Management of roadside populations of invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia by mowing

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) is a highly allergenic alien weed in Europe, which spreads rapidly along roadsides. Road verges are subject to frequent mowing, which further increases the spreading of the plants' seeds. Ambrosia artemisiifolia reacts to cutting by producing new shoots, which are able to develop flowers and ultimately new seeds. An effective mowing regime that would decrease the production of seeds and their dispersal is desirable to control the spread of the plant, but an appropriate way of mowing has yet to be found. In this study, we explored how the reproductive traits of A. artemisiifolia plants in seven spontaneous roadside populations reacted to the application of different mowing regimes over 3 years. The mowing regimes that were applied differed in the timing and frequency of cuttings. We found that the cutting regime, if appropriately timed, can strongly influence the production of male inflorescences (i.e. allergenic pollen), of female flowers (i.e. seeds) and had an impact on the phenological development of the plant. Based on our findings, we suggest that the optimal management of the plant along roadsides must be adjusted to its phenological development. The most effective mowing method of control consists of a first cut shortly before male flowering, to limit the quantities of released pollen, followed by subsequent cuts before the onset of new flowers on the resprouting lateral shoots.     

Long-term effects of mowing on plasticity and allometry of Leymus chinensis in a temperate semi-arid grassland,China

Mowing is an important land management practice for natural semi-arid regions.A growing body of empirical evidence shows that different mowing regimes affect the functioning of grassland ecosystems.However,the responses of plant functional traits to long-term mowing and their allometric scaling under long-term mowing are poorly understood.For a better understanding of the effects of mowing on grassland ecosystems,we analyzed the allometric traits of leaves and stems of Leymus chinensis(Trin.) Tzvel.,a dominant grass species in eastern Eurasian temperate grassland,at different mowing intensities(no clipping,clipping once every two years,once a year and twice a year).Experiments were conducted on plots established over a decade ago in a typical steppe of Xilinhot,Inner Mongolia,China.Results showed that most of the functional traits of L.chinensis decreased with the increased mowing intensity.The responses of leaves and stems to long-term mowing were asymmetric,in which leaf traits were more stable than stem traits.Also significant allometric relationships were found among most of the plant functional traits under the four mowing treatments.Sensitive traits of L.chinensis(e.g.leaf length and stem length) were primary indicators associated with aboveground biomass decline under high mowing intensity.In conclusion,the allometric growth of different functional traits of L.chinensis varies with different long-term mowing practices,which is likely to be a strategy used by the plant to adapt to the mowing disturbances.     

Mode of reproduction of Barbarea vulgaris in two different habitats in Tohoku, Japan

This study was conducted to determine the reproductive characteristics of Barbarea vulgaris under different disturbance regimes (mowing and tilling) in two different habitats: a levee and a wheat field. On the levee, 77 of the 114 individuals that had had their floral stalks removed by the first mowing produced new rosettes at the basal part of the stem during the same growing season. The plants that were mowed four times per year had a significantly greater survival rate than the plants that were mowed twice per year. The levee population that was mowed without tillage was largely maintained by vegetative reproduction. These results suggest that mowing the levees promotes the vegetative reproduction of B. vulgaris and helps it to compete with tall-growing plants, thus facilitating its survival as a perennial. In spite of the high sprouting ability of the plant's root fragments, most of the root fragments did not regenerate when buried or when exposed to high soil moisture conditions in tilled wheat fields. The population of B. vulgaris in tilled wheat fields was maintained almost entirely by sexual reproduction. Barbarea vulgaris can survive under two different management regimes by altering its mode of reproduction.     

Improved physical control of glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan

Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a non‐native annual winter grass that has seriously infested rice paddy levees and wheat fields in Japan. Recently, glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass was found on paddy levees in central Japan, thereby making control of the grass by using glyphosate less effective. In this study, physical control methods were tested that combined the timing and frequency of mowing in order to more effectively control glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass on rice paddy levees. A 3 year field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in a western region of Shizuoka Prefecture, where glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass has become dominant. Five treatments were tested: (i) mowing once before the flowering of the grass (i.e. conventional mowing measure); (ii) mowing once during flowering; (iii) mowing twice during flowering; (iv) glyphosate application before flowering (i.e. one of the conventional mowing measures); and (v) no treatment. The above‐ground biomass, seed production, soil seed bank and seedling occurrence of Italian ryegrass were measured to determine the effectiveness of these treatments. Mowing during the flowering period resulted in reduced above‐ground biomass, seed production and soil seed bank when compared with the other treatments. Additionally, mowing twice during the flowering period resulted in a lower seedling density than mowing once. The results suggest that, in this region, physical control by mowing during the flowering period would be more effective than conventional measures for controlling glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass.     

