application. The second completed study compared pyroxsulam (PowerFlex) for downy brome control in winter wheat to sulfosulfuron (Maverick). Applications were made in the fall and spring. The two herbicides performed similarly. Downy brome densities were high. Fall applications provided about 75% control of downy brome, while spring applications provided only about 30% control. Wheat yield averaged about 41 and 17 bushels/acre for fall and spring applications, respectively. We initiated another field study in the fall of 2010 to look at flucarbazone (Pre-pare) applied PRE to winter wheat in combination with other herbicides for downy brome control. This study was initiated in a no-till continuous crop rotation following oat + pea for forage. Downy brome had set seed in this field in the preceding forage crop. However, very dry fall conditions not only resulted in no downy brome after winter wheat seeding, there was also very little wheat that emerged until late October rains managed to bring some wheat on. However, we are still waiting to see if we will get any downy brome to emerge this spring. Extension. No specific extension programming focused on invasive weeds in winter wheat in 2010 or early 2011. Oregon (Dan Ball, Andrew Hulting, and Carol Mallory-Smith): Research. A statewide effort focusing on evaluation of newer herbicide products for management of invasive weeds in wheat based cropping system was undertaken in 2009-2010. Trials in eastern OR focused on downy brome control with preemergence applications of pyroxasulfone or flufenacet, characterization and management of sulfonylurea herbicide resistance in blue mustard, downy brome control with postemergence applications of iodosulfuron, pyroxsulam and flucarbazone, persistence of fomesafen and carryover to winter wheat, rattail fescue control with pyroxsulam, rotational crop (spring or winter wheat) carryover from imazamox and screening of advanced 2-gene CLEARFIELD wheat for tolerance to imazamox. Continued studies with Sharpen and Huskie in chemical fallow indicate that these herbicides may provide improved late-season fallow control of Russian thistle and prickly lettuce when mixed with glyphosate, thereby reducing the reliance on the high rates of glyphosate used alone. Evaluations of cost-effective herbicide treatment regimes in chemical fallow were again conducted during the 2009-2010 crop year. Trials in western Oregon focused on grass control in winter and spring wheat. Control of Italian ryegrass, California brome, downy brome and rattail fescue were evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides, including flufenacet+ metribuzin and pyroxasulfone, in several studies. Rattail fescue, California brome, and downy brome control was evaluated in the 2009-2010 crop year with fall versus spring applications of herbicides. A crop rotation study, evaluating injury of three grass grown for seed species and crimson clover planted 6 months after applications of 1X, 2X and 4X rates of PowerFlex, Maverick, and Olympus to winter wheat has been established and will continue throughout 2010-2011. Several combination broadleaf and grass weed management studies were also conducted. Tank mixes of the next generation of Osprey, known as Atlantis (mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron), Huskie, and various other broadleaf herbicides were compared to Axial TBC and evaluated for control of volunteer meadowfoam, prickly lettuce, volunteer white clover as well as Italian ryegrass and annual bluegrass in winter wheat. Another broadleaf and grass weed management study in winter wheat compared treatments of Osprey, Axial XL, PowerFlex and Atlantis applied in the spring following a fall application of Axiom. Axial TBC, Orion, and Pulsar tank mixed with other broadleaf herbicides were evaluated for control of shepherds purse, lesser seeded bittercress, ivy-leaf speedwell, and prickly lettuce in winter wheat. None of the treatments in this study controlled the ivy-leaf speedwell. Three winter wheat/herbicide tolerance trials were planted each with a different cultivar of wheat. Goetze was planted as a standard cultivar, Skiles, and a cultivar 726 that is near release by the Oregon State University wheat breeding program, were planted to evaluate injury from commonly applied wheat herbicides. The tolerance trials were treated with 18 herbicide treatments, including registered and experimental pre and postemergence wheat herbicide products. Carfentrazone (Aim) and pyraflufen (Vida) applications caused irregular necrotic flecks on the wheat leaves shortly after application. However, the wheat has recovered from these two treatments and no other injury has been documented on any of the three wheat varieties from the other 16 herbicide treatments. These results are similar to those from the 2008-2009 cropping year when the cultivars Goetze, Tubbs 06 and 301 (an experimental cultivar near release) were evaluated under western OR conditions and no major herbicide sensitivity problems were documented. Extension presentations have been ongoing statewide throughout 2009-2010 and have included research update presentations at several industry winter grower meetings and Extension meetings across the state. Field tours of research plots at Hyslop Research Farm and at the Columbia Basin Ag Research Center have also been completed. For example, the OSU Weed Science Group in western OR hosted tours of research trials for all interested industry partners at Hyslop Farm in January-March of 2010. These tours were organized in such a fashion that individual crop consultant/input companies (~ 70 individuals representing Wilco Farmers, Crop Protection Services, Wibur-Ellis, Marion Ag Service, Inc., Fitzmaurice Fertilizer Inc., Simplot and others) could tour research and have open discussions with Extension faculty and their own employees. The tours usually centered on a discussion of herbicide mode of action, activity and selectivity as well as on discussions of potential new uses for established wheat herbicide products. Extension bulletins were produced, published, and made available on-line through OSU Extension and Experiment Station Communications with hard copies available through OSU Extension offices. Data from these trials are used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems in Oregon. Research and experience using recently registered products provides critical information to growers and agri-business consultants that allow them to refine their weed control practices, control invasive weeds efficiently, and avoid wheat injury and yield reductions. The research is also critical to aiding the early adoption of new technologies in wheat production which maintains the competitiveness of Oregon wheat production. The results of these studies are passed on to growers in many Extension venues and through publication of the wheat-based chapters of the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook (http://www.ipmnet.org/IPM_Handbooks.htm). Relation to Other Research: Ph.D. students are continuing studies on jointed goatgrass, looking at differences among populations of jointed goatgrass to identify competitiveness traits and survey wheat fields for herbicide resistant hybrids produced by crossing of Clearfield wheat with jointed goatgrass. Several projects are also conducted in cooperation with researchers at Washington State University and the University of Idaho. Combined results from these studies improve the reliability of findings and are complimentary for the broad range of PNW dryland or high rainfall cropping environments. Washington (Ian Burke): Research. Trials in eastern Washington focused on downy brome, Italian ryegrass, and rattail fescue control. Control of Italian ryegrass, downy brome, and rattail fescue were evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides in several studies in all rainfall zones. Studies included applications of single active ingredients compared to chemical control systems. Evaluation of two-gene Clearfield varieties continued in collaboration with regional wheat breeders. Analysis continued of a multi-year cropping systems study in a no-till regime with six different three year rotations of spring wheat (SW) winter wheat (WW) alternative crop rotation (winter or spring plantings of barley, canola, or pea) that was initiated in 2001 on the Washington State University Cook Agronomy Farm near Pullman, WA. One objective for this study was to better understand how conservation tillage and crop rotation practices affect weed species composition and distribution across the landscape. Wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) abundance decreased while Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] and mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.) increased when the rotation was WW - SW - spring alternative crop with a no-tillage system. Weed species composition in winter canola or barley alternative crop systems changed from wild oat and common lambsquarters to prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.), while weed species composition in winter pea changed depending on field position, becoming dominated by Italian ryegrass or prickly lettuce. The data were then analyzed using Random Forest Regression to attempt to address the entire field. Between 15.87% and 22.2% of the variation in the appearance of Italian ryegrass was explained by the crop rotation, soil, or terrain. Elevation is the largest contributing factor, but global irradiation, flow direction, flow accumulation, and specific catchment area also influenced Italian ryegrass populations. Terrain, environmental, and soil attributes were not contributing factors for the distribution of the remainder of the weed species. The observed changes in weed species composition agree with the changes that have occurred in management practices on the site, particularly the repeated use of herbicides for wild oat control. Studies were established in Davenport, Dayton, Fairfield, LaCrosse, and Pullman, WA in 2009 and 2010 to evaluate early crop growth and development of six winter wheat varieties treated with mesosulfuron applied alone and mesosulfuron applied with bromoxynil plus MCPA in mixture. Transient growth inhibition was observed when mesosulfuron was applied to ORCF-102 in Pullman, Eltan in LaCrosse and Pullman, and Eddy in LaCrosse and Dayton. Although injury was observed in Madsen, no significant growth inhibition was observed when that variety was treated with mesosulfuron. When mesosulfuron was applied with bromoxynil plus MCPA, significant injury was observed in all varieties at all locations 21 DAT, except Eltan at Fairfield and Madsen at LaCrosse. Early season injury caused by mesosulfuron appeared to be transient at each location. Of the varieties evaluated, Eltan and Eddy appear most sensitive to early season injury, while Madsen and ORCF-102 were the least sensitive. The observed early season injury did not translate into a consistent yield loss, even when mesosulfuron was applied with bromoxynil plus MCPA. The lack of yield response is likely attributable to moisture received in May and June. Wyoming (Andrew Kniss): Field research on downy brome control in winter wheat continued in 2010. Split applications (fall and spring) of propoxycarbazone were effective for downy brome control, but split applications of reduced pyroxsulam rates reduced control compared to either fall or spring applications. Fall applications of all herbicides again provided greater control compared to the same treatment applied in the spring. Studies on the soil seed bank ecology of jointed goatgrass were initiated using a stable isotope method for 'tagging' seed. Preliminary results were presented at the 2011 Western Society of Weed Science meeting in Spokane. Grant funding to continue this project is being sought from various sources.

