BEKÄMPFUNG VON GALIUM APARINE MIT MECOPROP IN ABHÄNGIGKEIT VON VERSCHIEDENEN BODENARTEN

Summary. The control of Galium aparine L. with post-emergence sprays of mecoprop depends not only on the plant size, but also on the soil in which the plants are growing:

• 1 Small plants were more readily killed than large ones.
• 2 Plants growing in a soil with a high organic content were more resistant to mecoprop than those growing in a soil with a lower organic content.
• 3 Part of the post-emergence spray reached the soil and had an additional effect through root uptake.
• 4 This effect was less in two soils with a high organic content than in one with a lower organic content. The reason for this was the greater adsorption of mecoprop by the high-organic soils.
• 5 Only the organic matter was concerned in the adsorption.

The full herbicidal effect of mecoprop thus involves activity through the soil in addition to uptake through the foliage. La lutte contre le Galium aparine avec le mécoprop enfonction du type de sol     

Modelling interactions between herbicide dose and multiple weed species interference in crop–weed competition

The effects of a range of herbicide doses on crop–multiple weed competition were investigated. Competitivity of Galium aparine was approximately six times greater than that of Matricaria perforata with no herbicide treatment. Competitivities of both weeds decreased with increasing herbicide dose, being well described by the standard dose–response curve with the competitivity of M. perforata being more sensitive than that of G. aparine to a herbicide mixture, metsulfuron‐methyl and fluroxypyr. A combined model was then developed by incorporating the standard dose–response curve into the multivariate rectangular hyperbola competition model to describe the effects of multiple infestation of G. aparine and M. perforata and the herbicide mixture on crop yield. The model developed in this study was used to predict crop yield and to estimate the herbicide dose required to restrict crop yield loss caused by weeds to an acceptable level. At the acceptable yield loss of 5% and the weed combination of 120 M. perforata plants m^?2 and 20 G. aparine plants m^?2, the model recommends a mixture of 1.2 g a.i. ha^?1 of metsulfuron‐methyl and 120 g a.i. ha^?1 of fluroxypyr.     

Soil persistence studies with [14C]MCPA in combination with other herbicides and pesticides

The persistence of [¹⁴C]MCPA at a rate equivalent to 1 kg ha^?1 was studied under laboratory conditions in a clay loam, heavy clay and sandy loam at 85% of field capacity moisture and 20±1°C both alone and in the presence of tri-allate, trifluralin, tri-allate and trifluralin, malathion, Vitaflow DB, malathion and Vitaflow DB, bromoxynil, bromoxynil and asulam, bromoxynil and difenzoquat, dicamba, dicamba and mecoprop, linuron, MCPB, metribuzin, propanil, TCA, benzoylprop-ethyl, diclofop-methyl, and flamprop-methyl. Except in the soils treated with asulam, the half-lives of [¹⁴C]MCPA in all three soil types were similar, being approximately 13±1 days, thus indicating that none of the other chemicals studied adversely affected the soil degradation of MCPA. In the asulam treated soils, the half-lives of the MCPA were about 3 days longer than in non-asulam treated soils; the effect was most marked in the clay loam.     

Use of adjuvants to improve control of black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) by diclofop-methyl

In pot and field experiments the addition of Ethylan D256 surfactant to spray solutions improved control of black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) by diclofop-methyl. Various other surfactants and oil adjuvants enhanced phytotoxicity but, generally, to a lesser extent. Ethylan D256 had most effect with applications made at early growth stages. Control of older plants was generally poor, whether or not the surfactant was added. Addition of Ethylan D256 had little effect on selectivity between A. myosuroides and cereals from lower than recommended doses of diclofop-methyl, but there was a suggestion of yield reduction from higher doses. Tank mixing with esters of ioxynil and bromoxynil sometimes improved control by diclofop-methyl but in other circumstances either had no effect or reduced phytotoxicity. Applications of diclofop-methyl in 60 or 120 1 ha^?1 spray volume were as effective as applications in 240 1 ha^?1.     

