Effect of different weed management systems on the weed populations, and seedbank composition and distribution in tropical coconut plantations

Weeds are a perennial problem in coconut plantations and cause significant losses in the nut yield. The occurrence of a wide range of weeds also causes difficulties in their eradication. The influence of five different weed management practises on the distribution and composition of the soil weed seed bank in coconut plantations in the low-country dry zone of Sri Lanka was evaluated. The treatments imposed included the application of glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]-glycine), cover cropping with Pueraria phaseoloides , tractor harrowing, tractor slashing, and tractor plowing. All the treatments were applied twice per year, except for the cover cropping treatment. In terms of a reduction in the weed biomass, the application of glyphosate and cover cropping ( Pueraria ) were more efficient in reducing the ground weed population. These methods were very effective in reducing the weed seed density in the top soil layers. Plowing and harrowing significantly reduced the seed bank in the top soil layers and shifted significant numbers of weed seeds to deeper soil profiles. However, the total germinated weed seed count increased by 123.5, 691.4, 1133.1, and 1216.5% in the 10–15, 15–20, 20–25, and 25–30 cm soil depths, respectively, compared with the initial germinated weed seed count in the plowing treatment. Considering all the soil layers, the decline in the germinating weed seed count was very high in the treatment plots with cover cropping and the application of glyphosate; thus, these are considered to be the best practises to reduce the germinating weed seed count in the soil of coconut plantations.     

不同稻田综合种养模式下杂草长期控制效果的调查

为明确稻田综合种养模式是否可以长期有效控制杂草危害,通过对江苏省48个样点共6种综合种养模式(稻鸭、稻蟹、稻虾、稻鱼、稻鳖和稻鳅/鳝共作)农田的杂草群落和土壤种子库进行调查,比较分析杂草群落综合草情优势度、物种多样性以及杂草群落和土壤种子库的组成和变化。结果表明,在综合种养模式实施1~3年,杂草群落综合草情优势度和土壤种子库密度均明显下降,其中稻鸭共作模式下两者均下降最多,其次是稻虾共作模式下杂草群落综合草情优势度下降较多,而稻鱼共作模式下土壤种子库密度下降较多。实施4~5年,各种养模式下杂草群落综合草情优势度和土壤种子库密度均上升,草害加剧,杂草防控效果下降;其中稻鳅/鳝共作模式下杂草群落综合草情优势度和土壤种子库密度与常规稻田相比升幅最大,分别上升28.8%和25.3%;由于稻鳖、稻鳅/鳝共作模式实施均未超过5年,在实施4~5年时整体上杂草危害最为严重,禾本科杂草、阔叶杂草以及莎草科杂草的综合草情优势度较常规稻田分别上升42.4%、12.3%、0.7%和31.5%、27.7%、38.1%。实施5年以上,稻鸭共作模式下阔叶杂草的综合草情优势度较常规稻田下降65.0%,但禾本科杂草的综合草情优势度和土壤种子库密度较常规稻田分别上升80.5%和66.6%,成为杂草群落和土壤种子库的优势种群;稻虾共作模式下莎草科杂草和阔叶杂草的综合草情优势度较常规稻田分别上升17.8%和45.0%;稻蟹共作模式下莎草科杂草、阔叶杂草和禾本科杂草的综合草情优势度较常规稻田分别上升22.7%、35.3%和29.0%。表明当长期实施同种稻田综合种养模式时,杂草群落在单一的选择压力下会加快演替,杂草危害均呈先降后升的变化趋势,不利于田间杂草的长效防控,建议实施针对耗竭土壤种子库的综合技术措施。     

Assessment of the differential response of weeds to soil solarization by two methods

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the United Arab Emirates was evaluated by two methods: on-farm weed assessment and a seed germination test. In the on-farm weed assessment method, the weed frequency, density, and dry weight were compared in the solarized and non-solarized plots that were cultivated with cabbage. Prior to solarization, the soil was artificially infested with the seeds of 10 weeds. Generally, the densities of seven species and dry weights of five species were significantly lower in the solarized plots as compared to the control. Launea mucronata , Capsella bursa-pastoris , and Echinochloa colona were very sensitive to solarization, as they did not appear in the solarized plots. However, Portulaca oleracea and Melilotus indica were not significantly affected by soil solarization. In the second method, the germination was assessed for the seeds of four weedy species buried at three depths for different durations of solarization. The results confirmed the great sensitivity of L. mucronata and C. bursa-pastoris seeds to solarization, as all had not germinated after 15 days of solarization, even at the 15 cm depth. The seeds of E. colona , however, were less sensitive after 15 days of solarization, especially at 7.5 cm and 15 cm, respectively. The seed germination method confirmed the resistance of the P. oleracea seeds to solarization. The results emphasized the importance of the germination test to provide accurate predictions about the spatial and temporal changes of the soil seed bank in solarized farms. This would help to determine the optimal duration of solarization in each farm, depending on the kind of weeds infesting the farm.     