Publications

Campbell, J.M. and D.C. Thill. 2010. Herbicide resistance in a direct seed wheat cropping systems. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 92. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen and D.L. Shouse. 2010. Broadleaf weed control with pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil in comparison with other broadleaf herbicides. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 61:94-95. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen and D.L. Shouse. 2010. Comparison of postemergence herbicides for wild oat and broadleaf weed control in spring wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 61:96-97. Morishita, D.W., J.D. Henningsen and D.L. Shouse. 2010. Fluroxypyr/bromoxynil compared to other broadleaf herbicides in spring wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 61:93. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Catchweed bedstraw control in winter wheat with pinoxaden/florasulam. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 102-103. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Downy brome control in winter wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 104-106. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Italian ryegrass control in wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 99-101. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Preplant broadleaf weed control with saflufenacil in fallow, spring wheat and pea. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 84-87. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Preplant grass weed control with flucarbazone plus glyphosate combinations in wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 90-92. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Prickly lettuce control in winter wheat with pyrasulfotole/ bromoxynil and fluroxypyr. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 112-114. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Rattail fescue control in winter wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 109-111. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Tolerance of winter wheat varieties to mesosulfuron applied under adverse environmental conditions. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 117-118. Rauch, T. A. and D. C. Thill. 2010. Tolerance of winter wheat varieties to imazethapyr and mesosulfuron. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 119-120. Rauch, T. A. and D. Thill. 2010. Mayweed chamomile control in winter wheat. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep. 107-108. Rauch, T.A., D.C. Thill, I. Burke, D. Pittman, J. Yenish, R. Rood, D. Ball, and L. Bennett. 2010. Winter wheat varieties response to mesosulfuron applied under adverse conditions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 42. Rauch, T.A., D.C. Thill, S. Gersdorf, and W. Price. 2010. Occurrence of Herbicide-Resistant Italian Ryegrass (Lolium Multiflorum) in Northern ID and Eastern WA. Weed Technol. 24:281-288. Thill, D. C. 2010. Development and spread of ALS herbicide-resistant Kochia. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 166 (invited). Thill, D.C. 2010. Weed resistance in cereal crops in the northern region of the USA. Proc. Pan-American Weed Resistance Conference. Young, F.L., D.A. Ball, D.C. Thill, J.R. Alldredge, A.G. Ogg Jr and S. Seefeldt. 2010. Integrated Weed Management Systems Identified for Jointed Goatgrass in the PNW. Weed Technol.24:430-439. Davis, P.B., F. Menalled, R.K.D. Peterson, and B. Maxwell. In Press. Refinement of weed risk assessments for biofuels using Camelina sativa as a model species. J. Appl. Ecol. Schat, M., S. Sing, R. Peterson, F. Menalled, and D. Weaver. Accepted with minor revisions. Growth inhibition of Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller, in response to herbivory by the biological control agent Mecinus janthinus Germar. J. Entomological Sci. Sciegienka, J., E. Keren, and F. Menalled. In Press. Interaction of two biological control agents and a herbicide for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) suppression. Invasive Plant Science and Management. Lehnhoff; E.A., F. Menalled, and L. Rew. In Press. Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) establishment in its most Northern range. Invasive Plant Science and Management. Weise, J.L., E.K. Keren, and F. Menalled. In Press. Native wildflower species seedling tolerances to post-emergence herbicides. Native Plants Journal. Menalled, F. 2010. Ecological considerations in the design of integrated weed management programs (In Spanish). Agroecologia 5: 73-78. Smith. R., M.R. Ryan, and F. Menalled. Direct and indirect impacts of weed management practices on soil quality. In Press. Soil Management: Building a Stable Base for Agriculture. J. Hatfield and T. Sauer (eds.) Gan, Y., H.R. Kutcher, F. Menalled , G. Lafond , and S.A. Brandt . 2010. Intensifying production of using broadleaf crops in cereal-based cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. In Press. Current Advancements in Soil Science and Agronomy Research in the Northern Great Plains. D. Malhi, ed. Menalled, F. Integrated weed management in lentils. MT 201009AG New 9/10 Burrows, M., D. Weaver, and F. Menalled. 2010. 2011 Common Montana Wheat Pests calendar. Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and Montana State University Extension McVay, K., M. Burrows, F. Menalled, and K. Wanner. 2010. Montana wheat production guide. Montana State University Extension Service. Burrows, M., D. Weaver, and F. Menalled. 2009. 2010 Common Montana Wheat Pests calendar. Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and Montana State University Extension. Jenks, B., G. Willoughby, J. Lukach, F. Menalled, and E. Davis. 2010. Comparison of desiccant timing and harvest method in canola. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA 2010 International Annual Meeting. Long Beach, CA. Oct 31 Nov. 3, 2010. Keren, I., F. Menalled, D. Weaver, A. Dyer, and J. Robinson-Cox. 2010. A total system approach to modeling and pest management in wheat cropping systems. 2010 Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Aug 1-6, 2010. Miller, Z., F. Menalled, M. Burrows, and N. Orloff. 2010. Direct and interactive effects of plant stressors on winter wheat yields and crop-weed competition. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Aug 1-6, 2010. Hanson, M., P. Hatfield, H. Goosey, and F. Menalled. 2010. Impact of strategic sheep grazing on weed communities. 2010 Weed Science Society of America and Society for Range Management Joint Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. Feb 7-11, 2010. Menalled, F., Z. Miller, M. Burrows, and N. Orloff. 2010. Direct and interactive effects of plant stressors on winter wheat yields and crop-weed competition. 2010 Weed Science Society of America and Society for Range Management Joint Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. Feb 7-11, 2010. Keren, I., F. Menalled, D. Weaver, and A. Dyer. 2010. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) management in spring wheat cropping systems is complicated by the presence of wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus) and Fusarium crown rot. 2010 Weed Science Society of America and Society for Range management Joint Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. Feb 7-11, 2010. Orloff, N, Z. Miller, F. Menalled, and J. Mangold. 2010. Nitrogen availability and distance from row modifies competitive interactions between downy brome (Bromus tectorum) and winter wheat. 2010 Weed Science Society of America and Society for Range management Joint Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. Feb 7-11, 2010. Menalled, F. and R. Smith. 2010. Competitiveness of herbicide resistant and susceptible kochia (Kochia scoparia) under contrasting management practices. Pan-American Weed Resistance Conference. Miami, Florida. January 19-21, 2010. Alvarez, J.M. and F. Menalled. 2010. A new host and overwintering site for the mealybug Trionymus haancheni McKenzie (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in Idaho. 94th annual PB-ESA meeting. Boise, ID, April 11-14, 2010. Gandhi, H., M.I. Vales, C. A. Mallory-Smith, and O. Riera-Lizarazu. 2009. Genetic structure of Aegilops cylindrica Host in its native range and in the United States of America. TAG 119:1013-1025. Perez-Jones, A., S. Intanon, and C.A. Mallory-Smith. 2009. Molecular analysis of hexazinone-resistant shepherds purse (Capsella bursa- pastoris) reveals a novel psbA mutation. Weed Sci. 57:574-578. Tarasoff, C.S., C.A. Mallory-Smith, and D.A. Ball. 2009. Competitive effects of Nuttalls and weeping alkaligrass in Kentucky bluegrass. Northwest Sci. 83:325-333. Harrington, J., P.F. Byrne, F.B. Peairs, S.J. Nissen, P. Westra, P. C. Ellsworth, A. Fournier, C.A. Mallory-Smith, R.S. Zemetra, and W. B. Henry. 2009. Perceived consequences of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops on integrated pest management strategies in the Western United States: Results of an online survey. AgBioForum 12:412-421. Rehman, M., J.L. Hansen, C.A. Mallory-Smith, A. Hang, C. Burton, and R.S. Zemetra. 2010. Determining the pollen parent of field-grown backcross progenies of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) X jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) hybrids using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Crop Sci. 50:1474-1479. High Plains IPM Wiki (online crop and pest management guides and tools). 2010. http://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Main_Page Role: Hulting primary author and on-going editor for the following six fact sheets on management of problem weeds in the Northern Plains and Inland PNW: Common Bedstraw, Wild Carrot, Persian Speedwell, Mayweed Chamomile, Coast Fiddleneck and Italian ryegrass. Flowers, M., C.J. Peterson, A.G. Hulting, J. Burns, S. Guy, and J. Kuehner. Skiles Soft White Wheat Variety Guide. EM 9004-E 2010. http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/15300/1/em9004.pdf Flowers, M., C.J. Peterson, A.G. Hulting, J. Burns, S. Guy, and J. Kuehner. ORCF-103 CLEARFIELD* Soft White Winter Wheat Variety Guide. EM 9006-E 2010. http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/15319/1/em9006.pdf Hulting, A.G., C. Mallory-Smith, and D.A. Ball. The OSU Weed Science Group: Developing Weed Management Solutions for Oregons Wheat Growers. In, Oregon Wheat, August 2010. Riar, D. S., J. P. Yenish, D. Ball, and I. C. Burke. 2011. Efficacy of postemergence herbicides with a reduced herbicide applicator in fallow. Weed Technol. (Accepted). Gallagher, R. S., D. Pittmann, A. M. Snyder, R. T. Koenig, E. P. Fuerst, I. C. Burke and L. Hoagland. 2010. Alternative strategies for transitioning to organic production in direct-seeded grain systems in Eastern Washington I: Crop Agronomy. J. Sustain. Agr. 34:483-503. Burke, I. C., J. Bell, T. Rauch, D. Thill, D. Ball, and J. P. Yenish. 2010. Detection and persistence of imazethapyr in a Palouse silt loam. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 63:91. Rauch, T., D. Thill, I. C. Burke, D. Pittmann, J. Yenish, R. Rood, D. Ball, and L. Bennett. 2010. Winter wheat varieties response to mesosulfuron applied under adverse environmental conditions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 63:23. Kniss, A.R., D.J. Lyon, J. Vassios, and S. Nissen. 2011. MCPA synergizes imazamox for feral rye control. Weed Technology. Accepted 08-February-2011. DOI: 10.1614/WT-D-10-00146.1. Kniss, A.R. and D.J. Lyon. 2011. Winter wheat response to pre-plant applications of aminocyclopyrachlor. Weed Technology. 25:51-57.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 05/14/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/12/2012 - 03/12/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2010 - 09/01/2011

