The critical period for weed control in three corn (Zea mays L.) types

Knowledge of the crop-weed competition period is vital for designing effective weed management strategies in crop production systems. Field studies were conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute, Kahramanmaras, Turkey in 2013 and 2014 to determine the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in three corn (Zea mays L.) types (field corn, popcorn, and sweet corn). A four parameter log-logistic model described the relationship between relative crop yield to both increasing duration of weed interference and length of weed-free periods. The relative yield of corn was influenced by duration of weed-infested or weed-free period, regardless of corn types. Increasing periods of weed interference significantly reduced corn yields in both years. In field corn, the CPWC ranged from 175 to 788 growing degree days (GDD) in 2013 which corresponded to V2–V12 growth stages, and 165–655 GDD (V1–V10 growth stages) in 2014 based on the 5% acceptable yield loss (AYL) level. In popcorn, the CPWC ranged from 92 to 615 GDD (VE–V10 growth stages) in 2013 and 110–678 GDD (V1–V10 growth stages) in 2014. In sweet corn, the CPWC ranged from 203 to 611 GDD in 2013 (V2–V10 growth stages) and 182–632 GDD (V2–V10 growth stages) in 2014. The practical implication of this study is that weed management should be initiated around V1 stage and maintained weed-free up to V12 stage in all corn types to prevent yield losses greater than 5%. These findings could help corn producers improve the cost effectiveness and efficacy of their weed management programs.     

Performance consistency of reduced atrazine use in sweet corn

Atrazine is the most widely used herbicide in North American corn production; however, additional restrictions on its use in the near future are conceivable. Currently, a majority of commercial sweet corn fields suffer losses due to weeds, despite widespread use of atrazine. Field experiments were conducted in the primary North American production areas of sweet corn grown for processing to determine the implications of further reductions in atrazine use on weed control and crop yield. A range of atrazine doses (0-1120 g ha⁻¹) applied postemergence with tembotrione (31 g ha⁻¹) were tested in two hybrids differing in canopy architecture and competitive ability with weeds. Atrazine applied postemergence reduced risk (i.e. more variable outcomes) of poor herbicide performance. Atrazine doses up to 1120 g ha⁻¹ with tembotrione improved grass control and broadleaf weed control in five of eight and seven of eight environments, respectively. Of the three environments which had particularly low broadleaf weed control (<50%) with tembotrione alone, sweet corn yield was improved with atrazine. Hybrid ‘Code128’ produced a taller, denser canopy which was more efficient at capturing light and competing with weeds than ‘Quickie’. As a result, greater crop competitiveness decreased risk of incomplete weed control as atrazine dose was reduced. Atrazine's contribution to weed control and yield protection was greatest when other aspects of weed management resulted in poor weed control. Should atrazine use be further restricted or banned altogether, this research demonstrates the importance of improving other aspects of weed management systems such as herbicidal and non-chemical tactics.     

Current and Potential Role of Transgenic Crops in U.S. Agriculture

SUMMARY

Transgenic crop cultivars with resistance to insects, pathogens, and herbicides offer growers powerful new pest management tools. We reviewed the observed and potential farm-level impacts of transgenic cultivars, including those with regulatory approval and commercial availability as well as those still being researched and developed. Direct grower benefits, such as yield and production increases and decreased management costs, have led to rapid and extensive adoption of Bt corn and cotton, herbicide-resistant cotton, soybean, and canola, and virus-resistant papaya. Other transgenic crops, including Bt sweet corn and potato, and herbicide-resistant sugar beet and corn, have not been adopted despite strong agronomic and pest management performance, largely because growers fear there will be no market for their harvests. Despite inconsistent adoption of transgenic cultivars, demonstrated benefits of the technology encourage ongoing efforts to incorporate pest management traits into a wider variety of crops, including broccoli, tomato, lettuce, grape, citrus, pineapple, raspberry, peanut, wheat, barley, and rice. Potential impacts of these upcoming transgenic cultivars range from a decrease in weed management costs for lettuce and tomato growers, to the defense of stone fruit, grape, and citrus against devastating new pests.     

