田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻的抑草效应分析

研究了田间旱育条件下, 在土壤水分充足和适度干旱状态时, 化感水稻"PI312777"和非化感水稻"Lemont"的抑草效应差异.结果表明, 在两种供水状态下, 化感水稻"PI312777"对田间杂草的控制效应显著高于非化感水稻"Lemont","PI312777"对各种杂草抑制效应指数的绝对值多在0.5以上, 而"Lemont"对各种杂草抑制效应指数的绝对值则多在0.5以下.进一步分析发现, 适度干旱胁迫下"PI312777"和"Lemont"对杂草的抑制效应都有增强趋势, 且"PI312777"稻田杂草生物量的降低幅度高于"Lemont"稻田; 以与非化感水稻"Lemont"共生下的杂草生物量为对照, 化感水稻"PI312777"对稻田杂草均表现出一定的化感抑制作用, 且适度干旱胁迫诱导下化感作用强度进一步增加.此外, 水稻对不同杂草的生物干扰强度不同, 化感水稻"PI312777"对夏熟稻田阔叶杂草有较强的控制效果, 干旱胁迫诱导"PI312777"对无芒稗(Echinochloa crusgalli L.)的化感潜力明显增强.     

田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻的生理特性分析

以国际公认的化感水稻品种“PI312777”和非化感水稻品种“Lemont”为材料, 研究了田间旱育条件下2 种水稻的生长特性及其对水分和杂草胁迫的生理响应。结果表明, 在水分和杂草双重胁迫下, 田间水稻生长势表现为“PI312777”(旱地)＞“Lemont”(湿地)≥“PI312777”(湿地)＞“Lemont”(旱地)。进一步分析发现, 在各处理小区, 以适度干旱小区化感水稻“PI312777”叶片的叶绿素含量、保护酶活性、光合速率、水分利用效率最高,蒸腾速率最低; 以适度干旱小区非化感水稻“Lemont”叶片的光合速率、保护酶活性、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和水分利用效率最低, MDA 含量积累最高。与非化感水稻“Lemon”相比, 化感水稻“PI312777”对水分的利用效率更高, 有更强的适应水分缺乏的能力。     

水稻人感作用潜力研究初报

6个化感水稻的化感作用潜力试验结果表明，不同品种水稻的化感潜力存在差异，6个供试水稻按其以对稗草生长抑制率的大小依次为“Woo Co Chin Yu”＞“Kouketsumuchi”＞“AC1423”＞“CN－15”＞“Taichung Native 1”＞ “YH－1”。提高化感物质的浓度，可相应增强对稗草生长的抑制作用。试验证实，水稻对稗草的化感作用具有密度依赖效应，表现为杂草密度加大，水稻化感抑制效果降低，这与资源竞争的结果恰好相反。     

水稻化感作用潜力研究初报

6个化感水稻的化感作用潜力试验结果表明，不同品种水稻的化感潜力存在差异，6个供试水稻按其对稗草生长抑制率的大小依次为“Woo Co Chin Yu”＞“Kouketsumuchi”＞“AC1423”＞“CN-15”＞“Taichung Native 1”＞“YH-1”。提高化感物质的浓度，可相应增强对稗草生长的抑制作用。试验证实，水稻对稗草的化感作用具有密度依赖效应，表现为杂草密度加大，水稻化感抑制效果降低，这与资源竞争的结果恰好相反。     

不同化感潜力水稻秧苗响应低钾的光合生理特性

本研究以化感水稻"PI312777"和非化感水稻"Lemont"为材料,采用水培方法研究低钾(5 mg K.L-1)和正常钾(40 mg K.L-1)条件下,两水稻品种的光合生理及其响应机制。结果表明,低钾条件对非化感水稻"Lemont"的根长、株高、干重有显著的抑制作用;而对化感水稻"PI312777"的根长有促进作用,对其他指标的影响较小。低钾条件下,两种水稻光合作用参数——净光合速率、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、气孔限制值、叶绿素含量等均下降,但非化感水稻"Lemont"下降的幅度较大,且与化感水稻"PI312777"差异显著。水稻光合作用相关酶的分析结果表明,低钾条件下核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶和乙醇酸氧化酶的活性及其基因表达强度均降低,但化感水稻"PI312777"的下降幅度显著小于非化感水稻"Lemont"。可见低钾条件下,化感水稻"PI312777"比非化感水稻"Lemont"具有更强的光合作用能力及耐营养匮乏能力。     

