Sprouting capacity from intact root systems of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis decrease in autumn

Perennial weeds are often controlled by mechanical means, which aim at stimulating axillary and adventitious buds to sprout. This happens when the apical dominance of the main shoot is removed by defoliation or when the underground system is fragmented. By repeating the measures, the result is a depletion of storage compounds, which weakens the plants and reduces their capacity to grow and reproduce. However, timing is critical. Earlier research has indicated that emergence from fragments of Sonchus arvensis cease during a period in autumn, while the seasonal pattern of sprouting in Cirsium arvense appears to be inconsistent. We studied the emergence pattern of defoliated plants with undisturbed root systems, from late summer to early spring. Potted plants grown outdoors were exhumed at regular intervals, put under forcing conditions for 4 weeks, after which shoots above and below soil level were counted and weighed together with the remaining root systems. In both species, the number and weight of emerged shoots decreased during a period in the autumn. In C. arvense, underground shoots were constantly produced during the same period, while fewer underground shoots were present in S. arvensis. For the latter species, apical dominance does not fully explain the effect; thus, endodormancy might be involved. Root weight increased until withering and did not explain the lack of emergence. Our results suggest an impaired sprouting capacity of undisturbed root systems of C. arvense and S. arvensis during September–October, which has implications for the timing and method of control of these species.     

Modelling the sprouting capacity from underground buds of the perennial weed Sonchus arvensis

Sonchus arvensis is a problematic perennial weed species causing problems in many crops. Control measures often rely on soil tillage or mowing; both methods are used to exhaust the root system. This approach fails during periods of restrictions in sprouting capacity or shoot regrowth. The aim of this study was to develop a simulation model for prediction of shoot sprouting capacity in underground buds of S. arvensis. We hypothesised restricted regrowth to be induced as a function of photoperiod and temperature sum and released as a function of cold temperature sum. The model was parameterised and calibrated against observations of shoot regrowth from an experiment on intact roots of S. arvensis. Subsequently, it was validated against observations of regrowth from another experiment on intact roots and sprouting from fragmented roots from a third experiment. Restriction in regrowth was attributed to reduction in the photoperiod, observed when the day length decreased below a threshold of 16.5 h, but also to a daily mean temperature below 16.8°C. Resumed regrowth occurred in late autumn at a daily mean temperature threshold of 4.7°C. The pattern of changes over time in shoot regrowth from an intact root system was well predicted by the model. The temporal change in sprouting capacity from buds on fragmented roots followed the same pattern, but with a quantitative difference between the model prediction and the observed sprouting capacity. We conclude that the model can be used to predict the pattern over time of sprouting capacity in intact roots of S. arvensis.     

Effects of ethephon pre-treatment on the response of Elymus repens to fluazifop-butyl