Weed management in maize using crop competition: A review

Weeds are a major constraint to crop production, and are responsible for considerable yield losses in maize production systems throughout the world. Herbicides are widely used for weed control in maize production systems, but can have negative environmental consequences. Researchers have evaluated the use of crop competition and suppression to manage weeds in various crop combinations, including maize-based systems. Crop competition in maize may involve techniques such as reduced row spacing, increased planting density, and the use of competitive cultivars that exhibit weed suppressive potential. In this review, examination of the literature has revealed the considerable value of using crop competition in integrated weed management programs. Research has demonstrated that narrowing row spacing to half the standard distance reduced weed biomass by 39–68%, depending on weed species. Researchers have also demonstrated that increasing maize planting density by up to twice the standard rate achieved a reduction in weed biomass of 26–99%. While little research has been conducted into the use of competitive maize cultivars for weed management, several studies have documented cultivars with potential to suppress weeds. Attributes of weed competitive cultivars include high leaf area index, and other elements of leaf architecture that improve light interception by the crop, so increasing the shading of weeds. Combining crop competition methods with other agronomic practices can increase their effectiveness in controlling weeds. For example, biomass of Setaria italica (L.) Beauv was reduced by 60% when maize planting density was increased by 1.5 times the recommended spacing, and this effect was more pronounced when fertilizer was banded rather than broadcast. In summary, the strategic use of crop competition to control weeds has been a success in many regions, and is an important tool in integrated weed management. The importance of crop competition methods has particular relevance where farmers are unable to afford herbicides, as making use of crop competition is more economical.     

Weed Thresholds

Abstract

Weed thresholds are an integral component of an integrated weed management system (IWM). In this paper we review the literature on weed thresholds and examine the theory and applicability of thresholds within the context of a systems approach to IWM. The development of empirical models describing single and multi-species thresholds are reviewed and discussed in terms of the magnitude of weed threshold values in various crops and the importance and limitations of the parameters used to calculate these values. Mechanistic weed threshold crop competition models are suggested as a means of overcoming some of the limitations of empirically based threshold models. A mechanistic approach to the development of weed threshold models is desirable since relative crop and weed responses to environmental factors, cultural practices and the dynamic nature of competition are considered. Guidelines for the application of weed thresholds within a cropping system are outlined.     

设施菜地夏季休闲期甜玉米经济产量及环境效益分析

在北京市门头沟、房山、大兴和通州等4个区选择15个典型设施菜地,设置田间观察对比试验,研究在北方设施菜地夏季甜玉米作为填闲作物的实际经济、环境综合效益。试验结果表明,种植甜玉米有较好经济效益,经济产量达15 168.0～20 332.8kg/hm2。在环境效益方面,种植甜玉米后可有效减少浅层土壤中的硝态氮含量,降低淋溶风险。与常规休闲(休闲期不种植作物)相比,种植甜玉米可使设施菜地0～100cm土层中的硝态氮含量平均减少290.4kg/hm2。在夏季休闲期种植甜玉米是北方设施菜地兼顾经济和环境效益的有效种植措施之一。     

Sustainable weed management in conservation agriculture

Sustainable crop production is necessary to ensure global food security and environmental safety. Conservation agriculture (CA) is gaining popularity around the globe due to its sustainable approaches such as permanent soil cover, minimal soil disturbance, planned crop rotations and integrated weed management. Weed control is the biggest challenge to CA adoption. Weed ecology and management is different in CA than in conventional agriculture. In CA, weeds expression, seed bank status, distribution, dispersal mechanisms, diversification, growing patterns and competition trends are complex and differ from conventional systems. It is due to reduced tillage of the soil and the flora that thrives in CA. Reduced tillage systems affect the efficacy of herbicides and mechanical weed control measures. So, it is an important task to find out the differences and to fabricate new management options. In this review, changing weed dynamics have been framed. A novel aspect of this review is the comprehensive account of sustainable weed management strategies in relation to CA. Modified tillage operations, improved cultural practices, bioherbicides, chemical herbicides, allelopathy, and crop nutrition have been identified as suitable weed management tools. None of these offers complete control but the integration of these tools in suitable combinations works efficiently. Weeds dominating CA and their responses to CA components are highlighted. For example, small seeded and perennial weeds are more abundant in CA. The role of herbicide resistance in weeds and herbicide tolerant (HT) crops in CA is also highlighted. Allelopathy and crop nutrition are discussed as modern weed management tools for CA. A detailed account of weed responses to fertilizer management options is also given. Integrated weed management compatible to cropping patterns and climatic conditions offers the best results in CA. Future efforts must be directed towards the optimization and integration of these weed management practices.     