不同化感潜力水稻品种对低钾的生理与分子响应

选择国际公认的化感水稻品种“P1312777”和非化感水稻品种“Lemont”为材料,在K元素为5mg·L^-1（低K）和40mg·L^-1（正常K）2个水平的营养液中培养,通过水稻形态学指标（根长、株高、根冠比和生物量）、生理生化指标（SOD、POD、CAT、根系活力及植株中N、P、K含量）,评价不同化感潜力水稻品种对低K胁迫的生理响应,并采用实时荧光定量PCR（Realtime Fluorescent Quantitative PCR,FQ-PCR）,分析了低K胁迫下水稻根和叶中与N、P、K吸收利用相关的12个关键酶的基因表达差异。结果表明,低K促进了化感水稻“P1312777”根的生长,根冠比加大,生物量增加,但对株高的影响不显著;而该条件下非化感水稻“Lemont”的上述指标均受到不同程度的抑制。低K对两种水稻的保护酶系（SOD、POD、CAT）和根系活力均有一定程度的抑制作用,植株中N、P、K含量降低,但非化感水稻“Lemont”受抑制的程度远大于化感水稻“P1312777”。FQ-PCR检测结果表明,低K胁迫下两种水稻根、叶中的12个关键酶的基因均呈现上调表达,而化感水稻“P1312777”的基因表达上调倍数均明显大于非化感水稻“Lemont”。低K胁迫下两种水稻品种的形态学差异、生理与分子响应均表明,化感水稻“P1312777”比非化感水稻“Lemont”具有更强的适应K匮乏的能力。     

长雄野生稻及其后代抑草效果与化感潜力和农艺性状的关系

明确化感潜力和农艺性状对长雄野生稻(Oryza longistaminata)及其后代抑草效果的影响及相互关系,对发掘与利用野生种质资源的化感基因培育水稻化感新品种具有重要意义。本研究以化感抗稗草长雄野生稻、亚洲栽培稻‘RD23’及其杂交F1代(RD23×O.longistaminata)和F2代单株分离群体为材料,采用室内生物测定和温室盆栽试验相结合方法,研究化感潜力和农艺性状对长雄野生稻及其后代抑制稗草的影响,并探讨三者的相互关系。结果表明,室内生物测定为强化感潜力的水稻材料在盆栽条件下对稗草的密度防效、生物量防效和株高抑制作用并非总强于弱化感和无化感作用的水稻材料,但在根际距离0~3 cm时,强化感潜力水稻材料对伴生稗草的抑制效应显著强于弱化感潜力和无化感作用的水稻材料。不论供试材料化感潜力强弱,当根际距离大于3 cm时,株型高大、分蘖强的供试水稻材料在盆栽条件下对稗草的密度防效、生物量防效和株高抑制作用均显著强于株型矮小、分蘖少的材料。供试水稻材料在不同苗龄对稗草的抑制作用也存在显著差异,苗龄60 d的供试材料在根际距离0~3 cm范围内对伴生稗草的密度防效均小于苗龄30 d的对应处理组,但对伴生稗草的生物量防效和株高抑制作用则大于苗龄30 d对应处理组;之后随着距离的增加,除根际距离在3~6 cm的密度防效外,其他均无显著差异。在根际距离0~3 cm时,供试材料的化感综合效应指数(SE)与对伴生稗草的密度防效、生物量防效和株高抑制作用显著相关,但随根际距离的增加相关性逐渐减小;株高和分蘖数与稗草的密度防效不相关,与生物量防效和株高抑制作用存在一定的相关性。研究结果显示,长雄野生稻及其后代田间抑草效果与化感潜力、苗龄、株高和分蘖数等因素相关,在根际距离0~3 cm时,化感作用在苗龄30 d的强化感潜力水稻材料的抑草效应中起主要作用。     

