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.     

Mapping Ridolfia segetum patches in sunflower crop using remote sensing

Ridolfia segetum is a frequent umbelliferous weed in sunflower crops in the Mediterranean basin. Field and remote sensing research was conducted in 2003 and 2004 over two naturally infested fields to determine the potential of multispectral imagery for discrimination and mapping of R. segetum patches in sunflower crops. The efficiency of the four wavebands blue (B), green (G), red (R) and near‐infrared (NIR), selected vegetation indices and the spectral angle mapper (SAM) classification method were studied using aerial photographs taken in the late vegetative (mid‐May), flowering (mid‐June) and senescence (mid‐July) crop growth stages. Discrimination efficiency of R. segetum patches in sunflower crops is consistently affected by their phenological stages, in this order: flowering > senescence > vegetative. In both fields, R. segetum patches were efficiently discriminated in mid‐June, corresponding to the flowering phase, by using the waveband G, the ratio R/B or SAM with overall accuracies ranging from 85% to 98%. The application of the median‐filtering algorithm to any of the classified images improved the accuracy. Our results suggest that mapping R. segetum weed patches in sunflower to implement site‐specific weed management techniques is feasible with aerial photography when images are taken from 8 to 10 weeks before harvesting.     

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).     

Benzothiadiazole Activates Resistance in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to the Root-Parasitic Weed Orobanche cuman

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evaluate the potential of induced resistance to infestation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) by the parasitic weed Orobanche cumana Wallr. Treatment of sunflower seeds with 40 ppm of benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH) for 36 h completely prevented infection in root chambers. In pot studies using 2.86 x 10(-4) g of Orobanche seeds per gram of soil as inoculum, the total number of O. cumana shoots was reduced by 84 and 95% in the 60-ppm BTH treatment in the first and second trial, respectively. Evaluation of the disease incidences revealed that attachment of O. cumana at the sunflower root and the stage of early penetration was reduced in the BTH-treated plants. Chemical analysis of root extracts revealed synthesis of the phytoalexin scopoletin and of hydrogen peroxide in the BTH-treated sunflower roots, but no increase in lignification. Western blot analysis demonstrated accumulation of the pathogenesis-related protein chitinase in roots and stems of induced resistant plants. These results show that the phenomenon of induced resistance is not restricted to viral, bacterial, and fungal disease and demonstrate the great potential of this protection strategy as an effective component of future plant production systems.     

玉米与不同植物间作对田间杂草群落动态变化的影响

2008年和2009年对玉米苗期-拔节期、喇叭口期-授粉期、成熟期田间杂草群落的密度、生物量和多样性进行监测。结果显示,玉米与向日葵、苜蓿、甘薯、花生间作系统中,玉米-向日葵间作模式能明显降低田间杂草总密度和生物量,但抑制效果随着玉米的生长,越到后期效果越不明显,第二年的抑制效果也明显弱于第一年。2008年,玉米-向日葵间作处理杂草总密度在苗期-拔节期、喇叭口期-授粉期、成熟期分别是对照的44.46%、43.64%和76.23%,总干重分别是对照的12.65%、20.77%和58.14%;2009年,总密度在各时期分别是对照的78.33%、81.19%和88.26%,总干重分别是对照的52.99%、88.28%和83.55%。此外,玉米-向日葵间作还能提高成熟期田间杂草的生物多样性,2008年多样性指数是对照的1.15倍,2009年是对照的1.13倍。玉米与苜蓿、甘薯、花生间作模式与对照相比不能降低甚至还增加了田间杂草的发生与危害,但均比对照提高了杂草的生物多样性。初步表明,玉米与向日葵间作,既能增加农田生态系统的多样性,又有一定的控制杂草效果。     

Weed suppression by cover crops: comparative on‐farm experiments under integrated and organic conservation tillage

