Improved management of Avena ludoviciana and Phalaris paradoxa with more densely sown wheat and less herbicide

Summary The effectiveness of crop competition for better weed control and reducing herbicide rates was determined for Avena ludoviciana and Phalaris paradoxa . Four experiments, previously broadcast with seeds of the two weeds in separate plots, were sown with three wheat densities, and emerged weeds were treated with four herbicide doses (0–100% of recommended rate). The measured crop and weed traits were first analysed across experiments for treatment effects. Grain yield and weed seed production data were then analysed using cubic smoothing splines to model the response surfaces. Although herbicide rate for both weeds and crop density for P. paradoxa had significant linear effects on yield, there was a significant non-linearity of the response surface. Similarly, herbicide rate and crop density had significant linear effects on weed seed production, and there was significant non-linearity of the response surface that differed for the weed species. Maximum crop yield and reduction in seed production of P. paradoxa was achieved with approximately 80 wheat plants m⁻² and weeds treated with 100% herbicide rate. For A. ludoviciana , this was 130 wheat plants m⁻² applied with 75% herbicide rate. Alternatively, these benefits were achieved by increasing crop density to 150 plants m⁻² applied with 50% herbicide rate. At high crop density, application of the 100% herbicide rate tended to reduce yield, particularly with the A. ludoviciana herbicide, and this impacted adversely on the suppression of weed seed production. Thus, more competitive wheat crops have the potential for improving weed control and reducing herbicide rates.     

A stochastic simulation model for evaluating the concept of patch spraying

The long-term economic benefits of `patch' spraying are likely to be related to the initial spatial distribution of the target weeds, the demographic characteristics of the species and the weed control and crop husbandry practices to which they are subjected. This paper describes a stochastic simulation model developed to investigate the interaction between weed seed dispersal and patch spraying. Simulated weed plant and seed populations are generated and compared with data from field observations. Lloyd's Patchiness index is used to quantify the patchiness of the weed density distribution, and the parameter k of the negative binomial distribution is used as a measure of distribution shape. A method of assessing the spatial scale of weed aggregation is proposed, in which spatial weed density information is transformed into the frequency domain, using a discrete two-dimensional Fourier transform. In this paper, we simulate `on/off' patch spraying (full or zero herbicide application rate). A quantitative analysis of the effects of sprayer resolution and weed seed dispersal range on the herbicide reduction and yield benefits from patch spraying is performed for three initial spatial seedbank distributions. The model is parameterized for the grass weed Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. Herbicide is applied in square areas (whose size is defined by the spatial resolution of the sprayer) in which mean weed density is greater than or equal to one plant m^–2. For a system conforming to this specification we show that for the control of A. myosuroides , it is unlikely that patch spraying would be profitable in the long term if the control area is larger than 6 m × 6 m. In some circumstances higher resolution may be required.     

Use of density to predict crop yield loss between variable seasons

Summary Density:yield loss models rely on fixed coefficients, parameterized from a particular site and season to predict the impact of weeds on crop yields. However, the empiricism of this approach and failure to incorporate environmental effects, has major biological and economic implications. In this study, seasonal variability in wheat yield loss and associated economic costs from Avena spp. were quantitated. A competition experiment at Wagga Wagga, NSW, showed large seasonal differences in wheat yield loss from densities of Avena spp. across 2 years. Gross margins, simulated over a 51-year period, decreased as Avena spp. density increased and were more variable at low crop densities and higher weed densities. For example, at a density of 200 Avena spp. plants m⁻², coefficient of variation in crop gross margin ( CV ) was $AUS 47 ha⁻¹ for a crop density of 200 wheat plants m⁻² compared with a CV of $AUS 75 ha⁻¹ for a crop density of 50 wheat plants m⁻². The value of yield loss predictions will be vastly improved by making parameter values in yield loss models a function of seasonal factors such as rainfall.     