An analytical procedure for bromoxynil and its octanoate in soils; persistence studies with bromoxynil octanoate in combination with other herbicides in soil

A method is described for the analysis of the herbicide bromoxynil and its octanoate in soils. Following extraction with aqueous acidic acetonitrile, the octanoate was separated from the phenolic bromoxynil by solvent partitioning. The ester and the phenol were assayed by gas-liquid chromatography without further modification or preparation of a derivative. Recoveries in excess of 93% were obtained from soils treated with the phenol and the ester at levels of 0.5 or 0.1 μg g^?1. The persistence of bromoxynil octanoate applied at a rate of 3 μg g^?1 was studied in the laboratory on a heavy clay and a sandy loam at 85% of field capacity moisture and 20°1°C, both alone and in the presence of 2,4-D (2 μg g^?1); MCPA (2 μg g^?1); MCPA+asulam (both at 2 μg g^?1); and MCPA+difenzoquat (both at 2 μg g^?1). In each soil there was a rapid conversion of bromoxynil octanoate to the free phenol, which then underwent a rapid degradation, so that after 7 days, over 90% of the original treatment had disappeared. There appeared to be no effect on bromoxynil breakdown by any of the herbicides added in combination. Small field plots were treated, in early May 1977 and 1978 at two locations in Saskatchewan, with a combination of commercial formulations containing asulam, bromoxynil octanoate, and MCPA at rates of 1 kg ha^?1 each. After 10 weeks the plots were sampled and analysis showed that in all cases, no asulam, bromoxynil, or bromoxynil octanoate could be extracted from the top 10 cm of soil.     

The effect on yield of mixtures and sequences of herbicides for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. and broad-leaved weeds in winter cereals

Mixed infestations of Alopecurus m yosuroides Huds. and broad-leaved weeds in winter cereals were controlled with a commercial formulation of ioxynil + bromoxynil + mecoprop. used in mixtures or as sequences with isoproturon or clofop-isobutyl. As well as controlling A. myosuroides the mixtures, applied in the autumn, gave good control of Veronica persica Poir., Galium aparine L. Lilhospermum arvense L. and Viola arvensis Murr. weeds which were resistant to isoproturon used alone. A. myosuroides had the major influence on crop yield in three experiments. High infestations of A. myosuroides reduced the broad-leaved weeds so that crop yields were only slightly improved when all the weeds were controlled compared with the control of A. myosuroides alone. In the remaining experiment. V. persica was very competitive with wheat; additional control of A. myosuroides improved yields considerably. Ioxynil + bromoxynil + mecoprop gave better final control of broad-leaved weeds when applied in the spring rather than the autumn but the sequence of a spring application following isoproturon or clofop-isobutyl in the autumn did not improve yields compared with the mixtures applied in the autumn. In all experiments, the highest yields were obtained from controlling both A. myosuroides and broad-leaved weeds in the autumn, provided that good control of A. myosuroides was obtained.     

Glasshouse trials with controlled drop application of some foliage-applied herbicides

MCPA, mecoprop, dichlorprop, dicamba, 2,3,6-TBA, bentazone, ioxynil/bromoxynil (a mixture), barban, difenzoquat and chlorfenprop-methyl were applied by spinning disc in controlled drop sizes from 150-350μm and at very low volume rates (5–45 1/ha), to the foliage of some dicotyledonous weed species or wild oats (Avena fatua L.). The same herbicides were also applied by means of conventional hydraulic nozzles at volume rates of about 200 1/ha. Most of these herbicides performed as well at very low volume rates as with the conventional application, the major exceptions being bentazone, ioxynil/bromoxynil (both of which have distinct contact effects) and dichlorprop. Comparisons between oil and water as the diluent at a very low volume rates suggest that there may be situations when oil is preferable and others when water is.     

