Parthenium hysterophorus L. control in response to pyraflufen-ethyl application

Pyraflufen-ethyl is a phenylpyrazole herbicide for control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine pyraflufen-ethyl efficacy for control of Parthenium hysterophorus at the rosette and flowering stages, respectively. Both growth stages were treated with pyraflufen-ethyl at six rates ranging from 0.46 to 14.60 g a.i. ha⁻¹. Aboveground dry weight of rosette P. hysterophorus was reduced 90% by pyraflufen-ethyl at 2.33–2.65 g a.i. ha⁻¹ 14 days after treatment (DAT). At the label use rate of 0.91–3.64 g a.i. ha⁻¹ for control of broadleaf weeds, pyraflufen-ethyl was estimated to provide 13–58% and 5–32% control of flowering P. hysterophorus 60 and 87 cm in height, respectively at 21 DAT. These results show that pyraflufen-ethyl can control rosette P. hysterophorus within the label use rate for broadleaf weeds. However, rates higher than the label use rate are required for control of flowering P. hysterophorus, showing that pyraflufen-ethyl must be applied at the early stages of P. hysterophorus growth for effective control.     

Optimizing dosage of sethoxydim and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl with adjuvants to control wild oat

Using adjuvants to optimize and increase the efficacy of herbicides is an acceptable manner to reduce herbicides undesirable impact on the environment. Therefore, to detect suitable adjuvants for sethoxydim or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, two dose-response experiments were conducted separately. The treatments consisted of six doses of sethoxydim or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl with and without adjuvants of Frigate, Citogate and Adigor against wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Moreover, the surface tension of a range of concentrations of adjuvants and adjuvants + sethoxydim or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl aqueous solutions was determined. Lower and higher surface tension values were obtained with aqueous solution of Citogate and Frigate alone and with herbicides. When adjuvants were combined with herbicides, wild oat control was significantly increased and was more than when were used alone. Between evaluated herbicides, adjuvant receptivity for sethoxydim was higher than for fenoxaprop-p-ethyl. Among evaluated adjuvants, the addition of Frigate and Adigor had the lowest and the highest effect, respectively, on the performance of sethoxydim or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl in controlling wild oat, which supports the solubilizing nature of cuticular waxes by Adigor as a theory.     

Weed control and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield under application of 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl and florasulam plus flumetsulam: Evaluation of the efficacy

Three field experiments were conducted at the research fields of Plant Protection Research Institute, Iran, at different locations in 2004–2005 to study the efficacy of different broadleaved herbicides to control weeds in wheat. Treatments were the full-season hand weeded and weed-infested controls, and post-emergence applications of florasulam plus flumetsulam at 8.75, 10.50, and 12.25 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 210, 245, 280, and 490 g a.i./ha, bromoxynil plus MCPA at 75, 100, and 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D at 560, 720, and 1120 g a.i./ha, tribenuron methyl, and 2,4-D plus MCPA. Herbicides were applied at wheat tillering stage. Naturally occurring broadleaved weed populations were used in experiments. Results indicated that bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus MCPA, and 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 490 g a.i./ha were the best options to control weeds. Bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha and 2,4-D plus MCPA also resulted in the highest wheat yield. Overall, it could be concluded that rotational application of bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus MCPA, and 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 490 g a.i./ha would be the best option to achieve satisfactory weed control, high grain yield and prevention of evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds.     

Evaluation of augmentative release of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Augmentative release of biocontrol agents has been largely successful for the management of insect pests but it has not been a common approach for weed management. Augmentation methods need to be developed for weed management, especially for pernicious weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus L., commonly known as pathenium or carrot weed. The leaf beetle Zygogramma bicolorata is a potential biocontrol agent of P. hysterophorus. Initial release of biocontrol agents is subject to uncertainties as to whether timely population built-up will take place in sufficient numbers. Several augmentative releases may be required to ensure early establishment of the biocontrol agents, for successful biological control of noxious weeds including pathenium. We made augmentative releases of larvae or adults of Z. bicolorata each to three sites, severely infested with pathenium at Jabalpur, India consecutively for a period of three years. Initially 10 larvae or adults per sq m were released in each plot, followed by a second, third and fourth release of 3, 1.5 and 1.5 larvae or adults per sq m at an intervals of 3, 7 and 14 days after the first augmentation. The pathenium at augmented sites were completely defoliated in 45 and 60 days by larvae and adults respectively. There was also a reduction in the pathenium density and plant height in the augmented sites as compared to the non-augmented sites. Over a period of 3 years augmentation resulted in a noteworthy negative effect on the weed.     