Model of crop:weed competition applied to maize:Abutilon theophrasti interactions. I. Model description and evaluation

A complex set of interactions among crops, weeds and their environment determines the impact of weed interference on crop productivity. These interactions can be simulated with dynamic crop:weed competition models, such as ALMANAC. In this study, ALMANAC was modified to simulate maize: Abutilon theophrasti competition. In the modified ALMANAC model, daily increases in leaf area index (LAI), height and rooting depth are attenuated on the basis of accumulated above-ground biomass and by environmental stress. Also, a simple, flexible method is adopted to partition radiation in a mixed canopy. A maize: A. theophrasti competition study conducted near Aurora, NY, in which a range of weed densities (0–16 plants m⁻²) were established in a maize crop, was used to evaluate the model. The modified ALMANAC proved to be a useful tool for segregating the maize response to competition in 1991 (simulated loss of 35% at the highest weed density) from those in 1992–94 (simulated losses not greater than 16%). Based on these findings, the modified ALMANAC model is judged to be capable of distinguishing between environmental conditions that facilitate large yield losses and those that allow maize to outcompete A. theophrasti .     

Fertilisation and weed control effects on yield and weeds in durum wheat grown under rain-fed conditions in a Mediterranean climate

Summary A field study was undertaken to examine the effect of fertiliser type and weed control system on grain yield, yield components and weed population in durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum. var. durum) grown in a 4-year rotation [bare fallow–barley ( Hordeum vulgare )–vetch ( Vicia sativa )–wheat]. Fertilisation treatments were: no fertilisation, organic fertilisation with 2500 kg ha⁻¹ of compost (sheep manure and cereal straw) and chemical fertilisation with 100–60–60 kg ha⁻¹ of NPK. Weed-control treatments were: no control, herbicide, harrowing with long-flex spring tines and strip sowing with inter-row hoeing. Chemical fertilisation increased grain yield with respect to the other treatments, amongst which no significant differences were noted. Weed-control systems afforded no improvement in yield compared with controls; indeed, yields obtained using inter-row hoeing were lower. The weed population consisted of a large variety of species, of which the most important were Convolvulus arvensis and Polygonum aviculare . Application of weed-control systems reduced weed density. Herbicide was the most effective, reducing weed biomass by 80%, whilst harrowing and hoeing reduced weed biomass by 40% and 52% respectively. Inter-row hoeing does not appear to be a viable alternative to herbicides, when used as the sole weed control method in a non-diverse cropping system in Mediterranean climates. The lack of response to compost suggests a need for further long-term research.     

Establishment of, and preliminary impact studies on, the rust, Maravalia cryptostegiae, of the invasive alien weed, Cryptostegia grandiflora in Queensland, Australia

The rust fungus Maravalia cryptostegiae , from south-west Madagascar, was introduced into Australia in 1995 as a classical biological control agent against the highly invasive rubber-vine weed Cryptostegia grandiflora , a woody climber endemic to Madagascar. The rust was released at 69 sites between 1995 and 1997 and is now established throughout the plant's exotic range in Queensland, estimated at over 40 000 km². Dispersal was low in the first 3–4 months but was virtually linear thereafter, and the rust spread over 100 km within the first year; after 3 years it was recorded 550 km away from the nearest release site. Spraying both dry and aqueous inoculum of uredinioid teliospores from the ground using mist-blowers, as well as from the air by atomizing spore suspensions, resulted in rust-induced defoliation, producing an overall reduction in fecundity and biomass of the weed. In sites with low water tables, weed growth decreased markedly, with a reduction in plant volume from 9 m⁻³ to 1 m⁻³ over a 4-year period. Both rust- and drought-induced stress combined to cause up to 75% plant mortality at some sites, and at all monitored sites, seedling recruitment was virtually nil. Improved growth of indigenous grasses amongst rubber-vine thickets has increased fuel loads and created opportunities to use fire as a component of an integrated approach to the management of this economically and ecologically damaging weed.     

Germinable soil seedbanks of central Queensland rangelands invaded by the exotic weed Parthenium hysterophorus L.

