Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Welcome and Introductions: Gaylon Morgan, 2006 Chair of the WERA-077 Committee, brought the meeting to order at approximately 1:05 PM on November 7, 2006. Everyone introduced themselves and the state they were representing. Several new representatives were present, including Fabian Menalled, Corey Ransom, Andrew Hutlig, and Doug Schmale. Jointed Goatgrass Discussion: The discussion was led by Doug Schmale and focused primarily on data gaps and future research. Doug is working on a bulletin on controlling JGG, and pointed out the tillage is still biggest unknown. Doug asked the group, what should recommendation be for tillage in JGG infested fields? Based on discussion, there appears to be no association between JGGR and shallow tillage, which is why we still don't know what the best recommendation should be. Another question raised by Doug and discussed by the group was how to manage JGG after wheat harvest, tillage versus chemical applications. It was pointed out by Drew that these may not necessarily be a data gaps, but rather questions with no good answer. It was discussed that most research being completed from JGG project deal with long-term Clearfield management and risk assessments, and some cultural control questions are quite complex and vary geographically and may be dependent on annual precipitation. Doug also expressed the opinion that there is a still a need for printed extension material on JGG that is short and concise. There was little discussion on funding of future JGG projects because funding of new projects will not occur. Some on-going research will continue to be funded through 2007. Discussion of a survey for JGG and other invasive weeds was brought up by Gaylon, based on some discussion from the 2005 meeting. The general discussion from the group was to conduct a good survey should be conducted to assess the impact of the weed species, if funding could be found for an invasive weeds in wheat (IWW) project. Conversely, it may be easier to justify funding for the IWW project if good survey data were collected. Several different survey techniques were discussed regarding the expense of the survey, the accuracy of the survey, and feasibility of the survey. Based on this discussion, a committee was formed (Corey Ransom, Andrew Hulting, and Case Medlin) investigate survey methods and costs to accomplish the committees goals. Further discussion on potential funding brought up the question. Is rye and ryegrass the potential 'disaster' that JGGR was when the original project received funding? The IWW project will need the support of the NAWG before future funding is likely. Everyone agreed that the chance of receiving funding for IWW project may be reduced if a clear need is not felt by wheat growers. This is where a survey and additional information on yield losses by these weed species will be useful to make a case to the wheat producers. Due to the lack of urgency for managing other invasive weeds, compared to JGG, maybe we should move the IWW group's focus to something that is not a hot button issue currently, but probably will be in the future, such as Roundup Ready wheat. Lee Sommers AES update President's budget has proposed repeatedly a shift from Hatch dollars (formula funding) to competitive grant program. It was rejected by congress in 2005 and will likely be rejected again. At this time, it is believed that Hatch funds will continue although formula funding has decreased the last 20 years. There is a proposal that would coordinate numerous agencies (AES, Extension, ARS, and Forest Service) to accomplish better impact. The goal of the multi-agency would be to double the funding over the next five years, including a 30% increase in infrastructure and 70% increase in competitive grants. All AES and Extension directors have voted on the proposal and 87% supported it. Also, Lee and Steve brought to the committees attention a research study that documented the benefits to society for Hatch funds vs. competitive funding. Steve offered to provide copies of the research paper to anyone who was interested. State Reports State reports were provided by each of the committee members attending the meeting. You can refer to the final annual report for details on research, education, and publications related to managing invasive weeds in wheat. Discussion of next year's meeting Lee was not going to be present on November 8th, so the committee decided to discuss the 2007 meeting while Lee was present. Gaylon asked the question, where should we meet? Lee offered to make arrangements for Denver again. Due to the convenience and minimal cost associated with travel to Denver, everyone agreed to the 2007 meeting in Denver. Lee offered to check other hotels in the vicinity for better room rates and closer proximity to more restaurants. For the date and time, we decided to work around the ASA meetings which are the week of Nov. 4 in New Orleans. The second week of November proposed and agreed upon. (Tuesday, Nov. 13th at 1:00pm to Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Noon). Lee S. will make the hotel arrangements for next year's meeting. Lee also recommended