Effects of phosphorus and light intensity on the growth and competition of the two weed species,Veronica persica and Chorispora tenella

Veronica persica Poir. (Persian speedwell) is an invasive alien weed species in the upland soils throughout China. Its dominance in weed flora could be alleviated by Chorispora tenella (Pall.) (tender chorispora) in P‐poor soils and in an intense light environment. Here, three experiments in growth chambers were carried out in order to explore the effect of P and light intensity on the growth and competition of V. persica and C. tenella, the pH value in their rhizospheres, and the kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) of the H₂PO₄^‐ uptake by the two weed species. The ANOVA results showed that the light intensity and P level in the soil obviously influenced the growth of the two weed species. However, the effect of the P level in the soil was greater for V. persica and the effect of the light intensity was greater for C. tenella. The restriction of the growth of V. persica by a low P level in the soil was much more than that of C. tenella, but it was reversed in the two species in relation to a low light intensity. In addition, the pH was lower in the rhizosphere of C. tenella after the P‐deficient treatment and there was a lower K_m in the uptake of H₂PO₄^‐ than for V. persica, suggesting that C. tenella could adapt to a low‐P environment more easily. In conclusion, C. tenella growing together with V. persica had a competitive advantage under high‐light‐intensity and low‐P‐level conditions, but it lost its advantage with an increase in P fertilization and a decrease in light intensity.     

Seed retention of ten common weed species at oat harvest reveals the potential for harvest weed seed control

We assessed the seed production and shedding pattern of 10 common weed species in two oat fields in Denmark. The aim was to evaluate the possibility of harvesting retained seeds on weeds at crop harvest by a combine harvester based on estimation of weed seed retention. Before flowering, ten plants of each weed species were selected and surrounded by a seed trap comprising of a porous net. When the plants started shedding seeds, the seeds were collected from the traps and counted weekly until oat harvest. Just before oat harvest, the retained seeds on the plants were counted and the ratio of harvestable seeds and shed seeds during the growing season was determined. The seed production and shedding patterns varied between the 2 years. Across both years, Anagallis arvensis L., Capsella bursa-pastoris L. Medik, Chenopodium album L., Geranium molle L., Persicaria maculosa Gray, Polygonum aviculare L., Silene noctiflora L., Sonchus arvensis L., Veronica persica Poir. and Viola arvensis Murray retained on average 61.6%, 52.7%, 67.2%, 58.4%, 32.05%, 59.5%, 95.7%, 23.5%, 51.7% and 33.9%, respectively, of their produced seeds at crop harvest. Silene noctiflora was classified as a good target for harvest weed seed control; C. bursa-pastoris, C. album, G. molle, P. maculosa, S. arvensis and V. arvensis were classified as intermediate targets; and A. arvensis, P. aviculare and V. persica were classified as poor targets.     

Growth response of six weed species and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) to increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth of six common weed species growing alone or in competition with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Chenopodium album, Papaver rhoeas, Sinapis arvensis, Spergula arvensis, Viola arvensis and spring barley were grown in pots with different levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha^?1) or phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 kg P ha^?1). The aboveground parts of the plants were harvested after 7 weeks and the dry weight of shoots, percentage N and P content of the shoot and uptake of N and P were determined. A linear or a polynomial model was used to describe the data. Growing alone, Spergula arvensis was the only weed species that increased its dry weight at the same rate as barley. Weed species with low dry weight increase had larger increases in percentage N or P content than barley, indicating a luxury accumulation of nutrients. The uptake of N and P per pot did not differ much between weeds and barley. V. arvensis and P. rhoeas accumulated least nutrients (per cent of dry matter) and Spergula arvensis accumulated most. Weeds grew poorly in competition with barley. The percentage N and P content in barley did not change when they grew in competition with weeds.     