Common ragweed: An emerging threat for sunflower production and human health in Turkey

Common ragweed invasion poses serious risks to human health, biodiversity and agricultural production throughout the world. Although ragweed has an enormous potential to expand its range in Turkey, studies on ragweed have only concentrated on the Black Sea region. An exploratory survey was conducted to observe the level of ragweed occurrence on the nodes of predecided 10 × 10 km grids in the Thrace region of Turkey. Ragweed populations were observed in 44 out of 129 sites in a wide range of habitats, including roadsides, pastures, agricultural fields and non‐agricultural areas. The highest levels of ragweed infestation were recorded in the agricultural fields, followed by the roadsides. The most‐invaded crop was sunflower. The sunflower fields had the highest ragweed coverage as well and invasion even resulted in crop failure alongside the field borders. A spatial analysis of the data indicated that ragweed exhibited an aggregated pattern over the Thrace region. Ragweed distribution was not associated with the characteristics of the soils, which had a varying range of pH, electrical conductivity and texture. The results revealed that ragweed invasion can arise as a serious weed problem, interfering with the sustainability of sunflower production in Thrace and other sunflower‐producing regions of the country. A high degree of ragweed infestation also will contribute to the pollen level counts for the most crowded cities in the region, posing a serious danger to human health.     

Impacts of grazing and mowing on reproductive behaviors of Stipa grandis and Stipa krylovii in a semi-arid area

Disturbance can affect biomass allocation of plants,but can it influence plant reproductive behavior?To address this issue,we performed field plant community investigations and explored the reproductive behaviors of Stipa grandis and Stipa krylovii in response to grazing and mowing treatments at Maodeng pasture of Xilinguole League of Inner Mongolia,China during 2007–2009.The results showed that,with a similar niche width for the two plant species under mowing and grazing treatments,mowing significantly increased the ratio of ramet to genet number of S.krylovii and the carbon to nitrogen ratio of S.grandis,and grazing significantly decreased the ratio of vegetative to reproductive tiller biomass of S.grandis and increased the ratio of vegetative to reproductive tiller number of S.krylovii.Regression analysis showed that the significantly positive effect of root to shoot biomass ratio was stronger on the ratio of vegetative to reproductive tiller number of S.grandis than on that of S.krylovii.These results indicated that grazing and mowing influenced the reproductive manner and the process of sexual reproduction of S.grandis and S.krylovii.     

Demography of Digitaria sanguinalis: Effect of the emergence time on survival,reproduction, and biomass

Knowledge of weed population dynamics is crucial for designing effective weed management practises. A field experiment was carried out at Torre Marimon (near Barcelona, north‐eastern Spain) in 2006 and 2007 in order to study the effects of the seedling emergence time on Digitaria sanguinalis fitness. Three and four cohorts were monitored in 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2007, the seedling density was fourfold greater than in 2006. At the end of the growing season, no statistically significant differences in survival were detected among the cohorts in 2006 (the mean survival rate was 88%); in contrast, in 2007, individual survival varied depending on the cohort, ranging from 25–88%. The reproductive traits and seed production were significantly influenced by the emergence time. In the cohorts that emerged very close in time, the individuals of the first cohort on average had more than threefold the amount of seed production than those of the last cohort. However, not all the surviving individuals were able to reproduce because they were infected by the smut, Ustilago syntherismae.     

迁飞对草地螟生殖行为及种群暴发的影响

为明确野外种群迁飞对草地螟生殖行为的影响及其在种群大暴发中的作用,对草地螟野外迁飞和未迁飞种群的生殖特征,包括首次产卵历期(period of first oviposition,PFO)及其他生殖参数进行了系统分析。结果表明,经历迁飞的种群与未经历迁飞的种群相比,成虫产卵前期、产卵历期、PFO和寿命均显著缩短;交配次数及交配率均显著增加;但平均每雌产卵量和卵孵化率无显著变化。这说明,尽管经历迁飞的草地螟种群产卵量未显著增加,但成虫到达迁入地后将很快多次交配、产卵,且产卵前期显著提前、产卵同步性显著增加,从而加剧后代种群暴发。     