Sugarbeet tolerance and weed control efficacy with split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham

Sugarbeet and weeds were treated with phenmedipham plus desmedipham either as single applications or as split applications in which 50% of the equivalent single application rate was applied at each application. Split application did not alter the phytotoxicity to the crop when environmental conditions did not predispose the Sugarbeet to injury by the herbicide. Split applications at 1-1 or 1-4 kg ha^?1 spaced from 0-5 to c. 5 days apart caused more injury to the crop than the respective single applications when environmental conditions were such that injury to the crop resulted from the single applications. Injury to Sugarbeet following application of 0-72 kg ha^?1 of phenmedipham plus desmedipham was always low, regardless of the type of application. Susceptible weeds were controlled by single applications of 1 1-1 ?4 kg ha^?1, but 0-72 kg ha^?1 did not reliably provide adequate control. Split applications c. 3-8 days apart gave improved control. Control achieved by 0-72 kg ha^?1 of the herbicide applied as split treatments equalled or exceeded that produced by single applications of 1-4 kg ha^?1. Improvement in the control of tolerant weed species by split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham was species dependent. Use of low-rate split applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham thus resulted in reduced injury to the Sugarbeet, and the introduction of less herbicide into the ecosystem, while maintaining or improving the control of susceptible weeds.     

Residues of Mecoprop in Post-emergence-Treated Wheat and Oat

The dissipation of mecoprop in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) was monitored over a growing season following post-emergence application of the dimethylamine salt of mecoprop to each crop at 1·1 kg ha^?1. Residues of mecoprop, as its methyl ester, were determined gas chromatographically using electrolytic conductivity detection. Initial residues in wheat (119 (±20) mg kg^?1) and oat (95·3 (± 10·0) mg kg^?1) on the day of application (four-leaf stage of wheat and four- to five-leaf stage of oat) decreased to 0·1 to 0·2 mg kg^?1, respectively, within six weeks. Residues were non-detectable in the mature seed of both crops. Recoveries of mecoprop were in the order of 90% from the green tissue and seed of both crops fortified at 0·05 mg kg^?1.     

Soil persistence studies with bromoxynil, propanil and [14C]dicamba in herbicidal mixtures

The persistence of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile), [¹⁴C]dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic-7-¹⁴C acid) and propanil [N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propionamide] at rates equivalent to 1 kg ha^?1, were studied under laboratory conditions in a clay loam, a heavy clay and a sandy loam at 85% of field capacity and at 20±1°C, both singly and in the presence of herbicides normally applied with these chemicals as tank-mix or split-mix components. The degradation of bromoxynil was rapid with over 90% breakdown occurring within a week in the heavy clay and sandy-loam soils, while in the clay-loam approximately 80% of the bromoxynil had broken down after 7 days. In all three soils degradation was unaffected by the presence of asulam, diclofop-methyl, flamprop-methyl, MCPA, metribuzin or propanil. Propanil underwent rapid degradation in all soil treatments, with over 95% of the applied propanil being dissipated within 7 days. There were no noticeable effects on propanil degradation resulting from applications of asulam, barban, bromoxynil, dicamba, MCPA, MCPB, metribuzin or 2,4-D. The breakdown of [¹⁴C]dicamba in a particular soil was unaffected by being applied alone or in the presence of diclofop-methyl, flampropmethyl, MCPA, metribuzin, propanil or 2,4-D. The times for 50% of the applied dicamba to be degraded were approximately 16 days in both the clay loam and sandy loam, and about 50 days in the heavy clay.     