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. and Chenopodium album L. in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. (wild mustard) and Chenopodium album L. (lamb's-quarters) in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) was studied under field conditions in 1983 and 1984. Both weed species interfered with rapeseed early in the growing season, causing significant reductions in rapeseed dry weight by June of each year. Sinapis arvensis caused greater rapeseed grain yield reductions than did C. album. With weed densities of 20–80 plants m^?2, rapeseed grain yield reductions ranged from 19 to 77% with S. arvensis but only 20 to 25% with C. album. Rapeseed yield reductions caused by mixtures of both weed species ranged from being less than to being equal to the sum of reductions caused by each weed alone, depending on the weed density and year of study. Both weed species were prolific seed producers capable of returning large quantities of seed to the soil. With weed densities ranging from 10–80 plants m^?2, S. arvensis produced 5700–30 100 seeds m^?2 while C. album produced 3100–63 600 seeds m^?2.     

Efficacy of UV‐C radiation to reduce seedborne anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) from Andean lupin (Lupinus mutabilis)

The potential of UV‐C radiation of Andean lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) seeds to eradicate seedborne infections of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum was investigated. UV‐C doses from 0 to 691.2 kJ m^?2 (resulting from 0 to 96 h of exposure time) on disease incidence reduction and germination on artificially and naturally infected seed were evaluated. The degree of incidence reduction and seed germination was dependent on the dose of UV‐C. The UV‐C doses of 86.4 kJ m^?2 and higher reduced incidence from 6% to 7% to undetectable levels, but these UV‐C doses also reduced seed germination. UV‐C can deleteriously affect physiological processes and overall growth. To assess its impact, L. mutabilis seeds irradiated with UV‐C doses of 57.6 and 86.4 kJ m^?2 were grown. Seedlings grown from noninfected seed and UV‐C treated seed showed an increased concentration of chlorophyll and protein contents, as well as an increase in the activation of defence enzymes peroxidase and catalase, in comparison with plants grown from infected seed. UV‐C doses resulted in seed emergence and seedling dry weight rates that were similar to the noninfected control or better than the fungicide control. Moreover, 57.6 kJ m^?2 reduced transmission of the pathogen from seed to the plantlets by 80%, while 86.4 kJ m^?2 apparently eradicated the pathogen, under greenhouse conditions. The use of UV‐C, first reported here, is advantageous for controlling anthracnose in lupin.     

Spatiotemporal analyses of rhizopus rot progress in peach fruit inoculated with Rhizopus stolonifer

Rhizopus rot, caused by Rhizopus stolonifer, is one of the main postharvest diseases in stone fruits, but there is little known about the processes of disease development during transport and postharvest storage. The objective of this study was to characterize temporal progress and spatial distribution of the disease in peach fruit. Rhizopus rot development was evaluated using two different fruit arrangements. Only one fruit of each arrangement was inoculated with a R. stolonifer spore suspension. Disease incidence and severity were assessed daily for all the fruit. Nonlinear models were fitted to the quantity of fruit and to the area of fruit that became infected over time and distance in relation to the source of inoculum. Disease‐free fruit placed next to the artificially inoculated peaches showed disease symptoms due to pathogen dissemination by mycelial stolons. The disease incidence and severity progress rates varied from 0.33 to 0.53 day^?1 and from 0.30 to 0.49 day^?1, respectively. The spatial spread of the disease followed a dispersive wave pattern with increasing speed over time, but decreasing speed with disease severity. For disease severity y = 0.5, the velocity at day 3 varied from 0.14 to 0.32 fruit diameter day^?1, while it ranged from 0.38 to 1.46 fruit diameter day^?1 at day 12.     

Photolytic versus microbial degradation of clomazone in a flooded California rice field soil

BACKGROUND: Clomazone is a popular herbicide used on California rice fields and exhibits rapid anaerobic microbial degradation (t_1/2 = 7.9 days). To test the potential of direct and indirect photolytic degradation as a cofactor in the overall degradation rate, sacrificial time‐series microcosms were amended with water, non‐sterilized soil + water and sterilized soil + water. Clomazone was added to each microcosm, which was then exposed to natural and artificial sunlight over 35 days. Water and acetonitrile extracts were analyzed for clomazone and metabolites via LC/MS/MS. RESULTS: The calculated pseudo‐first‐order degradation rate constants (k) were k_water = 0–0.005 ± 0.003 day^?1, k_sterile = 0–0.005 ± 0.003 day^?1 and k_non?sterile = 0.010 ± 0.002–0.044 ± 0.007 day^?1, depending on light type. The formation of ring‐open clomazone, a microbial metabolite, correlated with clomazone degradation. Trace amounts of 5‐hydroxyclomazone (m/z = 256 → 125), aromatic hydroxyclomazone (m/z = 256 → 141) and an unknown product (m/z = 268 → 125) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The photolytic degradation rate depends on both light type and the quality of the chromophores that induce indirect photolysis. Microbial degradation was found to be sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Overall, microbes are shown to be more detrimental to the environmental fate of clomazone than photolysis. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Buried seeds in arable soils in Scotland