Reduction in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) occurrence in Iowa cropland from 1999 to 2009

The role of common milkweed in the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly has increased interest in the presence of this weed in the north central United States. An initial survey conducted in 1999 found that low densities of common milkweed occurred in approximately 50% of Iowa corn and soybean fields. In 2009, common milkweed was present in only 8% of surveyed fields, and the area within infested fields occupied by common milkweed was reduced by approximately 90% compared to 1999. The widespread adoption of glyphosate resistant corn and soybean cultivars and the reliance on post-emergence applications of glyphosate for weed control in crop fields likely has contributed to the decline in common milkweed in agricultural fields.     

An economic analysis of potential rotation crops for Maine potato cropping systems

Potato cropping systems in Maine include both continuous potatoes and short-term potato rotations with small grains. Producers recognize the benefits of increased rotations, but the economics of producing a high-valued crop such as potatoes (Solanm tuberosum L.) create incentives for continuous potato production. Research at the USDA-ARS research site in Newport, ME, is evaluating the agronomic and economic impacts of five crops in two-year rotations on potato production and whole-farm profitability. The rotation crops are barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), sweet corn (Zea mays L.) green bean (Phaseolus vulgares L.), soybean (Glycine max L., Mer.), and canola (Brassica napus L.). Enterprise budgets for the five crops were developed. The budgets and historical prices and yields were used as inputs to a Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation was conducted to determine the impact of rotation crops on whole-farm profitability and income risk, as measured by income variability. The net incomes of the five rotation sequences were compared against continuous potatoes. Two rotation crops, sweet corn and green beans, resulted in an increase in net income relative to continuous potatoes. AU of the rotation crops were found to greatly reduce income risk and chance of economic losses. In the case of green beans and sweet corn, the analysis was rerun using data from the research trials on the following potato crop yields. Depending on whether the rotation effect was negative or positive, net income either fell or rose when compared to fist analysis. However, even when the rotation crop led to decreased yields in the following potato crop, income variability and likelihood of economic loss was still superior to the continuous potato rotation. These findings provide support for including rotation crops as a method to improve potato production and sustainability, increase wholefarm profitability, and reduce income risk.     

The Ecology of Crop-Weed Interactions

Summary

Understanding the ecology of crop-weed interactions includes a wide array of population and community ecology theory. The first thorough application of theory in Weed Ecology was predicting weed impacts on crops. The generality of crop yield response to weeds has been well supported with a wealth of empirical studies, however, inclusion of these models into weed management decision support systems (DSS) has been less fruitful. Parameterization of the empirical models has indicated extreme variability over space and time, even in experimental plots. Thus, further development and implementation of ecologically based weed management must depend on understanding sources of crop response variation, understanding complexity of interactions among the many sources of variation, and the realization that forecasting crop response will always have some level of uncertainty. Ecological theory may help us understand how to best construct conceptual and predictive models of crop-weed communities to accomplish our applied goals.     

30%烟嘧磺隆·莠去津·硝磺草酮可分散油悬浮剂对甜玉米田杂草的防效及安全性

研究30%烟嘧磺隆·莠去津·硝磺草酮可分散油悬浮剂在甜玉米田的应用效果,在甜玉米不同叶龄期开展田间试验,评价其对杂草的防除效果及对甜玉米的安全性。结果表明,30%烟嘧磺隆·莠去津·硝磺草酮可分散油悬浮剂在甜玉米3～4叶期或6～7叶期施药,900～1 575 g a.i./hm2剂量范围内对甜玉米品种粤甜28安全,对玉米田常见杂草凹头苋、光头稗、马唐和香附子的防效及增产效果均显著高于对照药剂38%莠去津悬浮剂2 160 g a.i./hm2播后苗前处理。推荐30%烟嘧磺隆·莠去津·硝磺草酮可分散油悬浮剂在900～1 350 g a.i./hm2范围内,甜玉米3～5叶期茎叶喷雾使用。     