Cover crops are increasingly being used for weed suppression and to enhance the sustainability of agro‐ecosystems. However, the suitability of cover crops for weed suppression in integrated and organic conservation tillage systems is still poorly investigated. Therefore, a 2‐year field study at eight sites was conducted to test the weed suppressive potential of six legume‐based cover crops, with the aim to reduce herbicide input or mechanical weed management interventions. In all experiments, cover crops were directly sown after cereals before next year's main crop (grain maize or sunflower). The presence of cover crops caused a 96% to 100% reduction of weed dry matter at the four sites managed under integrated production, while effects were lower at the four sited managed under organic production, ranging from 19% to 87%. Cover crops that covered soil quickly and which produced much dry matter had the best weed suppressive potential. However, their weed suppressing effect was difficult to predict, as it depended on the year of the investigation, experimental site, cover crop species, the speed of soil cover in autumn and the density of the resulting mulch layer in spring. The study demonstrated that cover crops are a useful tool to suppress weeds under integrated and organic conservation tillage practices. Our recommendation for supporting weed management in conservation tillage systems is to use locally adapted cover crops that have rapid establishment, good soil coverage and high dry matter production. However, additional weed management measures are required for reliable weed control under on‐farm conditions.     

我国向日葵列当发生危害现状调查

向日葵列当是危害我国向日葵最严重的杂草。为明确我国向日葵田列当的发生危害情况及防治现状,采用对角线5点取样法对新疆、内蒙古、吉林和河北等主要向日葵种植区进行调查,对向日葵列当的寄生率和寄生强度等数据进行分析。结果表明,向日葵列当在向日葵产区广泛分布,严重危害向日葵的生产,其对食葵的寄生率高于油葵,对抗性品种的寄生率较低。在所有调查地区中内蒙古地区向日葵列当发生最严重,寄生率高达100%,寄生强度达到38.5,单株寄生数量最高,达118株;新疆地区的向日葵列当寄生率居中,吉林、河北向日葵列当发生相对较轻。通过实地调研结合文献报道,对目前国内外向日葵列当的研究进展进行了综述,研究结果为指导向日葵列当防治提供参考。     

Interference of the agrestal Helianthus annuus biotype with sunflower growth

The Helianthus annuus taxon includes the wild (ruderal), weedy (agrestal) and volunteer biotypes, which may share space and time with the sunflower crop. The agrestal biotype is one of the most harmful weeds challenging the use of modern biotechnological tools in sunflower. The interference of the agrestal biotype was studied at a range of weed densities within a sunflower crop. The area of influence of one agrestal plant was estimated as a circular area of more than 2.5 m². The agrestal biotype at 10.7 plants m^?2 reduced the sunflower seed production by 66%, the seed weight by 41% and the yield by 80%. The agrestal biotype showed intermediate vegetative stage duration between sunflower and the ruderal biotype. The interference of the agrestal biotype would be due to its high initial growth rate, its larger leaf area and plant height. Some agrestal plants showed partial dehiscence at the sunflower harvest stage replenishing the soil seedbank with over 18 000 seeds m^?2. The sunflower harvest operation and grain storage might be affected due to a fraction of agrestal plants remaining alive and moist when the crop reached harvest maturity. The results support the recommendation of preventing the entry of the agrestal biotype into crop production fields.     

Spectral discrimination of Ridolfia segetum and sunflower as affected by phenological stage

Ridolfia segetum is an umbelliferous weed frequent and abundant in sunflower crops in the Mediterranean basin. Field research was conducted to evaluate the potential of hyperspectral and multispectral reflectance and five vegetation indices in the visible to near infrared spectral range, for discriminating bare soil, sunflower and R. segetum at different phenological stages. This was a preliminary step for mapping R. segetum patches in sunflower using remote sensing for herbicide application decisions. Reflectance data were collected at three sampling dates (mid‐May, mid‐June and mid‐July, corresponding to vegetative‐early reproductive, flowering and senescent phenological stages respectively) using a handheld field spectroradiometer. Differences observed in hyperspectral reflectance curves were statistically significant within and between crop and weed phenological stages depending on sampling date, which facilitates their discrimination. Statistically significant differences in the multispectral and vegetation indices analysis showed that it is also possible to distinguish any of the classes studied. Our study provides some information for constructing the spectral libraries of sunflower and R. segetum in which the different phenological stages co‐existing in the field were considered. Hyperspectral and multispectral results suggest that mapping R. segetum patches in sunflower is feasible using airborne hyperspectral sensors, and high‐resolution satellite imagery or aerial photography, respectively, taking into account specific timeframes.     