水稻品种"Lemont"响应低氮培养及共培稗草的上调表达基因分析

营养匮乏和伴生杂草是水稻种植过程中的常见影响因素。本研究应用抑制消减杂交(SSH)技术,分别研究低氮、稗草条件下,非化感水稻品种"Lemont"的上调表达基因。结果显示,低氮条件下,"Lemont"水稻中参与生长调控的生长素响应蛋白,参与抗逆防御的类NBS-LRR蛋白、过氧化氢酶、金属硫因蛋白,以及参与蛋白质代谢相关蛋白的编码基因上调表达。稗草共培下,编码NADH脱氢酶、细胞色素氧化酶、ATP依赖性RNA解旋酶等与植物生长相关的基因,与抗逆防御相关的几丁质酶和糖基水解酶基因,以及与信号转导相关的锌指蛋白及组氨酸激酶基因增强表达。研究结果表明,非化感水稻"Lemont"能够通过调节抗逆以及生长调节相关基因的表达,从而响应不同的胁迫。     

田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质分析

酚酸类和萜类是水稻化感作用研究中研究较多、争议较大的2大类化感物质,但目前有关水稻根系分泌物的研究多在实验室条件下进行。本文以国际公认的强化感水稻‘PI312777’和弱化感水稻‘Lemont’为材料,以未种植水稻的土壤为对照,研究了其在田间旱育条件下,不同土壤水分状态(旱地和湿地)时,根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质的差异。结果表明,不同水分条件下不同化感潜力水稻品种和对照根际土壤中酚酸类物质和萜类物质的组成较为相似,但各物质含量存在一定差异。适度旱胁迫下,各处理根际土壤中所检测到的咖啡酸、对羟基苯甲酸、香草酸、阿魏酸和肉桂酸5种酚酸类物质及总量均有提高,其中强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中5种酚酸类物质提高最显著,比CK湿地处理提高2.84倍;在各处理根际土壤共检测到的27种萜类物质中,17种是含氧单萜;干旱胁迫导致各处理根际土壤单萜烯、含氧单萜、含氧倍半萜和总萜变化程度和变化趋势不同,单萜烯相对含量在强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中明显提高,而在弱化感水稻‘Lemont’和对照根际土壤中则降低。本文在此基础上讨论了由此导致2种水稻田间化感抑草效果差异的原因与机制。     

化感作用在杂草控制中的应用

杂草危害农作物的生长和发育,而大量施用除草剂会造成环境污染和增加杂草抗药性。利用植物相互间化感作用控制杂草非常有效,抑草植物通过释放化感物质并与杂草竞争生存环境,进而对杂草发芽和生长产生抑制作用。轮作、耕作等措施影响植物残茬化感物质的释放,造成抑草效果不同。化感育种是解决杂草危害的最有效途径,可使植物具有对杂草抑制作用的化感性状。     

Urease,invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities in paddy soil influenced by allelopathic rice variety

Allelopathic rice variety can release allelochemicals from roots to soil in which interfere with neighboring plant and microbial species, but little is currently known about their effect on enzyme activities of paddy soils. This study showed that enzyme activities and concentrations of allelochemicals in paddy field varied with rice varieties, growth stages and moisture regime. Allelopathic rice variety PI312777 paddy fields had higher levels of soil urease, invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities when compared to non-allelopathic rice variety Liaojing-9. Furthermore, allelopathic PI312777 released much higher concentrations of allelochemical 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone than non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 during the whole growth stages. Both rice root exudates and the flavone changed soil enzyme activities, but their effects could be distinguished by allelopathic PI312777 and non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 varieties tested. There was a correlation with concentrations of the flavone and enzyme activities in rice soil. The flavone increased enzyme activities, but all test enzyme activities were less responsive to the flavone in flooded soil than in non-flooded soil. The flavone given the short half-life easily degraded in rice soil, but the flavone was more resistant toward degradation in non-flooded soil. These results suggest that the urease, invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities of paddy soils may be positively influenced by allelopathic rice variety through the release of allelochemicals.     

Effect of soil tillage and weed control methods on weed biomass and yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.)

Abstract

The study was carried out in dryfarming areas in Ankara, Turkey, over 2 years (2001 – 2002 and 2002 – 2003). The objective was to determine different soil tillage and weed control methods on weed biomass and yield components, yield of lentil (Lens culinaris). This study compared the effects of two tillage systems (shallow minimum tillage and traditional tillage) and three weed control methods (weedy check, hand weeding and herbicide) on weed biomass, growth characteristics, seed yield and some yield components of lentil. Significant differences were found among weed control methods for weed biomass and yield parameters of lentil. Tillage systems had no significant effect on weed biomass or yield of lentil. The highest yield and lowest weed biomass was found in the hand-weeded treatment compared to the other weed control methods. Results of this research indicate that weeds are a main constraint for lentil growing under dryland conditions. Grain yield of lentil was reduced more than 60% due to uncontrolled weeds.     

