Weeding and nitrogen effects on farmers' wheat crops in semi-arid Morocco

The effects of three weeding systems with and without top-dressed nitrogen were examined in 40 experiments on bread wheat and durum wheat planted by farmers in the Chaouia (semi-arid area of Morocco) in 1984–1985 and 1985–1986 growing seasons. In both years, hand-weeding to simulate collection of forage reduced weed numbers by 30% and removed 63% of the weed dry weight. Treatment with 2, 4-D removed 66% of the weeds and reduced weed dry weight by 82%, in 1985–1986. Hand-weeding for forage produced 427 kg ha^?1 weed dry matter in both years, but wheat grain yields were 179 kg ha^?1 lower than with 2.4-D treatments. Over both years, the cost of each kg weed forage was 0·43 kg grain yield loss. Without weeding grain yields were 130 kg ha^?1 lower than 2, 4-D treatments. Weed control with 2,4-D increased wheat grain yields over both non-weeded and hand-weeded treatments by an average of 154 kg ha^?1. Overall, there were no significant effects of nitrogen on wheat or weed yields nor interactions between top-dressed nitrogen and weeding systems. A total of 157 weed species belonging to 29 botanical families were identified on the 40 experimental sites over both years; 89% were dicotyledons. Papaver rhoeas L. (common poppy), 2, 4-D susceptible plant, was the most annual weed in wheat fields in Chaouia.     

Competition between Ridolfia segetum and sunflower

Studies on competition between Ridolfia segetum Maris, and sunflower (Helianthemum annuus L.) were conducted at eight locations in southern Spain in 1990 and 1991. in order to define competition models and to estimate from these economic thresholds as affected by crop inputs and potential yields. Competition losses in sunflower crops ranged from 19% to 56% of weed–free yields. There were slightly better correlations between percentage sunflower reduction and weed density than with weed dry weight, (?0.66 and ?0.59, respectively). The weed competitive index, or sunflower crop dry weight reduction per unit dry weight of R. segetum, was 1.09. The percentage yield losses due to weed density (NPR_t) were fitted to multiple linear, quadratic, exponential and hyperbolic models. The hyperbolic equation, %RSY=100 (1+1/b*NPR_t)^?1, where b=0.14 and is the R. segetum competitive ability index, had the lowest error sum of squares (SSE), and gave the best biological explanation for the competition response. Early emergence (before mid–March) made weeds about 1.5 times more competitive than late emergence. The economic threshold to offset the cost of a shallow post–emergence tillage, assuming 70% control efficiency, ranged from about 2.5 plants m ^?2 for low–yielding crops(1200kgha^?1) to less than one plant m^?2 for higher–yielding crops (2800 kg ha^?1).     

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.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis for control of Egyptian broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cultivation

The present study assessed the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) control to determine its effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth indices. This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included three strains of AMF (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomuse hoe ) at three levels (100, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1). The control treatments (without mycorrhiza) were with and without broomrape (weed infest and weed free). The results showed that the use of G. intraradices and G. mosseae decreased broomrape seed germination, the number of nodules and the dry weight of the broomrape and increased root area and dry weight of the tomato plant when compared to G. hoe and the control treatments without broomrape. The tomato yield in G. intraradices 300 kg ha^?1 treatment increased by 10 and 205% than weed free and weed infest treatments, respectively. Finally, G. intraradices and G. mosseae at, respectively, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1 are recommended for land under tomato cultivation that has been contaminated with broomrape.     