Diversity in weed seed production and the soil seed bank: Contrasting responses between two agroecosystems

This study was carried out to compare the diversity in seed production and the soil seed bank in a dryland and an irrigated agroecosystem in the dry tropics. Both agroecosystems showed a comparable number of species, but only 25% and 38% similarity during the winter and rainy cropping seasons, respectively. In the irrigated agroecosystem, the amount of seed production diversity was almost double in the winter season, compared to the rainy season. The weed seedbank diversity was low but was sensitive to cropping practices and seasons in both agroecosystems. A considerably smaller soil seedbank size in the irrigated agroecosystem (cf. dryland) was related to lowered weed seed production. The dryland agroecosystem showed a greater accumulation of the seeds of broad‐leaved weeds, whereas the irrigated agroecosystem accumulated more seeds of the grasses or sedges. About three‐fourths of the seeds during the winter season were accounted for by Anagallis arvensis and Chenopodium album in the dryland agroecosystem and by C. album and Melilotus indica in the irrigated agroecosystem. However, during the rainy season, Ammannia baccifera, Echinochloa colona and Cyperus rotundus dominated in both agroecosystems. The changes in the weed seed bank and its diversity are mainly attributed to differences in water management, which tends to reduce species diversity, especially at a lower depth, but leads to the dominance of some potentially noxious weeds (e.g. Phalaris minor and M. indica). Approximately double the soil seedbank size and a greater diversity at a lower depth might indicate an adaptive mechanism in the storage of weed seeds in the dryland agroecosystem.     

Seed rain and soil seed bank compensatory roles on Nassella tenuis (Phil.) Barkworth seedling recruitment in ungrazed and grazed sites

In semi-arid lands, vegetation is distributed in shrub patches immersed in a less vegetated interpatch matrix. Grazing affects perennial grass seed bank through a decrease in seed rain and an increase in seed predation and soil compaction. Nevertheless, some species with anchorage mechanisms in their seeds might overcome this, such as Nassella tenuis (Phil.) Barkworth. This is an important species in grazing paddocks because it has an intermediate palatability and its relatively tolerant to grazing. These characteristics allow N. tenuis to increase its abundance in grazed sites. Our objective was to assess how grazing affects the key palatable species from seeds to seedlings: i.e., seed rain, soil seed bank, and seedling recruitment in different microsites along a windward-leeward transect across shrub canopy. We hypothesized that: (1) the negative effects of grazing on N. tenuis fructification are reflected in its seed rain, soil seed bank, and seedling recruitment, especially in interpatches; (2) Nassella tenuis seed rain reduction, soil compaction by cattle in grazed sites, and removal of seeds by wind decrease its soil seed bank, especially in microsites exposed to the predominant wind; and (3) the decrease in N. tenuis soil seed bank and cover increase in annual species in grazed sites have negative effects on its seedling recruitment, especially in microsites exposed to predominant wind. We placed seed traps, collected soil samples, and monitored seedling recruitment in different locations around shrub canopy to address our hypotheses. Also, we established a manipulative experiment in which we sow N. tenuis seeds and followed its recruitment in different microsites. We compared the seed rain, soil seed bank, natural seedling recruitment, and sown seeds recruitment of N. tenuis between grazed and ungrazed sites. We analyzed differences between microsites along a windward-leeward transect across shrubs patches. Seed rain and soil seed bank had the same density in patches and interpatches both in ungrazed and grazed sites. But seed rain was higher, and soil seed bank was lower in ungrazed sites than in grazed sites. Almost all under-canopy microsites showed greater soil seed bank abundance and natural seedling recruitment in ungrazed sites. Sown seeds recruitment was the same between grazed and ungrazed sites, but it showed protective effects of shrubs in leeward microsites under grazed sites. As a conclusion, seed rain and soil seed bank are complementary under grazed sites.     