浮萍覆盖对稻田杂草群落组成及多样性的影响

在农业可持续发展的背景下,稻田杂草防控需要兼顾生物多样性的保护。为了解浮萍覆盖对稻田杂草群落组成及物种多样性的影响,运用群落生态学的方法,研究了多根紫萍覆盖(SP)、少根紫萍覆盖(LP)和不投放浮萍(CK)3种处理下稻田杂草发生量和群落多样性在水稻4个生育期(分蘖期、孕穗期、扬花期和成熟期)的动态变化,并对水稻产量进行分析。结果表明:SP和LP处理在前两生育期分别比CK显著降低杂草密度60.3%～75.8%和81.1%～90.4%,在整个水稻生育期能分别降低杂草鲜重生物量48.0%以上和81.3%以上,杂草群落中阔叶类杂草比例明显下降。不同处理下,稻田最主要杂草类别均是莎草科杂草;不同处理的杂草群落中重要杂草的种类和相对重要程度都有较大差异,SP和LP处理重要值较高的杂草均为莎草科的萤蔺和碎米莎草,CK处理重要值较高的杂草则为阔叶类的鸭舌草;在多数生育期,两种浮萍覆盖下的杂草群落的Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson优势度指数均与CK无显著差异。SP和LP处理水稻的每穗粒数和穗重均有不同程度显著提高, SP处理的水稻产量显著提高28.0%。综合上述分析,稻田投放初始覆盖面积70.0%的多根紫萍和少根紫萍都能在降低稻田杂草密度和生物量的同时维持杂草群落的多样性,且多根紫萍覆盖能促进水稻产量增长,对保护稻田生物多样性和促进农业可持续发展有重要意义。     

Impact of allelochemical exuded from allelopathic rice on soil microbial community

Allelopathic rice releases allelochemicals from its roots to paddy soils at early growth stages to inhibit neighboring weeds. However, little is currently known about the effects of allelochemicals on soil microbes. In this study, we show that allelopathic rice can have great impact on the population and community structure of soil microbes. Allelopathic rice PI312777 seedlings reduced the culturable microbial population and total PLFA when compared to non-allelopathic rice Liaojing-9. Similar results were observed when, instead of growing seedlings, soils were incubated with plant root exudates. This result demonstrates that the composition of root exudates from the rice varieties tested contributes to the soil microbial community. Further experiments showed that the microbial community was affected by the allelochemical 5,4′-dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxy-7-O-β-glucopyranosylflavone exuded from allelopathic rice roots, through immediately hydrolyzing glucose with stimulation on soil bacteria and aglycone (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone) with inhibition on soil fungi. This result indicates that the flavone O-glycoside can provide carbon and interact with soil microbes. PC analysis of the fatty acid data clearly separated the allelopathic PI312777 and the non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 variety (PC1 = 46.4%, PC2 = 20.3%). Similarly, the first principal component (PC1 = 37.4%) together with the second principal component (PC2 = 17.3%) explained 54.7% of the variation between the allelopathic and non-allelopathic root exudates. Furthermore, the canonical correlation between allelopathic root exudates and the flavone O-glycoside was statistically significant (Canonical R = 0.889, χ² (25) = 69.72, p = 0.0041). Although the data generated in this study were not completely consistent between culturable microbes and PLFA profile, it is a fact that variation in soil microbial populations and community structures could be distinguished by the allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice varieties tested. Our results suggest that individual components of rice root exudates, such as allelochemicals from allelopathic rice, can modify the soil microbial community.     

