Host-parasite dynamics of Sorghum bicolor and Striga hermonthica – The influence of soil organic matter amendments of different C:N ratio

The effect of organic amendments on the interactions between Striga hermonthica and a sorghum host was studied in a field experiment during three cropping seasons, following a three-factorial design with (i) bare fallow versus continuous cropping, (ii) two Strigahermonthica infection levels and (iii) five organic matter levels, a single inorganic fertiliser treatment of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and a control. The effects of two different cotton by-products and their mixtures on sorghum yield were well described by their N-mineralisation pattern. The impact of organic amendments in the sorghum production system was directly related to N-mineralisation in the three cropping seasons. There was an increasing negative effect of organic matter on S. hermonthica as the quality of the applied material increased. The emerged numbers of S. hermonthica were well described by N-release after one month, while S. hermonthica biomass and sorghum biomass were well described by N-release after three months. As a stand-alone measure, addition of low-quality organic matter is disadvantageous in cropping systems with high S. hermonthica seed densities, as it does not improve sorghum performance compared to no addition of organic matter, while S. hermonthica numbers increase. Implications for integrated soil fertility and S. hermonthica management under different infection levels of S. hermonthica are discussed.     

Application of organic amendments followed by soil plastic mulching reduces the incidence of Phytophthora capsici in pepper crops under temperate climate

A greenhouse experiment was performed to study the effectiveness of the application of organic amendments followed by soil plastic mulching for control of Phytophthora capsici in temperate climate regions. The organic amendments were i) a non-composted mixture of sheep manure and chicken litter; ii) a semicomposted mixture of horse manure and chicken litter, and iii) Brassica carinata pellets + Sinapis alba as fresh green manure. In particular, we studied the effect of treatments on P. capsici oospore survival, disease incidence and soil properties. The treatment with B. carinata + S. alba resulted in a 93% reduction in disease incidence. The application of the semicomposted and non-composted mixture followed by soil plastic mulching caused 86 and 65% reduction, respectively, in disease incidence due, at least partially, to a decrease in oospore viability, the production of NH₃ and an increase in soil microbial activity. Significantly higher values of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were detected in treated soils, possibly resulting in pathogen suppression. The application of organic amendments followed by soil plastic mulching can be a good option for control of P. capsici in protected pepper crops under temperate climate.     

Effects of mulching,N-fertilization and intercropping with Desmodium uncinatum on Striga hermonthica infestation in maize

The parasitic weed Striga hermonthica is a major constraint to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa and causes serious food insecurity. We discovered serendipitously an effective control method for the weed that involves intercropping cereals with the fodder legume, silverleaf desmodium, Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC., through mechanisms that involve soil shading and nitrogen fixation. In the current study we investigated long-term effects of inorganic nitrogen (N), mulching and D. uncinatum, singly and in combinations, on S. hermonthica infestation, maize plant growth and grain yields. Treatments comprised sole maize with and without 120 kg N/ha; sole maize plots covered with maize straw (i.e. mulching), with and without N; and maize–D. uncinatum intercrop, with and without N. Intercropping maize with D. uncinatum gave the most significant suppression of S. hermonthica, with addition of N only minimally enhancing its effect. Similarly, mulching significantly suppressed S. hermonthica, although to a much less extent. Application of N both to sole maize and mulched plots reduced seasonal S. hermonthica infestations but the effect was largely insignificant. The effect of D. uncinatum was again notable as it dramatically increased maize plant height and grain yields, with the addition of N only minimally improving both effects. Application of N and mulch, singly and in combination, to the sole maize crop generally enhanced plant height and grain yields, although to a less extent, with the effect of N on grain yields being statistically insignificant during most of the cropping seasons. These results confirm the efficacy of D. uncinatum in S. hermonthica suppression leading to better growth and yields of maize. The effects of N application, mulching and a combination of both treatments in S. hermonthica control in maize were also observed, although these effects were much weaker. The results and their implications are discussed in the context of smallholder cropping systems in the region.     