Distribution,host range and some properties of a virus disease of sunflower in Kenya

Abstract

Apparently similar viruses were associated with two different disease symptoms in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Kenya, one a yellow blotch and the other a leaf crinkle. The virus occurred in all sunflower‐growing regions but the crinkle disease was confined to areas east of the rift valley. Disease incidence varied with locality and season. Mechanical transmission of virus from plants with either disease was possible, but the yellow blotch virus was also transmissible from an important alternate field host, Tridax procumbens by Aphis gossypii to 23 species in three families. Partially purified preparations of virus made from mechanically inoculated seedlings affected with either symptom type contained 26 nm virus particles which, in ISEM tests, reacted with antisera prepared against six members of the luteovirus group.     

侵染苣荬菜的中国胜红蓟黄脉病毒及伴随的卫星基因组结构特征

杂草是菜豆金色花叶病毒属病毒的重要中间寄主,常富集多种该属病毒及其卫星病毒。2014年,在云南红河常见杂草苣荬菜Sonchus arvensis上出现了疑似菜豆金色花叶病毒属病毒病症状。利用克隆、测序和生物信息学分析技术对其所含病毒进行分离鉴定,结果从1株病样中共获得了两条菜豆金色花叶病毒属病毒全序列、两条β卫星全序列和一条α卫星全序列。序列分析显示,两条菜豆金色花叶病毒属病毒全序列与中国胜红蓟黄脉病毒相似性最高,分别为99%和96%,确定为中国胜红蓟黄脉病毒的分离物。两条β卫星全序列与赛葵黄脉β卫星相似性最高,为97%,确定为赛葵黄脉β卫星的一个分离物。α卫星全序列与中国番茄黄化曲叶α卫星相似性最高,为86.3%,是中国番茄黄化曲叶α卫星的一个分离物。这是菜豆金色花叶病毒属病毒病害复合体在中国侵染苣荬菜的首次报道。     

Evaluation of finger weeder safety and efficacy for intra-row weed removal in irrigated field crops

Increased demand for pesticide-free food and the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations have created a need for non-chemical weed-control tools. A candidate mechanical tool for controlling weeds in the seeding line (intra-row zone) is the finger weeder. This study thus aimed to evaluate the safety and weed-control efficacy of the finger weeder in various irrigated field crops. Eight field trials were conducted in processing tomato, sweet corn, sunflower, cotton, and beetroot over 2 years. The finger weeder treatments were applied as the sole weed-control method (single or double treatments) and in combination with herbicides. A mini meta-analysis was used to evaluate the overall effect of the finger weeder treatments on crop stand and yield and on weed control efficacy. Weed density in the control not treated with herbicides nor a finger weeder ranged between 2 and 62 weeds m⁻². The finger weeder treatments resulted in a significant reduction in weed density, which ranged between 40% and 90%. The weed density following the double finger weeder treatment was not significantly different from that for the conventional herbicide-based treatment (p = 0.32) and could therefore be considered as an effective environmentally friendly alternative. Furthermore, a single FW treatment integrated with herbicide application gave better weed control than the conventional herbicide treatment (p = 0.04). This treatment was safe for the crops with no significant stand (p = 0.19) or yield (p = 0.29) reductions compared to commercial treatment. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of the finger weeder as an effective tool within integrated weed management systems for conventional agro-systems. The tool offers a rational weed-control solution for sustainable systems under irrigation.     