Soil from arable areas in Scotland was examined macroscopically for seeds. In terms of the percentage of sites at which they were recorded, Chenopodium album L. (33%), Poa annua L. (22%), Polygonum aviculare L. (41%), Polygonum persicaria L. (39%), Spergula arvensis L. (42%) and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (44%) were the most common species found. They accounted for 78% of the seeds recovered. There were eighty different species found over the 5 years of the survey. Estimated total weed populations (m^?2) ranged from nil to 170000 with an average of 16000 m^?2 in the top 20 cm of soil.     

Weight loss in overwintering below‐ground parts of Sonchus arvensis under current and temperature‐elevated climate scenarios in Sweden

Weight loss in overwintering below‐ground parts of perennial weeds has been attributed to respiration, but neither its temperature dependence nor its relevance for biomass dynamics under changing climate conditions have been investigated. In two experiments, we quantified weight loss of the perennial weed Sonchus arvensis, by measuring weight changes over time of sprouting roots in dark rooms at temperatures of 4, 8 and 18°C. Dry weight loss rates were 0.47, 0.64 and 1.47% day^?1 at 4, 8 and 18°C, respectively, giving a half‐life time of 149, 110 and 47 days, respectively. A factor by which weight loss rates increase for every 10° rise in temperature (Q₁₀) was equal to about 2.3. Cumulative weight loss may comprise >40% of the below‐ground biomass during overwintering periods. Applying weight loss rates and Q₁₀ to elevated soil temperature projections showed that losses during winter seasons in central Sweden will remain basically constant, the effect of increased weight loss at higher temperatures being balanced by shorter winters. This implies that need for control of S. arvensis in a changing climate will persist, but that shorter winter seasons will provide a longer time window for control of S. arvensis prior to sowing crops.     

Effect of electrical conductivity on survival of Phytophthora alni,P. kernoviae and P. ramorum in a simulated aquatic environment

This study investigated survival of the pathogens Phytophthora ramorum, P. alni and P. kernoviae as zoospores or sporangia in response to an important water quality parameter, electrical conductivity (EC), at its range in irrigation water reservoirs and irrigated cropping systems. Experiments with different strengths of Hoagland’s solution showed that all three pathogens survived at a broad range of EC levels for at least 3 days and were stimulated to grow and sporulate at ECs > 1·89 dS m^?1. Recovery of initial populations after a 14‐day exposure was over 20% for P. alni subsp. alni and P. kernoviae, and 61·3% and 130% for zoospores and sporangia of P. ramorum, respectively. Zoospore survival of these pathogens at ECs < 0·41 dS m^?1 was poor, barely beyond 3 days in pure water; only 0·3% (P. alni), 2·9% (P. kernoviae) and 15·1% (P. ramorum) of the initial population survived after 14 days at EC = 0·21 dS m^?1. The variation in rates of survival at different EC levels suggests that these pathogens survive better in cropping systems than in irrigation water. Containment of run‐off and reduction in EC levels may therefore be non‐chemical control options to reduce the risk of pathogen spread through natural waterways and irrigation systems.     