Influence of nitrogen and weed management on the productivity of upland rice

Nitrogen and weeds are two important factors that influence the productivity of rainfed upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in tropical Asia. A low recovery of applied fertilizer N in rainfed uplands is generally associated with high nitrate leaching losses and weed interferences. Field experiments were conducted during the wet seasons of 2002 and 2003 at the research farm of Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station, Hazaribag, Jharkhand, India, to determine the response of upland rice to nitrogen applied at 60 kg N ha^–1 as different forms of urea (single pre‐plant application of controlled‐release urea, single pre‐plant application of urea supergranules, and split application of prilled urea with or without basal N) against no N application under three weed‐control regimes (unweeded, pre‐emergence application of butachlor at 1.5 kg a.i. ha^–1 supplemented with one single hand weeding or two hand weedings). The response of rice to applied N varied greatly among the three weed‐control regimes. Across the different N treatments, the application of 60 kg N ha^–1 resulted in a grain‐yield increase above the unfertilized control of only 0.24 Mg ha^–1 in unweeded treatments, whereas yields increased by 1.07 Mg ha^–1 when butachlor application was supplemented with a single hand weeding and by 1.28 Mg ha^–1 with two hand weedings. Among the weed‐control measures, hand weeding twice produced highest grain yield in both years. The comparison of different forms of urea showed that a single pre‐plant application of controlled‐release urea resulted in average grain yields of 1.57 and 1.87 Mg ha^–1 compared to 1.32 and 1.30 Mg ha^–1 in the case of the recommended practice of split‐applied prilled urea in the years 2002 and 2003, respectively. The highest agronomic N use efficiency of 15–20 kg grain per kg N applied and the highest apparent N recovery of 39%–45% were attained with controlled‐release urea, suggesting that this N form is particularly beneficial for upland‐rice cultivation under variable rainfall conditions, provided weeds are controlled.     

玉米田间机械-化学协同除草的杂草防除效果

施用除草剂和机械除草是目前杂草控制的两种主要手段，受农田环境、机具作业能力等限制，单一机械或化学防治均存在一定的局限性。该研究以玉米田为研究对象，设置机械除草协同减量化学除草策略，选取2种机械除草方式（行间与株间）和3种化学减量比例（减量25%、50%、75%）及2种化学施药方式（全幅和苗行）组合进行除草试验。从除草效果和玉米生长方面综合研究了机械-化学协同除草方式的杂草防除效果。试验结果表明：机械除草方式能够疏松土壤，使除草区域的土壤紧实度降低64.4%以上。除草处理后2周，行间机械除草的株防效为83.4%，优于株间机械除草的株防效46.7%；玉米吐丝期，机械-化学协同处理的除草效果优于单一机械除草，行间机械除草协同除草剂减施处理的除草效果优于同水平施药量下的株间机械除草协同除草剂减施处理；无论是在吐丝期还是成熟期，机械-化学协同除草处理的玉米叶面积和干物质量大于单一机械除草或化学除草，机械-化学协同除草模式可促进植株营养元素累积和作物生长；行间机械-化学协同除草处理的平均产量分别高出单一机械和化学除草模式29.0%和20.4%，株间机械-化学协同除草处理的平均产量分别高出单一机械和化学除草模式55.9%和5.1%；从玉米产量及其构成来看，机械除草协同除草剂减施25%处理的增产效果最优，该处理下的千粒质量和产量均高于其他协同处理。该研究明确了机械-化学协同除草策略对农田杂草防除和作物生长的影响，机械协同除草剂减施处理能在不降低除草效果的前提下减少除草剂施用和增加玉米产量。该研究为杂草绿色防控提供了新思路，研究结果可为玉米田除草剂减施提供参考。     

Evaluation of allelopathic potential and quantification of momilactone A,B from rice hull extracts and assessment of inhibitory bioactivity on paddy field weeds