Growth inhibition of pot-grown Elymus repens (L.) Gould by fluazifop-butyl was occasionally enhanced by pre-treatment with ethephon. Studies with ¹⁴C-labelled fluazifop-butyl showed that ethephon increased the accumulation of ¹⁴C in basal buds and proximal parts of the rhizome system. This potential modification in the distribution of fluazifop-butyl within E. repens rhizomes may have reduced regeneration and recovery of the E. repens, particularly from the basal buds, although there was no increase in the proportion of ¹⁴C translocated into the rhizome. Also, ethephon not only activated the sinks in the rhizome but in the foliage of E. repens as well, and could initiate buds without sinks. The effects of ethephon on fluazifop-butyl phototoxicity were irregular in their occurrence and degree, and possible reasons for this are discussed. Effets depré-traitements à I'étéphon sur la réponse de Elymus repens au fluazifop-butyl Lors d'expériences en pots, des pré-traitements & 1'étéphon augmentaient occasionnellement 1'inhibition de croissance d'Elymus repens (L.) Gould traité au fluazifop-butyl. Des etudes avec du fluazifop-butyl marqué au ¹⁴C ont montré que l'éléphon augmentait l'accumulation de ¹⁴Cdans les bourgeons de la base et dans les parties proximales des rhizomes. Bien que la proportion de ¹⁴C transportée dans le rhizome ne soit pas accrue, cette modification de la distribution du fluazifop-butyl à l'intérieur des rhizomes d'E. repens pourrait limiter la régénération et la reprise de croissance, en particulier à partir des bourgeons de la base. En outre, l'étéphon activait des puits métaboliques non seulement dans le rhizome mais aussi dans le feuillage d'E. repens et pouvait initier des bourgeons qui ne se comportaient pas comme des puits métaboliques. Tant 1'existence que 1'intensité des effets de 1'étéphon sur la phytotoxicité du fluazifop-butyl étaient irréguliers et les raisons possibles en sont discutées. Wirkung einer Vorbehandlung mit Ethephon auf die Reaktion von Elymus repens (L.) Gould auf Fluazifop-butyl In Gewächshausversuchen war die Wuchshem-mung von Elymus repens durch Fluazifop-butyl gelegentlich durch eine Vorbehandlung mil Ethephon verstärkt. Untersuchungen mil ¹⁴C-Fluazifop-butyl ergaben, daß Ethephon die Ak-kumulation von ¹⁴C in basalen Knospen und proximalen Teilen des Rhizoms förderte. Die so mögliche Veränderung der Verteilung von Fluazifop-butyl in den Quecke-Rhizomen kann zu der reduzierten Regeneration der Pflanzen geführt haben, vor allem aus den basalen Knospen, obwohl insgesamt keine groBere ¹⁴C-Menge im Rhizom gefunden wurde. Ethephon aktivierte nicht nur die Sinks im Rhizom, son-dern auch in den oberirdischen Teilen und kon-nte zur Ausbildung von Knospen ohne Sinks führen. Die Wirkungen des Ethephons auf die herbizide Wirkung des Fluazifop-butyls war unregelmaßig, und die moglichen Grunde dafiir werden diskutiert.     

Growth of Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. at different light intensities

Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. raised from rhizomes both responded to reduced light intensity by increased stem length, while the number of aerial shoots was reduced. The weight of the aerial parts was not influenced by a 50% reduction of the daylight intensity, but a further reduction of light caused a significant decrease in weight. The production of new rhizomes was more influenced by shading than were the aerial shoots. The consequence was an increase in the shoot/rhizome ratio. The food reserve per bud measured as inter-node weight in E. repens and A. gigantea was reduced only with intensive shading, and the vitality of the rhizomes appeared independent of light intensity. Intensive shading in early as compared to late summer caused a reduction in the number and weight of aerial shoots, but not in the weight of new rhizomes. Light intensities equal to those found in a spring wheat crop allowed more E. repens growth than light intensities equal to those in a spring oat crop. E. repens raised from seeds and grown at light intensities equal to those found in a cereal crop, showed insignificant rhizome production.     

A second survey of cereal weeds in central southern England

A survey of grass weeds of cereals in central southern England made in 1981 was repeated in 1982 between 28 June and 23 July. Dicotyledonous weeds were also assessed in 1982. A total of 1021 fields were surveyed, 702 in winter wheat. 198 in winter barley and 121 in spring barley. A total of twenty-four grass weeds were found and their levels of infestation were scored. The most frequently found grass weeds were the same as in 1981. In all cereals combined, these were Elymus (Agropyron) repens in 35% of fields, Avena fatua in 32%, Alopecurus myosuroides in 26% and Poa trivialis in 24%. Sixty-three species of dicotyledonous weeds were recorded and of these, eighteen species occurred in 2% or more of fields. The eight most frequent were Viola arvensis, Galium aparine, Stellaria media, Myosotis arvensis, Polygonum aviculare, Convolvulus arvensis, Bilderdykia (Polygonum) convolvulus and Lamium purpureum. Most species were fairly uniform in distribution, but Galium aparine, Convolvulus arvensis and Cirsium arvense were most frequent in the east while Viola arvensis was least frequent there. The cereals varied in weediness, 32% of winter barley, 23% of spring barley and only 7% of winter wheat fields had no weeds recorded.     