to the committee to decide on a specific topic, and focal point, and maybe bring in a few experts to make presentations to the group. It was agreed that this would be a good idea. See below for the topic for the 2007 meeting. NIMSS Website The WERA 077 section of NIMSS website (http://www.nimss.umd.edu/homepages/home.cfm?trackID=5275) was introduced and discussed for members of the group unaware of its presence. The website contains our statement of issues and justification, as well as annual reports and current list of state representatives. Some updates need to be made to the list of members. The committee agreed that photos should be added to the NIMSS website; such as aerial photos of CSU gene flow research, and Wyoming's predation photos. All participants are encouraged to send photos to Lee Somers to post to the WERA077 website. Discussion ensued about what type of 'publications' should be listed on the website. It was agreed that all citable publications, including peer-reviewed publications (journal articles and bulletins, proceedings/abstracts, and all publications that could be obtained by other interested individuals, including newsletters, popular press articles, webpage publications, etc. Future collaborative efforts If we will go forward for funding of the IWW project, we need to decide on baseline information, and a timeline for generating survey data, determining research need areas, etc. It was decided to set up a discussion at JGGR meeting in March to discuss and decide on survey data, based on the sub-committees findings. Meeting is in Portland, OR. Fabian pointed out that with the NC regional group, common protocols have been distributed to gain more information on seed degradation, and asked if there was interest from this group in a similar project. Several participants brought up similar projects that have been done in this group in the past. Drew mentioned previous discussion on the effect of spray volume on imazamox efficacy, and asked for interest in a simple regional project to investigate this factor. Drew also suggested the possibility of looking at the genetic diversity in feral rye populations on a regional basis, as we have no idea about the genetics involved since it went 'feral'. Gaylon mentioned that a similar knowledge gap exists for ryegrass. A multi-site common garden approach was suggested, with a collection from each state collected by the investigator. Todd G. mentioned that CSU is currently running a similar common garden study with JGG, and CSU might be an ideal location for the common garden. Jim P. thought this study would fit well with the objectives of NRI, and so a funding source may be available. Making the collections prior to submitting the NRI grant would likely strengthen the proposal. Carol Mallory-Smith, Culvinder Gill, Phil Westra, Sarah Ward, Lynn Fandrich, and Todd Gaines were identified as potential resources for putting together a good proposal, as they have experience with similar studies. Andy Hulting and Todd Gaines will contact the above resources and have discussion points for March JGGR meeting. CSREES project manager is holding a half day meeting with NRI PI's at WSSA this year. Around the JGGR-WSWS meeting in Portland, we will meet and discuss survey data and rye and ryegrass genetics project. Focus topic for next year's meeting It was suggested on 11/7/06 by Lee Sommers that the committee identify a focus topic for next year's meeting. Inclusion of researchers outside of the typical group that attend this meeting might broaden the discussion and we could potentially gain some additional insight. For example, Stephen Enloe from Wyoming and researchers at CSU have large research projects on downy brome management and ecology in natural and non-agricultural ecosystems. Andrew K. will talk to Stephen Enloe, and Todd G. will talk to Cynthia Brown to determine if there is interest in attending this meeting next year. Election of new officers Gaylon asked the question, should chair position be a two year commitment? Gaylon felt that after one year, it is difficult to get a handle on the responsibilities and volunteered to be chair again for 2007. Gaylon recommended electing a secretary to assist with committee responsibilities, including taking the minutes of the meeting. It was discussed and agreed that the secretary will become the chair following a one year term as secretary. This system should provide some consistency from year to year. Phil Stahlman nominated Cory Ransom for Secretary position. Gaylon asked for a second and Drew seconded the nomination. Participants voted unanimously for Cory R. becoming Secretary for 2007, and then move into the Chair position for 2008. Drew Lyon presented a motion that Gaylon Morgan be retained as Chair for 2007. Phil Stahlman seconded. Participants voted unanimously for Gaylon M. remaining chair for 2007. Other business Cory wants to use his new spray chamber, so he suggested in addition to a common garden approach, to do a common herbicide dose response to evaluate biotype differences with respect to herbicide efficacy. Meeting adjournment It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM on November 8, 2006.