Impact of Irrigation Timing and Weed Management Practices on Chlorophyll Content and Morphological Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Weeds are a major biotic constraint; compete with crop for the same resources and ultimately reduce productivity. This study evaluated the impact of irrigation intervals and weed management treatments on chlorophyll content and morphological growth of tomato to find an appropriate integrated weed management strategy. Two-year field experiments (2018/2019) were conducted at district Mardan (34°15′38″ N and 72°6′36″ E). Tomato F1 hybrid (Taj?3592) was transplanted during March. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete-block design in split-plot arrangement with three replications. The main block comprised three irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days) and the sub-block included weed management treatments: transparent polythene, black polythene, weeding except Orobanche, sole weeding of Orobanche, weeding of all weeds, copper oxychloride 1.5?kg a.i ha^?1 (single dose), copper oxychloride 1.5?kg a.i ha^?1 (split doses), copper oxychloride?+?humic acid 25?kg ha^?1 (single dose), copper oxychloride?+?humic acid 25?kg ha^?1 (split doses), copper sulphate 2?kg ha^?1 (single dose), copper sulphate 2?kg ha^?1 (split doses), ammonium sulphate 200?kg ha^?1 (single dose), ammonium sulphate 200?kg ha^?1 (split doses), pendimethalin 33 EC 1.44?kg a.i ha^?1, glyphosate 48 SL 1.5?kg a.i ha^?1, and weedy check. Lowest relative weed density (RWD) of O. cernua (2.23%) and highest RWD of O. cernua (38.01%) were recorded in the 3? and 9?day irrigation intervals, respectively. However, 3?day irrigation interval resulted in highest fresh weed biomass (5794?kg ha^?1). Moreover, the 6?day irrigation interval significantly increased chlorophyll content by 11 and 5%, leaf area by 23 and 6%, and number of branches plant^?1 by 30 and 22% compared to 9? and 3?day irrigation intervals, respectively. Among the weed management treatments, black polythene resulted in the highest weed control efficiency (96%), increasing chlorophyll content by 16%, leaf area by 33%, and number of branches plant^?1 by 64% vs. weedy check. Consequently, 6?day irrigation intervals?×?black polythene could be the best weed management strategy, followed by transparent polythene, weeding of all weeds, pendimethalin, glyphosate, and ammonium sulphate.

     

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.     

Influence of broad-leaved weed herbicides on the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl

The activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone or in tank-mixture with different formulations of mecoprop or sulfonylurea herbicides was compared in a series of pot experiments using Avena fatua L. (wild oat) as a test plant. A logistic model was fitted to the results and dose–response curves of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone and in mixture with the broad-leaved weed herbicides were estimated using non-linear regressions. Tank-mixtures of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and mecoprop or metsulfuron-methyl were antagonistic. In general, the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl decreased with increasing doses of the broad-leaved herbicides. In mixture with 1200 g a.i. ha^?1 mecoprop, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 60% to 130% (dependent on formulation) to obtain the same effect as when fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was applied alone. Both the active and the inactive isomers of mecoprop were involved in the antagonism, and the ester formulation of mecoprop-P was less antagonistic than the amine formulation. In mixture with the recommended dose of 8 g a.i. ha^?1 of metsulfuron-methyl, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 20% to 110% to obtain the same effect as with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone. Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl did not lose activity when applied in mixture with recommended doses of chlorsulfuron, tribenuron and amidosulfuron. Antagonism of the sulfonylurea herbicides seemed to be related to the susceptibility of A.?fatua to these herbicides.     

Selective herbicides for establishing weed-free grass: The effect of mixtures and sequences of herbicides, including ethofumesate and methabenzthiazuron

Two field experiments compared various sequences of ethofumesate, methabenzthiazuron and mecoprop, and mixtures of metamitron, ethofumesate and methabenzthiazuron for their control of Poa annua L. and Stelluria media (L). Vill. during the establishment of autumn-sown perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). In experiment 1 pre-emergence treatments required a second, post-emergence spraying to give complete control of P. annua. Grass seedlings reappeared in early spring following ethofumesate treatment, but populations built up earlier where methabenzthiazuron had been used. The most successful treatment was ethofumesate at 1.4 kg a.i. ha^?1 followed by 0.7 kg a.i, ha^?1 in spring. Methabenzthiazuron at 0.8 kg a.i. ha^?1 followed by ethofumesate at 0.7 kg a.i. ha^?1 in December was also effective. Methabenzthiazuron at 1.6 kg a.i. ha^?1 damaged ryegrass but was effective as a secondary treatment at lower doses in spring. Most treatments controlled S. media satisfactorily, but this sometimes increased the yield of P. annua. Metamitron greatly reduced tiller numbers of P. annua in experiment 2, especially when sprayed with methabenzthiazuron. Only treatments which included ethofumesate controlled S. media adequately but there was no advantage in combining this herbicide with any other for controlling P. annua.     