The effect of temperature on sprouting and early establishment of Cynodon dactylon

Bud-sprouting dynamics, sprouting base temperature and reserve mobilization of rhizomes and stolons of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. were characterized in a laboratory experiment under dark conditions. In addition, the dynamics of sprout emergence were determined during 2 years under field conditions. In the laboratory experiment, buds from the vegetative structures did not sprout at temperatures below 7^C. The rate of sprouting increased with temperature within the range 11–33^C, and a base temperature of 7.71^C was determined for bud sprouting of rhizome and stolons of the weed. An exponential model is proposed relating the percentage of sprout emergence in the field to accumulated thermal units, calculated as the sum of the daily mean air temperature above the base temperature of bud sprouting. This model satisfactorily predicted the dynamics of C. dactylon sprout emergence in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop fields. The efficiency of carbohydrate reserve use during sprout growth was highly dependent on temperature and type of vegetative structure The efficiency was maximum at 20^C and was higher for rhizomes than for stolons. The main factors influencing bud sprouting and early weed establishment are discussed.     

Weight loss in overwintering below‐ground parts of Sonchus arvensis under current and temperature‐elevated climate scenarios in Sweden

Weight loss in overwintering below‐ground parts of perennial weeds has been attributed to respiration, but neither its temperature dependence nor its relevance for biomass dynamics under changing climate conditions have been investigated. In two experiments, we quantified weight loss of the perennial weed Sonchus arvensis, by measuring weight changes over time of sprouting roots in dark rooms at temperatures of 4, 8 and 18°C. Dry weight loss rates were 0.47, 0.64 and 1.47% day^?1 at 4, 8 and 18°C, respectively, giving a half‐life time of 149, 110 and 47 days, respectively. A factor by which weight loss rates increase for every 10° rise in temperature (Q₁₀) was equal to about 2.3. Cumulative weight loss may comprise >40% of the below‐ground biomass during overwintering periods. Applying weight loss rates and Q₁₀ to elevated soil temperature projections showed that losses during winter seasons in central Sweden will remain basically constant, the effect of increased weight loss at higher temperatures being balanced by shorter winters. This implies that need for control of S. arvensis in a changing climate will persist, but that shorter winter seasons will provide a longer time window for control of S. arvensis prior to sowing crops.     

Control of Elymus repens by rhizome fragmentation and repeated mowing in a newly established white clover sward

Control of perennial weeds, such as Elymus repens, generally requires herbicides or intensive tillage. Alternative methods, such as mowing and competition from subsidiary crops, provide less efficient control. Fragmenting the rhizomes, with minimal soil disturbance and damage to the main crop, could potentially increase the efficacy and consistency of such control methods. This study's aim was to investigate whether fragmenting the rhizomes and mowing enhance the control of E. repens in a white clover sward. Six field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Uppsala, Sweden, and Ås, Norway. The effect of cutting slits in the soil using a flat spade in a 10 × 10 cm or 20 × 20 cm grid and the effect of repeated mowing were investigated. Treatments were performed either during summer in a spring‐sown white clover sward (three experiments) or during autumn, post‐cereal harvest, in an under‐sown white clover sward (three experiments). When performed in autumn, rhizome fragmentation and mowing reduced E. repens shoot biomass, but not rhizome biomass or shoot number. In contrast, when performed in early summer, rhizome fragmentation also reduced the E. repens rhizome biomass by up to 60%, and repeated mowing reduced it by up to 95%. The combination of the two factors appeared to be additive. Seasonal differences in treatment effects may be due to rhizomes having fewer stored resources in spring than in early autumn. We conclude that rhizome fragmentation in a growing white clover sward could reduce the amount of E. repens rhizomes and that repeated mowing is an effective control method, but that great seasonal variation exists.     

Impacts of applied Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on the dynamics of a Cirsium arvense population

A field experiment was conducted from October 1992 to March 1997 in a sheep‐grazed pasture in Canterbury, New Zealand, to determine the effects of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on the long‐term dynamics of a population of Cirsium arvense. The pathogen was applied in mid‐spring either once or in three consecutive years when the C. arvense shoots were vegetative rosettes, using a granular, mycelium‐on‐wheat preparation that lodged on the C. arvense leaves, stems and in the leaf axils. The single application caused disease in the C. arvense that was confined to the application year. The disease resulted in a temporary (17 months) reduction in population size through initial mortalities among treated shoots and resultant reductions in root growth, adventitious root bud, subterranean shoot and, subsequently, aerial shoot population sizes. The soil seedbank was 80% lower in the treated plots than in the control plots in the first year. Seedlings were never found. The annually repeated application of S. sclerotiorum did not result in the expected continuing decline in the C. arvense population relative to the control population.     