The germinable soil seedbank was determined at two sites in central Queensland on four separate occasions between February 1995 and October 1996. These sites were infested with parthenium weed ( Parthenium hysterophorus L.), a serious invasive exotic weed. During this period, the seedbank varied between 3282 and 5094 seeds m⁻² at the Clermont site, and between 20 599 and 44 639 seeds m⁻² at the Moolayember Creek site. Parthenium hysterophorus exhibited a very abundant and persistent seedbank, accounting for 47–73% of the seedbank at Clermont and 65–87% of the seedbank at Moolayember Creek. The species richness and species diversity of the seedbank, and the seed abundance of many species, was lower at Moolayember Creek during spring (the time of year when the most dense infestations of the weed originate). Parthenium hysterophorus seedlings also emerged more rapidly from the soil samples than did those of all other species. Hence, it seems that various aspects of the weed's seed ecology, including abundance and the persistence of its seedbank and the rapid emergence of its seedlings, are major factors contributing to its aggressiveness in semiarid rangeland communities in central Queensland. The domination by P . hysterophorus of the seedbanks of these sites suggests that the weed is having a substantial negative impact on the ecology of these plant communities. The diversity of these seedbanks was found to be lower in comparison with that observed in other grassland communities that were not dominated by an invasive weed species. Hence, the prolonged presence of P . hysterophorus may have substantially reduced the diversity of these seedbanks, thereby reducing the ability of some of the native species to regenerate in the future.     

Influence of developmental stage and time of assessment on hot water weed control

Summary The influence of plant developmental stage in hot water weed control was studied on the test weed Sinapis alba in field experiments. The dose was measured as thermal energy in the hot water (kJ m⁻²) and the response as reduction in plant weight. The energy dose for a 90% reduction in plant weight was 340 kJ m⁻² at the two-leaf stage, which is one-third of the energy required for the same reduction at the six-leaf stage. Treatment at an early stage saves energy, increases the driving speed and lowers the costs. Hard surface areas with naturally developed weeds were used to study the required treatment interval and the influence of time of assessment on the reduction in weed cover. The required treatment interval was 25 d on average, which is similar to that of flame weeding. A longer lasting effect requires a higher energy dose. A 50% higher energy dose was needed to obtain a 90% reduction in weed cover that lasted for 15 d instead of 7 d. After 3–4 weeks, hardly any reduction could be recorded because of regrowth of perennial weeds. However, hot water weed control has a potential on urban hard surfaces and railroad embankments, especially where the use of herbicides is restricted.     

Mulched cover crops as an alternative to conventional weed management systems in vineyards

Conventional methods of weed management in vineyards rely primarily on herbicides and tillage. The desire to adopt alternatives to these methods is driven by environmental and economic reasons. Weed suppression and grape yield under mulched cover crop systems at two rainfed northern California vineyards were similar to, and at times exceeded, those under conventional tillage or herbicide management. Cover crop productivity was positively correlated with weed suppression and mulch decomposition rates and seemed to be determined primarily by location and then by cover crop type. The mulch from mowed cover crops averaged 603(± 94) gm⁻² at the two sites. Weed suppression was linked to light interception by the mulch cover for most weed species. Subterranean clover planted directly in the vine row significantly reduced weed cover where it established. The increased dominance of the perennial Convolvulus arvensis and reduction of certain annual species was indicative of species compositional changes in all treatments. Profits under the cover cropping systems exceeded those under conventional tillage and herbicide systems by €  794 ha⁻¹ averaged over the duration of the experiment at both locations.     

Enhanced effect of thiobencarb on bispyribac-sodium control of Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf ) Koss. in California rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Bispyribac-sodium {sodium 2,6-bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy] benzoate} has recently been introduced to California where it effectively controls Echinochloa spp. in rice ( Oryza sativa L.). However, biotypes of early watergrass ( Echinochloa oryzoides (Ard.) Fritsch) and late watergrass ( E. phyllopogon (Stapf ) Koss.) have evolved resistance to this herbicide. In 2001 and 2002, greenhouse and field experiments evaluated interactions between thiobencarb { S -[(4-chlorophenyl) methyl] diethylcarbamothioate} and bispyribac-sodium on resistant (R) and susceptible (S) late watergrass in California rice. Synergism was assessed using Colby's test and regression analysis. In the greenhouse, thiobencarb at 4480 and 5333 g ai ha⁻¹ synergistically reduced bispyribac-sodium GR₅₀ values on the R and S biotypes by 50–70% without increasing toxicity to rice. Synergism was also observed on S late watergrass in the field when 10 g ai ha⁻¹ bispyribac-sodium was mixed with 1120–2240 g ai ha⁻¹ thiobencarb. These effects could be related to interactions between thiocarbamates and enzymes in Phase I reactions of herbicide metabolism. This synergism results in better control at lower rates allowing a reduction in weed control costs, the herbicide load on the environment and a lower selection pressure towards resistant weed biotypes.     