Colorado State University - Phil Westra, Pat Byrn, and Lynn Fandrich, and Todd Gaines(graduate student) Colorado was involved in several research projects in 2006 that relate to the objectives of the WERA 77 project. Study 1. 2006 was the final year of field research on gene flow from Clearfield winter wheat to conventional wheats and to jointed goatgrass. The Clearfield herbicide resistance trait was used to screen for outcrossing events. Outcrossing rates to convention wheats varied by distance from the pollen source, and was influenced by the relative maturity category of the conventional wheat. Outcrossing to jointed goatgrass appears to be very low, but it can occur. We are using molecular markers to determine of gene flow has actually come from Clearfield wheat as opposed to spontaneous gene mutations. We plan to do further research to evaluate the amount of gene flow from wheat to jointed goatgrass in the field, and to evaluate the potential impact of such gene flow on the biology and survival of jointed goatgrass. Todd Gaines completed his MS degree in 2006 on this project. Study 2. This study involved the evaluation of an early generation Clearfield double gene (2 copies of the ALS resistance gene) wheat with much improved tolerance to imazamox herbicide. Imazamox treatments were made at rates as high as 18 fluid ounces per acre with no signs of crop injury. These higher herbicide application rates would be useful for feral rye control since current labeled imazamox rates in single gene wheats do not always provide total control of feral rye. It may be time to consider a collaborative project to evaluate the genetic diversity of feral rye in wheat production areas of the western US. Study 3. 2006 allowed us to complete another year of research with two wheat producers in eastern Colorado where we are evaluating the integration of Clearfield wheat and crop rotations with spring crops for long-term management of jointed goatgrass. Imazamox applied at 4 ounces in the spring provides nearly 100% control of jointed goatgrass. At one site, this rate also provided excellent control of Russian thistle and kochia. This project will terminate after crop harvests in 2007. Kansas State University -Phil Stahlman Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of two winter cultivars possessing one or two genes conferring tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides. The same herbicide treatments were applied to each cultivar in separate experiments on different dates, and experiments were repeated. The one-gene cultivar was KS03HW6-1 hard white winter wheat and the two-gene cultivar was P112-282 soft red wheat. Imazamox and a premixture of imazamox&MCPA were applied at three rates at two growth stages. Imazamox rates were 70, 105, and 157 g/ha representing 2X, 3X, and 4.5X the minimum recommended imazamox use rate. Imazamox&MCPA rates were 53&393 g/ha, 70&561 g/ha, and 105&841 g/ha; equivalent to 1.5X, 2X, and 3X the minimum imazamox use rate. All herbicide treatments included 0.25% (v/v) non-ionic surfactant and 2.5% (v/v) urea-ammonium nitrate. The two-gene cultivar exhibited considerably greater herbicide tolerance than the one-gene cultivar. Crop response increased with increasing imazamox rate, especially in the one-gene cultivar and when premixed with MCPA. Imazamox&MCPA caused four- to six-times greater stand loss and biomass reduction in the one-gene cultivar than equal rates of imazamox in the absence of MCPA. Visible crop response was slightly greater when treatments were applied at the earlier growth stage in 3 of 4 experiments; the opposite growth stage response occurred in the remaining experiment. Imazamox, BAS 77703H, and BAS 77703H in combination with other wheat herbicides were applied postemergence in fall. All herbicide treatments included UAN and NIS and the experiment was repeated. Regardless of rate, treatments of imazamox or BAS 77703H controlled flixweed and henbit ~98%; Japanese brome 93% or more; and downy brome 85% or more. Tank mixing triasulfuron&dicamba with 170 g/ha BAS 77703H reduced downy brome control ~10% initially, and residual control declined an additional 15% over time. Tank mixing propoxycarbazone-sodium, propoxycarbazone-sodium&mesosulfuron-methyl, or chlorosulfuron&metsulfuron with BAS 77703H did not affect initial or residual downy brome control. BAS 77703H at 170 g/ha caused significantly more crop injury than imazamox at 113 g/ha (equivalent imazamox rate), and injury increased as BAS 77703H rate increased from 170 to 213 or 255 g/ha. Tank mixing chlorosulfuron&metsulfuron with BAS 77703H increased crop injury and yield loss compared to BAS 77703H alone. University of Nebraska Annual Report - Drew Lyon We completed a seven-year field study on the use of Clearfield wheat in a winter wheat-fallow rotation on jointed goatgrass