Participants

Burke, Ian , Washington State University;
Armstrong, Joe, Oklahoma State University;
Ball, Dan, Oregon State University;
Morishita, Don, University of Idaho;
Thill, Donn, University of Idaho;
Felix, Joel, Oregon State University;
Reddy, Seshadri, Kansas State University;
Menalled, Fabian, Montana State University;
Lyon, Drew, University of Nebraska;
Kniss, Andrew, University of Wyoming

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting was held on Monday, March 12 in conjunction with the Western Society of Weed Science annual meeting at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ian Burke at 1:00 pm.

The meeting started with an update from Administrative Advisor Donn Thill regarding the current status of the WERA077 working group. Thill reminded the group that the WERA077 working group is hosted in a particular region, but can include members from any state, including those from both the public and private sector.

A brief discussion of the WERA077 Chair's responsibilities was also conducted. Dan Ball described the Chair's role as to announce the meeting, get location for meeting (usually dovetailed with WSWS meetings), and get state representatives to submit a short report documenting their activities and outputs. Along with this discussion, a conversation was held discussing ways to increase attendance and participation. It was mentioned that the committee used to be named "Annual Grass Weeds in Wheat," but has since been retitled to "Invasive Weeds in Wheat." There was also discussion regarding interest in including other small grains in the committee, including barley, and retitling the committee as "Invasive Weeds in Cereal Crop Systems." No formal decisions were made regarding name changes.

As part of discussion, Chair Ian Burke discussed the potential for the group to submit a collaborative proposal to AFRI regarding weed control in wheat. Chair Ian Burke expressed concern that a multi-state grass weed control in wheat proposal would likely not be funded unless it included a significant genomic and genetic component. Additionally, Burke said that these proposals do not require matching funds, but have a maximum award of $500,000. The concern among the group was that this level of funding does not justify including many collaborators. Potential proposal ideas included wheat/rye genetic interactions and variability (or Italian ryegrass, downy brome, etc.) and resistance mitigation (ALS-resistant downy brome, for example). As an alternative to an AFRI proposal, Fabian Menalled suggested that we could develop a smaller project that included multiple states, such as characterizing weed variability across a large geographic area. This type of project would involve little work for each state, but could be put together into a publishable manuscript or used as the foundation for a large scale research proposal.

During general discussion, Chair Ian Burke discussed the current status of the jointed goatgrass project and website. He reported that the website is hosted at Washington State University, but there have not been any recent activity or updates. At this time, there are no plans to update the website with new information; however, it has been designed to provide information for other grass weed species in addition to jointed goatgrass. Though there is no available funding from the jointed goatgrass project, this website could still be used and updated.

Finally, discussion regarding a meeting time for next year's WERA077 meeting. Most in attendance agreed that a meeting on Monday afternoon prior to the WSWS meetings was satisfactory. However, this time does conflict with the WSWS board meeting and will likely prevent many people from attending the meeting. Therefore, it was agreed upon by the group to meet on the Thursday afternoon at the conclusion of the 2013 WSWS meetings. The meeting room should be reserved in December, as this is the time frame when Phil Banks is reserving meeting space for the upcoming WSWS meetings. During discussion regarding the 2013 WERA077 committee meeting it was also mentioned that the group should invite small grains weed scientists and other interested people from other states that are not represented (e.g. South Dakota and Texas). In addition, it was mentioned that an advertisement should be placed in the WSWS newsletter prior to the meeting to extend this invitation to anyone that is interested, including anyone from private industry.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an election was held for Vice-Chair/Secretary for 2012-2013. Fabian Menalled was nominated by Drew Lyon. His nomination was seconded by Dan Ball. The group voted unanimously to elect Menalled for Vice-Chair Secretary. Joe Armstrong will move into the Chair role for 2012-2013.

