Weed management in peanut is challenging. Most peanut cultivars grown in the U.S. have long maturity requirements ranging from 140 to 160 days, depending on cultivar and geographical region (Henning et al., 1982; Leon et al., 2025). As a result, foliar and soil residual herbicides may not provide season-long weed control, which can result in mid to late-season weed flushes and other harvest problems. In addition, the peanut canopy has a prostrate growth habit and is slow to shade row middles allowing weeds an extended time to germinate and compete (Walker et al., 1989; Wilcut et al., 1995). Due to canopy architecture, peanut is less competitive with weeds than other crops, such as corn (Zea mays L.) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Brecke and Colvin 1991; Wilcut et al., 1995). The relatively poor competitive ability of peanut necessitates approaches to maintain season-long weed control to maximize yield (Jordan, 2012; Wilcut et al., 1995). Finally, peanut fruit are initiated from flowers on the stems and grow via pegs into the soil surface. This prostrate growth habit is essential for pod production which limits cultivation or other tillage practices to early season (before the onset of flowering) [Brecke and Colvin, 1991; Wilcut et al., 1995].

Peanut weed control typically involves the use of herbicides because alternative methods are both expensive and time-consuming (Gianessi and Reigner, 2007). Gianessi and Reigner (2007) reported that herbicides were utilized on 97% of total peanut acreage in the U.S., resulting in the prevention of 52% of yield loss. Preemergence (PRE) weed control in peanuts primarily relies on acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor and mitosis inhibitors from the dinitroaniline family, such as pendimethalin and trifluralin (Daramola et al., 2024; Leon et al., 2019). The protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor flumioxazin has become an important PRE for broadleaf weed control along with acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors diclosulam and imazapic for postemergence (POST) and residual grass and broadleaf weed management in peanut (Chaudhari et al., 2018). Recently, the phytoene desaturase inhibitor fluridone is now registered for PRE use in peanuts (Anonymous 2023).

Texas panicum (Panicum texanum Buckl.) or Texas millet (Urochloa texana [Buckley] R. Webster) is prevalent throughout the southeastern U.S. Texas panicum is a competitive warm season annual grass that forms dense patches in fields and can grow as high as 91 cm. Texas panicum reproduces primarily by seeds which are dispersed by wind and animals (VanGessel and Johnson, 2019). Each plant has the potential to produce more than 23,000 seeds that can germinate and emerge from soil depths of 7.6 cm (Chandler and Santelmann 1969). Additionally, Egley and Chandler (1983) found that Texas panicum seed can remain viable in the soil for more than five years after burial. Moreover, Texas panicum is one of the most troublesome weed species on coarse-textured soils (Schroeder et al., 1990). It will grow and produce seed under a wide range of soil moisture conditions, including drought, partially explaining Texas panicum competitiveness in crops (Schroeder et al., 1990). Patterson (1990) reported that maximum Texas panicum growth occurred when the average daily temperature was 29 ºC and it was hypothesized that greater weed growth would have occurred at higher temperatures. These characteristics, along with a continuous emergence pattern throughout the summer (VanGessel and Johnson, 2019), make full-season control of Texas panicum challenging in peanut (Prostko et al., 2006).