Interference between triazine-resistant Brassica napus and Panicum miliaceum

Atrazine carryover often limits growers to production of atrazine-tolerant crops the year following application, and allows the increase of triazine-tolerant weed species such as Panicum miliaceum L. (wild proso millet). Tiriazine-resistant Brassica napus L. cv. ‘Triton’ (oilseed rape) was tested to characterize the nature of interspecific interference with P. miliaceum. In a greenhouse study, atrazine at 2.2 kg ha^?1 depressed oilseed rape fruit (siliqua) number and fruit dry weight, and delayed flowering, but did not significantly affect height or weight of shoots, Oilseed rape fruit weight was reduced at 200 P. miliaceum plants m^?2. fruit number and shoot weight were inhibited at 400 weeds m^?2. and height was reduced and flowering delayed at 600 weeds m^?2. Number and weight of fruits were reduced by one-third after 8 weeks of interference as compared to oilseed rape grown with the weed for 4 weeks. Oilseed rape height was reduced by 29% and shoot weight by 55% by 600 weeds m^?2 and 2–2 kg ha^?1 atrazine, while fruit number and weight were reduced by 72%. Oilseed rape shoot weight was reduced by 74% by 600 weeds m^?2 for 12 weeks of interference, while fruit number and weight were reduced by 85% and 82%. respectively. In a field study, fluazifop reduced early season P. miliaceum cover by 72%, but did not increase oilseed rape cover. Mid-season P. miliaceum shoot weight was decreased by 97% by fluazifop and oilseed rape shoot weight was increased by 34%. P. miliaceum control increased oilseed rape biomass by 38% at 89 days, but biomass of oilseed rape sown at 11.2 kg ha^?1 with 2.2 kg atrazine ha^?1 was not decreased by P. miliaceum interference at 89 days.     

Diclofop-methyl antagonism by broadleaf weed herbicides: the importance of leaf expansion rate

Avena saliva cv. Amuri and A. fatua were sprayed with diclofop methyl (1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1) alone and in combination with 2,4-D (1.1 kg a.i. ha^?1), bentazone (1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1), chlorsulfuron (15 g a.i. ha^?1) or dicamba (0.3 kg a.i. ha^?1). Effects of the herbicides on leaf extension rate during the first 8 to 10 days after spraying and subsequent growth (dry weight) after 57–75 days were determined by comparison with unsprayed plants. Diclofop-methyl applied alone did not cause a decrease in leaf extension rate of A. saliva or A. fatua until at least 4 days after spraying. All broadleaf weed herbicides in combination with diclofop-methyl caused a decrease in leaf extension rate of both species within 2 days of spraying. Ten days after spraying, leaf extension rates for plants sprayed with a broadleaf weed herbicide plus diclofopmethyl (all combinations) were lower than for unsprayed plants but greater than for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. With the exception of A. fatua sprayed with bentazone, long-term growth of plants sprayed with a broadleaf weed herbicide plus diclofop-methyl (all combinations) was lower than for unsprayed plants but greater than for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. Bentazone applied with diclofop-methyl caused a substantial decrease in leaf extension rate of A. fatua within 24 h of spraying but at harvest, dry weight of plants from this treatment was similar to or less than that for plants sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. Application of diclofop-methyl with bentazone at a rate of 0.3 kg a.i. ha^?1 also caused a reduction in leaf extension rate of A. fatua within one day of spraying. At this rate of bentazone, dry weight of plants at harvest was intermediate to that of unsprayed plants and those sprayed with diclofop-methyl alone. It is proposed that decreased leaf expansion rate during the first few days afte spraying is the cause of broadleaf weed herbicide antagonism of diclofop-methyl.     

Prediction of competition between oilseed rape and Stellaria media

Ten experiments have investigated competition between winter oilseed rape and Stellaria media (common chickweed). Yield losses caused by this weed were often high, but differed greatly between experiments, 5% yield loss being calculated to be caused by 1.4–328 plants m^?2. Predictions of yield loss based on relative weed dry weights [weed dry weights/(crop + weed dry weights)] in December were somewhat less variable than those based on weed density, 5% yield loss being caused by 1.4–10.6% relative weed dry weight. The variations in yield loss were related to variations in the competitiveness of the oilseed rape and the S. media, caused by weather differences between years and sites, and the long period between weed assessment and harvest (8–10 months). However, despite the lack of precise relationships, there were indications that the greater the crop dry weights in December, the lower the final yield loss. Delayed sowing of oilseed rape until late September did not clearly increase the competitive effects of the weed compared with late August/early September sowings. Weed competition was not clearly affected by reduced crop density (44–113 plants m^?2), because of the compensatory ability of the lowest density. The results of the experiments are discussed in relation to the prediction of yield loss and, thus, possible adjustment of weed control strategies to meet expected crop losses.     