梭梭种子性状和繁殖力的遗传变异与评价

通过对梭梭6个种源的种子性状和繁殖力的研究,结果表明:(1)不同种源间种子性状和繁殖力存在显著差异,其质量指标差异大于形态指标,即单株种子重差异最大,千粒重次之,果翅长度最小;成活率的差异性明显大于发芽率。(2)各种源区间的种子性状和繁殖力之间的遗传差异为极显著水平,环境差异为显著水平,梭梭种子质量主要受遗传基因控制,而种子繁殖力则受遗传基因和环境因素及土壤等多重因素控制。(3)种子各性状与成活率均呈正相关。除果翅长度与成活率相关不密切外,其它性状之间均为极显著相关。(4)在种子果翅长度、千粒重、单株种子重、发芽率和成活率等5个指标中,变异程度最高的是单株种子重,最低者为成活率;各种源区种子各性状具有较高的重复力(0.8580~0.9737),受强度遗传基因控制,通过种源选择可望获得良好效果;通过对发芽率指标选择,可比直接从成活率选择提高2.40%~24.86%(10%的选择率)的遗传进度;经综合选优评价,内蒙磴口种源的种子性状和繁殖力最好,青海次之,其次为甘肃和内蒙乌后旗,内蒙额旗和新疆最差。     

6种除草剂对豚草的田间防治效果

化学防治是一种对恶性入侵杂草豚草有效的防治措施,可在IPM中作为应急手段.为筛选出对豚草具高效的除草剂品种,采用茎叶喷雾法,在田间测定了草甘膦、百草枯、氟磺胺草醚、乳氟禾草灵、氯氟吡氧乙酸、双氟磺草胺·唑嘧磺草胺6种除草刘对豚草的防治效果.结果表明,无论是苗期(株高30 cm)还是成株期(株高60 cm),除双氟磺草胺·唑嘧磺草胺,参试除草剂均对豚草表现出良好的防治效果.可见,草甘膦、百草枯、氟磺胺草醚、乳氟禾草灵、氯氟吡氧乙酸均可应用于防治野外发生的豚草.     

Effects of the seed weight and burial depth on the seed behavior of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is one of the annual plants that were described recently as invasive weeds in Europe. This species is described as an invasive plant that produces seeds that are highly variable. Its production of variably sized seeds is regarded as promoting its spread in different environments. Experiments were carried out to determine the influence of the seed weight and temperature on germination and the influence of the seed weight and burial depth on seedling emergence. The seeds were divided into a number of classes of weight and the seed weight effect on germination was evaluated by Petri dish assays. In another experiment, the seeds were buried at different depths in a clay soil/sand mix to estimate the burial effect on germination and seedling emergence. The germination level of A. artemisiifolia was high overall, between 76.8% and 94.2%. The seed germination was modified by temperature but it was not influenced by the seed weight. The amounts of germination and seedling emergence were greater for the seeds on the soil surface and decreased with an increasing burial depth, from 2 to 8 cm. No germination or emergence was observed for the seeds that were buried at 10 and 12 cm. The lightest seeds were more sensitive to burial. A greater level of seedling emergence for those seeds that were placed near the soil surface could explain the success of this species in open habitats, where the probability of deeper burial is low. After high seed production, the management of A. artemisiifolia in fields could be partly achieved through soil tillage, burying seeds below 10 cm, and not carrying out deep soil tillage the following year.     

Reproductive traits,flowering phenology and seed bank dynamics in Retama raetam (Fabaceae) in a hyper-arid environment

This study explores the effects of year and location on reproductive traits and flowering phenology in Retama raetam populations growing in a hyper-arid environment. Besides year, season, and location, variations in the soil seed bank were also evaluated. Germination percentage of seeds buried in soil at two different depths for one year was determined. I hypothesized that changes in water availability between years and locations would lead to variations in reproductive traits, flowering phenology, and the seed bank of R. raetam. The study was conducted at a midstream and an upstream location during 2013 and 2014 in Wadi Rishrash in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Flower, fruit, and seed production were significantly higher in the midstream location than the upstream location and in 2014 than in 2013. Flowering onset and duration did not differ significantly between locations. Flowering occurred earlier in 2014 than in 2013 at both locations, and the flowering period was longer in 2014 than in 2013. The size of the seed bank was greater at the midstream than at the upstream location, and in summer than in spring season. Germination of seeds decreased with burial depth, but increased with burial duration. Larger individuals produced more seeds and flowered earlier than smaller plants. The size of plant was also positively correlated with flowering duration. The location and temporal variations in all these traits may be related to environmental differences between locations and differences in annual precipitation.     