Increasing Crop Competitiveness to Weeds Through Crop Breeding

Abstract

Increasing the ability of crops to compete against weeds, through either enhancing crop tolerance or crop interference to weeds, provides an attractive addition to current weed control practices and could be an integral component of weed management systems. Research has shown that considerable variability exists among crop culti-vars with respect to their ability to compete with weeds. Despite this evidence, directed research on competitive crops has been minimal. Reasons for this lack of emphasis in plant breeding programs include the effectiveness of current weed management with tillage and herbicides, and the lack of easily identifiable crop characteristics that are indicative of weed competitiveness. Expanded knowledge of specific crop-weed interactions would facilitate crop competitiveness to weeds through either crop management practices or plant breeding. Plant breeders need basic and applied information to identify favorable crop-weed competitive traits in order to enhance or incorporate those traits into crop cultivars. Accelerated research on weed competitive crops should lead to more economical, effective, and feasible integrated weed management programs for all crops.     

Key Indicators for Assessing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cereal-Based Agroecosystems

SUMMARY

Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an important objective of agroecosystem management. We define and demonstrate key indicators of NUE that enable a broader assessment of N management strategies. Nitrogen efficiency components and indexes were defined to assess soil and crop physiological processes, and agronomic and environmental factors related to N use. Measurements of grain yield, grain N, aboveground plant N, applied N, post-harvest root-zone soil N, and N losses via subsurface drains were used to assess N retention efficiency, available N uptake efficiency, N utilization efficiency, N harvest index, N yield efficiency, N reliance index, grain N accumulation efficiency, N balance index, N fertilizer utilization efficiency, and N loss index. Nitrogen use indicators were evaluated for two field studies: (1) hard red spring wheat with four N levels and two tillage treatments: no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT); and (2) corn in crop sequences of continuous corn (C-C), corn-soybean (C-S), two years of corn following alfalfa (ALF-C-C), and two years of corn following perennial grass (CRP-C-C). Tillage, crop rotation, and applied N had large and variable effects on different indicators of N use. N efficiency components and indexes were useful for monitoring cropping system N use, assessing N management strategies, and identifying key areas for improvements in NUE.     

The Economics of Horticultural Biotechnology

Abstract

Technological change has driven economic progress in agriculture and will continue to play a crucial role in die 21st century. The latest wave of technological change in agriculture is based on die ability to specifically modify crop genetics dirough recombinant DNA techniques. Biotech crop varieties have been adopted on a wide scale in some agronomic crops, but horticultural crops face hurdles for commercialization. Market barriers are blocking die production of biotech horticultural crops diat have already been developed. High costs for research, development and regulatory approval combined with the small acreages planted and the diversity of varieties limit die potential for profitable applications of biotechnology for many fruits and vegetables, tree fruits and nuts, and nursery and landscape crops. Like most technological changes in agriculture, die introduction of modern biotechnology has met with spirited political opposition from some quarters. Such opposition could discourage adoption of biotech products that are wanted by some consumers, can be profitable for growers and could reduce the environmental impacts of crop production.     

The effects of living mulches and weed cover on the dynamics of foliage- and soil-arthropod communities in three crop systems

The effects of vegetation background in the form of living mulches and weed cover on the population dynamics of foliage and soil arthropods were studied in corn, tomato and cauliflower crop systems in California. In Davis (Central Valley site) herbivores (especially aphids and lygaeids) were more abundant in the weed cover than in the clover mulch, whereas leafhoppers were most common in the clover mulch. Higher numbers of natural enemies were observed in the clover plots. Significantly more ground predators (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, spiders) were caught in pitfalls placed in the weedy and clover plots, than in the clean cultivated plots. In Albany (Coastal area), specialized herbivore (cabbage aphids and flea-beetles) densities were significantly reduced in plots with additional vegetation cover. It is not clear if this reduction was due to plant diversity or density effects, to the effects of natural enemies or to the lower quality of plants in the weedy and mulched plots, as crop growth and yields were drastically reduced in these plots at both sites. Further agronomic work is warranted to minimize the competitive effects of legume covers on crops, so that the entomological advantages reported here can be used in a practical way.     