Seasonal variation in sprouting capacity from intact rhizome systems of three perennial weeds

The three rhizomatous perennials Elytrigia repens, Equisetum arvense and Tussilago farfara are all problematic in Scandinavian agriculture, due to their low susceptibility to soil cultivation. While repeated soil tillage is a fundamental part of the integrated control of these species, it is highly energy consuming and inefficient during periods when little sprout regrowth occurs. Substituting cultivation with mowing will reduce the environmental impact and labour costs, but its efficiency will still depend on the capacity of plants to sprout. Therefore, we studied the seasonal pattern in emergence and rhizome biomass allocation from July to April in six populations for each of the species. Plants were grown outdoors in pots buried in soil and exhumed at regular intervals in a two‐year experiment. In all three species, biomass allocation to rhizomes continued until late in the autumn. Emergence was severely impaired in E. arvense and T. farfara in September–October, while in E. repens, there was no such reduction in the number of emerged shoots. However, in the latter species, the shoot/rhizome ratio decreased and remained low until the plants had been exposed to a period of low temperatures. The increase in shoot/rhizome ratio for E. repens coincided with the resumed capacity to emerge for E. arvense and T. farfara. These results imply that there is no need to repeat a defoliation of E. arvense and T. farfara, if carried out in September–October. However, removal of the aerial plant parts early in the autumn is important to interrupt the upload of storage compounds to the rhizome systems of all species.     

Purple nutsedge tuber sprouting

Purple nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus L.) tubers remain viable for several years and serve as its principal means of survival. The maintenance of high moisture content is essential to tuber survival. Apical dominance influences bud dormancy within a tuber and in a chain of tubers, and dormancy increases with tuber age. Several growth inhibitors were identified in tubers, but their role in tuber dormancy has not been established. Moisture levels in soil must increase to a critical level before sprouting occurs, but excess soil moisture deters sprouting. Oxygen may be a limiting factor for tuber sprouting in waterlogged soils. Although light is not a requirement for sprouting, it has promoted sprouting. Temperature regulates sprouting; no sprouting occured below 10°C and above 45°C. Optimum sprouting occurred between 25 and 35°C when provided with constant temperatures. However, daily alternating temperatures greatly stimulated sprouting. A daily short duration (0.5 h) of high temperature increased sprouting to nearly 100%, whereas less than 50% sprouting occurred without the daily high temperature pulse. Bud break occurred readily for most tubers at 20°C and in nearly 100% of the tubers with a single 0.5 h exposure to a high temperature (35°C) pulse. However, most buds did not elongate if the tuber remained at 20°C. Bud elongation occurred at higher temperatures, and daily alternating temperatures stimulated shoot elongation up to eightfold greater than at the respective mean constant temperatures. Daily soil temperature fluctuation may be a major signal for purple nutsedge emergence, such as when the plant canopy is removed, or when soils are solarized. Future research is needed to determine tuber sprouting for different ecotypes, and on the role of the rhizome chain. Systems to manipulate sprouting may provide new strategies for purple nutsedge management.     

A novel approach to estimating the competitive ability of Cirsium arvense in cereals using unmanned aerial vehicle imagery

Eight experiments were carried out in Denmark to determine the yield loss of spring barley due to Cirsium arvense in farmers' fields and to suggest and evaluate a novel approach for quantifying C. arvense infestation in large plots. Literature about the competitive ability of C. arvense is old, scattered and inconclusive, and existing models for estimating crop yield loss are based on data from North America. This study showed that C. arvense coverage could be quantified from unmanned aerial vehicle imagery using a manual image analysis procedure. This gave similar results as scoring the coverage. Yield loss of spring barley due to C. arvense infestation assessed at harvest was given by Y = 100·(1−exp(−0.00170·X)) where Y is the percentage of crop yield loss and X is the percentage of C. arvense coverage. The yield loss was much lower than estimates from models that have been developed in North America. It is speculated that the main reason for this is the later emergence of C. arvense than the crop due to lower soil temperatures in spring. Grain moisture increased linearly with C. arvense coverage: M = 0.0310·X where M is the proportional (%) increase in grain moisture and X is the proportion (%) of C. arvense coverage. Automated image analysis procedures are needed to estimate C. arvense coverage on field scales, and further experiments are needed to reveal whether the low competitive ability of C. arvense found in this study is representative for Northern Europe.     