Dormancy,a critical trait for weed success in crop production systems

Agricultural practices exert selective forces on weed populations. As these practices change over time, weed adaptive traits also evolve, allowing weeds to persist in the new environment. However, only weeds having individuals showing the trait with adaptive significance will be able to cope with these changes, thus allowing a sub‐population to be selected for persistence. In addition, changes in agricultural practices can select new weed species showing functional traits with characteristics adaptive to the modified system. Seed dormancy has long been recognized as a trait with enormous adaptive value to adjust weed biology to cropping systems. In this paper, we illustrate with examples of success and failure, the value of seed dormancy as a functional trait to cope with long‐term changes in crop production systems. We show that successful outcomes are mostly related to the existence of sufficient variability for the functioning of physiological mechanisms that control dormancy characteristics as influenced by the agricultural environment. Presented examples illustrate how knowledge about the relationship that exists between agricultural practices and their selective pressure on seed dormancy can be instrumental in predicting changes in weed biotype dormancy characteristics or foreseeing the appearance of new weed species in future agricultural scenarios. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influences of herbicides, uprooting and use as cut flowers on sexual reproduction of Solidago canadensis

Solidago canadensis is a noxious invasive species in China. We examined the influences of herbicides on pollen germination and pollen tube growth and the effects of cutting flowers and herbicides on seed production and quality. We also determined the seed production and resource allocation to different organs of S. canadensis after uprooting the plants during their reproductive periods. The main results were as follows: (i) 49% pollen of S. canadensis was able to germinate on an appropriate medium; (ii) compared with paraquat, ethephon and 2,4-D, glyphosate had an ideal inhibitory effect on pollen germination and the formation of seeds of S. canadensis ; (3) cut flowering branches, when placed in water or nutrient solution, were still able to produce viable seeds; (4) resources were allocated more to the inflorescences to facilitate seed maturation after plants were uprooted at the flowering stage. Uprooted flower branches were still able to produce viable seeds, especially those in full flower. Therefore, in order to reduce the seed production of S. canadensis and spread of the species we suggest: (i) apply glyphosate at the flower bud stage, (ii) completely destroy uprooted plants at flowering stages and (iii) avoid using the flowering branches as ornamental materials.     

The influence of the soil management systems on aboveground and seed bank weed communities in olive orchards

The biodiversity of farmed landscapes is, in the context of agricultural intensification, a key aspect with regard to improving the sustainability of agroecosystems. Olive groves are undergoing rapid changes because of the spread of intensive farming systems, which may have negative environmental impacts. This paper reports a survey on the aboveground flora and seed banks in five olive groves located in Andalusia (Southern Spain). In this study, the following three management systems have been compared: no‐tillage, with the mowing of spontaneous weedy vegetation; no‐tillage, with the mowing of planted cover crops (Poaceae); and conventional tillage practices. Results showed that coverage and an abundance of vegetation are favored by spontaneous weedy vegetation with mowing management, while the richness of aboveground species was affected by landscape diversity and the presence of edges, which increases the richness and diversity of aboveground flora species in olive groves. Seed bank composition showed a low relationship with aboveground flora in the three cover crop management systems. The multivariate analysis performed pointed to those seed species that have a major influence on the aboveground flora communities of each of the three agricultural systems. The seed bank was clearly impoverished in terms of both abundance and species richness after the long‐term conventional tillage practices. We conclude that the intensive long‐term conventional tillage dramatically reduces weed communities in olive orchards and the subsequent ecosystem services provided by them.     

Effects of herbicides or mowing on musk thistle seed production*

Mowing musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.) within 2 days of the first terminal heads in a plant population showing anthesis eliminated the production of germinable seed from all mowed stalks. Mowing later than 4 days after anthesis led to significant amounts of germinable seed being produced. Regrowth, which produced viable seed, usually occurred from plants mowed before first terminal heads began anthesis. A single mowing usually did not give satisfactory control due to wide differences in the maturity of plants in a natural population. When the terminal heads had reached late bud or more mature stages, 2,4-D ester [isoocyt] ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] at M kg/ha or 2–2 kg/ha did not provide satisfactory control. In general, the most effective herbicide treatments tested at all three stages of maturity were dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) at 056 kg/ha plus 2,4-D amine (dimethyl amine salt) at M kg/ha, 2,4-D ester at 4–4 kg/ha, or dicamba at 0–56 kg/ha. Inconsistent control of musk thistle results from variability within naturally occurring populations. Uneven development of stands as well as variation among plants are suggested as possible causes.     