Control of weed barley species in winter wheat with sulfosulfuron at different rates and times of application

Field experiments were conducted at five locations in the major wheat production regions of Iran to evaluate the efficacy of sulfosulfuron in controlling weed barley species (including Hordeum spontaneum , Hordeum murinum , Hordeum distichon , and Hordeum vulgare ) in the 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 growing seasons. Sulfosulfuron was applied either postemergence (POST) or preplant-incorporated (PPI) at 0, 20.25, 30.75, 40.5, 51.0, 60.75 or 71.25 g ai ha⁻¹ to plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Sulfosulfuron at the recommended rate (20.25 g ai ha⁻¹) failed to provide acceptable control of the weed barley species. However, the level of control increased with the application rate, particularly at rates >51.0 g ai ha⁻¹. Generally, PPI-applied sulfosulfuron resulted in markedly greater control levels than those of a POST application and complete control of H. murinum and H. vulgare was achieved with PPI-applied sulfosulfuron at all rates >20.25 and 30.75 g ai ha⁻¹, respectively. In most cases, the wheat yield increased with the application rate without any crop injury. The highest yield increase (186%) was obtained with a PPI application of 71.25 g ai ha⁻¹.     

Modelling different cultivation and herbicide strategies for their effect on herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides

A single dominant mutation conferring resistance to aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) and cyclohexanedione (CHD) herbicides was incorporated into a quantitative model for the population development of Alopecurus myosuroide s Huds. The model predicts that from an initial seedbank of 100 seed m^–2, 10^–6 of which mutate to resistance each generation, and annual use of AOPP/CHD herbicides which kill 90% of susceptible but no resistant plants, a threshold of 10 plants m^–2 surviving herbicides ('field resistance') will develop: in 9–10 years if all tillage is by tine cultivation to 10 cm deep; after 28–30 years of annual ploughing; in 12 years if tine cultivations are interspersed with ploughing once every 4 years. If AOPP/CHD herbicides are alternated with herbicides with different modes of action, outcomes depend on the annual kill rate: with 95% kill (of susceptible plants by AOPP/CHDs and all plants by alternative herbicides) and tine cultivation, field resistance develops in 22 years; however, resistance can be delayed for 45 years if AOPP/CHDs are rotated with two additional herbicides, each with a different mode of action. The model predictions on the number of years required for field resistance to develop are not highly sensitive to the density of the seedbank or the initial frequency of resistance.     

Effects of winter wheat cultivars and seed rate on the biological characteristics of naturally occurring weed flora

Summary Differential competitive ability of six winter wheat cultivars and traits that confer such attributes were investigated for a range of seed rates in the presence or absence of weeds for a naturally occurring weed flora in two successive years in split-plot field experiments. Crop height and tillering capacity were considered suitable attributes for weed suppression, although competitiveness is a relative rather than an absolute characteristic. Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon were the most competitive cultivars whereas Fresco was the least competitive. Manipulation of seed rate was a more reliable factor than cultivar selection for enhancement of weed suppression, although competitiveness of cultivars Buster, Riband and Maris Widgeon was not enhanced by increased seed rate. Crop densities ranging between 125 and 270 plants m⁻² were found to offer adequate weed suppression. Linear relationships were observed between individual and total weed species dry weight and reproductive structures per unit area.     