Accomplishments

State reports Montana-submitted by Fabian Menalled Our research focused on several areas related to weed biology, ecology, and management. Among them: Evaluation of multi-trophic pest interactions in agricultural systems. Wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and cheatgrass form a multitrophic pest complex that threatens the economic and environmental sustainability of wheat cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. To assess the interactions between these pest groups we selected three 1ha fields within commercial farms in Montana. Sites (Amsterdam, Ulm, and Havre) were selected to represent commercial operations with different pest pressure. In each location, treatments included three hard spring wheat varieties: Choteau, a solid stem, Fusarium tolerant variety; Reeder, a hollow stem, high yield variety, and McNeal, a hollow stem and drought tolerant variety. At each site, wheat stem sawfly abundance, Fusarium infection rates, and crop and weed emergence rate, density, biomass, and seed production were evaluated using 0.485 m diameter rings. At the plot level, we obtained visual estimates of cheatgrass canopy cover, seed yield, and biomass. Role of wheat variety, weed biotype, and stress on virus transmission and crop-weed competitive interactions. Stakeholders across the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest region have identified wheat viruses and grassy weeds as having major impacts on yield and grain quality. To respond to this concern we conducted greenhouse and field studies to investigate the role of weed species and environmental stress on crop-weed competitive interactions. Field studies at the MSU Post Farm included spring wheat plots growing with a factorial combination of 1) four weed species (none, Avena fatua, Bromus tectorum and Setaria vridis), 2) four levels of available soil nitrate (20, 100, 200 and 300 lbs/acre), and 3) with or without Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). Crop and weed performance (survival, biomass, and seed production) was compared across N, and WSMV inoculation treatments. Study the impact of strategic grazing of grain stubble and weeds with sheep on weed community and population dynamics. This study is being conducted at a 45 different 0.2 hectare plots in a grain production system. The cropping systems include 1) continuous spring wheat, 2) alfalfa, and 3) a three-year rotation that includes spring wheat, spring planted forage pea/hay barley, and summer fallow managed either as no-till with sheep grazing, minimum tillage with herbicide applications, or mechanical tillage. This system is currently being transitioned to organic production. A. fatua and B. tectorum populations as well as weed community dynamics are being evaluated in permanent plots. Effectiveness of newly developed herbicides for weed control in Montana's agriculture. Every year, new herbicides and re-formulations of existing products are released into the market. As part of a service to Montana agricultural producers and in close collaboration with the Industry, we conducted herbicide screening trials to assess the effectiveness of these products under a range of environmental and crop conditions representative of Montana's agriculture. This study is being developed with the help of Mr. Edward S. Davis, Weed Research Associate, MSU. Idaho submitted by Don Morishita Several studies were conducted in Idaho. One of the studies was a long-term Group 2 herbicide resistant crop rotation experiment. This study was completed after 10 years. A group of studies evaluated grass weed control in dryland and irrigated wheat. Grasses evaluated included wild oats, downy brome, Italian ryegrass and rattail fescue. A final study examined pyroxsulam and florasulam persistence in pulse crops. Treatments included simulated winter-kill of wheat, simulated carrover to legumes, combination carryover to legumes, winter and spring wehat plant-back, and tillage effect on carryover. Nebraska-submitted by Drew Lyon Three field studies related to winter annual grass weeds in winter wheat were completed in 2011 at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. The first study was initiated in the fall of 2010 to look at flucarbazone (Pre-pare) applied PRE to winter wheat in combination with other herbicides for downy brome control in no-till winter wheat. The late summer and early fall of 2010 was very dry. Winter wheat and downy brome emergence was very poor in the fall. Luckily, late fall and winter precipitation was sufficient to get wheat and brome to emerge in the spring of 2011. Despite the very dry conditions in the fall, several PRE treatments provided superior downy brome control compared to spring-applied treatments. Two of the best treatments included Pre-Pare applied in the fall followed by spring applications of ARY-0922-001 and either ARY-0454-105 or PowerFlex. Winter wheat yields tended to be greater in treatments containing Pre-Pare in the fall than in treatments without a fall application of Pre-pare. The second completed study compared spring applications of two formulations of pyroxsulam (PowerFlex and PowerFlex HL) for downy brome control in winter wheat to sulfosulfuron (Maverick), propoxycarbazone (Olympus) and propoxycarbazone + mesosulfuron (Olympus Flex). Emerged downy brome plants were in the 1- to 3-leaf stage and were 1 to 3 inches in height. Additional downy brome emerged after POST applications were made. Downy brome plant density was moderate to high. Winter wheat plants had from 1 to 3 tillers and an extended leaf height of 4 to 5 inches. Winter wheat stands were also affected by the dry fall. Stands were thin and erratic in the fall, but improved in the spring. However, like the downy brome, some wheat plants did not emerge until after the POST treatments were applied. No crop injury was observed in this study. Both formulations of PowerFlex provided similar control of downy brome. Downy brome control with both formulations of PowerFlex was similar to the control provided by the other herbicides in the study (Olympus, Olympus Flex, and Maverick). However, as observed in previous research with these products, spring applications resulted in commercially unacceptable control of downy brome. No differences in winter wheat grain yields were observed. The third study was initiated to evaluate crop tolerance and the control of downy brome and feral rye with Beyond and an experimental formulation of Beyond in 2-gene Clearfield winter wheat. Spring treatments were made to downy brome and feral rye on April 11, 2011. All herbicide treatments except Beyond + NIS and BAS 720 06H without MSO or NIS provided excellent control of downy brome and feral rye. Although the benefits of MSO over NIS were not readily evident for downy brome control, MSO did appear to improve control of feral rye compared to NIS, especially when MSO was applied at the 1% v/v rate. All herbicide treatments greatly reduced foreign material contamination of the harvested wheat grain compared to the nontreated check. All herbicide treatments except Beyond + MSO resulted in significantly greater wheat yields than the nontreated check. No specific extension programming focused on invasive weeds in winter wheat in 2011 or early 2012. Oregon-submitted by Daniel Ball, Andrew Hulting, and Carol Mallory-Smith A statewide effort focusing on evaluation of newer herbicide products for management of invasive weeds in wheat-based cropping system was undertaken in 2010-2011. Studies in western Oregon focus on grass control in winter and spring wheat. Control of Italian ryegrass, California brome, downy brome and rattail fescue in winter wheat are being evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides in several studies. A number of winter wheat studies have been initiated to compare Italian ryegrass and rattail fescue control between preemergence and early postemergence applications of Axiom and preemergence applications of pyroxasulfone (KIH-485, Zidua). Rattail fescue, California brome and downy brome control in winter wheat are being evaluated with fall versus spring timing applications of herbicides. Results indicate that applying postemergence herbicides such as PowerFlex, Goldsky and Osprey to winter wheat by approximately the end of November provide the best control of these weedy grass species compared to a spring application in most western Oregon production systems (in the absence of a preemergence application of Axiom). Four studies also were established through cooperation with wheat growers in commercial production fields where populations of suspected multiple resistant (Group 1 and/or 2) Italian ryegrass populations are present to evaluate herbicide combinations for the management of these difficult to control biotypes. A preemergence or early postemergence application of pyroxasulfone (KIH-485, Zidua) or Axiom followed by a spring application of PowerFlex or Osprey provided the best control of these Italian ryegrass populations in all of the studies. Postemergence applications alone did not provide significant control of these Italian ryegrass populations. Trials in eastern Oregon focused on improving effectiveness of downy brome control with preemergence applications of PrePare, Axiom, Far-Go, or pyroxasulfone (KIH-485, Zidua) compared to commercial standard treatments. Because of the current, heavy reliance on Group 2 (sulfonylurea and imidazolinone) herbicides for downy brome control, information on effectiveness of herbicides with differing modes of action will facilitate future resistance management strategies. Another trial was conducted under eastern Oregon conditions to evaluate PowerFlex effectiveness for control of rattail fescue. Results of this study indicate only a moderate level of efficacy for rattail fescue suppression. Other trials were conducted in eastern Oregon to evaluate new herbicide combinations for broadleaf weed control in direct-seeded winter and spring wheat. Huskie herbicide continues to exhibit excellent activity on key broadleaf weeds in wheat including prickly lettuce, Russian thistle, and tumble pigweed. A new herbicide from Syngenta, Pulsar, also exhibited very good weed control activity under eastern Oregon conditions. Trial results from 2010-11 and earlier eastern Oregon weed control trials are available on-line at http://oregonstate.edu/weeds/. During 2010-11, weed management Extension presentations were made to wheat producers in Forest Grove, Albany, Salem, Mt. Angel, Corvallis, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, Condon, Hood River, LaGrande, Walla Walla, WA, and Worland, WY, among other locations throughout Oregon and the PNW. Topics covered included precision application of herbicides for weed management, herbicide resistance management, herbicide mode of action, Russian thistle control, carryover potential for Beyond herbicide in wheat, and Italian ryegrass, rattail fescue and downy brome control in winter and spring wheat. Formal field tours or research results were conducted with industry groups and growers at the Columbia Basin Ag Research Center in Pendleton, the Hyslop Ag Research Farm near Corvallis and in Yamhill County. A. Hulting and D. Ball continue to serve as Associate Editors for the PNW Weed Management Handbook and edit and update several wheat-related weed management chapters in the handbook on a yearly basis: http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/. In addition, A. Hulting in collaboration with M. Flowers, OSU Extension Cereals Specialist, developed, hosted and team taught with five other OSU faculty (J. Hart, A. Ross, C. Mundt, G. Fisher and C. Mallory-Smith), the 2010 OSU Extension Wheat Production Short Course held in Corvallis, Oregon. The well received course covered a range of wheat production topics and was attended by western OR wheat growers, industry field personnel, regional ag chemical industry personnel and OSU research and Extension faculty and graduate students. Relation to Other Research: Cooperative projects between researchers at Washington State University, University of Idaho, and OSU's Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center have recently investigated the influence of rainfall zone and preplant tillage on Beyond herbicide persistence in an array of PNW dryland agroclimatic zones. The eastern Oregon weed science team continues to cooperate with the OSU wheat breeding program to identify 2-gene winter wheat lines with improved tolerance to Beyond herbicide treatments. Two-gene Clearfield varieties have dramatically improved herbicide tolerance which will allow for improved weed control treatments for weed species such as feral rye. Surveys, funded in part by the Oregon Wheat Commission and the Agricultural Research Foundation, of jointed goatgrass and wheat X jointed goatgrass hybrids present in wheat fields across eastern Oregon are ongoing. These surveys will be used to help inform management decisions to maintain the utility of the Clearfield production system across the state. The statewide program also continues to work with a variety of university and industry collaborators to identify herbicide resistant weed species in a range of cropping systems and to improve management of these biotypes in many crops, including wheat. A. Hulting and M. Flowers have initiated studies in 2010-11, in collaboration with A. Ross and P. Hayes, which will quantify the potential and identify agronomic barriers for alternative winter cereal grain production, including different wheat varieties and market classes, in western Oregon in both conventional and organic production systems. These studies are funded by the Agricultural Research Foundation and an organic production special grant program administered by OSU. Oklahoma-submitted by Joe Armstrong Herbicide-resistant weeds continue to be one of the most significant pest management concerns for wheat producers in Oklahoma. ALS-resistant Italian ryegrass is prevalent throughout much of Oklahoma and has been well documented with state-wide surveys and field and greenhouse testing. Currently, there have not been any reports of ACCase-resistant or glyphosate-resistant Italian ryegrass. ALS-resistant cheat (Bromus secalinus) has been documented in two counties, but does not appear to be widespread at this point. Other weeds that are suspected to be developing resistance to ALS-inhibitor herbicides include marestail, flixweed, and bushy wallflower. Current research and extension efforts at Oklahoma State include evaluation of preemergence (pyroxasulfone, metribuzin + flufenacent, etc.) and postemergence (pyrasulfatole, fluthiacet, carfentrazone) herbicide options, comparing postemergence application timings, improving weed control through crop rotation, and monitoring the development and spread of herbicide-resistant weeds with surveys and greenhouse testing. The most significant effort to improve control of grass weeds in winter wheat has been the "Okanola" project initiated by Dr. Tom Peeper in 2003. The purpose of this project is to introduce a new crop in Oklahoma that would provide winter wheat producers with a viable and profitable rotation crop to control grass weeds. Winter canola acreage reached a record high during the 2010-2011 growing season at 120,000 harvested acres and it is expected that winter canola will be harvested on approximately 200,000 acres in 2012. While the winter canola acreage is small in comparison to winter wheat, the relatively rapid adoption does indicate that producers are seeking new options to control winter grass weeds and improve wheat production. Washington-submitted by Ian Burke Research. Trials in eastern Washington focused on downy brome, Italian ryegrass, and rattail fescue control. Control of Italian ryegrass, downy brome, and rattail fescue were evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides in several studies in all rainfall zones. Studies included applications of single active ingredients compared to chemical control systems. Evaluation of two-gene Clearfield varieties continued in collaboration with regional wheat breeders. Rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros) is a problematic weed for small grain producers in the Pacific Northwest. Trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Palouse Conservation Field Station near Pullman, WA to evaluate control of rattail fescue in winter wheat utilizing postemergence herbicides and application timings. Fall applications consisted of a prepackaged mixture of flufenacet (304 g ai ha-1) and metribuzin (76 g ai ha-1). Early spring and late spring applications consisted of pyroxsulam (18.4 g ai ha-1); mesosulfuron-methyl (15 g ai ha-1); or a prepackaged mixture of florasulam (1.8 g ae ha-1), fluroxypyr (105 g ae ha-1), and pyroxsulam (11 g ae ha-1). Additionally, sequential treatments that included a prepackaged mixture of flufenacet and metribuzin applied post-plant preemergence followed by a late spring application of pyroxsulam, mesosulfuron-methyl; or a prepackaged mixture of florasulam, fluroxypyr, and pyroxsulam. All non-sequential early and late spring applications included were applied with and without ammonium sulfate (1,700 g ha-1). Visual assessment of rattail fescue control, rattail fescue biomass collected prior to grain harvest, and grain yield were used to evaluate treatment efficacy. In 2010, treatments that received a fall herbicide application controlled between 75% and 92% of rattail fescue, while treatments that did not receive a fall application only controlled between 13% and 38% of rattail fescue. Rattail fescue biomass collected prior to grain harvest was less in treatments receiving a fall herbicide application compared with control. However, rattail fescue biomass in treatments receiving a fall application was not different than early spring applications of pyroxsulam or mesosulfuron-methyl with ammonium sulfate. Grain yield in 2010 was higher in treatments receiving sequential herbicide applications than in control treatments. In 2011, similar relationships were observed in regards to visual assessment of rattail fescue control, biomass, and grain yield however treatments were not statistically different in 2011 and therefore results could not be averaged over year. Understanding how crop rotation and terrain influence the weed seed bank may help identify field-related factors that contribute to increased or decreased weed pressure. A no-till, multi-year cropping systems study with six different three year rotations of spring wheat - winter wheat - alternative crop rotation (winter or spring plantings of barley, triticale, canola, or pea) was initiated in 2001 at the Washington State University Cook Agronomy Farm near Pullman, WA. Soil cores were taken in 1999 and 2010 from 369 geo-referenced locations across the farm to analyze the weed seed bank. Samples were exhaustively germinated and germination was recorded weekly by species over the course of the study. The data were analyzed using Poisson generalized linear model (GLM) and zero-inflated Poisson regression model. In 2010, the wild oat population had decreased to the point that statistical analysis was not possible. Crop rotations could not be analyzed in the 2010 zero-inflated Poisson regression due to reduced weed populations. In 1999 and 2010, mayweed chamomile was negatively correlated with elevation, slope, and transformed aspect when analyzed using Poisson GLM. In 2010, spring barley, canola, and wheat were negatively correlated with mayweed chamomile. In 1999 and 2010, global irradiation and slope were negatively correlated with common lambsquarters, while elevation and wetness index were positively correlated. In 2010, spring barley, canola, and pea were negatively correlated with common lambsquarters. In 1999 and 2010, elevation was negatively correlated with mayweed chamomile when analyzed using zero-inflated Poisson regression. In 1999, slope and global irradiation were negatively correlated with common lambsquarters.