Impact of cropping systems on the weed seed banks in the northern Great Plains, USA

Very little research has been done on weed seedbank communities in the northern Great Plains region of the USA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of management systems on the weed seed banks and to assess the relationship between the weed seed banks and the above-ground weed communities. The seed banks were sampled along a range of areas of above-ground weed diversity in organic and conventional spring wheat production fields near Big Sandy, Montana, over 2 years. Eight 1 m × 0.33 m areas were selected in each field to encompass a wide range of above-ground weed diversity and soil cores were taken in each area to a depth of 20 cm and split in half at 10 cm. The number of seeds recovered from the top 10 cm of soil and the 10–20 cm depth were significantly affected by the sampling year and an interaction between the cropping system and the sampling year. The year was the only significant predictor affecting the weed seedbank diversity at both depths. A significant interaction between the management system and the year observed at the 10–20 cm sampling depth reflected the higher rate of decrease in diversity occurring between 2005 and 2006 in the conventionally managed fields compared with the organic fields. A multivariate ordination indicated that, although the year played a significant role in determining the weed seedbank communities, the management system had a role only during 2006. We failed to detect strong correlations between the above-ground and underground weed communities. The results of this study suggest that, in the studied region, yearly fluctuations in environmental factors have significant impacts on the weed seed banks.     

Weed suppression by soil steaming in combination with activating compounds

The aim of this study was to determine the weed suppression potential of soil steaming plus activating compounds (KOH or CaO) to boost soil temperature. Different combinations between the compounds and rates were tested in experiments carried out in the field and in a controlled environment. Treatment effects were assessed on field weed vegetation and on seedbank and seedling emergence of three winter ( Alopecurus myosuroides , Matricaria chamomilla and Raphanus raphanistrum ) and four spring annuals ( Amaranthus retroflexus , Echinochloa crus-galli , Fallopia convolvulus and Setaria viridis ), were assessed on field weed vegetation. Neither maximum soil temperature (from 72 to 85°C) nor duration of high temperature in the 3 h following application consistently affected weed suppression. In the field, no significant effects on total weed density were recorded, but there were some significant effects on individual species. The weed seedbank was clearly suppressed by activated steaming: total seedling emergence was inversely related to increasing KOH rates both in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers, while for CaO the relationship was significant only in the 0–10 cm layer. Winter annuals were more sensitive to KOH than CaO and spring annuals had a more pronounced species-specific response to treatments. There was a strong negative relationship between compound rate and seedling emergence for all species. Alopecurus myosuroides was the most sensitive to the steam-alone treatment (77% reduction), whereas M. chamomilla and E. crus-galli were the least sensitive. Results from this study indicate that the type and rates of activating compounds for soil steaming must be adjusted to the weed community composition.     

土壤种子库的研究方法综述

主要从取样方法、取样时间和种类鉴定等方面对土壤种子库研究方法进行综述,重点介绍了种子萌发法,并且提出了要采取长期定位观测的方法对土壤种子库的长期完整动态进行较系统的研究,而且最好在种子库长期的定位研究中搞清楚研究区内植物种的物种特性并且建立一个幼苗标本库,以增加土壤种子库研究的准确性。     

Weed seed rain interception by grass cover depends on seed traits

Weed management requires a better understanding of the dynamics of the weed seedbank, which is a primary source of weeds in a field. Seeds reaching the ground after seed rain replenish the seedbank and therefore contribute to future weed infestations. Our investigation is based on the hypothesis that a permanent vegetation cover, such as a grassland, can prevent weed seeds from reaching the ground. Therefore, we developed an innovative experimental device to simulate in controlled conditions the seed rain of 12 weed species (Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Conyza canadensis, Myosotis arvensis, Papaver rhoeas, Poa annua, Polygonum aviculare, Ranunculus sp., Rumex obtusifolius, Sonchus asper, Stellaria media, Taraxacum officinale and Veronica persicaria). We quantified the interception of weed seeds by a grass cover. Grass cover height, seed size and seed appendage (e.g. pappus, wing or awn) increased seed interception, in contrast to seed weight and shape index. From these results, we established a linear model to predict weed seed interception by a grass cover as a function of their seed trait values. The relationship between the predicted interception and weed community dynamics observed in grasslands was negative for some species, indicating that other processes may be involved depending on weed species. The weed seed interception model will be incorporated into an existing model of weed population dynamics to simulate the impact of grassland insertion into arable crop rotations.     