Control of damping-off of organic and conventional cucumber with extracts from a plant-associated bacterium rivals a seed treatment pesticide

Environmentally friendly control measures are needed for soilborne diseases of crops grown in organic and conventional production systems. We tested ethanol extracts from cultures of Serratia marcescens N4-5 and N2-4, Burkholderia cepacia BC-1 and BC-2, and Burkholderia ambifaria BC-F for control of damping-off of cucumber caused by the soilborne pathogens Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani; ethanol being an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) -approved solvent for use in certain applications in organic crop production. Ethanol extracts from strains N4-5 and N2-4 inhibited mycelial growth and germination of sporangia of P. ultimum in vitro but those from strains BC-1, BC-2, BC-F, and the ethanol control did not. Ethanol extracts from strains BC-2 and BC-F inhibited mycelial growth of R. solani in vitro while ethanol extracts from strains BC-1, N2-4, N4-5, and the ethanol control did not. Thin-layer chromatography demonstrated that ethanol extracts from strain N4-5 contained prodigiosin while ethanol extracts from strains BC-2 and BC-F contained pyrrolnitrin; extracts from strains N2-4 and BC-1 did not contain either of these compounds. DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of a biosynthetic gene for prodigiosin in strain N4-5 and its absence in strain N2-4, while a biosynthetic gene for pyrrolnitrin was found in strains BC-2 and BC-F but not in strains N2-4, N4-5, and BC-1. Prodigiosin was previously implicated in inhibition of P. ultimum while pyrrolnitrin has been shown to inhibit R. solani. Certified-organic cucumber seed treated with an ethanol extract of strain N4-5 was the only extract treatment from any of these five microbial strains to effectively suppress damping-off caused by P. ultimum in growth chamber pot experiments. This ethanol extract provided suppression of P. ultimum on cucumber that was similar to that provided by a commercially available seed treatment pesticide and greater than that provided by a commercially available biocontrol agent for this pathogen. The inhibitory factor(s) in ethanol extracts of strain N4-5 was stable as a seed treatment for at least 14 weeks when incubated at 4 °C in the dark. No ethanol extracts applied as treatments of organic cucumber seed consistently suppressed damping-off caused by R. solani in growth chamber pot experiments. Experiments reported here suggest that certain natural products from microbial strains as seed treatments are promising alternatives for control of soilborne diseases in conventional or organic cucumber production systems.     

Influence, optimization, energy budgeting and monetary considerations of different time intervals between fungicidal seed treatment and sowing on Sclerotium blight of soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is susceptible to the fungal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii from seedling emergence to pod fill. A few systemic and non-systemic fungicides have been recommended as pre-sowing seed treatment (ST) for the management of Sclerotium blight of soybean worldwide. But farmers, especially in developing countries do not utilize ST mainly on account of preoccupation in other practices considered by them essential for sowing. The possibility of ST applied well in advance of sowing was therefore investigated. Results indicated that ST on average increased field emergence by 26.19%, reduced post-emergence mortality (POM) by 49.03% and enhanced seed yield by 23.00%. Seed treatment with carboxin 37.5% + thiram 37.5% @ 0.2% was the best. Seed treatment 50 days prior to sowing was superior by increasing emergence, reducing POM and enhancing seed yield with high monetary returns and energy output.     

Evaluation of seed vigor in soybean germplasms from different eco-regions

Seed vigor plays an essential role in soybean production. Soybean seed is sensitive to environment and easy to get seed deterioration. Generally soybean seed vigor can be maintained for less than one year and have to be multiplied every year. Varieties with good seed vigor are essential for maintaining planting population and stable yield. In this research, 419 germplasms from three eco-regions, South China, Huanghuai region and Northeast China, were evaluated for seed vigor by assessing germination ratio, germination potential and germination index. About 34.8% of tested germplasm had germination ratio equal or more than 85%, suggested by the national soybean seed quality standard of China. Only 9 from 82 tested cultivars met the seed standard. Seed germination ratio distribution had obvious regional feature. Landraces performed better seed vigor than cultivars. Germplasms from South China had stronger seed vigor compared to those from Huanghuai and Northeast regions. Seed vigor has no significant relationship with maturity and 100-seed weight. Totally 21 germplasms with strong seed vigor, favor maturation and seed size were identified and can be used in future breeding program.     