Publications

Avila-Garcia, W. V., E. Sanchez, A.G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2011. Altered target site conferring glufosinate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum). Pest Manag. Sci. (Accepted For Publication 9/26/11). Borrelli, K., R. Koenig, R. Gallagher, D. Pittman, A. Snyder, E. P. Fuerst, I. C. Burke, and L. Hoagland. 2011. Alternative Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Production in Direct-Seeded Grain Systems in Eastern Washington II: Nitrogen Fertility. J. Sustain. Agr. (In Press). Burrows, M., E. Davis, F. Menalled, B. Jenks, J. Knodel, M. Wunsch, and S. Markell. 2011. 2012. Pulse Pest calendar. MSU Extension and NDSU Extension. Davis, P.B., F. Menalled, R.K.D. Peterson, and B. Maxwell. 2011. Refinement of weed risk assessments for biofuels using Camelina sativa as a model species. Journal of Applied Ecology 48: 989-997. Felix, J., J. T. Dauer, A. G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2011. Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) growth and tuber production in response to glyphosate and experimental adjuvant. Weed Technol. (In Press). doi: 10.1614/WT-D-11-00066.1 Flowers, M., C.J. Peterson, A.G. Hulting, J. Burns, S. Guy, and J. Kuehner. Skiles Soft White Wheat Variety Guide. EM 9004-E 2010. 9 pp. http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/15300/1/em9004.pdf Flowers, M., C.J. Peterson, A.G. Hulting, J. Burns, S. Guy, and J. Kuehner. ORCF-103 CLEARFIELD* Soft White Winter Wheat Variety Guide. EM 9006-E 2010. 11pp. http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/bitstream/1957/15319/1/em9006.pdf Gallagher, R. S., D. Pittmann, A. M. Snyder, R. T. Koenig, E. P. Fuerst, I. C. Burke and L. Hoagland. 2010. Alternative strategies for transitioning to organic production in direct-seeded grain systems in Eastern Washington I: Crop Agronomy. J. Sustain. Agr. 34:483-503. Hulting, A. G., J. T. Dauer , B. Hinds-Cook, D. Curtis, R. M. Koepke-Hill and C. Mallory-Smith. 2011. Management of Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) in western Oregon with preemergence applications of pyroxasulfone in winter wheat. Weed Technol. (Accepted For Publication 8/18/11). Hulting, A.G., C. Mallory-Smith, and D.A. Ball. The OSU Weed Science Group: Enhancing Control of Winter Annual Grasses in Winter Wheat with Preemergence Herbicides. In, Oregon Wheat, August 2011. Intanon, S., A. Perez-Jones, A. G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2011. Multiple Pro197 ALS substitutions endow resistance to ALS inhibitors within and among Anthemis cotula populations. Weed Sci. 59:431-437. Kniss, A.R., D.J. Lyon, J.D. Vassios, and S.J. Nissen. 2011. MCPA synergizes imazamox control of feral rye (Secale cereale). Weed Technol. 25:303-309. Lehnhoff; E.A., F. Menalled, and L. Rew. 2011. Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) establishment in its most Northern range. Invasive Plant Science and Management 4: 58-65. Mallory-Smith, C., A. G. Hulting, D. Thill, D. Morishita, and J. Krenz. Herbicide-Resistant Weeds and Their Management. PNW 437. 2007. Revised by J. Campbell, C. Mallory-Smith, A. Hulting and D. Thill in April 2011. 5 pp. http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/pdf/PNW/PNW0437.pdf Riar, D. S., I. C. Burke, J. P. Yenish, and K. Gill. 2011. Physiological and genetic basis for 2,4-D resistance in prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola). J. Agric. Food Chem. 59:9417-9423. Riar, D. S., J. P. Yenish, D. Ball, and I. C. Burke. 2011. Efficacy of postemergence herbicides with a reduced herbicide applicator in fallow. Weed Technol. 25:447-453. Schat, M., S. Sing, R. Peterson, F. Menalled, and D. Weaver. 2011. Growth inhibition of Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller, in response to herbivory by the biological control agent Mecinus janthinus Germar. Journal of Entomological Science 46:1-15. Sciegienka, J., E. Keren, and F. Menalled. 2011. Impact of root fragment dimension, weight, burial depth, and water regime on Cirsium arvense emergence and growth. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 91:1027-1036. Sciegienka, J., E. Keren, and F. Menalled. 2011. Interactions of two biological control agents and a herbicide for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) suppression. Invasive Plant Science and Management 4: 151-158. Smith. R., M.R. Ryan, and F. Menalled. 2011. Direct and indirect impacts of weed management practices on soil quality. Soil Management: Building a Stable Base for Agriculture. J. Hatfield and T. Sauer (eds.) Weise, J.L., E. Keren, and F. Menalled. 2011. Native wildflower species seedling tolerances to post-emergence herbicides. Native Plants Journal 12: 31-36.