Estimation of economic thresholds for weed control in winter wheat

Thresholds for winter wheat weed control have been determined for different herbicides or mixtures effective against individual weed species. For Avena sterilis L. subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman the economic threshold was between 7 and 12 plants m^?2, for Alopecurits myosuroides Hudson and Lolium multiflorum Lam. it varied between 25 and 35 plants m^?2, while for Bromus sterilis L. the values were just under 40 plants m^?2. For Galium aparine L. the threshold was as low as 2 plants m^?2, while for Vicia sativa L. it was between 5 and 10 plants m^?2. Within the same species the different values of economic threshold result from the different costs and efficacy of herbicides. Nitrogen fertilization was important: in its absence, the competitiveness of B. sterilis and G. aparine was negligible, and it was not possible to calculate an economic threshold for some of the treatments which could not be justified economically. Estimation de seuils économiqu.es de désherbage chez le blé d'hiver Les seuils économiques de désherbage du blé d'hiver ont été determinés pour différents herbicides, seuls ou en mélanges, pour plusieurs espèces demauvaises herbes. POUT Avena sterilis L. subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman, le seuil économique était compris entre 7 et 12 plantes m^?2. PourAlopecurus myosuroides Hudson et Lolium multiflorum Lam., il variait entre 25 et 35 plantes m^?2 et était juste au-dessous de 40 plantes m^?2 pour Bromus sterilis L. Pour Galium aparine L., le seuil était2 plantes m^?2 et était compris entre 5 et 10 plantes m^?2 pour Vicia sativa L. Les différences de seuil pour une même espèce sont dues aux différences de coût et d'ef-ficacité des herbicides. Le rôle de la fertilisation azotVe Vtait important: en son absence, le pou-voir compVtitif de B. sterilis et de G. aparineétait négligeable, et il n'était pas possible de calculer de seuil économique pour certains traitements, qui ne pouvaient se justifier économiquement. Bestimmung von wirtschaftlichen Schadensschwel-lenfiirdie Unkrautbekdmpfung in Winterweizen Für verschiedenen Herbizide und -mischungen wurden entsprechend ihrer Wirksamkeit gegenüber bestimmten Unkrautarten Schadensschwellen zur Unkrautbekämpfung inWinterweizen bestimmt. Für Avena sterilis L. spp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman lag die Schadensschwelle zwischen 7 und 12 Pflanzen m^?2, fur Alopecurus myosuroides Hudson und Lolium multiflorum Lam. variierte sie zwischen 25 und 35 Pflanzen m^?2, während die Werte für Bromus sterilis L. bei knapp 40 Pflanzen m^?2 lagen. Bei Galium aparine L. war die Schadensschwelle ganz niedrig, nämlich 2 Pflanzen m^?2, während sie für Vicia sativa L. zwischen 5 und 10 Pflanzen m² betrug. Fiir ein und die-selbe Art ist die okonomische Schadensschwelle je nach den Kosten und der Wirksamkeit der Herbizide unterschiedlich. Die Stickstoffdün-gung ist zu beachten: wenn sie fehlt, ist die Konkurrenz durch Bromus sterilis und Galium aparine verachlässigbar, so daß keine gerechtfertigten ökonomischen Schadensschwellen berechnet werden konnten.     

The fungicide tridemorph as a selective herbicide for the control of Holcus lanatus in ryegrass and of Bonus sterilis in barly

The potential of the fungicide tridemorph selectively to control established plants of Holcus lanatus L. in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L) and Bromus sterilis L. in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was examined in glasshouse trails. A dose of 4.2 kg ha^?1 tridemorph gave selectively between H. lanatus and ryegrass similar to, but more costly than, that which would be provided by 1.2 kg ha^?1 asulam. B sterilis was more sensitive to tridemorph than was barley. Two additives, glycerol and the oil-surfactant mixture ‘PF’ enhanced this selectivity when tridemorph was applied at 2.1 kg ha^?1.     