Molybdenum-enriched soybean seeds enhance N accumulation, seed yield, and seed protein content in Brazil

High soybean yields require large amounts of nitrogen (N), which can be obtained mainly from symbiotic N₂ fixation. However, the efficiency of this biological process can be limited by micronutrient deficiencies, especially of molybdenum (Mo). In Brazil, soybean generally responds positively to fertilization with Mo in soils of low fertility and in fertile soils depleted of Mo due to long-term cropping. The micronutrient can be supplied by seed treatment, however toxicity of Mo sources to Bradyrhizobium strains applied to seed as inoculant has been observed, resulting in bacterial death and reductions in nodulation, N₂ fixation and grain yield. Therefore, use of seeds enriched in Mo could be a viable alternative to exterior seed treatment, allowing elite inoculant strains of Bradyrhizobium to sustain high rates of biological N₂ fixation. We demonstrated the feasibility of producing Mo-rich seeds of several soybean cultivars, by means of two foliar sprays of 400 g Mo ha⁻¹ each, between the R3 and R5 stages, with a minimum interval of 10 days between sprays. As a result of this method, considerable increases in seed-Mo content were obtained, of as much as 3000%, in comparison to seeds obtained from plants which received no Mo. In field experiments performed in soils with low N content and without any N-fertilizer supply, inoculation of Mo-rich seeds produced plants with increased N and Mo contents in the grain and higher yields of total N and of grain. In most cases, Mo-rich soybean seeds did not require any further application of Mo-fertilizer.     

Effects of microwaves on fungal pathogens of wheat seed

An investigation into the effect of microwaves on the fungal pathogens of winter wheat was undertaken. This was achieved by microwaving seed at 0, 15, 30 and 45 s. Agar plate tests and DNA analysis were then used to assess pathogen loads and germination, emergence and tetrazolium tests used to investigate seed viability after treatment. Throughout all treatment times, microwaving significantly reduced levels of contamination on seed and was particularly effective at controlling Fusarium spp. and Microdochium nivale. Conventional seed survived microwave treatment better than organic seed. Subsequent analysis and experimentation revealed that seed moisture content was inherently linked to losses in seed vigour upon exposure to microwaves. Seed levels of fungal DNA did not decrease with the observed loss of culturable fungal propagules, thus fungal death was attributed to heat and desiccation rather than denaturing DNA. Microwave treatment of wheat seed may offer a method to significantly reduce fungal loads on both conventional and organic wheat seed.     

Influence of boron on seed yield and seed quality of organic white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

The effects of boron (B) application on flower development, nectar production, germination and seed yield were investigated in organic seed crops of white clover grown in soils with <1 mg B kg^?1. Application techniques of a liquid B product were studied in two field experiments in 2009–2011. Three rates of B application to the soil at sowing and three rates of B as a foliar application in the harvest year were compared with untreated control plots. None of the B treatments had a significant effect on seed yield, relative to the control. In one experiment, with a dense crop stand, the results indicated a small (10%) yield increase with B applied to the soil. Seed germination and B concentration of shoots, roots and seeds were unaffected by B application, although the soil concentration increased. In seeds with an average B concentration of 22 mg kg^?1, 73% germinated as normal seedlings and 14% were assessed as hard seeds; corresponding values for seeds with an average B concentration of 17 mg kg^?1 were 60 and 38% respectively. The results indicate the need for further studies of factors determining B uptake in white clover .     

Alleviation of salinity stress on germination of Leymus chinensis seeds by plant growth regulators and nitrogenous compounds under contrasting light/dark conditions

The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and nitrogenous compounds on alleviating salinity stress on seed germination of Leymus chinensis in light (12 h light/12 h dark) and dark (24 h dark) conditions were determined in a laboratory experiment. Seed germination was compared at various combinations of salinity and germination‐promoting compounds. Seed germination percentages were 57 and 74% under non‐saline conditions in light and dark, respectively, suggesting that germination was light‐inhibited. Germination decreased significantly with increasing salinity level in both light and dark conditions, and the reduction was greater in light than in dark at each salinity level. Seed germination percentage decreased to 22 and 7% in light but only to 51 and 27% in dark, in 100 and 200 mm NaCl solutions respectively. The influence of PGRs and nitrogenous compounds in alleviating salinity stress varied with light and salinity condition; e.g., gibberellins (GA_4 + 7) significantly increased germination percentages from 22%, 7% and 0·3% to 47%, 23% and 15% in light at 100, 200 and 300 mm NaCl, respectively, while they showed no effect on germination in darkness. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside and cytokinin significantly increased germination percentage in darkness at all salinity levels, but showed no effect on germination in light at 200 and 300 mm NaCl. Fluridone was very effective in alleviating salinity stress on germination in both light and dark; however, it was lethal to seedlings. Thiourea had no effect in alleviating salinity stress in either light or dark. Thus, alleviation of salinity stress on seed germination of L. chinensis by germination‐promoting compounds is strongly dependent on chemicals and light conditions.     