Ecophysiological study on weed seed banks and weeds in Cambodian paddy fields with contrasting water availability

Weed infestations are a major cause of yield reduction in rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation, particularly with direct‐seeding methods, but the relationship between weed dynamics and water availability in Cambodian paddy fields has not been documented previously. We surveyed the weed abundance and weed seed banks in the soil of paddy fields with inferred differences in their water regime in 22 farm fields in three provinces of Cambodia in the 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons. We studied rain‐fed lowland fields in upslope and downslope topographic positions and fields at different distances from the irrigation water source inside an irrigation rehabilitation area. The weed seed banks were estimated by seedling emergence in small containers and weed abundance and vigor were estimated by a simple scoring system. The estimated weed seed bank in the top 5 cm of soil ranged from 52.1 to 167 × 10³ seeds m^?2 (overall mean of 8.5 × 10³ seeds m^?2) and contained a high proportion (86%) of sedge species, such as Fimbristylis miliacea L. and Cyperus difformis. Several fields had particularly large seed banks, including one near the reservoir. No clear difference was found in the weed seed banks between the irrigated fields that were located close to (upstream) and distant from (downstream) the water source or between the irrigated and rain‐fed lowland fields, but the weed scores were larger in the rain‐fed fields and the downstream fields within the irrigated area. A water shortage during the late growing season in 2005 led to a proliferation of weeds in some fields and an associated increase in weed seedbank size in 2006. However, the weed scores in 2006 were more strongly associated with that year's water conditions than with the weed seedbank size.     

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.     

Seasonal distribution and diversity of ground-active arthropods between shrub microhabitats in the Negev Desert,Israel

We examined the ground-active arthropods using pitfall trapping beneath Hammada scoparia and Zygophyllum dumosum shrubs and in adjacent open spaces in wet winter, short spring, dry and hot summer, and autumn in the Negev Desert, Israel. The activity abundance of ground-active arthropods was 244, 424, and 506 individuals trap^?1 in open spaces and beneath H. scoparia and Z. dumosum shrubs, and was 134, 448, 414, and 178 individuals trap^?1 in winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. The activity abundance and richness of predators and phytophages were found to exhibit an inconsistent pattern between shrub microhabitats throughout seasonality. In contrast, the activity abundance and richness of omnivores indicated contrasting pattern between summer and other seasons. Likewise, total abundance was found to exhibit a similar pattern to taxa richness and Shannon index between shrub microhabitats only in summer. There was a consistent pattern of diversity indices between shrub microhabitats observed in both winter and autumn. However, no significant (P?>?0.05) differences in activity abundance and diversity indices were found between shrub microhabitats in spring. The Sørensen index between open spaces and H. scoparia and Z. dumosum canopy microhabitats, and that between the latter two microhabitats were found to be 0.26, 0.29, and 0.19 in winter, 0.53, 0.48, and 0.48 in spring, 0.47, 0.45, and 0.52 in summer, and 0.57, 0.56, and 0.78 in autumn, respectively. It was suggested that seasonality could mediate the activity abundance and diversity distribution of ground-active arthropods between shrub microhabitats in the Negev Desert.     

Genetic and morphologic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinochloa crus-galli</Emphasis> populations from different origins

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (barnyardgrass) is an annual weed that is native to Asia and found throughout the world. The broad ecological tolerance and competitive ability of E. crus-galli makes it the most important weed species in rice. Genetic studies of plants are becoming increasingly common because reliable information is necessary to better understand population dynamics, occurrence of herbicide resistance, and demographic data. Echinochloa crus-galli populations from 34 different locations in Turkey were compared with respect to morphological differences and genetic variation. For morphological variation, five seeds of each population were sown in pots and grown in a screenhouse using a randomized block design. Morphological parameters such as germination speed, flowering time, leaf area, plant height, spikelet length, above-ground biomass, root dry weight and number of seeds were measured. Distinct differences among populations with respect to hierarchical cluster analysis were observed. Genetic variations among populations were performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The seven RAPD primers amplified 55 bands whose molecular weight varied between 200 and 4000 bp. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 74.54%. Results showed high morphological and genetic variability among individual genotypes within geographic locations. Phenotypic and genetic variability among E. crus-galli populations would be influenced by agricultural practices, crop characteristics, geographic location and herbicide pressure. Differences between weed populations may affect response to chemical or biological control.     