Impact Statements

Idaho - Group 2 herbicide resistant weeds are becoming more prevalent in wheat cropping systems. This research will help crop producers manage group 2 herbicide resistant weeds for economical wheat production. Annual ryegrass populations have developed that are resistant to multiple herbicide groups. Managing weed control systems to attempt prevention of herbicide resistant weeds is essential for economical wheat production. Imidazolinone-resistant wheat and canola are used increasingly to obtain control of these resistant weeds. Overuse of imidazolinone-resistant crops likely will result in selection of herbicide resistant weed populations and herbicide resistant crop volunteer in subsequent cropping years.
Oregon - Data from the trials are used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems in Oregon. Research and experience using recently registered products provides critical information to growers and agri-business consultants that allow them to refine their weed control practices, control invasive weeds efficiently, and avoid wheat injury and yield reductions. The research is also critical to aiding the early adoption of new technologies in wheat production which maintains the competitiveness of Oregon wheat production.
Oklahoma - Continued efforts to improve and expand winter canola production as a cultural weed control method to improve weed control in wheat has been successful. For the 2011-2012 growing season, an estimated 200,000 acres of winter canola were planted. This is a record level of planted acres for this crop. As additional cases of herbicide-resistant weeds in wheat are documented in Oklahoma, it is very likely that winter canola acres will continue to increase.

Date of Annual Report: 04/10/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/14/2013 - 03/14/2013
Period the Report Covers: 03/01/2012 - 02/01/2013

Participants

Burke, Ian. 163 Johnson Hall. PO Box 646420, Pullman WA 99164-6420, Washington State University. icburke@wsu.edu;
Campbell, Joan. Dept. of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, Moscow, ID 83844, University of Idaho. jcampbel@uidaho.edu;
Hulting, Andrew. 337 Crop Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, Oregon State University. Andrew.Hulting@oregonstate.edu;
Kniss, Andrew. Dept. of Plant Sciences. Agriculture C1011, Laramie, WY 82071University of Wyoming. akniss@uwyo.edu;
Lyon, Drew. 169 Johnson Hall, PO Box 646420, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420. drew.lyon@wsu.edu;
Menalled, Fabian. 719 Leon Johnson Hall. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59715. menalled@montana.edu;
Morishita, Don. Kimberly Research & Extension Center,3806 N 3600 E, Kimberly, ID 83341-5076, University of Idaho. don@uidaho.edu;
Ransom, Corey. 4820 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-482, Utah State University. corey.ransom@usu.edu;
Stougaard, Robert, Northwestern Ag Research Center, 4570 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901, Montana State University. rns@montana.edu;
Thill, Donn, Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, 47 Agricultural Science Building, Moscow, ID 83844, University of Idaho. dthill@uidaho.edu;
Westra, Phil, 122 Weed Lab, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Fort Collins CO 80523-1177, Colorado State University. Philip.Westra@ColoState.edu;

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of the WERA077 Managing Invasive Weeds in Wheat working group was held in conjunction with the Western Society of Weed Science annual meeting on March 14, 2013 (02:00 PM to 07:00 PM) at Catamaran Hotel, San Diego, CA. Joe Armstrong officiated as Chair and called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm. Fabian Menalled acted as Vice-Chair/Secretary.
Donn Thill, the WERA077 Administrative Advisor, opened the meeting with a summary of the current status of the WERA077 working group. Thill informed that the WERA077 project will expire in September 2014, expressed concerns about the functionality of this working group, and provided inputs on approaches to improve its efficiency. Thill indicated that a new proposal should be submitted before January 2014. Finally, Thill informed that due to budget sequester, NIFA expects a 5% cut for FY2103. However, these cuts may not impact already funded projects.
During the discussion, the working group evaluated the benefits and costs of continuing to meet. It was decided to continue functioning as a working group and a writing committee composed by Menalled, Kniss, and Lyon, with advice from Thill, will submit a new proposal. Along with this discussion, a conversation was held on approaches to increase attendance to the working group meeting and participation of other states, particularly those who share common agronomic interests such as Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, North and South Dakota. In addition, it was mentioned that an invitation should be extended to anyone interested in weed management in small grains, including anyone from private industry. It was mentioned that including a tour or a special guest presentations could increase the participation to this working group.
During the general discussion, participants discussed results of the projects at their respective states (see Accomplishments Section). A general discussion was held regarding the extent and impact of herbicide resistance in the region, with special emphasis on kochia and feral rye. In this regard, the possibility of organizing a symposium and/or inviting a sociologist or an epidemiologist was discussed. As part of discussion, the working group evaluated the possibility of submitting a collaborative proposal to AFRI but no formal decision was made as there is no current call for proposal that will fit the interests of the group.
Finally, the group evaluated a time for next year's WERA077 meeting. To avoid conflicts, it was decided to meet on the Thursday afternoon at the conclusion of the 2014 WSWS meetings. The meeting room should be reserved in December, as this is the time frame when Phil Banks is reserving meeting space for the upcoming WSWS meetings.
An election was held for Vice-Chair/Secretary for 2014-2015. Don Morishita was nominated and voted unanimously as Vice-Chair/Secretary. Menalled will move into the Chair role for 2014.