Effects of selective cutting and timing of herbicide application on growth and development of Cirsium arvense in spring barley

Recently, a new implement for controlling weeds in cereals (CombCut) has been developed. It cuts weeds in growing cereals without damaging them by using the physical differences (in height, stem thickness, straw stiffness and branching pattern) between crops and weeds. To evaluate and compare the effects of selective cutting with different timings of herbicide application on Cirsium arvense in spring barley, a randomised block experiment was conducted in Sweden in 2015–2017, in a field with a naturally occurring C. arvense population. Treatments consisted of control (C), herbicide application at 4–5‐leaf stage of C. arvense (H1), herbicide application at 8–10‐leaf stage (H2) and selective cutting at 10‐leaf stage (S). The treatments were performed in 2015 and repeated in 2016 in the same plots, and a final evaluation was performed in 2017. Compared to the control, S, H1 and H2 were equally efficient in reducing above‐ground biomass production of C. arvense and increasing spring barley grain yield per unit area. The number of C. arvense shoots per area was, however, higher in S compared to H1 and H2. No differences in control effects on shoot number were observed between H1 and H2. Our study indicates that (i) selective cutting (S) reduces C. arvense equally efficient as herbicide application and (ii) early herbicide spraying is as efficient as spraying later in the season.     

Phomopsis cirsii: a potential biocontrol agent of Cirsium arvense

Cirsium arvense is a noxious perennial weed which has become an increasing problem in north European countries. Biological control by natural antagonists is of increasing interest to supplement mechanical and chemical control. Several attempts to use fungi such as Alternaria cirsinoxia, Puccinia punctiformis and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as biocontrol agents have been initiated. No mycoherbicides against C. arvense have been developed and the search for aggressive pathogens continues. In a Danish survey, several fungi were isolated from C. arvense. Four are new records in Denmark: the white rust fungus Pustula andropogonis, the leaf spot fungi Ramularia cirsii, Septoria cirsii and Phomopsis cirsii. Our study shows that P. cirsii is pathogenic to C. arvense, causing stem canker and die back, and that it may have potential as a mycoherbicide against its host. Growth characteristics of P. cirsii on artificial media are described, as well as a scale measuring severity of visible symptoms of P. cirsii on C. arvense. The taxonomic characteristics of Phomopsis spp. are compared and discussed in relation to other records of Phomopsis spp. found on Cirsium spp. and C. arvense.     

Importance of timing and repetition of stubble cultivation for post‐harvest control of Elymus repens

Without herbicides, the control of Elymus repens relies on intensive tillage, often in the form of repeated post‐harvest stubble cultivations followed by ploughing. This is costly and time‐consuming and also increases the risk of nitrogen leaching. Our aim was to quantify the controlling effect on E. repens of single and repeated cultivation and differing time of cultivation in relation to spring cereal harvest. A 2‐year experiment was conducted at two sites in the south and east of Sweden in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. We compared no, single and repeated tine cultivation followed by mouldboard ploughing; the single cultivation was performed directly after harvest or 20 days after harvest; when repeated, the first cultivation was performed immediately or 5 days after harvest, followed by a second cultivation 20 days after harvest. Tine cultivation in combination with mouldboard ploughing resulted in 50–70% lower rhizome biomass, and increased average subsequent cereal yields by 0–130% compared with ploughing alone. Large E. repens populations appeared to be more efficiently reduced by tine cultivation than smaller populations. A single tine cultivation 20 days after harvest tended to result in a higher E. repens shoot density and more rhizome biomass in the subsequent year than tine cultivation directly after harvest. Additional cultivation 20 days after harvest did not improve control of E. repens or the subsequent cereal grain yield, compared with a single cultivation conducted directly after harvest. In conclusion, preventing the growth of E. repens during the early part of the post‐harvest autumn period was more important than starving rhizomes with repeated cultivations.     