Integrated weed management for cassava intercropped with maize

Trials were conducted in the tropical rainforest zone of Nigeria from 1982 to 1984 to compare manual weeding with chemical and integrated weed control systems in cassava (Manihot esculenta Krantz)/maize (Zea mays L) intercrop. Uncontrolled weeds reduced cassava and maize component yields by 2-year averages of 49 and 62% respectively; and their combined energy yield by 53% compared with 30 572 kcal ha^?1 obtained from the control plots hand-hoed at 3 and 8 weeks after planting. Highest economic returns were obtained from using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) or Egusi melon (Colocynthis citrullus (L.) O. Ktze) which gave 2-year average net returns of N2843 ha^?1 and 2944 ha^?1 compared with N1598 ha^?1 generated from the control that received two hand-hoeings. Integrated use of cowpea and pre-emergence application of alachlor at 2.0 or chloremben at 3.4 kg ai ha^?1 and pre-emergence application of either fluometuron or chloramben at 2.5 and 3.4 kg ai ha^?1 respectively or their mixture gave more economic net returns than two hand-hoeings. Under similar management level, intercropping cassava and maize resulted in 36–43% more land being made available to the farmer for other uses than sole cropping them. Lutte intégrée contre les mauvaises herbes en culture de manioc semé entre les lignes du mäis Des essais ont été installés de 1982 à 1984 dans la zone forestiére tropicale humide du Nigéria dans le but de comparer le désherbage manuel avec des systèmes de lutte chimique et intégrée contre les adventices d'une culture de manioc (Manihot esculenta Krantz) semé entre les lignes d'une culture de mäis (Zea mays L.). Faute de désherbage, les mauvaises herbes ont amené une réduction moyenne sur deux ans de 49% et 62% respectivement dans les rendements de manioc et de mais; le rendement global en énergie des deux espèces a subi une réduction de 53% par rapport à la somme de 30 572 kcal ha^?1, obtenues sur les parcelles témoin recevant un sarclage manuel 3 et 8 semaines après le semis. Une lutte culturelle, utilisant une culture de niébé (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) ou de melon Egusi (Colocynthis citrullus (L.) O. Ktze) s'est révélée le plus rentable des systèmes de désherbage; ce système a rapporté net, en moyenne sur 2 ans, N2843 ha^?1 et N2944 ha^?1 tandis que le témoin recevant deux sarclages manuels n'a rapporté que N1598 ha^?1. Une lutte intégrée, utilisant le niébé et un traitement herbicide de prélevée, soit alachlore 2,0 kg ou chloramben 3,4 kg ma ha^?1, ainsi qu'une lutte chimique (fluométuron 2,5 ou chloramben 3,4 kg ma ha^?1, ou bien un mélange des deux) a fait preuve d'une rentabilité supérieure à celle de deux sarclages manuels. Etant donné le même système de désherbage, la combinaison manioc-mäis a mis 36–43% plus de superficie à la disposition du fermier pour d'autres emplois que la culture de chaque espèce à part. Integrierte Unkrautkontrolle in Cassava/Mais—Mischkultur In der tropischen Regenwaldzone von Nigeria wurden von 1982 bis 1984 Versuche zum Wirkungsvergleich zwischen manueller, chemischer und integrierter Unkrautkontrolle in Mischkulturen von Cassava (Manihot esculenta Krantz) und Mais (Zea Mays L.) Durchgeführt. Die nicht kontrollierte Unkrautpopulation reduzierte die Cassava- resp. Maisernte im Durchschnitt von zwei Jahren um 49 resp. 62%; der kombinierte Energieertrag wurde um 53% verringert, bezogen auf 30 572 kcal ha^?1, die in den 3 und 8 Wochen nach der Pflanzung handgejätet Parzellen erzielt wurden. Die wirtschaftlich günstigsten Resultate wurden in Mischkulturen von Mais und Kuhbohne (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) oder Egusi-Melonen (Colocynthis citrullus (L.) O. Ktze) erhalten; diese erzielten im Mittelzweier Jahre Nettoerträge von N 2843 ha^?1 und N 2944 ha^?1, verglichen mit N 1598 ha^?1 aus den zweimal manuell gejäteten Parzellen. Integrierter Einsatz von Kuhbohne und Vorauflaufapplikation von 2,0 kg ai ha^?1 Alachlor oder 3,4 kg ai ha^?1 Chloramben, sowie Verauflaufapplikationen von 2,5 kgai ha^?1 Fluometuron oder 3,4 kg ai ha^?1 Chloramben, allein oder gemischt verwendet, ergaben wirtschaftlich bessere Resultate als zwei Handjätungen. Unter vergleichbaren landwirtsehaftlichen Bedingungen ermöglichten Mischkulturen von Cassava und Mais dem Landwirt 36–43% mehr Land für andere Verwendung einzusetzen, als bei separatem Anbau der beiden Kulturpflanzen.     