Management of Sinapis alba subsp. mairei winter cover crop residues for summer weed control in southern Spain

Sinapis alba subsp. mairei (H. Lindb. fil.) Maire, a wild subspecies of S. alba L., which is distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin, has been recently introduced in southern Spain as a winter cover crop in olive groves. The reason behind using this cover crop is for the reduction of Verticillium dahliae inoculum. The effectiveness of this cover crop for weed control has not been assessed to date, despite weed flora in olive groves being highly diverse and competitive, especially in spring and summer, when rainfall is low, temperature is high and crop water needs are at their maximum. The objective of this work is to assess the ability and optimum management of S. alba subsp. mairei cover crop residues for controlling summer weeds. This work offers a more detailed study of the influence of this cover crop on the seedling emergence of Amaranthus blitoides (prostrate pigweed) and Chenopodium album (common lambsquarters) in rainfed field conditions. A factorial design was conducted during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. The studied factors were the following: (1) S. alba subsp. mairei cover crops versus bare soil; (2) two different S. alba residue management techniques after mowing and chopping (incorporation into the soil with shallow tillage versus leaving the residues as a mulch); and (3) the effect on two artificially sown-out summer weeds (prostrate pigweed versus common lambsquarters). The S. alba subsp. mairei cover crop residues reduced the weed infestation by 50 and 60%, and it delayed weed appearance by 3 and 4 weeks the first and second years, respectively, compared with bare soil. The optimum cover crop residue management for weed control was to leave mulch. This management was especially efficient for controlling prostrate pigweed, whether no differences were found for common lambsquarters control when the residues were incorporated into the soil with tillage. These results indicate the great ability of S. alba subsp. mairei cover crop residues to provide summer weed control in rainfed field conditions. Its use, therefore, can contribute to the reduction of the number of herbicide treatments in olive groves.     

Broadening weed control with imazamethabenz combinations

Broad-spectrum weed control by use of imazamethabenz (AC 222 293) in herbicide combinations was investigated in the greenhouse. Imazamethabenz at rates ranging from 0·1 to 0·4 kg a.i./ha effectively controlled wild oats (Avena fatua L.). Additional control of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) was achieved when imazamethabenz, plus octoxynol surfactant, was applied in combination with MCPA (amine or ester) or commercial MCPA mixtures (bromoxynil/MCPA and cyanazine/MCPA). Only inclusion of propanil/MCPA in the combination reduced wild-oat control by imazamethabenz at the lower rate (0·1 kg/ha). Control of green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) was also obtained by use of fenoxaprop-ethyl in combination with imazamethabenz (plus octoxynol). Three-way mixtures of imazamethabenz (or plus octoxynol), MCPA alone or mixture, and fenoxaprop-ethyl may provide practical control of grass and broad-leaved weeds in the field.     

Critical competition period of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in maize

For minimizing yield losses due to infestation of a weed, it is essential to know about its critical period of competition in a specific crop. The yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different competition periods (0, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after crop emergence (DAE), and competition throughout growing season) of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. was tested during autumn seasons of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013. Increasing parthenium competition period increased its dry weight up to 448% and relative competition index up to 52%. The corresponding increases in the uptake of N (up to 581%), P (up to 700%) and K (up to 669%) were also recorded. Parthenium weed competition period of 35 DAE decreased grain yield and harvest index of maize. However, number of grains and grain weight per cob, and 100-grain weight of maize were reduced at parthenium weed competition period beyond 42 and 56 DAE, respectively. Maize grain yield losses varied between 21 and 53% with parthenium competition period ranging from 35 DAE to full growing season. Maximum N, P, and K uptake by parthenium was 18.4, 2.4 and 17.7 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. A three parameter logistic model was fitted to yield data in response to increasing durations of weed infestation. The critical timing of parthenium weed removal to avoid 5% and 10% maize grain yield loss was 8 and 17, and 13 and 23 DAE during year 2012 and 2013, respectively. Relatively shorter critical period of parthenium weed competition in maize crop suggested this weed to be highly allelopathic in addition to its competitive behavior.     