Weed seeds in long-term dryland tillage and cropping system plots

Successful crop production depends on effective weed control. Weed seedbanks were determined after 12 years of dryland cropping with winter wheat and grain sorghum under different tillage methods (no- and stubble mulch) and cropping sequences. Seeds of 12 species were detected. Amaranthus retroflexus was most abundant, but seed numbers were similar under all conditions. Portulaca oleracea , Panicum capillare , Setaria viridis and Sorghum halepense seed numbers differed because of some factors, with those for P. oleracea being greatest. For others, seed numbers were low (≤0.11 kg⁻¹ soil), except for Digitaria sanguinalis with 7.8 kg⁻¹ soil and Bromus japonicus with 1.3 kg⁻¹ soil. Most seeds were near the surface with both tillage methods, with enough present under most conditions to cause a problem if proper control measures were not used, especially with continuous cropping. When a weed problem occurs under conditions as in this study, the results indicate that it could be reduced by growing winter and summer crops in rotation, which permits controlling weeds with tillage and/or herbicides when a crop is not growing. Other possibilities for controlling weeds under conditions as in this study are to alternate between dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous crops, which would permit use of a wider range of herbicides, and to use selective in-crop herbicides.     

Effect of burial depth and soil water regime on the fate of Lithospermum arvense seeds in relation to burial time

Lithospermum arvense is an increasing annual weed in winter crops of the semiarid region of southern Argentina under low impact tillage systems, an agricultural practice that has become popular in recent years. Seed distribution in the soil profile under conventional tillage will change when reduced tillage is implemented, thus affecting the germination microenvironment. The effect of seed burial depth and soil water regime on field germination, enforced dormancy, innate dormancy and seed decay was studied in relation to burial time in a field experiment. In addition, the effect of burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence was examined under laboratory controlled conditions. Field germination of buried seed ranged from 55% to 65% for shallow (2 cm) and from 5% to 30% for greater depths (20 cm). Enforced dormancy levels were significantly higher among deeper seeds. The amount of innate dormant seeds was reduced to <10% after a year of burial. Lithospermum arvense seedbanks can be classified as short-term persistent. Germination in the laboratory was unaffected by burial depth, while seedling emergence reduction was adequately described by a sigmoidal model. Results indicate that agricultural practices that accumulate L. arvense seeds near the soil surface enhance seedling recruitment.     

Real-time weed detection, decision making and patch spraying in maize, sugarbeet, winter wheat and winter barley

Information on temporal and spatial variation in weed seedling populations within agricultural fields is very important for weed population assessment and management. Most of all, it allows a potential reduction in herbicide use, when post‐emergence herbicides are only applied to field sections with weed infestation levels higher than the economic weed threshold; a review of such work is provided. This paper presents a system for site‐specific weed control in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), maize (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), including online weed detection using digital image analysis, computer‐based decision making and global positioning systems (GPS)‐controlled patch spraying. In a 4‐year study, herbicide use with this map‐based approach was reduced in winter cereals by 60% for herbicides against broad‐leaved weeds and 90% for grass weed herbicides. In sugarbeet and maize, average savings for grass weed herbicides were 78% in maize and 36% in sugarbeet. For herbicides against broad‐leaved weeds, 11% were saved in maize and 41% in sugarbeet.     

Composition of floating weed seeds in lowland rice fields in China and the effects of irrigation frequency and previous crops

The diversity and composition of floating weed seed communities were surveyed in 27 sites across the main rice-growing regions in China with the aim of better understanding weed seed dispersal via irrigation water. Seed of 74 species, belonging to 20 families, were identified from floating matter on the water surface in lowland rice fields. Thirty-five species from three families: Poaceae (15), Asteraceae (11), and Polygonaceae (9), accounted for 47% of all species identified. Species with seed maturing in the summer accounted for 64% of the weed seed and their mean relative abundance was 0.74. Species richness, Shannon–Wiener index and Pielou evenness index were significantly different among the floating weed seed communities. The diversity of weed seed communities in the Yangtze river valley was higher than that in other sites, and some sites were dominated by only a few weed species, such as Beckmannia syzigachne , Alopecurus aequalis , A. japonicus , and Polypogon fugax. At all sites, the dominant weed seeds reflected the dominant weed species in the previous crop. The 27 sample sites of weed seed communities can be clustered into two groups on the basis of previous crop, either lowland rice or sites with previous crops of winter fallow, winter wheat or oilseed rape. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that irrigation frequency, previous crop, and latitude, but not soil type or longitude, significantly affected species composition. The numbers of floating weed seed species were high in lowland rice fields; composition was affected by previous crops and irrigation frequency. Filtering irrigation water and collecting and removing floating weed seeds from the water surface could be integrated into weed management practices to control weeds in lowland rice fields.     