Effect of the sowing date on the growth of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) as a cover crop influenced the weed biomass and soil chemical properties in a subtropical region

Weeds emerge throughout the year in agricultural fields in subtropical regions. The weed suppression and improved soil fertility resulting from a living mulch of hairy vetch were investigated. Hairy vetch was sown in October and in December 2006. The fallow condition was without the sowing of hairy vetch, with the weeds allowed to grow naturally. The biomass of the top parts (BOT) of hairy vetch increased from February to April and then decreased in May on both sowing dates. The BOT of hairy vetch sown in October was significantly higher in February, March, and April than that sown in December. Hairy vetch sown in October and harvested from February to April varied from 372–403 × 10⁻³ kg m⁻², with weed suppression percentages of 62.8% in comparison with the fallow plots. The fixed C, N, P, and mineral uptake of hairy vetch showed similar patterns to its biomass. The nitrate (NO₃-N) content increased from February to May for the soils in the October and December plots, in contrast to the fallow plots. Moreover, the NO₃-N and available N of the October and December soils sampled from February to May were higher than that of the fallow soils. In subtropical agriculture, hairy vetch should be sown in October in order to achieve a higher biomass for suppressing weeds effectively and improving the soil fertility, mainly N.     

Weed infestation and tea growth under various weed management methods in a young tea (Camellia sinensis[L.] Kuntze) plantation

A field experiment was conducted in the low country of Sri Lanka, during the period 1994–1995 to investigate the severity of weed infestation and tea growth in relation to weed management methods in newly established tea ( Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntze). Manual weeding (hand and slash weeding) at various intervals was compared with various herbicides, with or without mulching. Weed control with herbicides was superior to that of hand weeding at 6-week intervals or more. Weed control with oxyfluorfen at 0.29 kg ai ha⁻¹ + paraquat at 0.17 kg ai ha⁻¹ or glyphosate at 0.99 kg ai ha⁻¹ + kaolin at 3.42 kg ha⁻¹ were superior. Plots unweeded for 12 weeks or more produced significantly greater ( P  < 0.05) weed biomass than plots unweeded for 6 weeks. Although the least weed dry weight ( P  < 0.05) and the greatest number of weed species were recorded with hand weeding at 2 week intervals, there was no particular benefit on tea growth when compared with hand weeding at 6 and 12 week intervals. Inter row mulching in chemically treated plots was more favorable for tea growth than no mulching, while living weed cover in unmulched slash weeded plots suppressed tea growth. A combination of mulching and herbicides, particularly oxyfluorfen and paraquat, followed by hand weeding at least every 6–8 weeks was considered the most appropriate weed management system for young tea.     

Correlation between the soil seed bank and weed populations in maize fields

Annual weed populations establish every year from persistent seed banks in the soil. This 3 year study investigated the relationship between the number of weed seeds in the soil seed bank and the resultant populations of major broadleaf and grass weeds in 30 maize fields. After planting the crop, 1 m² areas were protected from the pre-emergence herbicide application. Soil samples were collected soon after spraying to a depth of 100 mm and the weed seeds therein were enumerated. The emerged weed seedlings in the field sampling areas were counted over the following 8 weeks. Up to 67 broadleaf species and five grass weeds were identified, although not all were found at every site and some were specific to a region or soil type. For the most abundant weeds in the field plots, on average 2.1–8.2% of the seeds of the broadleaf species and 6.2–11.9% of the seeds of the grass weeds in the soil seed bank emerged in any one year, depending on the species. Overall, the results showed a strong linear relationship between the seed numbers in the soil and the seedling numbers in the field for all the grasses and for most broadleaf weeds. For some species, like Trifolium repens , only a weak relationship was observed. In the case of Chenopodium album , which had the largest seed bank, there was evidence of asymptotic behavior, with seedling emergence leveling off at high seed numbers. An estimate of the soil seed bank combined with knowledge of the germination and behavior of specific weed species would thus have good potential for predicting future weed infestations in maize fields.     