Biology,impact, and management of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. is one of the most problematic weeds across the world. It is an annual C₄ summer grass, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, emerged as a serious and persistent threat in 35 cropping systems in more than 60 countries. E. colona is reported as an important associated weed species in transplanted and direct-seeded rice. Diverse ecotypes, high seed production, short seed dormancy, rapid growth, competitive potential, allelopathic interaction, and resistance against several herbicides makes it a more adaptable and persistent challenge in various agro-ecosystems. Development of resistance to recommended or higher doses of numerous herbicides, including ametryn, atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, clefoxidym, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, glyphosate, metribuzin, propanil, and triazine, is a serious concern for the farming and scientific community. Crop infestation with resistant E. colona biotypes may ultimately increase the weed control cost. Unfortunately, investigations on seed dormancy release, genetic diversity, allelopathic interference, and competitive ability of this weed are inadequate in accomplishing its appropriate control in different environments. Therefore, a comprehensive review is presented here to gather the existing information, to pin point key findings, and to highlight the research gaps in the biology, interference, and management of E. colona. Different management options have been discussed in relation with eco-biology of this noxious weed. The potential research endeavours have also been highlighted in order to provide an insight of its existing scenario and to facilitate the future management strategies.     

Induced Effects of Exogenous Phenolic Acids on Allelopathy of a Wild Rice Accession （Oryza Iongistaminata, S37）

Four exogenous phenolic acids, including salicylic acid, fumalic acid, p-coumaric acid and p-hydroxybenzonic acid, were used to investigate the regulatory effects on allelopathy of a wild rice accession of S37 (Oryza longistaminata), which is a known allelopathic rice. The four exogenous phenolic acids induced the enhancement of the allelopathic potential of wild rice S37 in target weeds though the weed-suppressive activities were low, and the inducible effects were dependent on the specific phenolic acid, concentration and treatment time. After foliar application of exogenous phenolic acids, the inhibition rates for plant height, root length and fresh weight of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) were significantly higher than those of the control. Especially at the concentration of 100 mg/L, the inhibition rates for plant height and fresh weight of barnyard grass by fumalic acid were 38.12% and 26.31% higher than those of the control, showing that fumalic acid was more effective compared with other phenolic acids in inhibiting monocotyledon weed growth. Furthermore, the weed-suppressive activity of aqueous extract from the leaves of wild rice S37 treated with exogenous phenolic acids was increased, and it peaked at 48 h after the treatment with the aqueous extract, and then gradually declined.     

Allelopathic effects of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in the invasive process

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed), an annual native to North America, is now present in many European countries where it causes summer hay fever and interferes with several important crops. We investigated if common ragweed invasiveness could be explained by its leaf tissue and root exudate allelopathic potential on indicator crops (alfalfa, barley, maize, lettuce, tomato, and wheat), weeds (Echinochloa crus-galli, Solanum nigrum, Portulaca oleracea, and Digitaria sanguinalis), and common ragweed itself in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Different residue substrates were prepared for soil incorporation and trials were conducted under both laboratory (1, 2, and 3 g residues/Parker dish) and greenhouse conditions (1.28 g residues/pot). The effect of the preparations on the germination and growth of the indicator crops and weeds were evaluated relative to soil previously used to grow A. artemisiifolia. Results showed tomato was the most sensitive indicator crop species as growth was reduced by more than 50% in both laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Lettuce root and shoot growth were also inhibited, but only when common ragweed residues, and not root exudates, were added to the substrate. Among the weeds, E. crus-galli was not affected by common ragweed while D. sanguinalis suffered a large germination reduction (90%) after incorporation of 3 g of residues. If common ragweed occurred as weed in a field, the cultivation of a less sensitive crop such as winter wheat should be considered before the cultivation of a more susceptible crop.     

Role and effects of winter buds and rhizome morphology on the survival and growth of common reed (Phragmites australis)

To confirm the role of winter buds and rhizome morphology on the winter survival and subsequent growth of common reed (Phragmites australis), rhizome fragments of varying sizes with and without winter buds from three different P. australis populations were transplanted to small pots in a greenhouse and wintered by exposing them to a dry atmospheric condition. Survival ratios of the rhizome fragments with winter buds were much greater than those without winter buds regardless of population type, supporting that winter buds play a role as the insulator of rhizome fragments from dry atmosphere during winter season. Most growth characteristics of surviving P. australis from the rhizome fragments were similar to those in natural wetlands, indicating preserved growth characteristics through the rhizomes, which is an asexual organ. The average number of rhizome fragment nodes showed negative relationships with the number of blades per culm (P < .05) and basal culm diameter (P < .05) of surviving P. australis. In contrast, the diameter of planted rhizome fragments had significant positive relationships with the final shoot height (P < .05), above-ground dry weight (P < .05), root DW (P < .01), and total DW (P < .05). Rhizome volume also showed a similar correlation with the rhizome diameter. Thicker and larger rhizome fragments particularly with winter buds, indicating the young age of rhizome, seemed likely to guarantee greater survival and higher subsequent shoot growth and biomass production as well.     