Clethodim belongs to the cyclohexanedione chemical family and selectively inhibits lipid biosynthesis by blocking the enzyme acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) in susceptible species (Burton et al., 1987). Research has shown that properly timed clethodim POST applications effectively controlled Texas panicum (Grichar et al., 1994; Johnson et al., 2002; Prostko et al., 2001; Wilcut et al., 1990). Johnson et al. (2002) showed that clethodim provided 91% Texas panicum control under moderate (>10 plants/m²) to high (>20 plants/m²) infestations. Prostko et al. (2001) also showed that a single clethodim applications without pre-emergence herbicides provided 85% control of Texas panicum under low (3 plants/m²) to moderate (>10 plants/m²) weed pressure. In addition, sequential clethodim applications may be needed to control later emerging Texas panicum or escapes from heavy infestations (>20 plants/m²) or even to increase Texas panicum control when residual herbicides are not effective (Johnson et al., 2002; Prostko et al., 2001). For example, Prostko et al. (2001) showed that Texas panicum control with ethalfluralin alone was less than 75%; however, clethodim applied POST following ethalfluralin improved control to 94%. However, sole reliance on clethodim POST is not advised for Texas panicum control because of lack of residual control (Johnson et al., 2002). Grichar (1991) found that clethodim at 0.11 kg/ha or above provided greater than 85% control of Texas panicum when applied to grasses less than 15 cm tall. However, clethodim at 0.07 kg/ha provided erratic control especially when soil moisture was limiting and Texas panicum plants are larger than recommended resulting in less translocation and herbicidal activity in the target plants (Chernicky et al., 1984; Fawcett et al., 1987).

Cover crops can hinder weed seed germination and establishment. For example, cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) produces benzoxazinoids which contribute to weed suppression and are produced by numerous species in the Poaceae family (Barnes and Putnam, 1987; Copaja et al., 2006; Kruidhof et al., 2009; Putnam and Duke, 1978; Rice et al., 2005). Benzoxazinoids include 2,4-dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-1 (DIBOA) which breaks down into benzoxazolin-2(3H)-1 (BOA) and 2,4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-1 (DIMBOA) followed by 6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (MBOA) (Copaja et al., 2006; Rice et al., 2005). Rye has been shown to be a promising cover crop species in suppressing weeds both physically and chemically (Silva and Bagavathiannan, 2023). In one study, rye was found to be the most effective cover crop in suppressing early season broadleaf weeds across a variety of cropping systems (Nagabhushana et al., 2001). Additionally, rye was found to provide significant suppression of weeds in transplanted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) [Masiunas et al., 1995]. Other studies have shown that rye and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) provide significant weed-suppressive traits in no-till corn and soybean (Johnson et al., 1993; Liebl et al., 1992; Reddy, 2001). Large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] suppression in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) was more evident when using barley or rye compared to triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) [Dhima et al., 2006].

Ryan et al. (2011) demonstrated that rye can achieve an above-ground biomass of up to 8 Mg/ha. Other researchers have reported biomasses exceeding 10 Mg/ha (Poffenbarger et al., 2015; Webster et al., 2016). Mirsky et al. (2011) observed that rye biomass increased from 4 Mg/ha in early May to 10 Mg/ha in late May. This substantial increase in biomass reduces light transmittance into the soil effectively suppressing light induced weed emergence (Teasdale and Mohler, 1993). Webster et al. (2016) showed a log-logistic relationship between an increasing amount of rye residues and a reduction in germination of small-seeded weeds, such as Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.). For example, when the biomass reached 5.2 Mg/ha, light transmission to the soil decreased by almost 50% which resulted in a 50% decrease in Palmer amaranth germination (Webster et al., 2016).

The challenges posed by Texas panicum in peanut cultivation underscore the dynamic nature of weed populations and the ongoing need for effective long-term weed management strategies. As weed populations evolve in response to changing agricultural practices and herbicide use patterns, a comprehensive and integrated approach is needed for managing Texas panicum. Therefore, incorporating cover crops with effective herbicide programs represents a potential solution for addressing the challenges posed by Texas panicum. Therefore, the objectives of this research project were to 1) evaluate the effect of fall planted cereal rye on the suppression of Texas panicum the following season and 2) evaluate soil residual (S-metolachlor, pyroxasulfone, acetochlor and dimethenamid-P) and foliar (paraquat, imazapic, clethodim) herbicide programs for in-season Texas panicum control.