Weed flora and soil seedbanks in fields dominated by Imperata cylindrica in the moist savannah of West Africa

Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel is a dominant and infamous grass weed in the savannah of West Africa. Research to reduce the weed to non-damaging levels is a priority activity at many agricultural institutions. The successful development and implementation of long-term I. cylindrica management strategies depend on the ability to predict changes in weed composition after I. cylindrica has been controlled effectively. The weed flora and soil seedbank were assessed from 329 fields dominated by this species in the fringes of the humid forest (HFF), coastal/derived savannah (CDS) and in the southern Guinea savannah (SGS) in 1996 and 1997. The objectives of the study were to correlate species composition of the weed flora with that of the soil seedbank and to determine the effect of management factors and soil properties on the composition of the weed flora. Species richness in the weed flora and in the weed seedbank was higher in the SGS than in the CDS and HFF. Mean weed density per field was generally higher in the HFF (156 ± 25.0 weeds m^–2) than in the CDS (108 ± 8.1 weeds m^–2) and in the SGS (92 ± 6.3 weeds m^–2). Weed composition varied with agroecological zone as well as with management factors and soil properties. Sørenson's index of similarity was low (mean=0.20) in all zones, indicating poor similarity between the weed flora above-ground and the soil seedbank.     

Weed seed decay in conventional and diversified cropping systems

Diversified cropping systems can have high soil microbial biomass and thus strong potential to reduce the weed seedbank through seed decay. This study, conducted in Iowa, USA, evaluated the hypothesis that weed seed decay is higher in a diversified 4‐year maize–soyabean–oat/lucerne–lucerne cropping system than in a conventional 2‐year maize–soyabean rotation. Mesh bags filled with either Setaria faberi or Abutilon theophrasti seeds and soil were buried at two depths in the maize phase of the two cropping systems and sampled over a 3‐year period. Setaria faberi seed decay was consistently greater at 2 cm than at 20 cm burial depth and was higher in the more diverse rotation than in the conventional rotation in 1 year. Abutilon theophrasti seeds decayed very little in comparison with seeds of S. faberi. Separate laboratory and field experiments confirmed differences in germination and seed decay among the seed lots evaluated each year. Fusarium, Pythium, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Trichoderma were the most abundant genera colonising seeds of both species. A glasshouse experiment determined a relationship between Pythium ultimum and S. faberi seed decay. Possible differences in seed susceptibility to decay indicate the need to evaluate weed seedbank dynamics in different cropping systems when evaluating overall population dynamics and formulating weed management strategies.     

Weed seedling emergence in contrasting fodder crop systems following 30 years of cultivation in the lowlands of Northern Italy

Five fodder crop systems of different intensity (ranging from a double annual crop of Italian ryegrass + silage maize to a permanent meadow) were adopted for 30 years in the lowlands of Northern Italy under two input levels, differing mainly in their provision of organic fertiliser (manure). Herbicides were used in the maize crops included in all systems, except the meadow. After 30 years, the weed seedbank of all systems and input levels were assessed by the seedling emergence technique on soil samples from each plot. The cropping systems determined the abundance and composition of the weed assembly. Relatively few, frequent species made up the majority of the emerged seedlings in all systems, and there was no relationship between the total number of emerged seedlings and the mean number of species recorded in the different systems. Arabidopsis thaliana and Oxalis corniculata were abundant in the annual double crop and in the 3- and 6-year rotations that also comprised the annual double crop. These weeds, however, were unlikely to represent a major threat to the crops, due to their vigour and growth period. The permanent meadow tended to greater weed biodiversity than the other systems. The application of manure favoured the seedbank of species such as Lolium multiflorum, Digitaria sanguinalis and A. thaliana. Weed communities in the different systems were mainly determined by herbicide application, (through the ability of weeds to avoid its effects, determined by the weed life history and emergence period) and manure application (with its possible dual effect of spreading weed seeds and favouring nitrogen-responsive weeds).     