Fusarium solani Upregulated Sesquiterpene Synthase Expression,Sesquiterpene Production and Allelopathic Activity in Piper betle L.

Activators of sesquiterpene synthase (STS) gene expression and sesquiterpene production in Piper betle L. were examined using quantitative real time PCR and gas chromatography mass spectrometry methods, and the allelopathic activity of untreated and Fusarium solani-treated betel extracts was tested on seed germination and on the shoot and root growth of Thai rice variety PSL2 (Oryza sativa cv. Phitsanulok 2) and three dominant paddy weeds (Eclipta prostrata, Echinochloa crus-galli and Chloris barbata). The results demonstrated that F. solani dramatically upregulated STS expression and productions of β-cubebene, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D sesquiterpene when compared with the untreated control, and that betel extracts had a greater inhibitory effect on weeds than on rice. The effects were more clearly detected on seed germination and root growth than on shoot growth, and they were found to be dose-dependent. It is also noted that F. solani-treated extract had stronger effects than the untreated extract. The species most sensitive to the allelopathic effects was C. barbata, germination of which was completely inhibited even at a dose of 0.1 mg/mL untreated extract. With regards to rice, although betel extract at 1.0 mg/mL showed no inhibition on germination, it affected the elongation of rice roots, in addition to those of the tested weeds. The obtained data suggested that F. solani has potential as an activator of sesquiterpene allelochemical production via STS expression, the latter leading to the treated betel extract having a stronger phytotoxic effect. These results were beneficial in the promotion of natural herbicide production using biotechnology.     

Inhibitory effects of cover crop mulch on germination and growth of Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Chenopodium album L. and Matricaria chamomilla L.

Cover crops may suppress weeds due to their competitive effects and the release of inhibitory compounds. We examined the inhibitory influence of 11 cover crop mulches on the germination and growth of weed species (Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Chenopodium album L. and Matricaria chamomilla L.) in laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments. In the laboratory, cover crop extracts were tested in germination bioassays at six concentrations (0–500 mg ml⁻¹). The germination rate and root length (i) were measured 10 days after treatment (DAT). Pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse to investigate the effects of cover crop mulch (ii) incorporated into the soil on weed germination and weed dry mass. Field trials measured the suppressive effects of cover crops and cover crop mixtures on weeds (iii). Correlations were determined between the experiments to quantify the competition and the biochemical effects of cover crops separately. Cover crop extracts at a concentration of 125 mg ml⁻¹ (i) significantly reduced the weed germination rate by 47% and the root length by 32% on average. M. chamomilla showed a lower susceptibility to the extracts of S. alba, R. sativus var. niger and H. annuus compared to C. album and S. media. The mulch-soil mixtures (ii) significantly reduced the germination rate by 50% and the dry mass by 47% on average across all three weed species, while M. chamomilla showed the highest tolerance to the mulches of V. sativa and A. strigosa. The correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between extract toxicity and field weed suppression and, thus, indicated a high impact of the biochemical effects of the tested cover crops on weed suppression, especially for S. media and M. chamomilla.     