Yellow mottle of tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa) caused by physalis mottle virus

Tomatillo ( Physalis ixocarpa ) is being evaluated as a food crop in Louisiana. Preliminary studies indicate that virus diseases may be the major factor limiting production. A foliar mosaic and yellow mottle disease was found commonly affecting plants in experimental plots. The cause of the disease was identified as physalis mottle virus (PhyMV). The virus was identified by host reaction, serology and dsRNA analysis. Other viruses found less frequently included cucumber mosaic virus and tomato spotted wilt virus. The flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris , transmitted PhyMV experimentally. The annual weed Physalis pubescens was found naturally infected with PhyMV near infected tomatillo.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

Orobanche cumana race F: performance of resistant sunflower hybrids and aggressiveness of populations of the parasitic weed

The production of sunflower is threatened by Orobanche cumana (broomrape) infections in many countries of southern and eastern Europe. The most virulent race of this parasitic weed, race F, is widespread in Spain. Most of the current commercial hybrids of resistant sunflower do not completely prevent broomrape emergence in the field. The performance (broomrape incidence and severity, final yields and oil contents) of four resistant and two susceptible sunflower hybrids was studied in different years in several O. cumana – infested locations. O. cumana – sunflower interactions were characterised by low severity and intermediate incidence in the resistant hybrids; both depended on the environment. An increase in sunflower yield because of the use of resistant hybrids was most noticeable under heavy field infestations and under drought. Characterisation of 20 populations of O. cumana classified as race F in terms of the standardised area under the degree of attack progress curve (SAUDC) and O. cumana incidence (BI) suggested differential intrinsic pathogenicities. These results highlight the variability within race F of O. cumana , mirroring the environmentally dependent horizontal resistance in sunflower.     

Pathogenic diversity within field populations of Orobanche cumana and different reactions on sunflower genotypes

Different races of the parasitic Orobanche cumana (sunflower broomrape) have been reported in Spain, race F being the most virulent. Full resistance in sunflower to races A–E is achieved with each of the single major genes Or₁ to Or₅ respectively. However, parasitised hybrids allegedly resistant to race F were observed in early 2002. The purpose of this study was to verify broomrape incidences (BI) on resistant sunflower genotypes, to assess the mixture of races within field populations and to test for partial resistance to race F in the sunflower hybrids showing a low degree of attack (DA) by the weed. Tests were conducted under field conditions in two locations of southern Spain. While no significant differences were found for yield and BI between locations, the DA on the cultivars depended on the location. With high infection levels and significantly lower yield in susceptible controls, marked differences in BI and DA were found within resistant cultivars, but all of them showed similar crop yield. When artificially inoculated with several populations of race F, line P96 and mainly line L86, were consistently slightly infected, suggesting they were inbred lines responsible for horizontal resistance in infested fields. L86 was extremely susceptible to race E populations, which is unusual as sunflower resistance to one race provided resistance to all the previously described races of O. cumana. No different virulences were detected within two groups of subpopulations (races E and F) inoculated onto resistant sunflower genotypes. However, race F subpopulations showed significant differences in aggressiveness, which seems to be related to horizontal (multigenic) resistance of the crop to the parasitic weed.     

The geographical distribution of sunflower diseases in China

In various areas of China, the fourth largest sunflower-producing country in the world, 25 sunflower diseases have been reported: 19 caused by fungi, one virus disease and five caused by different species of broomrape. Their geographical distribution and economic significance are discussed. Fungi are the most prevalent disease causing agents in every region. More species of broomrape have been recorded in China than in any other country in the world. Orobanche coerulescens has not previously been reported to attack sunflower but is an important cause of disease in China. The number of diseases recorded differs among the regions, with 14 in North-east China, 11 each in North, North-west and South-west China, 10 in East China and six in Central and South China. This distribution broadly corresponds to the intensity of sunflower production. Only Puccinia helianthi and Septoria helianthi are reported in all the regions; 64% of the diseases are restricted to one or two regions. Alternaria helianthi, Septoria helianthi, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Orobanche coerulescens are considered to be the most important, causing 10-50% losses in yield, and even crop failure in some areas in some years. Much work remains to be done on disease control to promote the development of sunflower production in China.     