吸胀期低温与水分条件对油菜种子萌发的耦合效应

为了探讨晚播油菜适宜播种的田间温度和水分条件,以华杂62和华双5号品种为材料,在土壤和PEG溶液两种介质中研究了吸胀温度与水势对种子萌发的影响。结果表明,吸胀期温度和水分条件对油菜种子的萌发具有显著影响。在5~15℃范围内,种子萌发活力随吸胀期土壤温度的升高而提高。在10℃和15℃下吸胀,土壤相对含水量为58.6%、水势为-0.1MPa时较适宜于种子萌发;在5℃低温下吸胀,适当降低土壤水势有利于种子萌发。华杂62种子具有吸胀冷害现象,在低温和高水势下吸胀,种子萌发活性降低,吸水速度加快,种子浸泡液K+渗漏量升高,而Na+渗漏量和Na+/K+比值降低。华双5号种子则具有较强的抗吸胀冷害能力,表现为在低温下吸胀受水势的影响较小。     

Effect of ascorbic acid on seed germination of three halophytic grass species under saline conditions

Grasses on the Pakistani coast are moderately to highly salt tolerant and have potential for utilization as a cash crop. This study was designed to determine whether seed germination of three halophytic grasses (Phragmites karka, Dichanthium annulatum and Eragrostis ciliaris) could be improved by exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA) under saline conditions. Seeds of P. karka were germinated in varying concentrations of NaCl and AsA under different temperature regimes, and seeds of Dichanthium annulatum and Eragrostis ciliaris were germinated at optimal temperatures only. In P. karka, concentrations of AsA (5 and 10 mM) alleviated the salinity effects better at cooler and moderate thermo‐periods, whereas higher concentrations (20 mM of AsA) failed to improve germination under all temperature regimes. AsA was ineffective at a warmer thermo‐period (25/35°C). The rate of germination also increased at all thermo‐periods with the application of AsA except at 25/35°C under saline conditions. Application of AsA improved the germination of E. ciliaris seeds under saline conditions but was inhibitory for D. annulatum in comparison with the untreated control. The rate of germination followed the similar pattern as that of seed germination. Results indicate that AsA has the ability to partially alleviate the effect of salinity on seed germination of some grass species under optimal temperature regime.     

Effect of emergence time,inter- and intra-specific competition on growth and fecundity of Echinochloa crus-galli in dry-seeded rice

Since 2005, the evolution and spread of herbicide-resistant Echinochloa crus-galli biotypes have posed a serious threat to crop production in the Philippines. A comprehensive knowledge of E. crus-galli ecology and fecundity is fundamental in managing different biotypes of this weed. It was hypothesized that (a) high weed plant density produces more biomass and fertile seeds per unit area, (b) rice interference reduces the biomass and fecundity of the weed, and (c) a delay in weed emergence reduces the soil seed bank. In 2013, experiments were conducted in the wet season (WS) and dry season (DS), to understand the effect of E. crus-galli densities (40 and 80 plants m⁻²) on its growth, survival, and fecundity, with varying emergence times of 2, 15, 30, and 45 d after rice emergence (DARE). Relative to the weed plants grown without rice interference, E. crus-galli growth and seed production was lower in the presence of rice. Percent survival and plant height of E. crus-galli declined in a linear manner in the DS, and declined in a quadratic manner in the WS. Tiller number, inflorescence number, inflorescence biomass, and shoot biomass per plant declined in an exponential manner, with a delay in emergence of each cohort relative to rice. Across rice seeding rate, weed density, and emergence time, there was a linear relationship (y = 110x − 272 in the DS and y = 100x − 220 in the WS) between E. crus-galli shoot biomass and the number of seeds plant⁻¹. Relative to the late-emerging weed cohorts, E. crus-galli seed production (1320–1579 seeds plant⁻¹), 1000-seed weight (2.2–2.9 g), and seed yield (2808–2334 kg ha⁻¹) were higher when seedlings emerged with the crop (2 DARE). None of the seedlings that emerged 45 DARE produced viable seeds. Seed germination of the first two cohorts (2 and 15 DARE) ranged from 84 to 91%. The delay in emergence of E. crus-galli beyond 30 DARE reduced the percentage of germinable and viable seeds, and increased the percentage of non-viable seeds produced plant⁻¹. The results suggest that cultural weed management approaches that delay the emergence of E. crus-galli can reduce weed biomass and seed production, and is thus valuable for preventing seed rain to the seed bank by noxious weed biotypes in the field.     