Crop Allelopathy and Its Role in Ecological Agriculture

Summary

A number of crops exhibit allelopathic interactions that play a significant role in the complex environment of agroecosystems. Several studies have shown that allelopathic crops reduce growth, development and yield of other crops growing simultaneously or subsequently in the fields. Another aspect of interest regarding crop allelopathy is that allelochemicals may exhibit inhibitory effect on the same crop which is commonly called as crop autotoxicity. It is predominantly common in fields where sole cropping under reduced or no-tillage system is practiced. Though any crop part can be allelopathic, including even the pollens, but decomposing crop residues exhibit more influence on other plants. Furthermore, the extent of allelopathy by a crop plant varies with age, part and type of cultivar being used. Nowadays allelo-pathic crops are being used as an important tool in managing weeds and harmful pests under sustainable pest management programs. In this context several cover/smother and green manure crops with allelopathic nature hold a good promise as well as challenge for the future as they have a potential to suppress noxious weeds. Likewise, the decomposing residues of such crops can also be used for managing harmful weeds and pests vis-à-vis maintaining the sustainability of the system. The traditional practice of crop rotation which declined with the discovery of synthetic herbicides can also be revived, if allelopathic potential of rotational crops is well understood. Selection of cultivars with high allelopathic potential/high competitiveness is another possible way by which crop allelopathy can be better utilized for weed control and yield enhancement. Crops with less allelopathic potential can be genetically improved by incorporating desired genes encoding the synthesis of allelochemicals. Pure allelochemicals extracted and identified from some crop plants can also be used as bioherbicides.     

Shade reduces growth and seed production of Echinochloa colona,Echinochloa crus-galli,and Echinochloa glabrescens

Echinochloa species are problematic weed species in direct-seeded rice systems in Asia. Because of concern about the continuous use of single herbicides, cultural weed management strategies need to be developed to maintain the sustainability of direct-seeded rice systems. However, the design of such strategies requires an understanding of the differential responses of weeds to shade caused by crop interference. The effects of shade on growth and seed production of Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Echinochloa glabrescens were determined. Weeds of three Echinochloa species were grown continuously in full sunlight or in 50% or 25% of full sunlight, or started in full sunlight and transferred to 50% or 25% of full sunlight at 21 days after sowing. The results suggested that changes in shade regime did not affect the plant height of E. colona and E. glabrescens; however, shade reduced the height of E. crus-galli. Compared with the plants grown in full sunlight, 75% of continuous shade reduced E. crus-galli height by 22%. Shade reduced leaf, total shoot, and root biomass and seed production in all the weed species, if occurred during the early growth of the weeds. The weeds responded with increased leaf biomass ratio when grown in shade. Compared with full sunlight, continuous shade of 75% increased leaf biomass ratio by 90% in E. colona and this value was 25% in the other two species. The results of this study show that shade can reduce weed growth and seed production of Echinochloa species but it should not be considered as a stand-alone strategy to manage these weeds in rice. This highlights the need for the integration of other weed management strategies to achieve complete control of these species.     

Chemical control of weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Iran

Experiments were conducted in 2006–2007 at six research stations of the Iranian Plant Protection Research Institute to study the efficacy of different herbicides to control weeds in wheat. Treatments included mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium plus mefenpyr-diethyl (WG) at 45 + 45 + 135 g a.i./ha, respectively, sulfosulfuron at 21, 31.5, 42 and 51 g a.i./ha, chlorsulfuron at 15 g a.i./ha, bromoxynil plus MCPA at 600 g a.i./ha with clodinafop propargyl at 64 g a.i./ha, sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl at 36 g a.i./ha, mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium plus mefenpyr-diethyl (OD) at 15 + 3 + 45 g a.i./ha, respectively, and a full season weed-free control. Herbicides were applied at wheat tillering. Results showed that sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl, and bromoxynil plus MCPA with clodinafop propargyl resulted in satisfactory weed control and wheat grain yield at most locations. Weed control efficacy of both formulations of mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium was variable across locations. Efficacy of the OD formulation appears to depend upon location, so that application of this herbicide at Shiraz and Gorgan resulted in better weed control compared to use of the WG. Satisfactory performance of the OD formulation at Gorgan and Shiraz could be attributed in part to the even pattern of rainfall distribution during the growing season and wheat cultivar used, respectively. With respect to grain yield, however, the OD formulation was better than WG formulation at most of the locations.     

A Microencapsulation Method for Delivering Tetrodotoxin to Bivalves to Investigate Uptake and Accumulation

Most marine biotoxins are produced by microalgae. The neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) has been reported in many seafood species worldwide but its source is unknown, making accumulation and depuration studies in shellfish difficult. Tetrodotoxin is a water-soluble toxin and cannot be directly ingested by shellfish. In the present study, a method was developed which involved binding TTX to solid particles of humic acid and encapsulating them in agar-gelatin capsules. A controlled quantity of TTX-containing microcapsules (size range 20–280 μm) was fed to Paphies australis, a bivalve known to accumulate TTX in the wild. The TTX-containing microcapsules were fed to P. australis every second day for 13 days. Ten P. australis (including five controls fed non-toxic microalgae) were harvested after 7 days and ten after 13 days. Paphies australis accumulated TTX, reaching concentrations of up to 103 µg kg⁻¹ by day 13, exceeding the European Food Safety Authority recommended concentration of 44 μg kg⁻¹ in shellfish. This novel method will allow future studies to explore the effects, accumulation and depuration rates of TTX in different animals and document how it is transferred through food webs.     