Seed banks of some arable soils in the English midlands

Numbers of viable seeds in the 0–15 cm soil layer were determined for 64 arable fields, mainly heavy soils cropped with cereals and leys, in north Oxfordshire and south Warwickshire. When first sampled in 1972 or 1973, there was a range from 1500 to 67 000 seeds m^?2 with a median of 4360 m^?2. Seeds of Poa annua L. occurred in all fields, often in large numbers (up to 35 550 m^?2), while Polygonum aviculare L., Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Bilderdykia convolvulus (L.) Dumort., Aethusa cynapium L., Alopecurus myosuroides Huds., Veronica persica Poir., Chenopodium album L., Veronica arvensis L. and Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Med. also occurred frequently. When the fields were sampled again 2 and 4 years later many showed little change either in total seed bank or in species representation. The most pronounced fluctuations involved the annual grasses A. myosuroides, which tended to increase where winter cereals were grown, and P. annua which increased where leys were established. The results are discussed in relation to crop management and compared with those from other surveys. Les stocks de graines dans quelques sols arables des Midlands d'Angleterre Le nombre des graines viables présentes entré 0 et 15 cm de profondeur a été déterminé pour 64 sols arables, principalement des sols lourds occupés par des céréales et des prairies temporaires, dans le nord de l'Oxfordshire et le sud du Warwickshire. Lors de la première estimation, en 1972 ou 1973, les comptages ont donné de 1500 à 67 000 graines m^?2 avec une médiane de 4360. Des graines de Poa annua L. ont été trouvées dans tous les champs, souvent en grand nombre (jusqu'à 35 550 m^?2); on a aussi trouvé fréquemment des graines de Polygonum aviculare L., Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Bilderdykia convolvulus (L.) Dumort., Aethusa cynapium L., Alopecurus myosuroides Huds., Veronica persica Poir., Chenopodium album L., Veronica arvensis L. et Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Med. Beaucoup de dénombrements opérés 2 et 4 ans plus tard n'ont montré que peu de changements du nombre total de graines ou de la représentation des diverses espèces. Les fluctuations les plus notables ont été observées à propos des graminées annuelles A. myosuroides, qui tendaient à s'accroitre dans les cultures de céréales, et P. annua, qui augmentait dans les prairies temporaires. Les résultats sont discutés en relation avec la conduite des cultures et comparés avec ceux d'autres dénombrements. Samenvorrat in einigen Ackerböden in Mittelengland In den obersten 15 cm von 64, meist schweren, mit Getreide oder Grasgemischen bepflanzten Ackerböden im nördlichen Oxfordshire und südlichen Warwickshire wurde die Anzahl keimfähiger Samen bestimmt. Bei der ersten, 1972 oder 1973 erfolgten, Bestandesaufnahme wurden zwischen 1500 und 67 000, im Mittel 4360 Samen m^?2 gezählt. In allen Böden wurden Samen von Poa annua L., oft in sehr grosser Zahl (bis zu 35 550 m^?2), gefunden. Häufig waren auch Polygonum aviculare L., Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Bilderdykia convolvulus (L.) Dumort., Aethusa cynapium L., Alopecurus myosuroides Huds., Veronica persica Poir., Chenopodium album L., Veronica arvensis L. und Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Med. 2 und 4 Jahre später durchgeführte Zählungen zeigten in vielen Fällen nur geringe Veränderungen, sowohl in Bezug auf Samenzahl als auch auf vorhandene Arten. Die markantesten Aenderungen wurden bei anuellen Gräsern festgestellt; so zeigte A. myosuroides eine zunehmende Tendenz auf mit Wintergetreide bepflanzten Flächen, während P. annua in höherer Anzahl auf Flächen gefunden wurde, wo Grasland angelegt worden war. Die Ergebnisse werden in Bezug auf Kulturmethoden und Fruchtwechsel diskutiert und mit den Resultaten anderer Untersuchungen verglichen.     

Relationship between disease severity and escape of Pseudoperonospora cubensis sporangia from a cucumber canopy during downy mildew epidemics

Fundamental to the development of models to predict the spread of cucurbit downy mildew is the ability to determine the escape of Pseudoperonospora cubensis sporangia from infected fields. Aerial concentrations of sporangia, C (sporangia m^?3), were monitored using Rotorod samplers deployed at 0·5 to 3·0 m above a naturally infected cucumber canopy in two sites in central and eastern North Carolina in 2011, where disease severity ranged from 1 to 40%. Standing crop of sporangia was assessed each morning at 07·00 h EDT and ranged from 320 to 16 170 sporangia m^?2. Disease severity and height above the canopy significantly (P < 0·0001) affected C with mean concentration (C_m) being high at moderate disease. Values of C_m decreased rapidly with canopy height and at a height of 2·0 m, C_m was only 7% of values measured at 0·5 m when disease was moderate. Daily total flux (F_D) was dependent on disease severity and ranged from 5·9 to 2242·3 sporangia m^?2. The fraction of available sporangia that escaped the canopy increased from 0·028 to 0·171 as average wind speed above the canopy for periods of high C increased from 1·7 to 3·6 m s^?1. Variations of C_m and F_D with increasing disease were well described (P < 0·0001) by a log‐normal model with 15% as the threshold above which C_m and F_D decreased as disease severity increased. These results indicate that disease severity should be used to adjust sporangia escape in spore transport simulation models that are used to predict the risk of spread of cucurbit downy mildew.     