Field experiments were conducted at one site in 2022/23 and two sites in 2023/24 at the Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center (EREC) located near Blackville, SC (33.36424 N, 81.33155 W; 100 m asl). Soil and other study parameters for each field site are listed in Table 1. The trial was established in fields with natural infestations of Texas panicum with supplemental overseeding in the plots. The experimental design was two (cover crop) by nine (herbicide treatment) factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plot dimensions were 4 rows wide spaced 96-cm apart by 12-m long. Cereal rye var. ‘Wrens Abruzzi ‘was planted at 56 kg ha^-1 in the fall of 2022 and 2023, then terminated the following spring using glyphosate (Roundup PowerMAX 3, Bayer CropScience, St. Louis, MO) at 1.12 kg/ha three to four weeks before peanut seeding, leaving the residue standing. Study sites were fertilized with potassium (90 kg/ha) based on the soil test recommendations provided by the Soil Testing Laboratory at Clemson University one month before trial initiation. Cover crop biomass samples were taken using a 1-m² quadrat in mid-May of every year and were dried in the oven at 41 ºC and weighed. Plots were strip tilled (Unverferth Manufacturing, Kalida, OH) one day before peanut planting. Peanut cultivars Sullivan (Isleib et al., 2015) and Georgia 16HO (Branch 2017) were planted in 2023 and 2024, respectively, at a depth of 5 cm using a four-row John Deere 1700 planter (Deere and Co., Moline, IL, USA) at a rate of 20 seed per meter of row (Table 1). Disease and insect management were carried out according to the guidelines published in the South Carolina Peanut Production Guide (Anco et al., 2023). At the end of the season, the middle two rows of each plot were inverted and then harvested with a plot combine. Peanut plot yield was converted from kg/plot to kg/ha.

After planting, flumioxazin was applied at 0.11 kg/ha across all plots including the untreated for management of broadleaf weeds. Residual herbicide treatments included acetochlor (Warrant, Bayer CropScience, St. Louis, MO) at 1.6 kg/ha, dimethenamid-P (Outlook, BASF, Research Triangle Park, NC) at 0.6 kg/ha, pyroxasulfone (Zidua, BASF) at 0.15 kg/ha, and S-metolachlor (Dual Magnum, Syngenta, Greensboro, NC) at 1.1 kg/ha. Foliar herbicide treatments included acifluorfen + bentazon (Storm, UPL, Research Triangle Park, NC) at 0.28 + 0.6 kg/ha, clethodim (Cleanse 2EC, Winfield Solutions, LLC., St. Paul, MN) at 0.13 kg/ha, imazapic (Cadre, BASF) at 0.07 kg/ha, and paraquat (Gramoxone 3S, Syngenta) at 0.2 kg/ha. Herbicide treatments were applied to the middle two rows leaving the outside rows as running checks using a four-nozzle boom equipped with TeeJet 8002 VS nozzles (Spraying Systems Co., Springfield, IL) 15 days after planting (DAP) [POST1], 30 DAP (POST2), 60 DAP (POST3), and 75 DAP (POST4) days after planting in water using a backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 140 L/ha at 207 kPa.

The effectiveness of each herbicide treatment was determined visually by rating the presence of Texas panicum relative to its density in the non-treated control of each replication on a percentage scale of 0 to 100 where 0 = no control and 100 = complete control or plant death. Texas panicum population density was estimated by counting the number of plants that fell within two 0.25-m² quadrats randomly placed into the two center rows of each plot. Percent visual Texas panicum control ratings and population counts were collected at 15 days after POST2 (DAP2) and 15 days after POST4 (DAP4). In addition, Texas panicum was clipped at the soil surface at 15 DAP4, dried in the oven at 41 ºC, and weighed. At maturity, the middle two rows of each plot were inverted and then harvested using a plot combine (Table 1).