Herbicidal control of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop,roots and shoots in no-till spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)*

Three herbicide treatments were applied each year over a period of 4 years to Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, infestations in no-till spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in North Dakota, USA. Both chlorsulfuron at 30 g ai ha^?1+a non-ionic surfactant and a mixture of clopyralid+2,4-D at 70+280 g ai ha^?1 gradually reduced Cirsium arvense shoot density, root biomass, and adventitious root buds over the 4-year treatment period in two trials. These two treatments did not merely induce adventitious root buds to become dormant. They virtually eliminated roots to a depth of 50 cm by year 4. Tribenuron methyl at 10 g ai ha^?1+ a non-ionic surfactant was less effective in reducing shoot density and root biomass. Lutte herbicide contre les racines et les tiges de Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, dans du bli de printemps non laboure (Triticum aestivum L.) Trois traitements herbicides ont été appliqués chaque année pendant 4 ans, contre des infestations de Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, dans du blé de printemps (Triticum aestivum L.) non labouré dans le Dakota Nord, USA. Tant le chlorsulfuron à 30 g m.a. ha^?+un surfactant nonionique qu'un mélange de clopyralide+2,4-D à 70+280 g m.a. h^? ont reduit progres-sivement la densité des pieds de Cirsium arvense, la biomasse racinaire, et les bourgeons racinaires adventices pendant les 4 années de traitements dans les 2 essais. Ces traitements ont à peu près éliminé les racines sur une profondeur de 50 cm en 4 ans. Ces deux traitements n'ont pas induit de dormance des bourgeons racinaires adventices. Le tribenuron methyl à 10 g m.a. ha^?+un surfactant non ionique a été moins efficace dans la réduction de la densité de plante et de la biomasse racinaire. Chemische Bekämpfung von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, in direktgesätem Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) In direktgesäter Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) wurdel in North Dakota. USA, Bestände von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, über 4 Jahre jährlich 3 Herbizidbehandlungen unterzogen. Sowohl Chlorsulfuron mit 30 g AS ha^?1 nichtionischem Netzmittel als auch eine Mischung von Clopyralid+2,4D mit 70+280 g AS ha^?1 verringerten die Sproßdichte der Acker-Kratzdistel, die Wurzelbiomasse und die Adventivknospen an den Wurzeln in 2 Ver-suchen graduell. Durch diese beiden Behand-lungen wurden nicht nur die Adventivknospen dormant, sondem auch die Wurzeln bis zu einer Tiefe von 50 cm bis zum 4. Jahr fast ganz elimi-niert. Tribenuron-methyl mit 10 g AS ha^?1 nichtionischem Netzmittel war hinsichtlich der Reduktion von Sproßdichte und Wurzelbiomasse weniger wirksam.     

Assessment of the compensation point of Cirsium arvense and effects of competition,root weight and burial depth on below‐ground dry weight – leaf stage trajectories

Farmers are recommended to employ mechanical control when Cirsium arvense is most sensitive to disturbance. Earlier studies suggest that this occurs at a stage of minimum below‐ground dry weight, coinciding with three to seven or seven to ten leaves per shoot, depending on the definition of below‐ground dry weight. However, some farmers notice better effects when mechanical control is performed at earlier leaf stages. To estimate the compensation point (CP), defined as the minimum weight of the entire below‐ground structure of C. arvense and to further understand links between initial root weight, planting depth and crop competition, three outdoor pot experiments were performed in Sweden in 2013‐2014. We hypothesised that (i) CP likely occurs before C. arvense has developed three leaves, (ii) relative depletion of the below‐ground system at CP is less at lower initial root weight compared with higher weight, and (iii) methodological variations in CP estimations have minor impact on the results. We found that the CP for C. arvense in all treatments occurred before shoots had developed three leaves and that treatment effects were minor (<0.5 leaf stages). Leaf and leaf stage definitions, choice of leaf range and model also had minor effects on CP estimates. Depletion of planted root fragments ceased around leaf stages 3‐4, and their partial replenishment also constitutes evidence for a CP at early leaf stages. For agronomy, our results imply that mechanical control of C. arvense should be performed earlier than previously recommended, probably before reaching an average of three to four leaves per shoot.     