Effect of air temperature, rain and drought on hot water weed control

The influence of rain and drought before, and air temperature during, weed control with hot water was studied in laboratory experiments on the test weed Sinapis alba (white mustard). The plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated outdoors. There was no difference in weed control effect when S. alba plants at the four‐leaf stage were treated at the air temperatures 7°C and 18^°C. The effective energy dose for a 90% fresh weight reduction was 465 kJ m^?2 for both air temperatures. Weed control of S. alba at the four‐ to six‐leaf stage in rainfall above the rainwater run‐off level increased the required effective energy dose by 20% (i.e. 120 kJ m^?2) compared with dry plants. A short period of drought just before treatment on S. alba at the two‐ to four‐leaf stage increased the plant fresh weight reduction, which was 22% at low energy dose (190 kJ m^?2) and 44% at high energy dose (360 kJ m^?2). Hot water weed control should thus be carried out when the plants are drought stressed and avoided when the plants are wet. The air temperature seems to be of little importance in the range 7–18^°C.     

Using panicle dry weight to estimate seed production in Echinochloa crus‐galli

A better understanding of weed seed production is a key element for any long‐term management allowing some weeds to shed seeds. The challenge with measuring seed production in weeds is the large effort required in terms of time and labour. For the weed species Echinochloa crus‐galli, it was tested whether the number of seeds per panicle dry weight or per panicle length can be used to estimate seed production. Experiments were conducted in three maize fields in north‐eastern Germany. The effect of factors that could influence this relationship, such as the time of seedling emergence, the density of E. crus‐galli, the control intensity of other weeds, seed predation and field, was included. A few days before maize harvest, all panicles were removed and weighed, panicle length was measured, and for a subsample of 178 panicles, the number of seeds was counted manually. Panicle dry weight predicted the number of seeds per panicle better (R² = 0.92) than did panicle length (R² = 0.69). The other factors except for ‘field’ and ‘seed predation’ had no effect on these relationships. The relationships between seed number and panicle dry weight found in this study closely resembled those reported in an earlier study. Based on our results, we conclude that both plant traits are appropriate for the estimatation of seed production, depending on required level of precision and availablilty of resources for the evaluation of sustainable weed management strategies.     

Summer cover crops for weed management and yield improvement in organic lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis>) production

Over the last two decades, the demand for organic products has grown rapidly in the world due to increased concern about side effects of pesticides on the environment and human health. Studies were conducted in organic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) from 2004 to 2005 at the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute in Samsun, Turkey, to determine the suppressive effects of summer cover crops on weeds. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.], sudangrass [Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. sudanense (Piper) Hitchc.], hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.) and bare ground with no cover crop. Weed density and total weed dry biomass were assessed before and at 14, 28, and 56 days after incorporation (DAI) of the cover crops. The cover crops produced between 1.2 and 3 t ha⁻¹ biomass and grain sorghum produced more dry matter than any other species in both years. After incorporation of the cover crops, hairy vetch and sorghum treatments showed fewer weed species, and lower weed density than the other cover crops in both years. Hairy vetch, grain sorghum, and sudangrass were the most effective cover crops and reduced total weed dry biomass by 90.3%, 87.4%, and 86.9% in 2004, and by 88%, 86.3%, and 85.2% in 2005, respectively. Cover crop residue suppressed many broadleaved weed species but failed to control grass weeds. Hairy vetch treatments produced the highest yield, followed by sudangrass and grain sorghum. Yields with grain amaranth and pea were similar to that of the control. These results indicate that hairy vetch, grain sorghum, and sudangrass can be used to suppress weeds in early season of organic lettuce production.     