Weed seed bank as affected by crop rotation and disturbance

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of crop rotations on soil seed bank to provide a comparison between crop fields and non-crop lands. Crop rotations were continuous dryland wheat (Wd), continuous irrigated wheat (Wi), wheat-sugarbeet (WS) and wheat-chickpea (WCh). Nearby pastures (P) and orchards (Or) were also studied for comparison purposes. Estimates of the density of seed banks ranged from 52779 seed m⁻² in P to 9906 seeds m⁻² in Wd. A total of 114 plant species from 24 families were identified from seeds collected from different farms. 33 weed species were at high frequency in weed communities. Crop rotations were dominated by annual weed species, while the weed species dominated in P were mostly not found in any crop rotation. The two weed species Roemeria refracta and Eragrostis cilianensis were frequently present in all the study sites. Amaranthus chlorostachys and Euphorbia esula were more abundant in the areas of moderate to high disturbance. In SW and WS rotations, due to use of grass herbicides and hand weeding, winter annual broadleaves such as Lactuca serriola and Anchusa italica were the prominent species in the seed bank. Results showed that a number of weed species are adapted to a specific crop sequences and disturbance levels. Weed species richness, seed bank abundance and diversity in soil depths are highly dependent on disturbance levels. The current study highlights the importance of agricultural practices including crop sequences or disturbance levels in determining the characteristics of weed populations. This provides useful information to improve methods for maintaining plant population balance.     

Kenaf seed storage duration on germination,emergence, and yield

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a potential alternative crop being developed for fiber production. Because planting area varies dramatically from year to year, seed supplies may greatly exceed use so that the excess seed must be stored for one to several years. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seed storage duration at 10 °C on germination, vigor, emergence, and yield. Replicated trials were established at Starkville, MS in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate field emergence and biomass yield of kenaf seed from five ‘Everglades 41’ (‘E41’) harvest year seed lots stored at 10 °C in ambient relative humidity for up to 4 years. Germination of these same seed lots under standard (20–30 °C) and cool (20 °C) temperatures, and seed vigor was evaluated over time. Field emergence was the same for the different seed storage durations up to 4 years, but was directly affected by drought conditions for each planted year. Biomass yields ranged from 12.39 to 14.57 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1999 and 16.82 to 18.47 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2000, but were not different between storage durations. Seed germination remained greater than 80% regardless of storage duration. Electrolyte leakage, based on conductivity, was 38–50% less with freshly harvested seed than seed stored for 4 years at 10 °C. However, neither the conductivity nor accelerated aging test were reliable predictors of field emergence. Kenaf seed stored up to 4 years at 10 °C retained germination rates acceptable for commercial use. Neither field emergence nor biomass yield was affected by seed storage duration.     

Effects of fungicide seed treatments on germination, population, and yield of maize grown from seed infected with fungal pathogens