Competitive interactions in mixtures of broccoli and Chenopodium album grown at two UV-B radiation levels under glasshouse conditions

Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on intra- and interspecific competition in broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and Chenopodium album were studied using bivariate factorial experiments. A randomized block design was used in which three monoculture densities for each species [144 (low), 256 (medium), and 400 (high) plants m⁻²] and all binary combinations were grown in a glasshouse at two (4 and 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹) UV-B_BE radiation levels for 4 weeks in 1999 and 5 weeks in 2000. Inverse yield–density relationships were more discernible at 4, compared with 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. Substitution rates, indicating the balance of intra- to interspecific competitive effects, declined for broccoli at 7, compared with 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation, largely because of reduced interspecific competitive influences. Conversely, substitution rates increased for C. album grown at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation, as a result of both decreased intraspecific and increased interspecific competition. Interspecific competitive effects were influenced more than intraspecific competitive effects by UV-B radiation. Based on relative magnitude of substitution rates, C. album was a stronger competitor than broccoli at 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation in both years, and at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation in 1999. In 2000, broccoli was the stronger competitor at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. Overall, the relative competitiveness of broccoli was enhanced, while that of C. album diminished at 7, compared with 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. These findings indicate that above-ambient UV-B radiation has the potential to alter crop–weed competitive interactions, which could change acceptable weed threshold levels.     

Germination ecology of seeds of the annual weeds Capsella bursa-pastoris and Descurainia sophia originating from high northern latitudes

Low temperatures may inhibit dormancy break in seeds of winter annuals, therefore it was hypothesized that seeds of Capsella bursa‐pastoris and Descurainia sophia that mature at high latitudes in late summer–early autumn would not germinate until they had been exposed to high summer temperatures. Consequently, germination would be delayed until the second autumn. Most freshly matured seeds of both species collected in August and September in southern Sweden were dormant. After 3 weeks of burial at simulated August (20/10°C) and September (15/6°C) temperatures, 28 and 27%, respectively, of the C. bursa‐pastoris and 56 and 59%, respectively, of the D. sophia seeds germinated in light at 15/6°C. In contrast, in germination phenology studies conducted in Sweden, only a few seeds of either species germinated during the first autumn following dispersal. However, there was a peak of germination of both species the following spring, demonstrating that dormancy was lost during exposure to the low habitat temperatures between late summer and early autumn and spring. Nearly 100% of the seeds of both species subjected to simulated annual seasonal temperature changes were viable after 30.5 months of burial. In the burial study, exhumed seeds of C. bursa‐pastoris were capable of germinating to 98–100% in light at the simulated spring–autumn temperature regime (15/6°C) in both spring and autumn, while those of D. sophia did so only in autumn. In early spring, however, seeds of D. sophia germinated to 17–50% at 15/6°C. Thus, most seeds of these two annual weeds that mature in late summer do not germinate in the first autumn, but they may do so the following spring or in some subsequent autumn or spring.     

Pathogenicity and host‐parasite relationships of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on celery

Pathogenicity and host‐parasite relationships in root‐knot disease of celery (Apium graveolens ) caused by Meloidogyne incognita race 1 were studied under glasshouse conditions. Naturally and artificially infected celery cv. D’elne plants showed severe yellowing and stunting, with heavily deformed and damaged root systems. Nematode‐induced mature galls were spherical and/or ellipsoidal and commonly contained more than one female, males and egg masses with eggs. Feeding sites were characterized by the development of giant cells that contained granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. The cytoplasm of giant cells was aggregated along their thickened cell walls and consequently the vascular tissues within galls appeared disrupted and disorganized. The relationship between initial nematode population density (Pi) and growth of celery plants was tested in glasshouse experiments with inoculum levels that varied from 0 to 512 eggs and second‐stage juveniles (J₂) mL^?1 soil. Seinhorst's model y = m + (1 – m)z^P–T was fitted to height and top fresh weight data of the inoculated and control plants. The tolerance limit with respect to plant height and fresh top weight of celery to M. incognita race 1 was estimated as 0·15 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil. The minimum relative values (m) for plant height and top fresh weight were 0·37 and 0·35, respectively, at Pi ≥ 16 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil. The maximum nematode reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) was 407·6 at an initial population density (Pi) of 4 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil.     