The effect of soil type and farm size on the variability of weed infestation in maize (Zea mays L.) fields in the south-west region of Poland

Weeds are a primary factor limiting maize yield. Their occurrence and abundance are affected considerably by environmental factors and farming practices. The variability of weed number in maize depending on the soil type and farm size was investigated. Farms of different sizes vary in farming practices, which affects weediness. Based on this assumption, farm size was considered as indirect factor affecting weed abundance. An investigation of 45 farms that differed in size (5–15 ha, 15–50 ha, >50 ha) and soil type (chernozem, distric cambisol, haplic luvisol) was conducted. Thirteen dominant weed species persistently occurring in maize fields in south-western Poland were examined. Regardless of the soil type and farm size, the most abundant weed species were Echinochloa crus-galli and Chenopodium album. In addition to these species, the most numerous weeds on chernozems were Setaria viridis and Solanum nigrum, while on haplic luvisols and distric cambisols, the most numerous were Viola arvensis and Elymus repens. Additionally, on haplic luvisols, Anthemis arvensis was abundant. Small farms were stronger infested by weeds than large farms due to the implementation of extensive weed-supressing practices, especially low herbicide use. Soil type affected the number of weeds to a greater extent than did farm size.     

Olive processing wastes for weed control

The herbicidal effect of olive processing wastes (OPW) on some weed species in wheat, maize and sunflower was investigated in the Aegean region of Turkey. In trials with maize and sunflower, OPW was applied as an air‐dried solid form at 3 and 4.5 kg m^?2. It provided an effectiveness level on Portulaca oleracea of 63–98%. In trials with wheat, OPW was applied as solid and liquid forms, each at two different doses, namely 4.5 and 6 kg m^?2 (solid), and 5 and 10 L m^?2 (liquid). Solid OPW provided a reduction in total weed coverage of 75% and 81% at doses of 4.5 and 6 kg m^?2, respectively. The weed coverage reduction by liquid OPW was 39% and 62% with 5 and 10 L m^?2, respectively. Apart from 12–26% reduction of the number of germinating seeds, OPW showed no toxic effects on maize and sunflower. Wheat was affected in the initial stages but no adverse effect was detected at harvest. It can be concluded that the herbicidal effect of OPW may be considered as an alternative to chemical weed control in some important summer crops (maize and sunflower) and for most of the weeds in winter wheat.     

Long‐term changes in weed occurrence,yield and use of herbicides in maize in south‐western Germany,with implications for the determination of economic thresholds

In 393 field experiments in Baden‐Württemberg region in south‐western Germany, herbicide efficacy, yield loss and crop tolerance of maize (Zea mays) were investigated between 1981 and 2011. The collected data served to determine changes in weed frequencies, in herbicide use, yield loss functions and economic thresholds (ETs). Over 60 weed species were reported. Chenopodium album and Galium aparine were the most frequent broad‐leaved weeds, the former becoming more frequent over time. Species of the genera Lamium, Polygonum, Veronica and Matricaria occurred in about every fifth trial. Alopecurus myosuroides and Echinochloa crus‐galli were the most frequent grass weeds; the former declining in frequency by 1.1% per year, the latter increasing by 1.5%. Results suggest a weed population shift towards thermophilic species. aceto‐lactate‐synthase and 4‐HPPD‐inhibitor herbicides became important in the 1990s. Pendimethalin and bromoxynil have been integral components of weed control since the 1980s. ETs, the point at which weed control operations provide economic returns over input costs, ranged between 3.7% and 5.8% relative weed coverage. Without weed control, no yield increase was found over 24 years. Yield increased by 0.2 t ha ^{? 1} year ^{? 1}, if weeds were controlled chemically. Despite intensive use of effective herbicides in maize, problematic weed species abundance and yield losses due to weed competition have increased in Baden‐Württemberg over a period of 30 years.     