Weed suppression in mixed cropped grain peas and false flax (Camelina sativa)

Mixed cropping peas with false flax, a brassica oil seed crop, in additive arrangements had a significant suppressive effect on weed coverage (63% in 2003 and 52% in 2004), compared with the monocropped pea plots. Weed suppression by false flax was apparently restricted to the establishment phase, because effects were significant against the key annuals Fallopia convolvulus, Sonchus oleraceus and Matricaria recutita, but ineffective towards the major perennials Cirsium arvense and Elytrigia repens. Relatively higher yields in mixed stands with calculated land equivalent ratios (LER) of 1.43 (2003) and 1.98 (2004) were the result of low monocrop yields mainly related to weed pressure not only in pea but also in false flax. Partial LERs were in favour of peas, demonstrating a balanced but asymmetric complementarity of the components, with peas as the main and false flax as the minor crop component. The role of false flax in row‐cropped peas can be characterized as both a smother crop and weed antagonist with no obvious indications for allelopathic traits. Weed suppression was probably achieved by a mutually enhanced competitiveness of both crop components, indicating a mechanism based on resource allocation, but further research is needed for a better understanding of weed‐suppressive traits in pea–false flax mixed cropping systems.     

The allelopathic activity of Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) in Tasmania

The phytotoxicity of extracts from the roots and foliage of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, was studied using seven test species. Water and alcohol extracts of C. arvense inhibited the germination of its own and Trifolium subterraneum L. seed, and inhibited the growth of its own seedlings, three annual thistles, and Lolium perenne L., T. subterraneum and Hordeum distichon L. The results are related to phytosociological patterns observed in the field, and it is suggest that the presence of phytotoxins in the soil may make the establishment of some pasture and crop species difficult in areas infested with C. arvense. Activité allélopathique du chardon Cirsium arvense L. Scop, en Tasmanie La phytotoxicityé d'extraits obtenus à partir des racines et du feuillage de Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, a étéétudiée en tulisant sept espèces servant de tests. Des extraits aqueux et alcooliques de C. arvense inhibèrent sa propre germination et celle des semences de Trifolium subterraneum L. Ils inhibèrent également la croissance de ses propres plantules, de trois chardons annuels, de Lolium perenne L. de T. subterraneum et de Hordeum distichon L. Les résultats sont rapprochés des évolutions phytosociologiques observées au champ, et il est suggéré que la présence de phytotoxines dans le sol puisse rendre difficile l'implantation de certaines espèces fourragères ou autres dans les endroits infestés par C. arvense. Die allelopathische Aktivität von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. in Tasmanien Wurzel- und Blattextrakte von Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. wurden auf ihre phytotoxische Wirkung mit sieben Test-pflanzen geprüft. Wasser- und Alkoholauszüge von C. arvense hemmten die Keimung der eigcnen und der Samen von Trifolium subterraneum L. Das Wachstum der eigenen Keimlinge, sowie von drei annuellen Distelarten, von Lolium perenne L., T. subterraneum und von Hordeum distichon L, wurde gehemmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen einen Zusammenhang mit pflanzensoziologischen Feldbeobachtungen und es ist denkbar, dass die Gegenwart von Phytotoxinen im Boden den Aufwuchs von Grünlandpflanzen und Feldfrüchten in Fiächen, die mit C. arcense verseucht sind, erschweren kann.     

Phenotypic selection for seed dormancy in white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)

Eupatorium rugosum (Ageratina altissima), commonly known as white snakeroot, is a weedy plant that invades woodland areas in North America, Korea, and Japan. In order to examine the inheritance of seed dormancy in this species, seeds from a single population were screened for their differential germination response to stratification. After two cycles of recurrent selection, the seed from the shallow–dormant lines had 4.4 times greater germination prior to stratification than did the seed from the deep–dormant lines. The seed from the deep–dormant lines showed 3.4 times greater germination after stratification, compared to the seed from the shallow–dormant selections. This suggests that primary dormancy in the seed of white snakeroot is under some degree of genetic control. This perennial species produces overwintering rhizomes that give rise to adventitious, vegetative buds each spring. The plants selected for the production of seeds with lower levels of dormancy in the fall were observed to generate rhizomatous buds that were released from dormancy earlier in spring, compared to the plants that produced seeds with higher levels of dormancy. A statistically significant positive correlation also was observed between seed and bud dormancy in a naturally occurring population of white snakeroot. Common regulatory elements might be influencing dormancy in both the seeds and vegetative buds of this species.