control. This was a joint project with Dr. Stephen Miller at the University of Wyoming. We are currently working with the data and trying to discern what we learned from the study. Unfortunately, the last two years of the study did not go well. In 2005, the spring application of Beyond did a poor job of controlling jointed goatgrass, and in 2006, extremely dry conditions resulted in very little emergence of jointed goatgrass. Despite these problems, we feel there is valuable information to be garnered from this study. For example, we are currently verifying the presence of imazamox-resistant jointed goatgrass found in the plots in 2006. A seedling from a plant collected from the field plots were grown in the greenhouse and appear to be resistant to Beyond herbicide. This plant was collected from a plot that had been planted to Clearfield wheat and sprayed with Beyond herbicide in 2002, 2004, and 2006, i.e., every time wheat was grown in this winter wheat-fallow rotation. A paper on this work will be prepared and presented at the WSWS annual meeting in Portland, OR. Completion of a seven-year field study on the use of Clearfield wheat suggests that there is a real danger of developing jointed goatgrass populations resistant to imazamox if the Clearfield wheat technology system is used every year that wheat is grown in a winter wheat-fallow rotation. Jointed goatgrass densities were frequently reduced in standard wheat treatments that followed a Clearfield wheat treatment from the previous winter wheat crop. Growers should be advised to rotate the use of Clearfield wheat and standard wheat varieties in winter wheat-fallow rotations. Oklahoma State University - Case Medlin and Tom Peeper The drought during the fall of 2005 and the spring of 2006 drastically impacted wheat production acres across much of the southern Great Plains. Much of Oklahoma went without rainfall from December 2005 until May 2006. Due to this drought, there was little fall wheat forage for grazing and many cattle owners began selling cattle in the fall of 2005 whereas in a typical year, the cattle would not have been sold until March of the following spring. Due to the lack of rainfall needed to produce a crop, weed management was not a priority for most wheat producers. Sales of winter annual grass control herbicides were down regardless of product being sold. Similarly, the number of trials maintained by OSU extension personnel was reduced. Dr. Peeper and the Small Grains Weed Science Research Program managed to irrigate several trials during the year and come away with some data. In several trials conducted by the OSU Small Grains Weed Science Research Program, pinoxaden (currently being sold as Axial by Syngenta Crop Protection) controlled Italian ryegrass as good as or better than mesosulfuron and imazapic. Pinoxaden is also labeled for wild oat control, however, OSU has not evaluated wild oat control with pinoxaden. Rescuegrass control with chlorsulfuron + flucarbazone-sodium when applied with up to 50% UAN carrier and 0.5% v/v NIS was as good as or better than the industry standards of sulfosulfuron or propoxycarbazon-sodium, but control was still only 70 to 80%. Other activities include evaluating control of winter annual grasses in winter wheat / winter canola rotations, which prove to be effective. We are also evaluating long-residual ALS inhibiting herbicides applied in the summer prior to planting wheat for residual control of jointed goatgrass. These trials were established in the fall of 2006 and will be reported on as data are collected. Oregon State University - Dr. Dan Ball The following are current trials relevant to the study of winter annual grass weeds in wheat conducted in eastern Oregon: -Continuing field trials to evaluate downy brome control in winter wheat comparing standard materials applied at fall and spring timings. This is an on-going demonstration of efficacy comparisons between postemergence compounds such as sulfosulfuron, propoxycarbazone-sodium, mesosulfuron, imazamox, alone and in combinations (i.e. Olympus-Flex). Various adjuvant systems and tank mix combinations reported to improve efficacy on downy brome are being evaluated. -Control of downy brome with preplant and preemergence herbicides treatments including triallate, trifluralin, pendimethalin, and flufenacet in winter wheat are being evaluated. Focus is being placed on the need for incorporation of these compounds in direct-seed situations. Gowan has acquired compounds containing triallate and trifluralin and is pursuing expanded use of these materials. Bayer is moving slowly toward a section 3 label for flufenacet, prompting continued evaluation of flufenacet, which is highly effective for rattail fescue control. -Application timing influence on feral rye control in imazamox-resistant winter wheat. A demonstration for eastern