Data were subjected to a three-way ANOVA model using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4 software considering the factorial treatment arrangement to assess the differences between cover crops and herbicides treatments across different locations and years (environments). Fixed factors were environment, cover crops and herbicide application. Random factors were replication nested inside of environments. Normality and homogeneity of variances were evaluated for each model by the Shapiro-Wilk and Anderson-Darling goodness of fit tests and by visual assessment of the residual plots. The data fit the assumptions of normality of residuals and homogeneity of variances. A global F-test was used to evaluate significance and treatment means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD with an alpha value of 0.05.

Environmental conditions in 2024 were more favorable for Texas panicum growth and establishment than in 2023. In 2024, there was less rainfall (22 mm less from May to October than in 2023) and higher temperatures (average of 1.4°C increase May to October) than in 2023 (Table 2). These environmental factors may have increased Texas panicum germination and emergence resulting in the higher observed Texas panicum populations. Texas panicum can thrive under a wide range of soil moisture conditions, including drought, but the optimum growth rates were higher because of elevated temperatures (29°C average) in 2024 (Patterson, 1990; Schroeder et al., 1990). Weed growth is often enhanced at these elevated temperatures (Patterson, 1990).

This study demonstrated the complex dynamics of Texas panicum management in peanut. The warmer and drier season of 2024 led to increased Texas panicum populations compared to 2023, demonstrating the adaptability of Texas panicum to challenging conditions and underscoring the difficulty of effective control under such stresses. Despite this variability, fall-planted rye cover crop consistently reduced Texas panicum emergence and establishment confirming the weed suppression ability of rye without any impact on peanut yield.

Foliar in combination with residual herbicides after crop emergence reduced

Texas panicum emergence and in-season populations before clethodim was applied. However, paraquat in combination with S-metolachlor, acetochlor, or dimethenamid-P were generally less effective in controlling Texas panicum. Imazapic plus with pyroxasulfone, dimethenamid-P, acetochlor, or S-metolachlor provided better overall Texas panicum control indicating that imazapic had both residual and foliar activity on Texas panicum. These results in the study agree with previous research indicating that combining residual herbicides, such as pyroxasulfone, with POST herbicides improves residual control of grass weeds (Baughman et al., 2018; Edenfield et al., 1999; Grichar et al., 2012; King et al., 2007; King and Garcia, 2008). Scott et al. (1995, 1998) also stated that tank mixtures of dimethenamid-P applied with foliar herbicides have shown synergistic control of grass weeds which was attributed to enhanced absorption. Prostko et al. (2011) observed that over-lapping residual herbicides could be an effective means for controlling weeds with season-long emergence patterns including Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis L.), ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth, and Texas panicum. However, it is worth noting that even with a comprehensive approach, control of Texas panicum is limited and full–season control will require clethodim POST in peanuts (Grichar et al., 2021).

Economic considerations are important. The most effective treatments in this study had the lowest cost which provided a cost-effective solution for Texas panicum infested fields. Furthermore, the addition of cover crops and conservation tillage provided another management option in peanut fields in the southeastern U.S. Besides weed suppression, cover crops can provide several benefits including conserving soil moisture after termination, increasing soil organic matter, and reducing soil erosion (Clark, 2007; Dabney et al., 2001; Kaspar and Singer, 2011; Lu et al., 2000). However, previous studies have reported that cover crop biomass only provides early-season weed suppression and additional weed management strategies are needed for long-term weed control and prevention of yield losses (Masiunas et al., 1995; Teasdale, 1996; Teasdale and Abdul-Baki, 1998).

Combining fall-planted rye, effective foliar and residual herbicides, and strategic application timings enhanced Texas panicum control even under challenging environmental conditions. However, the season long germination of Texas panicum emphasizes the need for clethodim in peanut for effective, season-long control. This integrated study confirms previous findings that cover crops can suppress early-season weed emergence; however, full-season management of Texas panicum requires a comprehensive management plan incorporating cover crops, conservation practices, and effective herbicides. The results from this study provide a valuable foundation for enhancing Texas panicum management in peanut production systems in the Southeastern U.S.