Effectiveness of 1,3-dichloropropene as an alternative to methyl bromide in rotations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in China

Replicated field trials were conducted to determine the effect of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) as a potential alternative for methyl bromide (MeBr) in tomato–cucumber rotations in two successive cropping seasons in China. Fumigation with MeBr (400 kg ha⁻¹), three 1,3-D doses (180, 120 and 90 l ha⁻¹), an avermectin dose (187.5 g ha⁻¹) and an untreated control were compared. Tomato data revealed that MeBr was generally superior to the treatments involving 1,3-D and avermectin, which in turn were superior to the control, for improving tomato crop yield and inhibiting Meloidogyne incognita, weeds and mortality caused by plant disease. In a successive cucumber crop, all fumigants tested except avermectin, showed significant continual influence in the same plots. In most cases, the highest 1,3-D dose was comparable to MeBr. Overall, in both growth seasons, 1,3-D at the dose of 180 l ha⁻¹ was as effective as MeBr in increasing plant height, yield and in reducing the incidence of soil borne disease, especially in maintaining excellent M. incognita control, but it provided only moderate control of weeds. On the basis of these results, combining 1,3-D with other alternatives to MeBr, is recommended for satisfactory control of soil pests in tomato–cucumber rotations in China.     

Impact of different crop rotations and tillage systems on weed infestation and productivity of bread wheat

Crop rotation and tillage systems have important implications for weed infestation and crop productivity. In this study, five tillage systems viz. zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), deep tillage (DT), bed sowing (60/30 cm with four rows; BS₁) and bed sowing (90/45 cm with six rows; BS₂) were evaluated in five different crop rotations viz. fallow-wheat (FW), rice-wheat (RW), cotton-wheat (CW), mungbean-wheat (MW) and sorghum-wheat (SW) for their effect on weed infestation and productivity of bread wheat. Interaction between different tillage practices and cropping systems had significant effect on density and dry biomass of total, broadleaved and grass weeds, agronomic and yield-related traits, and grain yield of bread wheat. The un-disturbed soils (ZT) under fallow-wheat or mungbean-wheat rotations favoured the weed prevalence (a total weed dry biomass of 72.4–109.6 and 105.6–112.1 g m⁻² in first and second year, respectively). Contrary to this, the disturbed soils (CT, DT, BS₁ and BS₂) had less weed infestation with either of the rotations (a total weed biomass of 0.4–7.1 and 1.1–5.4 g m⁻² in first and second year, respectively). Sorghum-wheat rotation had strong suppressive effect on weed infestation in all tillage systems. The impact of crop rotation was more visible during second year of experimentation. Bed sown wheat (BS₁ and BS₂) in mungbean-wheat rotation had the highest wheat grain yield (6.30–6.47 t ha⁻¹) compared to other tillage systems in different crop rotation combinations.     

Effects of Application of Alfalfa Pellet on Germination and Growth of Weeds

Summary

Allelopathy is well known as an interaction among plants (including microbes) through chemicals produced by plants. Recently, many investigations have evaluated the possibility of the use of allelo-pathic substances as a natural herbicide. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is reported to contain allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of weeds. Experiments were conducted in Laboratory of Crop Science, Experimental Farm of Miyazaki University and Kobayashi city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan to determine the allelopathic impact of alfalfa pellet (commercial forage fodder) on germination and growth of lowland weeds, and its potential as a natural herbicide in paddy field. The results indicated that alfalfa pellet significantly inhibited germination and growth of 4 weed species, viz., Echinochloa orygicola, Digitaria ciliaris, Cyperus difformis and Monocholia vaginalis in rice paddies. Among the 4 tested weeds, the maximum inhibitory effect of alfalfa pellet was seen against Cyperus difformis. The degree of inhibition of weed growth by alfalfa pellet became stronger as the application of concentration increased. The results showed that alfalfa pellet might be used as a natural herbicide in rice paddies and might reduce the amount of herbicide used in paddy fields.