Competitive ability and threshold levels of three broadleaf weed species in sunflower

Data collected from field trials carried out in different years and environments were used to determine competitive ability and threshold levels of Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L. and Sinapis arvensis L. The hyperbolic model showed a good fit to the experimental data. The three broadleaf weeds showed low and similar competitive indices (i ranging from 1–08 to 1–75), supporting the hypothesis of a high sunflower competitive ability. The economic threshold was four to six plants m^?2 for all three weeds in the case of weed control by hoeing and about six plants m^?2 for S. arvensis in the case of a postemergence treatment with imazamethabenz. Limitations and approximations in estimating competitive parameters are pointed out and discussed. Aptitude à la compétition et seuils de nuisibilité de trois mauvaises herbes dicotylédones dans le tournesol Des données recueillies dans des expérimentations au champ conduites dans différents environnements et au cours de différentes années ont été utilisées pour déterminer l'aptitude à la compétition et les seuils de nuisibilité de Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L. et Sinapis arvensis L. Le modéle hyperbolique fournissait un bon ajustement aux données. Les trois mauvaises herbes avaient des indices de compétition bas et similaires (i de 1,08 à 1,75) ce qui conforte l'hypothèse d'une forte aptitude à la compétition du tournesol. Les seuils économiques étaient 4–6 plantes m^?2 pour toutes les mauvaises herbes dans le cas de désherbage mécanique et environ 6 plantes m^?2 pour S. arvensis dans le cas de traitement de post-levée avec l'imazaméthabenz. Les limitations et les approximations dans l'évaluation des paramètres de la compétition sont identifiés et discutés. Konkurrenzkraft und Schadensschwellen von drei dikotylen Unkrautarten in Sonnenblume Anhand von Ergebnissen aus Freilandversuchen in verschiedenen Jahren auf verschiedenen Standorten wurden die Konkurrenzkraft und die Schadensschwellen von Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L., und Sinapis arvensis L, bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse ließen sich mit einer hyperbolischen Gleichung gut beschreiben. Die Konkurrenzindices i von 1,08 bis 1,75 waren fur alle 3 Arten ahnlich niedrig, worin sich die starke Konkurrenz der Sonnenblume widerspiegelt. Bei mechanischer Unkrautbekampfung lagen die Schadensschwellen fur alle 3 Unkrauter zwischen 4 und 6 Pflanzen m^?2, fur Nachauflaufbehandlung mit Imazametabenz fur Sinapis arvenis bei 6 Pflanzen m^?2. Grenzen und Annaherung der Bestimmung von Konkurrenzparametern werden eingehend diskutiert.     

Effects of different management practices on Portulaca oleracea emergence in soyabean

Portulaca oleracea (common purslane) is a summer annual weed with wide geographic distribution and is problematic in many crops worldwide. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different management practices on P. oleracea emergence in soyabean fields. Two tillage systems [conventional tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT)], three soyabean seeding rates (SR) (200 000, 300 000 and 400 000 seeds ha^?1) and three imazethapyr doses (0, 50, and 100 g a.i. ha^?1 applied pre‐emergence) were considered as experimental factors. Portulaca oleracea emergence was affected by management practices including tillage system, soyabean SR and imazethapyr dose. Conventional tillage required a thermal time (TT) of 195.95 and 221.30 d °C to reach 50% emergence in 2016 and 2017, respectively, while for NT, the respective TT requirements were 182.34 and 203.32 d °C. On increasing soyabean SR from 200 000 to 400 000 seeds ha^?1, the TT requirements for 50% emergence (T₅₀) of P. oleracea also increased. The T₅₀ at the herbicide dose of 100 g a.i. ha^?1 was 193.05 and 220.67 d °C in 2016 and 2017, respectively, while for the non‐herbicide treatment, the respective TT requirements were 165.98 and 202.94 d °C. From an integrated weed management perspective, a combination of CT with a SR of 400 000 seeds ha^?1 and a 100 g a.i. ha^?1 imazethapyr dose not only resulted in the lowest P. oleracea seedling density m^?2 but also caused the longest delay in the time to reach the T₅₀. Findings from our study may facilitate the development of effective P. oleracea management strategies.     