Geostatistical Analysis of Yield,Soil Properties and Crop Management Practices in Paddy Rice Fields

Abstract

We examined the possible benefit of rational site-specific crop management practices in 17 paddy fields located in an area of 2.0 ha for the prevalence of precision agriculture methods on a cooperatively managed large-scale farm in Sakurai, Nara Japan. Data on grain yield, soil physicochemical properties and farmer's crop management practices were collected in each paddy field. Unhulled rice yield was estimated at a resolution of 5m ? 5m in an area of 1.2 ha using a yield-monitoring combine. The spatial distribution of the variations for the collected data was characterized using geostatistical procedures. The kriged map of the unhulled rice yield drawn from the results of geostatistical analysis indicated the potential value of rational site-specific crop management using the yield-monitoring combine. The ratio of spatially structured variation to the total variation of brown rice yield, that is, the controllable proportion to total variation, was 75.4%. Each yield component i.e., the number of spikelets per square meter, filled-spikelet percentage and 1000-grain weight contributed 33.7%, 54.7% and 11.6%, respectively, to brown rice yield. These three yield components combined contributed to 96.5% of the brown rice yield variation. The agronomic factors (soil fertility factor, early growth factor, N dressing and uptake factor) contributed 79.7%, 52.1% and 41.8%, respectively, to the variation of these three yield components. Therefore these agronomic factors accounted for 58.1% of the total variation of the brown rice yield and 77.1% (i.e. 58.1% out of 75.4%) of the spatially structured variation of the brown rice yield. This controllable proportion may be a criterion for the prevalence of site-specific crop management in large-scale farm management in general, although only one case study was conducted.     

种植季节对超甜玉米产量及主要农艺性状的影响

研究6个超甜玉米品种在春季和秋季种植的产量和主要农艺性状的表现.结果表明:不同种植季节对产量、生育期及株高、穗位、单穗重、行粒数、穗粗、籽粒可溶性固形物含量等性状产生显著影响.其中,秋季种植的产量、单穗重、穗粗、籽粒可溶性固形物含量显著或极显著高于春季种植的,而生育期、株高、穗位则显著低于春季种植的;穗位比例、穗长、秃顶等性状则较少受到种植季节因素的影响,能够稳定显示出品种的特征;多数超甜玉米品种秋季种植产量高且品质优良.     

高产优质甜玉米新品种筛选

试验以33个甜玉米新品种为材料,进行两年区域试验和1年生产试验,分析各品种的产量、品质、抗性及其他农艺性状,筛选满足市场需求适合广东种植的高产优质突破性甜玉米新品种。结果表明,广良甜31、粤甜28等6个甜玉米新品种产量均比对照品种粤甜16号增产5%以上,甜度高甜,果皮薄或较薄,两年品尝评分平均值均达87.5分以上,综合抗性好,是高产优质新品种。广良甜31产量最高,粤甜28品质最好,圣甜2号生育期最短。     

Genetic Approach to the Development of Cover Crops for Weed Management

Abstract

Economic and environmental issues are driving efforts to improve cover crops for weed management. Cover crop residues on the soil surface interfere with weeds by releasing allelochemicals and by physical suppression. Optimizing allelopathic potential, biomass production, and other desirable cover crop characteristics using classical and molecular genetic approaches holds great promise for improving the efficacy and selectivity of cover crops. Likewise, investigating allelopathy at the genetic and molecular level should aid in understanding the biochemical basis for allelopathy in plants.     

Weed Biology,Cropping Systems,and Weed Management

SUMMARY

Weeds pose a recurrent threat to agricultural productivity in both industrialized and developing countries. Weeds respond dynamically to all cropping practices, and therefore, the design and function of cropping systems plays a central role in the composition of weed communities. The unique and challenging nature of weed communities requires more integrated approaches to weed management than are currently being employed by most growers. Integrating weed management with cropping system design and application may be an effective approach to diversifying weed management systems. Each crop-weed system is a unique mix of genetics and biology and will respond dynamically to changes in management practices. Practices such as crop rotation, tillage, cover crops, and fertility management modify weed populations. The challenge is to integrate these and other practices with the best available control tactics to generate integrated management systems. Cropping system design provides an excellent framework for developing and applying integrated approaches to weed management because it allows for new and creative ways of meeting the challenge of managing weeds. Weed science must integrate the theories and application of weed management into cropping system design based on the unique characteristics of weed communities and the available weed management options.