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) hull extracts were used in a bioassay to evaluate the allelopathic potential of rice on the germination and growth of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli P. Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi), to quantify momilactone A and B levels in rice hull germplasm and to assess the inhibitory bioactivity of momilactone A and B as a potential natural source of herbicide for weed control in paddy fields. Four varieties of weeds including E. crus-galli P. Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, Monochoria vaginalis var. plantaginea, Scirpus juncoides, and Eleocharis kuroguwai were tested in the paddy field. Of 99 rice varieties, the top five including Noindari exhibited inhibition effects greater than 50% in average inhibition of dry weight (AIDW). Noindari among them exerted the strongest effect (55.6%). The next five in the ranking exhibited inhibition effects of greater than 40%. Also, 46 varieties had inhibition effects between 20 and 40%, and 29 varieties had inhibition effects greater than 10%. Fourteen varieties had very low inhibitory effects (less than 10%), the lowest of which was Heunbe (4.7%). These varieties showed a mean inhibition of 19.8% for germination rate (GR), 9.9% for germination percentage (GP), 16.6% for leaf dry weight (LDW), 38.9% for straw dry weight (SDW), and 26.8% for root dry weight (RDW). Rice varieties were classified into six categories based on their total momilactones (TMs) (momilactone A + momilactone B). The highest level of momilactone A was found in the Baekna rice variety (34.7 microg g(-1)), and Baekgwangok contained the highest level of momilactone B (37.8 microg g(-1)). In allelopathic potential with genetic properties and morphological characteristics, the total inhibition rate (TIR) was 18.3% for Korean rice varieties, 19.0% for middle maturing varieties, 17.8% for colorless hull varieties, 18.3% for awn varieties, and 19.0% for colorless awn varieties. In addition, Korean varieties showed higher TMs (4.5 microg g(-1)) as compared with varieties that were late maturing (4.4 microg g(-1)), had colorless hulls (4.1 microg g(-1)), awns (4.7 microg g(-1)), and colorless awns (4.8 microg g(-1)). Momilactone A levels were generally higher than momilactone B levels. Total inhibition rates on barnyard grass correlated with average inhibitions of germination (AIG) (r2 = 0.62***), AIDW (r2 = 0.92***), and were affected by the inhibition rate of GP (r2 = 0.57***). Regions of origin for rice varieties correlated with the AIG (r2 = -0.23***), and maturing time showed a positive correlation with SDW (r2 = 0.15**) and RDW (r2 = 0.19**). Levels of momilactones were also correlated with the region of origin (r2 = -0.32***), maturing time (r2 = 0.13***), and awns (momilactone A, r2 = 0.23***; momilactone B, r2 = 0.14**), suggesting that rice varieties with awns, Korean varieties, and varieties with later maturing times contain higher levels of momilactone. Also, the investigation of the momilactone A and B bioactivity (0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 g a.i./ha) for weed control in paddy fields indicated that momilactones A and B exhibited no toxicity (0 in all concentrations) against rice plants, and the inhibitory bioactivity on weeds with momilactone A was higher than that of momilactone B. When compared with no momilactone control, the highest inhibitory effect (50%) on E. crus-galli P. Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi was shown on the 14th day after the application of momiactone A. The inhibitory effect increased with the concentration of the compound from 250 to 4000 g a.i./ha. Furthermore, momilactone A showed greater suppression than momliactone B toward toward E. crus-galli P. Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, M. vaginalis var. plantaginea, S. juncoides, and E. kuroguwai. In broad weed species, momilactone A showed the highest inhibitory effect (90% in 4000 g a.i./ha) on S. juncoides, 14 days after the application as compared with no momilactone control. Further studies on allelopathic effects and momilactones from the germplasm of rice varieties using genetic properties and morphological characteristics may facilitate the development of rice varieties with higher allelopathic potential. Momilactones A and B present in rice hulls may serve as a potential natural herbicide source for weed control in paddy fields reducing the dependence on synthetic herbicides.     

Combining effect of allelopathic Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) cultivars with planting densities on companion weeds

Field experiments were conducted to compare the effects of allelopathic sorghum cultivars ‘Enkath’ and ‘Rabeh’ at three planting densities (6.6, 13.3 and 26.6 plant m^?2) on weed growth and sorghum yields in 2009 and 2010. Sorghum planting densities suppressed average weed population by 26–42% and average weed biomass by 46–57% compared with weedy check in 2009. A similar trend in the reduction in weed population and weed biomass was observed in 2010. Planting densities at 6.6, 13.3 and 26.6 plant m^?2 significantly suppressed average weed population by 26, 31 and 42% and average weed biomass by 88, 91 and 96% compared with weedy check, respectively, during 2009. A similar trend in effect was also recorded during 2010. Enkath cultivar reduced average weed density and dry biomass by 25 and 44% during 2009 and by 23 and 30% in 2010 compared with Rabeh cultivar. Root exudates of Enkath inhibited more weed growth than Rabeh. Increased planting density significantly increased average grain yield of sorghum. The highest grain yield of sorghum (12.68 t ha^?1) was recorded in plots in which the planting density was 26.6 plant m^?2.