Seed structure and germination in Discaria toumatou (Rhamnaceae)

Data collected from field trials carried out in different years and environments were used to determine competitive ability and threshold levels of Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L. and Sinapis arvensis L. The hyperbolic model showed a good fit to the experimental data. The three broadleaf weeds showed low and similar competitive indices (i ranging from 1–08 to 1–75), supporting the hypothesis of a high sunflower competitive ability. The economic threshold was four to six plants m^?2 for all three weeds in the case of weed control by hoeing and about six plants m^?2 for S. arvensis in the case of a postemergence treatment with imazamethabenz. Limitations and approximations in estimating competitive parameters are pointed out and discussed. Aptitude à la compétition et seuils de nuisibilité de trois mauvaises herbes dicotylédones dans le tournesol Des données recueillies dans des expérimentations au champ conduites dans différents environnements et au cours de différentes années ont été utilisées pour déterminer l'aptitude à la compétition et les seuils de nuisibilité de Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L. et Sinapis arvensis L. Le modéle hyperbolique fournissait un bon ajustement aux données. Les trois mauvaises herbes avaient des indices de compétition bas et similaires (i de 1,08 à 1,75) ce qui conforte l'hypothèse d'une forte aptitude à la compétition du tournesol. Les seuils économiques étaient 4–6 plantes m^?2 pour toutes les mauvaises herbes dans le cas de désherbage mécanique et environ 6 plantes m^?2 pour S. arvensis dans le cas de traitement de post-levée avec l'imazaméthabenz. Les limitations et les approximations dans l'évaluation des paramètres de la compétition sont identifiés et discutés. Konkurrenzkraft und Schadensschwellen von drei dikotylen Unkrautarten in Sonnenblume Anhand von Ergebnissen aus Freilandversuchen in verschiedenen Jahren auf verschiedenen Standorten wurden die Konkurrenzkraft und die Schadensschwellen von Ammi majus L., Chenopodium album L., und Sinapis arvensis L, bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse ließen sich mit einer hyperbolischen Gleichung gut beschreiben. Die Konkurrenzindices i von 1,08 bis 1,75 waren fur alle 3 Arten ahnlich niedrig, worin sich die starke Konkurrenz der Sonnenblume widerspiegelt. Bei mechanischer Unkrautbekampfung lagen die Schadensschwellen fur alle 3 Unkrauter zwischen 4 und 6 Pflanzen m^?2, fur Nachauflaufbehandlung mit Imazametabenz fur Sinapis arvenis bei 6 Pflanzen m^?2. Grenzen und Annaherung der Bestimmung von Konkurrenzparametern werden eingehend diskutiert.     

Intraspecific variation in Capsella bursa-pastoris in plant quality traits for insect herbivores

The arable plant Capsella bursa‐pastoris is phenotypically variable in many life history traits, particularly time from germination to flowering. The hypothesis was investigated that, associated with this variation, there are differences in traits that influence plant quality for insect herbivores. Significant within‐species variation was found in plant growth, leaf surface characteristics and tissue nutrient composition among 21 accessions of Capsella. Short flowering time plants exhibited slow vegetative growth, relatively large shoot nitrogen content, high leaf hair densities and differences in phloem composition, compared with long flowering time plants. Insect herbivore response to distinctive trait combinations was assessed on a subset of seven accessions using the phloem‐feeding aphids Aphis fabae and Myzus persicae. Variation in aphid performance was small but significant, with 15–25% fewer nymphs produced on plant variants that exhibited greater tissue water content and low tissue C:N ratio (A. fabae) or on variants with less phloem nitrogen (M. persicae). The differential responses exhibited by the two aphid species to the test accessions confirmed that quantifying intraspecific plant variation is a necessary first step in understanding plant functional diversity and its impact on consumers in arable systems.