Competitive effects of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) on the growth indices and yield of corn

The mutual effects of redroot pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus ) on corn ( Zea mays ) were evaluated in an experiment conducted in 2005 at the Iranian Plant Protection Research Institute at Qazvin, considering the different densities of redroot pigweed against four different corn densities. Redroot pigweed, at 0, 35, 50, 65, and 80 plants m⁻¹ row⁻¹, was arranged factorially with corn at four, five, six, and seven plants m⁻¹ row⁻¹ in a randomized complete block design. Crop–weed competition resulted in a reduction in the total dry matter, Leaf Area Index, and crop growth rate of corn. Furthermore, an increasing weed density ≤65 plants m⁻¹ row⁻¹ reduced the corn grain yield and biological yield. Overall, six corn plants m⁻¹ row⁻¹ was suggested as the optimum density of this crop in competition with redroot pigweed.     

Simulation of herbicide use in a crop rotation with transgenic herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape

The potential impact of herbicide-tolerant winter oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) on future herbicide use was investigated with a simulation model. The model uses a sigmoid function to simulate the growth of crops and weeds that compete for a maximum yield potential. Thresholds for weed control are based upon critical levels of weed biomass. The dynamics of the weed population are determined by the efficacy of representative herbicides on individual weed species and by seedbank parameters. Herbicide efficacy is determined by a log-logistic dose–response curve for each species. Simulation of a rotation with winter oilseed rape/wheat/wheat/barley showed contradictory predictions of herbicide use, because herbicide use in a rotation with either glyphosate- or glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape was not reduced in the amount of kg a.i. ha^–1 compared with a traditional treatment, whereas the treatment frequency (number of standard recommended doses per unit area) decreased.     

Quantitative evaluation of wheat against volunteer rye in Iran

Rye infestations have increased in frequency and severity in the wheat fields of Iran and have caused yield reductions in wheat production. In order to study the competition effects of wheat against rye, an experiment was conducted at the research centers of Karaj and Varamin, Iran, during 2001 and 2002. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 24 treatments and four replications. The treatments included pure stands of wheat at densities of 350, 450, 550, and 650 plants m⁻² and volunteer rye densities of 10, 30, 50, and 70 plants m⁻², and mixed stands of wheat and rye at complete factorial densities. The results indicated that rye was a superior competitor compared to wheat. The biological and economic yields of wheat were mainly affected by interspecific competition in the Karaj region. This was also true during the first year in the Varamin region but, in the second year, the biological and economic yields of wheat were equally affected by interspecific and intraspecific competition because of increasing precipitation. The evaluation of competitive ability, using regression coefficients, showed that in Karaj, the effect of one rye plant on wheat was approximately equivalent to three and two plants of wheat in reducing the grain yield of wheat in the first and second years, respectively, while in Varamin, it was equivalent to three and 1.2 plants of wheat, respectively. In other words, each 0.36 and 0.51 rye plant in Karaj and each 0.36 and 0.84 rye plant in Varamin had the same impact on the reciprocal wheat grain yield as did one wheat plant in the first and second years, respectively.     

Weed:spring barley competition for applied nitrogen in pig slurry

Summary The experiments were carried out in the two spring barley fields of the organic six-course cattle:crop rotation at Foulumgaard, Denmark. The weed density was 300 and 1800 plants m⁻² respectively. Pig slurry was applied by hand in microplots by four methods: broadcasting followed by incorporation, or injected in bands to depths of 5, 10 or 15 cm. Spring barley and weeds were sampled separately six times during the tillering and elongation phase of the spring barley. The effect of application method on dry-matter (d.m.) production, nitrogen uptake and recovery of applied nitrogen in the spring barley and the weeds is reported. Slurry banding halved the weed d.m. and weed N uptake compared with broadcasting, irrespective of weed density. Weeds recovered up to 12% of the applied nitrogen, which made them a significant competitor when the slurry was broadcast and incorporated. Banding by direct injection reduced the slurry:soil contact and the weed:crop competition balance for applied nitrogen moved in favour of the crop. Thus, the crop recovery of applied nitrogen at the end of the sampling period was increased from approximately 45% for broadcast and incorporated to approximately 50% for injected slurry, and coincidental weed recovery was reduced to a maximum of 5%. As the nitrogen supply normally affects plant d.m. production, banding of slurry might well improve crop competitiveness and its tolerance to mechanical weed control.