Physiological studies of mecoprop-resistance in chickweed (Stellaria media L.)

Glasshouse experiments have confirmed that resistance to mecoprop is present in a biotype of Stellaria media. Resistant plants were less vigorous than the susceptible population and ED⁵⁰ values were calculated as 3·92 and 0·18 kg a.i. ha^?1 respectively. The physiological basis of mecoprop resistance was investigated by studying the responses of each biotype in two experimental systems, namely explant stem elongation and ethylene evolution. These studies have discounted differential ethylene evolution as the basis of resistance but have indicated altered elongation growth in resistant plants. This observation suggests the possibility of reduced mecoprop binding in resistant plants, although the role of mecoprop metabolism remains to be elucidated.     

Effects of tillage on winter wheat production in Mediterranean dryland fields

The benefits of conservation agriculture (CA) and associated technologies are not equal for all agro ecosystems. This study used a field experiment to examine winter-wheat yield and weeds under conservational and conventional systems in the central region of Spain. The three tillage treatments were conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT). The climatic conditions influenced wheat yield, yield components, soil water content and weeds. When the autumn-winter rainfall was abundant and constant (69.7% of annual rainfall), wheat grain yield (4465?kg?ha^?1) and yield components (3897?kg?ha^?1 of straw biomass and 584.5 ear m^?2) were highest. Wheat grain yield was highest with NT: 3549.9?kg?ha^?1 (compared to MT: 2955.1?kg?ha^?1 and CT: 2950.3?kg?ha^?1) and ear number per m² was significantly lower with MT (332 no ear m^?2, compared to 426 and 411.6?ear?m^?2 in CT and NT-systems respectively). Soil water content, at earing stage, was the highest in NT (27.36% of soil moisture) while MT showed the lowest content (11.83% of soil moisture). The higher weed measurements (means of 2.557 plants m^?2; 1.443 species m^?2 and 2.536 g m^?2) was with higher annual rainfall (488?mm). Throughout the experiment it was the dominant presence, in MT-wheat plots, of Lolium rigidum Gaudin (with means from 4.87 to 7.71 plants m^?2), which reduced the ear number per m². Our study revealed that in the short term, under semi-arid conditions, only the adoption of NT system (rather than MT) showed economic benefits.     

Control of Avena fatua L. and Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. with mixtures of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid and four herbicides for control of A. fatua

Control of Avena fatua (L.) (wild oat) with diclofop methyl applied at 0·7 kg ha^?1 at the two-leaf stage and difenzoquat at 0·84 kg ha^?1 at the four-leaf stage in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under field conditions was good and not affected when either of these herbicides was mixed with 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid as the monoethanolamine salt at 0·14, 0·20 or 0·30 kg ha^?1. In the glasshouse, mixtures containing 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid at rates as high as 0·6 kg ha^?1 also did not affect control of A. fatua. When barban at 0·35 kg ha^?1, or flamprop methyl at 0·56 kg ha^?1 was mixed with similar rates of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid and applied at the two-leaf and four-leaf stage of A. fatua respectively, a reduction in control of A. fatua (antagonism) occurred under both field and glasshouse conditions. The herbicides for control of A. fatua did not influence the fresh weight suppression of C. arvense shoots obtained in the glasshouse with 3,6-dichloropico-colinic acid at 0·3 kg ha^?1. Early tolerance of wheat (cv. Neepawa) was acceptable with all mixtures. Wheat yields with diclofop methyl or difenzoquat alone or in mixture with 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid were increased over the yields from the A. fatua-infested control.