Seedborne fungi can reduce survival, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). Laboratory, field, and growth chamber experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the seed treatment fungicides fludioxonil, mefenoxam, and azoxystrobin on germination, plant population, and grain yield of maize grown from low-quality hybrid seed infected with seedborne fungal pathogens. Study I used seed of four hybrids infected at 0-54% incidence with Fusarium spp., Stenocarpella maydis, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., and/or Aspergillus spp. Study II used three seed lots for each of two hybrids infected at 7-37% incidence with S. maydis. Warm and cold germination for untreated seed varied among hybrids in both studies. Warm germination of the seed lot with the highest incidence of S. maydis in study II treated with azoxystrobin and fludioxonil was significantly greater (+7%) than the nontreated control. Plant population in study I was significantly affected by seed treatment, hybrid, and their interactions. Populations were greater (≥9%) for fludioxonil, fludioxonil + mefenoxam, and fludioxonil + mefenoxam + azoxystrobin treatments compared to controls. In growth chamber experiments with pasteurized soil, emergence (≥5%) and plant dry weight (≥14%) were both greater than controls only with the triple seed treatment. Plant populations in study II for all seed treatments except mefenoxam and azoxystrobin alone were greater (≥4%) than controls. Yield in study I was significantly affected by hybrid and seed treatment. Yield for one hybrid was higher (≥20%) than the control with all seed treatments except fludioxonil, whereas yield with another hybrid was consistently greater (≥26%) only with the triple seed treatment. Yield in study II was significantly affected by hybrid, seed treatment, and their interactions. Yield was greater (≥8%) than the controls for all seed treatments with one hybrid and with all (≥5%) except azoxystrobin for the other hybrid. Highest yields occurred with the triple seed treatment. Results indicate that fludioxonil and azoxystrobin can increase germination, population, and yield of maize grown from seed infected by S. maydis and other fungi.     

Forage soybean production for seed in mediterranean environments

Despite several experiments on row spacings and seeding rates of grain soybeans, limited information is available on the most suitable row spacing and seeding rate for tall and robust forage type soybeans grown for seed. The objectives of this study were to investigate seed yield, oil and protein content, and several morphological traits as affected by row spacing (20, 40, 60 and 80 cm) and seeding rate (330,000, 660,000, 990,000 and 1,320,000 seeds ha⁻¹) in tall and robust forage type soybeans in three irrigated Mediterranean environments in Turkey in a randomized split plot design with three replications in 2004 and 2005. Row spacings had no significant effect on plant height but tall and profusely branched plants developed in wide row spacing and light seeding conditions. Seed yield responded positively and linearly to row spacing up to 60 cm and then decreased slightly in all locations. Seed yield was the highest at 990,000 seeds ha⁻¹ seeding rate in all three locations (3072.5 kg ha⁻¹ in Bursa LSD = 214.7 kg ha⁻¹, 3295.1 kg ha⁻¹ in Mustafakemalpasa LSD = 298.6 kg ha⁻¹ and 3311.3 kg ha⁻¹ in Samsun LSD = 321.1 kg ha⁻¹). Averaged across years, locations, row spacings, and seeding rates the mean seed yield was an impressive 3013.4 kg ha⁻¹ compare with 3500.0 kg ha⁻¹ average seed yield of grain types. Crude protein and oil content of forage type soybean were not significantly affected by row spacings and seeding rates. It was concluded that forage type soybeans can be grown for multiple purposes at the 990,000 seeds ha⁻¹ seeding rate and 60 cm row spacings in Mediterranean environments.     

包衣对大豆生长发育和产量的影响

通过用三种包衣剂对大豆种子包衣的研究,结果表明：大豆种子包衣后,种子的发芽势、发芽率、活力指数均优于不包衣种子,但包衣与不包衣种子的发芽率、发芽势、活力指数差异均未达显著水平。三种包衣剂都能协调大豆的营养生长和生殖生长的关系,增加百粒重,提高产量,其中2号包衣刺产量增加15．51％,差异达极显著水平,1号包衣刺产量增加1.31％,差异不显著,3号包衣剂增产4、49％,差异不显著。     

Spatial distribution of nutsedge (Cyperus spp. L.) seed bank in rice growth cycle using geostatistics

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the spatial distribution of nutsedge (Cyperus spp L.) seed bank in rice growth cycle using geostatistics in 2010–11. The sampling from seed banks were performed prior to rice farm preparation and after rice harvest; also weeds density was determined in three different dates during the growing season. The results showed that the highest amount of weed population was belonging to nutsedge (Cyperus spp. L.) including Cyperus difformis, C. rotundus and C. esculentus species. Nugget/sill ratios for all variogram models ranged from 15.2 to 46.9%, indicated that there was strong and moderate spatial correlation as spherical and exponential variograms models between weed and seedling nutsedge at all stages of sampling. Visual assessments of the weed growth in these field indicated that the weed exist in patches, but mapping results showed that the size and morphology of these patches varied within field. In the present study, seed bank patchy pattern was roughly in accordance with seedling germination pattern. Generally the provided seed bank maps can be used not only as information database of seedling germination, but also for predicting of seed bank dynamics and weed management programs.