Oregon wheat growers to emphasize the importance of early application for improved rye control. -Evaluation of advanced 2-gene, imazamox-resistant spring wheat, shows greater crop tolerance to imazamox than previous imi-wheat varieties. -Soil persistence of imazamox herbicide in tilled and direct-seeded dryland winter wheat cropping systems in cooperation with Donn Thill and Joe Yenish (USDA-CSREES-STEEP). -Impact of N fertility on crop tolerance and downy brome control with imazamox in imazamox-resistant winter wheat varieties. N stressed imi-wheat has shown increased crop injury and reduced weed control from imazamox applications. -A long-term crop rotation study is underway in Moro, OR in a 12 in. precip. Zone to help develop profitable and sustainable cropping systems for central Oregon and Washington. Weed population assessments, again, demonstrate the benefits of diversified crop rotations on reducing winter annual grasses. Project web site has available information on winter annual grass weed management research in eastern Oregon: http://oregonstate.edu/weeds/ Texas A&M University - Drs. Gaylon Morgan and Todd Baughman Several weed management trials were initiated in the Rolling Plains and Blacklands of Texas for wild oats and Italian ryegrass management, respectively. However, due to extreme drought conditions, only two locations in the Blacklands provided adequate crop stands and weed pressure for reliable data. Weed management trials in the Blacklands focused on managing Italian ryegrass with several new and older herbicides. Finesse Grass and Broadleaf® was evaluated for efficacy on Italian ryegrass at several different rates of the active ingredients and also several rates of liquid fertilizers. Overall efficacy of this product was marginal in this trial; however, reduced efficacy may have been exacerbated by moisture stress. Olympus Flex® and Osprey® were evaluated for Italian ryegrass control at another location. At this location, all ALS herbicides provided less than 10% control; however, both Axia®l and Holeon® provided greater than 85% control. Due to the low efficacy of the ALS herbicides, we suspect some herbicide resistance in this Italian ryegrass population. Italian ryegrass seed was collected from the site and is currently being tested for resistance to several ALS herbicides by both university and industry. University of Wyoming - Drs. Steve Miller and Andrew Kniss Jointed goatgrass seed predation and burial studies were completed and are in preparation for publication. Mice and rabbits were identified as the major predators of jointed goatgrass seed. Timing of greatest predation tended to occur prior to wheat ripening in wheat strips, and following wheat harvest in fallow strips indicating that seed predators may move to areas where cover is the greatest. The final year of the long-term Clearfield management study in cooperation with Dr. Drew Lyon at the University of Nebraska was completed in 2006. As the final two years were somewhat disappointing with respect to jointed goatgrass control (2005) and density (2006), soil samples were collected and are currently being analyzed for jointed goatgrass seed density. As a part of the yearly sampling process, jointed goatgrass seed heads were collected along transects from each plot, and grown for resistance screening in the greenhouse. A single goatgrass plant has survived two applications of imazamox applied at 0.032 lbs/A. The plant was collected from a plot that had received imazamox in all three of the cropping years. The potentially resistant plant has been transplanted to a large pot and will be grown to produce seed for further study. In addition, we are discussing plans for returning to the study area to screen for additional resistant plants in 2007.

White, A. D., D. J. Lyon, C. Mallory-Smith, C. R. Medlin, and J. P. Yenish. 2006. Feral rye (Secale cereale) in agricultural production systems. Weed Technol. 20:815-823. Baenziger, P. S., B. Beecher, R. A. Graybosch, D. D. Baltensperger, L. A. Nelson, J. M. Krall, Yue Jin, J. E. Watkins, D. J. Lyon, A. R. Martin, Ming-Shun Chen, and Guiha Bai. 2006. Registration of Infinity CL wheat. Crop Sci. 46:975-977. Klein, R. N., and D. J. Lyon. 2006. Fall weed management in winter wheat. Available at: cropwatch.unl.edu/archives/2006/crop23/wheat_weeds.htm. Lyon, D. J. 2006. Plant clean wheat seed; watch for jointed goatgrass. Available at: cropwatch.unl.edu/archives/2006/crop21/goatgrass.htm. Tucker, K., G.D. Morgan, S.A. Senseman, T.D. Miller, and P.A. Baumann. 2006. Identification, Distribution, and Control of Triasulfuron-resistant Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in Central Texas. Weed Technology. 20:245-250. Morgan, G.D., P.A. Baughman, T. A. Baughman, and B. Bean. 2006. Weed Control Recommendations in Wheat. Texas Cooperative Extension. B-6139.