Inter-population variation in seed longevity for two invasive weeds: Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera (boneseed) and ssp. rotundata (bitou bush)

Seed longevity has a major influence on the success of weed management and eradication programmes. A correlation between responses to a controlled aging test performed at 45°C, 60% relative humidity (RH) and seed persistence in the field has recently been suggested. Here we investigated whether collections of differing quality of two closely related invasive weeds, Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera and ssp. rotundata (boneseed and bitou bush, respectively), had different seed longevity using the controlled aging test. Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera fruits were collected from across five Australian states, and C. monilifera ssp. rotundata from one state, covering their invasive ranges. Seed quality was assessed visually and using tetrazolium staining, and a series of germination tests established appropriate germination conditions. The controlled aging test was run for a subset of collections. Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata seeds died more quickly (time to lose 50% viability, P ₅₀ = 16 days) than the C. monilifera ssp. monilifera collections ( P ₅₀ = 47 days) when aged at 45°C and 60% RH. This difference was significant even considering the large differences in longevity between C. monilifera ssp. monilifera populations ( P ₅₀ = 35–61 days; probably due to differences in maturity at collection). Based on a published correlation, we predict that mature C. monilifera ssp. monilifera may have a long-lived (>3 years) seed bank and C. monilifera ssp. rotundata may have a transient (<1 year) seed bank. This suggests the two sub-species should be considered separately when designing effective control measures.     

小麦田不同杂草群落及防除时间对小麦产量的影响

为明确小麦田不同杂草群落及防除时间对小麦产量的影响,于2013—2015连续两年在山东省聊城市高唐县小麦田中设无草对照区、禾本科杂草区、阔叶杂草区以及混合杂草自然发生区4种不同杂草群落以及不同的杂草防除时间,测定在不同条件下小麦产量及各项产量构成指标的情况。结果表明,阔叶杂草对小麦产量的影响大于禾本科杂草,冬小麦田杂草的最佳防除时间为4月1日之前,在此期间除草对小麦产量影响均不大,但之后防除或不除草会造成小麦严重减产甚至绝产,2014年4月15日除草可造成在阔叶杂草区和杂草混合生长区的小麦减产30.5%和32.6%,不除草可造成在禾本科杂草区、阔叶杂草区和杂草混生区的小麦减产8.6%、91.4%和94.3%,2015年趋势和2014年一致。从构成小麦产量的3个指标来看,杂草危害主要影响小麦的总穗数,其次为穗粒数,对千粒重影响最小。     

Weed seed germination and the light environment: Implications for weed management

Light regulates dormancy termination and the subsequent germination in many weed species. Under field conditions, the light environment of the seeds, which is perceived mainly by photoreceptors of the phytochrome family, provides essential information for cueing germination in the proper environmental situation. The light environment's spectral composition and irradiance allow weed seeds to sense their position in the soil profile, the presence of a leaf canopy capturing light and other resources and the occurrence of soil cultivation. From an agronomical point of view, the control of germination by light represents a potentially useful step in the life cycle of weeds for developing effective control practices. The goal of this article is to place current knowledge regarding photoreceptors, physiological and molecular bases of seed responses to light and their ecological implications within the context of weed management in agricultural systems. With that final objective, the authors intend to show how a better understanding of the way in which the light environment regulates dormancy termination and the subsequent germination of weed seeds could be used to develop more accurate control practices and to improve weed management strategies.     

Potential of weed seedbanks for managing weeds: a review of recent New Zealand research

Weed seedbanks are the primary source of weeds in cultivated soils. Some knowledge of the weed seedbank may therefore be appropriate for integrated weed management programs. It would also be very useful in planning herbicide programs and reducing the total herbicide use. However, a number of problems are inherent in the estimation of the seedbank size for arable weeds that usually have annual life cycles. In a long-term research project we have investigated the dynamics of weed seedbanks in corn fields for the past 8 years. Specific studies have included (i) developing cheap and efficient methods for estimating the weed seedbank; (ii) developing guidelines for efficient soil sampling (including the number and size of samples); (iii) influence of cultivation methods on weed seed distribution; (iv) mapping the spatial variability of the seedbank; (v) estimating the rate of seedbank decline for certain weed species; and (vi) assessing the potential of using the weed seed content in the soil to predict future weed problems. This paper reviews and summarizes the results of our research on the above aspects. The strong correlation between seedlings emerged in the greenhouse and seeds extracted in the laboratory for the most abundant weed species has demonstrated the potential for using the weed seed content of the soil to predict future weed infestations. The next step is to establish correlations with field emergence under commercial conditions using the sampling guidelines developed in our studies. Subsequently, we aim to offer the weed seedbank estimation as a commercial service to farmers for planning the most appropriate weed management options.