Accomplishments

Colorado. Submitted by Phil Westra Jointed Goatgrass. A MS graduate student is finishing a 2 year biotech risk assessment program to evaluate gene flow between winter wheat and jointed goatgrass. BC1 hybrid plants were planted in the field in the fall of 2010 and 2011 and a high level of jointed goatgrass was interspersed with these hybrid plants to serve as pollen donors to force the hybrid crosses back toward the jointed goatgrass genotype. Fertility of these field crosses was very low, typically less than 1% of resulting florets produced viable seed. The level of fertility varied by BC1 plant used in these studies. GISH genome staining has been developed to track chromosome segment movement where crossing did occur among these plants. This technique is being used to better understand the amount of DNA exchange that occurs when hybridization occurs between winter wheat and jointed goatgrass. Based on the preliminary results of these studies, it appears that the frequency of this DNA exchange is very low. Kochia. Kochia is a major summer annual weed of both wheat and the fallow fields that often are utilized to conserve moisture in the Great Plains. The 2007 documentation of glyphosate resistance in KS kochia led to a research project at CSU in which a MS student used molecular techniques to determine the mechanism of glyphosate resistance in kochia. This issue is exacerbated by the tumble weed nature of kochia in which wind-blown plants distribute their seeds over long distances. We found no mutation at the Proline 106 position in the EPSPS gene, thus ruling this out as a possible mechanism of the observed resistance. However, using qPCR, we were able to show that significant amplification of the EPSPS gene occurs in all glyphosate resistance plants tested to date from a wide geographic range. This increase in gene copy number ranges from 3 to 9 additional copies, all of which confer resistance to glyphosate applied at the recommended field rate. Some plants survive up to 6 lb ae/acre of glyphosate. New research is focused on alternative control of glyphosate resistant kochia. Feral Rye. Feral rye is a winter annual grass weed of wheat that closely mirrors the life cycle of winter wheat. Imazamox has been labeled for suppression of feral rye because field-level control has been variable. Feral rye field samples of seed were collected from 71 locations in eastern Colorado in July of 2012, around the time of wheat harvest. Threshed seed were planted in the greenhouse and all accessions were sprayed with 3, 6, and 12 fluid ounces of imazamox + 1% v/v MSO. Virtually no accessions were controlled at the 3 oz rate (which is ½ the labeled field rate), while many were controlled at the 6 oz rate. However, multiple accessions survived the 12 oz rate (2 X) and continued to grow in spite of being temporarily damaged. ALS enzyme assays are being run on these potentially resistant accessions to determine if point source mutations have now conferred imazamox resistance in select feral rye populations. Idaho. Submitted by Don Morishita In 2012, 17 grass weed control studies were conducted in Idaho. Fourteen of the studies in northern Idaho included seven trials for Italian ryegrass control, 2 rattail fescue studies, 3 downy brome studies and 3 wild oat studies. In southern Idaho, three wild oat studies were conducted. Italian ryegrass was controlled best with a combination of flufenacet + metribuzin applied preemergence followed by pinoxaden or pyroxsulam or mesosulfuron. Pyroxasulfone applied preplant or preemergence provided 70 to 80% Italian ryegrass control, but pyroxasulfone did not satisfactorily control downy brome. Pyroxsulam and propoxycarbazone controlled downy brome 85%. Rattail fescue was controlled 95% with pyroxasulfone or flufenacet + metribuzin applied preemergence and followed by flucarbazone applied postemergence. In southern Idaho, wild oat was effectively controlled with pinoxaden and fenoxaprop applied in combination with several broadleaf herbicides. Montana. Submitted by Fabian Menalled Our research focused on several areas related to weed biology, ecology, and management. Among them: Effect of height and seeding rate on spring wheat-wild oat (Avena fatua) interactions. Increasing crop competitive ability through seeding rate and crop size provides a means to diversify weed management. However, few studies have assessed the integrated effects of these two practices and the evidence for linking taller varieties with improved weed management are confounded by inter-variety morphological differences. A field experiment was conducted near Bozeman, MT to investigate the impacts of seeding rate and height of three hard red spring wheat varieties on crop-wild oat interactions. Within each variety, crop height (tall or semi-dwarf) was determined by one to two genes. Spring wheat was planted at high (337 plants/m squared) or low (202 plants/m squared) seeding rates into wild oat-infested or weed-free plots. Each treatment was replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on grain yield, weed density, biomass, and seed production. Effects of wild oat on spring wheat yields depended on an interaction between crop height and seeding rate. At low seeding rates, semi-dwarf lines had greater yields than tall lines in weed-free controls but yields were similar in weedy plots. At high seeding rates, weeds-free yields and weed impacts on yields were similar between tall and semi-dwarf lines. While increasing seeding rate decreased weed per capita biomass, canopy height did not impact weed growth. Both seeding rate and crop height had independent effects on weed seed production. Increasing seeding rate and crop height reduced weed seed production by approximately 30% and 20%, respectively. Increasing seeding rate had the largest and most consistent effects on weed growth and seed production and taller wheat lines may be useful as part of a long-term integrated wild oat management program that should be used in combination with high seeding rates. Effectiveness of newly developed herbicides for weed control in Montanas agriculture. Every year, new herbicides and re-formulations of existing products are released into the market. As part of a service to Montana agricultural producers and in close collaboration with the Industry, we conducted herbicide screening trials to assess the effectiveness of these products under a range of environmental and crop conditions representative of Montanas agriculture. This study is being developed with the help of Mr. Edward S. Davis, Weed Research Associate, MSU. Oregon. Submitted by Daniel Ball, Andrew Hulting, and Carol Mallory-Smith A statewide effort focusing on evaluation of newer herbicide products for management of invasive weeds in wheat based cropping system was undertaken in 2011-2012. Studies in western Oregon focus on grass control in winter and spring wheat. Control of Italian ryegrass, California brome, downy brome and rattail fescue in winter wheat are being evaluated with a range of preemergence, early postemergence and postemergence applications of herbicides in several studies. A number of winter wheat studies have been initiated to compare Italian ryegrass and rattail fescue control between preemergence and early postemergence applications of Axiom and preemergence applications of pyroxasulfone (Zidua). Rattail fescue, California brome and downy brome control in winter wheat are being evaluated with fall versus spring timing applications of herbicides. Results indicate that applying postemergence herbicides such as PowerFlex, Goldsky and Osprey to winter wheat by approximately the end of November provide the best control of these weedy grass species compared to a spring application in most western Oregon production systems (in the absence of a preemergence application of Axiom). Studies also were established through cooperation with wheat growers in commercial production fields where populations of suspected multiple resistant (Group 1 and/or 2 and/or 15) Italian ryegrass populations are present to evaluate herbicide combinations for the management of these difficult to control biotypes. A preemergence or early postemergence application of pyroxasulfone (Zidua) or Axiom followed by a spring application of PowerFlex provided the best control of these Italian ryegrass populations in all of the studies. Postemergence applications alone did not provide significant control of these Italian ryegrass populations. Trials in eastern Oregon focused on improving effectiveness of downy brome control with preemergence applications of PrePare, Axiom, Far-Go, or pyroxasulfone (Zidua) compared to commercial standard treatments. Because of the current, heavy reliance on Group 2 (sulfonylurea and imidazolinone) herbicides for downy brome control, information on effectiveness of herbicides with differing modes of action will facilitate future resistance management strategies. Another trial was conducted under eastern Oregon conditions to evaluate PowerFlex effectiveness for control of rattail fescue. Results of this study indicate only a moderate level of efficacy for rattail fescue suppression. Other trials were conducted in eastern Oregon to evaluate new herbicide combinations for broadleaf weed control in direct-seeded winter and spring wheat. Huskie herbicide continues to exhibit excellent activity on key broadleaf weeds in wheat including prickly lettuce, Russian thistle, and tumble pigweed. Trial results from 2011-12 and earlier eastern Oregon weed control trials are available on-line at http://oregonstate.edu/weeds/. Dr. Dan Ball will be retiring from his position based in Pendleton, OR, in November of 2013. A replacement for this weed science position in eastern OR will be sought. During 2011-12, weed management Extension presentations were made to wheat producers in many OR locations including Forest Grove, Albany, Salem, Mt. Angel, Corvallis, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, Condon, Hood River, LaGrande, and Walla Walla, WA, among other locations throughout Oregon and the PNW. Topics covered included precision application of herbicides for weed management, herbicide resistance management, herbicide mode of action, Russian thistle control, carryover potential for Beyond herbicide in wheat, and Italian ryegrass, rattail fescue and downy brome control in winter and spring wheat. Formal field tours or research results were conducted with industry groups and growers at the Columbia Basin Ag Research Center in Pendleton, the Hyslop Ag Research Farm near Corvallis and in Washington County. A. Hulting and D. Ball continue to serve as Associate Editors for the PNW Weed Management Handbook and edit and update several wheat-related weed management chapters in the handbook on a yearly basis: http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/. Relation to Other Research: Cooperative projects between researchers at Washington State University, University of Idaho, and OSUs Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center have recently investigated the influence of rainfall zone and preplant tillage on Beyond herbicide persistence in an array of PNW dryland agroclimatic zones. The eastern Oregon weed science team continues to cooperate with the OSU wheat breeding program to identify 2-gene winter wheat lines with improved tolerance to Beyond herbicide treatments. Two-gene Clearfield varieties have dramatically improved herbicide tolerance which will allow for improved weed control treatments for weed species such as feral rye. Surveys funded, in part, by the Oregon Wheat Commission and the Agricultural Research Foundation of jointed goatgrass and wheat X jointed goatgrass hybrids present in wheat fields across eastern Oregon are ongoing. These surveys will be used to help inform management decisions to maintain the utility of the Clearfield production system across the state. The statewide program also continues to work with a variety of university and industry collaborators to identify herbicide resistant weed species in a range of cropping systems and to improve management of these biotypes in many crops, including wheat. Washington. Submitted by Ian C. Burke and Drew J. Lyon Control of rattail fescue in no-till winter wheat. The efficacy of Axiom and Zidua herbicides for the control of rattail fescue was evaluated in two separate studies near Pullman. The study evaluating Axiom was conducted over three years, while the study evaluating Zidua was conducted over two years. In both studies, the use of a PRE herbicide was superior to a POST herbicide when used alone. Postemergence applications generally did not provide adequate control of rattail fescue. Axiom at 10 oz per acre and Zidua at a minimum rate of 1.68 oz per acre provided effective control of rattail fescue. Only a marginal benefit was seen by using a sequential POST application following a PRE application. There was no significant difference when comparing early POST and late POST applications. Control of Italian ryegrass in no-till winter wheat with Axiom. A trail was conducted near Pullman, WA during the 2011-2012 growing season to assess Axiom herbicide systems for control of Italian ryegrass. This study was designed to compare various POST herbicides, POST herbicides in combination, Axiom applied PRE, and Axiom PRE followed by different POST herbicide combinations. The results of this study are difficult to interpret as treatments that provided a high level of control were often inconsistent. When a single herbicide was used, regardless of application timing, control ranged from 62-79%. When two herbicides were used either in a tank mix or sequentially, control ranged from 64-89%. When a PRE herbicide was followed by a POST herbicide containing two products in a tank mix, control ranged from 70-86%. Yield loss due to prickly lettuce in winter and spring wheat. Two studies were conducted to address yield loss in spring wheat caused by prickly lettuce. The first trial was in winter wheat, while the second trial was in spring wheat. Both trials were conducted in Pullman. Prickly lettuce failed to cause any measurable yield loss in winter wheat. The cool wet spring likely contributed to increased competitiveness of winter wheat. The variety Xerpha was used in the winter wheat trial, and it appears to be a very competitive wheat variety. The spring wheat trial was successful. The variety was Louise, and it was planted on April 20, 2010. A natural prickly lettuce population was allowed to establish. The initial density of prickly lettuce on the site ranged from 20 to 202 plants/m squared. On May 20, 2010, each 30 ft by 7 ft plot was divided in half. One half was left nontreated, and the other half was treated with Huskie herbicide. Spring wheat is sensitive to prickly lettuce infestations. Density-dependent yield loss was not significant. Biomass-dependent yield loss was significant. For every gram increase in prickly lettuce biomass, yield loss increased 0.29 bushels. Prickly lettuce cross resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Since the introduction of ALS inhibitor herbicides in the 1980s, the frequency of herbicide-resistance (R) species to those herbicides has become greater than any other herbicide class. It is known that one or more amino acid substitutions in the ALS protein are sufficient to convert an herbicide-susceptible (S) weed to an R one. Twenty previously collected Eastern Washington prickly lettuce biotypes with known ALS herbicide resistance were studied. Biotypes were grown in a greenhouse and sprayed with various ALS inhibiting herbicides to determine resistance. Cross resistance is not predictable yet, but imazapyr, and the new ALS-inhibiting herbicide, florasulam controlled all the biotypes, even the ALS-resistant ones. Peak (prosulfuron) and Amber (triasulfuron) also controlled a number of biotypes that are known to be ALS-resistant. When we put this information together with the mutation causing the resistance, we can test unknown biotypes and predict cross resistance. Studies initiated in fall of 2012. Several field studies were initiated in the fall of 2012. These included a study on downy brome control with Axiom, rattail fescue control with Everest 2.0, rattail fescue control with Anthem, Italian ryegrass control with pyroxysulfone, and screening of two-gene Clearfield wheat varieties for tolerance to Beyond herbicide. Wyoming. Submitted by Andrew Kniss In 2012, research was conducted for management of glyphosate-resistant kochia in wheat-fallow systems, and downy brome in winter wheat. A variety of herbicide options were identified for kochia control in wheat and fallow. Glyphosate-resistant kochia can be effectively and economically managed in this system. In winter wheat, preemergence applications of propoxycarbazone provided greater than 90% control, compared to less than 60% control with fall or spring postemergence treatments. This is the second year in a row that preemergence applications showed promise for downy brome control in winter wheat. Severe drought limited crop yields in all trials. Less than 6 inches of precipitation was received at the Lingle experiment station in the 2012 calendar year.