Weed seedbank size and composition in a long‐term tillage and crop sequence experiment

Knowledge of the effects of agricultural practices on weed seedbank dynamics is essential for predicting future problems in weed management. This article reports data relative to weed seedbank structure after 18 years of continuous application of conventional tillage (CT, based on mouldboard ploughing) or no tillage (NT) within three crop sequences (continuous wheat, W_W; wheat–faba bean, W_F; and wheat–berseem clover, W_B). Tillage system did not affect the size of the total weed seedbank, but altered both its composition and the distribution of seeds within the soil profile. In particular, the adoption of CT favoured some species (mainly Polygonum aviculare), whereas the continuous use of NT favoured other species (Papaver rhoeas, Phalaris spp. and Lactuca serriola). The effects of tillage system on weed seedbank size and composition were less pronounced in the W_B cropping system than in either the W_W or W_F. Compared with W_F and W_B, W_W resulted in an increase in total weed seedbank density (about 16 000 seedlings m^?2 in W_W, compared with 10 000 and 6000 seedlings m^?2 in W_F and W_B, respectively) and a reduction in weed diversity, with a strong increase in some species (e.g. Polygonum aviculare). Our results for the effect of NT application on weed seedbank size and composition suggest that farmers should only apply such a conservative technique within an appropriate crop sequence.     

Weed interference in maize, cowpea and maize/cowpea intercrop in a subhumid tropical environment. I. Influence of cropping season

Field experiments were conducted in the early and late cropping seasons of 1979 on a loamysand Oxic Ustropept in a subhumid environment in Nigeria, using 40000, 50000 and 30000 + 40000 plants ha^?1 of maize (Zea mays L. cv. TZB), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. VITA-5) and maize/cowpea intercrop respectively. These indicated that weed interference effects on crops under no-tillage depended on cropping season, cropping pattern and crop species. In the early and late seasons respectively, thirty-five and twenty-nine different weed species were recorded and weed dry weights of approximately 10·4 and 5·7 t ha^?1 from the plots kept weedy throughout the season reduced corresponding food energy yields by 60 and 82%. Except for the intercrop, which in the early season showed significant yield reduction when exposed to 4 weeks’ weed interference after sowing, all cropping patterns needed more than 4 weeks’ interference to show significant yield reductions, regardless of cropping season. In the early season, weed interference accounted more for the yield reductions in monocultures than it did for those in the intercrop, but in the late season all cropping patterns were equally sensitive to weed association. Maize, which performed much better in the early season, showed greater yield reductions than cowpea under early weed interference but less under full-season interference irrespective of cropping pattern and season. Cowpea seed quality was more reduced by intercropping than by weed interference in the early season but neither of these factors affected seed quality significantly in the late season.     

Differences in growth and herbicide sensitivity among Cyperus esculentus clones found in Belgian maize fields

Cyperus esculentus is an invasive troublesome neophyte in many arable crops in Belgium. Applied weed control varies from field to field. One of the possible reasons for this variability might be a differential vegetative and reproductive behaviour among Belgian C. esculentus clones. In this study, growth characteristics and herbicide sensitivity of C. esculentus clones collected in Belgian maize (Zea mays) fields were evaluated. In a morphology Experiment, 25 clones were screened for growth characteristics and ability to set viable seeds under outdoor conditions. Dose – response experiments were conducted in the glasshouse to evaluate the effectiveness of two foliar‐applied herbicides (bentazon and glyphosate) and two pre‐sowing soil‐incorporated herbicides (S‐metolachlor and dimethenamid‐P) for controlling 14 C. esculentus clones. Response variables were aboveground dry biomass, tuber number, tuber dry biomass and individual tuber dry weight. Clones exhibited large differences in shoot number (up to 3.1‐fold), tuber dry biomass (up to 4.7‐fold), tuber number (up to 3.4‐fold), individual tuber dry weight (up to 4.8‐fold), inflorescence number and capacity to set viable seeds. Large interclonal differences in herbicide sensitivity (up to 8.3‐ and 4.0‐fold for aboveground dry biomass and tuber dry biomass, respectively) were observed. Contrary to foliar‐applied herbicides, soil‐incorporated herbicides were very effective and provided season‐long C. esculentus control at doses below the recommended maximum field dose. However, low doses stimulated tuber formation. Future C. esculentus management strategies should take into account differential growth characteristics and herbicide sensitivity of C. esculentus clones.