Prohexadione-calcium induces sunflower (Helianthus annuus) resistance against the root parasitic weed Orobanche cumana

Prohexadione-calcium (PHDC) is a plant growth retardant that inhibits gibberellin biosynthesis and transiently alters the spectrum of flavonoids and their phenolic precursors. In this study, root chamber and pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of PHDC on Orobanche cumana seed germination and induction of sunflower resistance to this root parasitic weed. Root chamber experiments indicated that PHDC did not interfere with the progress of Orobanche seed germination, but retarded O. cumana tubercle formation and development. In pot experiments, control of O. cumana by PHDC depended on its dose, method of application and sunflower cultivar. In sunflower cv. HA89, PHDC at 10 mg LS⁻¹ (litre soil) as two drenches or at 1 m m as two foliar sprays significantly reduced the total number and dry matter of O. cumana without influencing flower, leaf and root development. In sunflower cv. Albena, PHDC at 20 and 30 mg LS⁻¹, but not at 10 mg LS⁻¹, as two drenches significantly reduced O. cumana infection. Sunflower cv. HA89 was less susceptible to O. cumana and more inducible by PHDC than sunflower cv. Albena. The biochemical analysis of root extracts revealed a significantly higher accumulation of free phenolics in sunflower cv. HA89 after PHDC soil drench, but not in Albena. No significant lignification was observed after PHDC treatments. The results suggest that PHDC reduces O. cumana infection in sunflower by inducing host resistance, not by directly interfering with the parasite. Free phenolics play an important role in sunflower response to the parasite.     

外来广聚萤叶甲对非靶标植物的选择行为

为评估外来广聚萤叶甲作为入侵豚草的潜在生物防治作用物对非靶标植物的潜在风险,分别观察了成虫产卵和初孵幼虫取食的选择行为,首次在杂草天敌寄主专一性测定中采用生存分析（失败时间分析）法,比较了在三裂叶豚草、苍耳、食用农家向日葵三道黑品种、油用向日葵辽丰F51品种、多花向日葵和菊芋等菊科向日葵族非靶标植物上的产卵识别期和初孵幼虫取食前期的差异。研究结果表明,在三裂叶豚草和苍耳上产卵的概率与豚草没有显著差异,但在几种向日葵属植物上产卵的概率显著低于豚草;初孵幼虫对农家向日葵的取食选择概率与豚草没有显著差异,在其他供试植物上的取食前期均显著延长（P〈0.05）。对应用广聚萤叶甲防治外来入侵豚草对非靶标植物的潜在风险进行了讨论。     

Incidence of weed reservoirs and vectors of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus on southern Tasmanian lettuce farms

Thrips species and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) alternate weed hosts were surveyed on two lettuce farms in southern Tasmania during 1994 and 1995. Only one known vector species, Thrips tabaci, was found at either site, comprising on average 36.8% of the total monthly catch. A major peak of thrips activity in the summer corresponded with an increase of disease in autumn harvested lettuce. Two thrips species new for Tasmania were recorded, Pseudanaphothrips achaetus and Tenothrips frici . Infection patterns within the crop indicated that localized weed infestations were the most likely reservoir of virus. ELISA testing showed that TSWV was present in a range of dicotyledonous weed species, although usually infecting only a low percentage of the plants. Arctotheca calendula appeared to be the single most important reservoir host species at one property, whilst this species and Sonchus oleraceus, Malva sylvestris, Brassica rapa ssp. silvestris, Erodium moschatum and Trifolium sp. were probably the most important reservoirs at the other property. Two new natural TSWV host species were recorded, Erodium moschatum and Brassica rapa ssp. silvestris . The property with the highest incidence of TSWV-infected lettuce had a relatively higher proportion of virus-infected weeds but less thrips activity during the infection period.