Phenology and seed production of variegated thistle, Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., in Australia in relation to mechanical and biological control

Production of viable seeds occurred in immature capitula of Silybum marianum following simulated slashing and mowing. In the slashing treatment, capitula with 20 cm or less of stem attached produced viable seeds if cut off when at least half the florets were open, the proportion of viable seeds ranging from 0·3% in capitula at midanthesis to 12% in those at the end of anthesis. Following mowing, viable seeds were produced in full-sized buds which were close to anthesis and in capitula at any stage of anthesis at the time of plant cutting, the proportion increasing from 0·1% in capitula at the start of anthesis to 30% in those at the end. Within a capitulum, anthesis usually lasted five days in irrigated plants. Ripe seeds were released about 17 days later. Seed production averaged 190 seeds for the primary capitulum and 114 in others. In a flowering season starting in early November and lasting about two months, individual plants had the potential to produce an average of 55 capitula, representing an output of 6350 seeds per plant, of which 94% were viable. In view of the prolonged flowering season and the large seed output of S. marianum, it is argued that the restricted period of oviposition by the weevil Rhinocyllus conicus and the low density of larvae per capitulum might limit its impact as a biological control agent for this weed in Australia.     

Influence of defoliation on reproductive capacity and growth in Buddleja davidii

This study aims at quantifying the effects of defoliation on seed production and germination in Buddleja davidii , and determining the potential for reducing the invasive success of the species. The effects of defoliation on seed production and germination at the flower spike and plant levels were investigated for control plants and plants that were defoliated by 66% at monthly intervals from mid-summer (January) to mid-autumn (April). Seed samples for germination were collected in late autumn (May). Defoliation reduced flower spike number per shoot, seed number per flower spike and average seed mass by 9%, 22% and 13% and 30%, 33% and 17% on main and side shoots, respectively. In contrast, emergent leaf area per shoot in the defoliated plants exceeded that for the control plants by 89%. The ratio of total seed mass per plant/emergent leaf area per shoot was significantly lower in the defoliated compared with the control plants by 50%. Defoliation did not affect the timing or rate of seed germination. Defoliation of B. davidii resulted in a marked decrease in reproductive capacity, consistent with the priority allocation of resources to compensational leaf area growth.     

Roadside surveys support predictions of negligible naturalisation potential for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in north-east Australia

A survey of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) volunteers was conducted along the 1400 km of a cottonseed transport route in north‐east Australia to determine the extent of naturalisation from spilt seed. In each year, 1% of the road distance was inspected for volunteer plants. The survey results were juxtaposed with the eco‐climatic suitability predictions from inferential modelling. Over 3 years, 22 cotton plants were found at eight sites. Within the cotton production region, volunteers averaged 2.28 plants km⁻¹ of road; their most likely source was seed cotton spilt during the previous harvest. Further north, three plants were found over 3 years, at an average density of 0.089 plants km⁻¹ of road; all three plants were found in locations with a positive Ecoclimatic Index. No secondary spread was detected. Roadside slashing reduced plant survival and the potential to produce seed. In the wet tropics, weed competition and slashing prevented volunteers establishing. The surveys indicate that roadsides in north‐east Australia are a hostile environment for the establishment of cotton plants, with no evidence of naturalisation or secondary spread. Current transport practices utilizing fully covered loads present negligible risk of producing naturalised populations of cotton (either transgenic or non‐transgenic) on roadsides in north‐east Australia.     

Germination strategies of annual and short-lived perennial species in the Arabian Desert

Germination timing is highly regulated in short-lived plant species since it strongly influences recruitment success of vegetation. In deserts, the spatiotemporal distribution of plant-available water is highly episodic and unpredictable, making winter months more favorable for seed germination when other abiotic conditions co-occur. We hypothesized that changes in photoperiod and thermoperiod would impact germination more in seeds that had undergone in situ storage. We assessed 21 annual and short-lived perennial species in the Arabian Desert to find (1) if seeds were dormant at maturity, (2) if in situ seed storage increased germination percentage compared with no storage, (3) if photoperiod and thermoperiod germination requirements were influenced by in situ storage, and (4) if a phylogenetic association in seed germination could be observed. Seeds of each species collected in early 2017 were divided into two batches. One was tested for germination within one week (fresh seeds). The other was stored in situ at the maternal location (stored seeds) until October 2017 and tested for seed germination in the first week of November. Seed germination was conducted in incubators at two thermoperiods (15°C/20°C and 20°C/30°C; 12 h/12 h), and two photoperiods (12 and 0 h light per day). Results indicated that seed germination percentages of 13 species were significantly enhanced by in situ storage. A thermoperiod response was exhibited by stored, but not fresh seeds. Light exposure increased germination of fresh seeds but had only a minimal effect on stored seeds. Germination traits exhibited no phylogenetic correlation. This result indicated that selection pressure for germination strategy was stronger than that for taxonomic traits of these desert species.