Publications

Avila-Garcia, W. V., E. Sanchez, A.G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2012. Target-site mutation associated with glufosinate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum). Pest Management Science. 68:1248-1254. Econopouly, B.F., J.K. McKay, P. Westra, S.D. Redi, A.L. Helm, and P.F. Byrne. 2012. Phenotypic diversity of Aegilops cylindrica (jointed goatgrass) accessions from the western United States under irrigated and dryland conditions. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment. 164: 244-251. Hulting, A.G., C. Mallory-Smith, and D.A. Ball. Winter Annual Grass Weed Control in Oregon Wheat Production Systems. In, Oregon Wheat, October 2012. Hulting, A. G., J. T. Dauer, B. Hinds-Cook, D. Curtis, R. M. Koepke-Hill and C. Mallory-Smith. 2012. Management of Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) in western Oregon with preemergence applications of pyroxasulfone in winter wheat. Weed Technology 26:230-235 Hulting, A.G. PNW Weed Management HandbookRestricted Use Herbicides, Winter Wheat-West of the Cascades, Grass Seed Crops, Clover Seed, Camelina , Managing Small Pastures and Control of Problem Weeds Chapters. WEED http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/weed/weed.pdf Ito, D., Z. Miller, F. Menalled, M. Moffet, M. Burrows. 2012. Relative susceptibility among alternative host species prevalent in the Great Plains to Wheat streak mosaic virus. Plant Disease 96:1185-1192. Lawrence, N. C. and I. C. Burke. 2012. Control of Rattail Fescue in Winter Wheat. Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 65:22. Liu, M., A. G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2012. Multiple-resistance in Lolium spp. perenne multiflorum. Proceedings of the 6th International Weed Science Congress: 73. Hangzhou, China. Mallory-Smith, C., W. Avila-Garcia, E. Sanchez-Olguin and A. G. Hulting. 2012. Target-site mutation associated with glufosinate resistance in Lolium spp. perenne multiflorum. Proceedings of the 6th International Weed Science Congress: 73. Hangzhou, China. Mallory-Smith, C., A.G. Hulting, D. W. Curtis, K. C. Roerig and M. Liu. 2012. Herbicide resistant Italian ryegrass: Any options left? Proc. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Vol.65: (In Press). Mallory-Smith, C., A.G. Hulting, D. W. Curtis, and M. Liu. 2012. Flufenacet resistant Italian ryegrass populations are not resistant to pyroxasulfone. WSSA Abstracts (In Press). Manuchehri, M. R., E. P. Fuerst, I. C. Burke, and D. Pittmann. 2012. Growth and development of spring crops in response to oat competition. Weed Sci. Soc. Am. 52:374. Manuchehri, M. R., E. P. Fuerst, and I. C. Burke. 2012. Effects of planting density and weed pressure on grain quality in Eastern Washington. West. Soc. Weed Sci. 65:46. Manuchehri, M. R., K. A. Borrelli, E. P. Fuerst, D. L. Pittmann, R. T. Koenig, and I. C. Burke. 2012. Fertility and cropping system effects on spring annual weeds in Eastern Washington dryland organic systems. Weed Sci. Soc. Am. Abst. 52:34. Martins, B. A. B., E. Sanchez-Olguin, A. Perez-Jones, A. G. Hulting and C. Mallory-Smith. 2012. ACCase cross-resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) sub-populations from Oregon, USA. 25th German Conference on Weed Biology and Control. Braunschweig, Germany. Menalled, F., E. Keren, D. Weaver, A. Dyer, and J. Robison-Cox. 2012. Assessing the ecological basis of a multi-pest approach to management of wheat-fallow systems. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 92: 595-596. Miller Z. F. Menalled, and M. Burrows. 2012. Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) increases disease induced over-winter mortality in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Canadian Journal of Plant Science 92: 603-603. Wiersma, Andrew. 2012. Regional whole plant and molecular response of Kochia scoparia to glyphosate. MS thesis, Colorado State University 55 pages.

Impact Statements

Idaho: Results from the herbicide screening trials provided information to control grassy weeds species across the state and were used to support labeling of herbicides.
Montana: Information was obtained on ecological approaches to manage agricultural weeds is small grain systems. For example 1) the combination of taller wheat cultivars and increased seeding rates represents a viable and simple approach to reduce wild oat seed productions, and 2) Data from herbicide screening trials were used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems and provide information to growers across the state through numerous extension presentations and news releases.
Oregon: Data from these trials are used to support labeling of herbicides in diverse wheat-cropping systems in Oregon. Research and experience using recently registered products provides critical information to growers and agri-business consultants that allow them to refine their weed control practices, control invasive weeds efficiently, and avoid wheat injury and yield reductions. The research is also critical to aiding the early adoption of new technologies in wheat production which maintains the competitiveness of Oregon wheat production.
Washington: Critical information was obtained on approaches to manage rattail fescue and Italian ryegrass, two problematic weed species in no-till winter wheat.