Assessment of Chemical and Manual Weed Control Approaches for Effective Weed Suppression and Maize Productivity Enhancement Under Maize-Wheat Cropping System

Effective weed management in maize-wheat (M-W) cropping systems are accountable for higher yield and plant biomass. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of manual weeding and chemicals (pre- and post-emergence herbicide) for actual weed control to enhance maize yield and M?W system productivity. Herbicides were treated as pre-emergence (sole), post-emergence (sole) and its combined application (pre- and post-emergence) for weed eradication and suppression. Sole pre-emergence herbicide (acetyclour?+?atrazine) and sole post-emergence herbicides (nicosulfuron), and its mixed application were used in the experiments. The experiment was comprised on 6 treatments with one weedy check or control plot: W1?=?weedy check, W2?=?acetyclour?+?atrazine, W3?=?atrazine, W4?=?nicosulfuron, W5?=?nicosulfuron?+?atrazine, W6?=?acetyclour?+?atrazine?+?nicosulfuron and W7?=?manual weeding. Main weeds were Cyperus rotundus, Tribulus terrestris, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Cynodon dactylon. Experiential findings revealed that manual weeding was found most effective in terms of controlling weed and suppression. Among the herbicides application, promising results in terms of weed destruction and suppression were shown by combined application of acetyclour?+?atrazine?+?nicosulfuron which effectively controlled weeds as compared to other treatments. It was concluded that manual weeding drastically reduced weeds frequency and biomass while among the herbicides application acetyclour?+?atrazine and nicosulfuron could be promising for weeds suppression and clamp downing as compared to all other treatments under M?W cropping system.

     

The use of fomesafen for pre-emergence weed control in cotton

The herbicide fomesafen was found to be selective in preplanting and pre-emergence treatments in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). It was effective due to residual soil activity in controlling some of the most troublesome weeds in cotton fields,i.e., pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), black nightshade (Solarium nigrum L.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) and cocklebur (Xanthium spp.). The best soil activity of fomesafen was achieved from pre-emergence or preplanting applications which were activated when the soil was wetted by rain or sprinkler irrigation, but the herbicide caused damage to the crop’s foliage if rain fell just after the cotton emergence. The most effective and safest method for applying fomesafen in cotton fields was preplanting followed by mechanical incorporation to a depth of 10 cm. Combinations of fomesafen with trifluralin were effective and completed the spectrum of controlled weeds in cotton, including annual grasses, common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.).     

Weeds and weed management in irrigated lentil in northern Sudan

Weeds are a major constraint to increasing production of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in Sudan, Field studies were conducted to determine the yield loss due to weeds, to identify the critical period of weed interference, to evaluate the activity of different herbicide mixtures in controlting weeds and their selectivity for lentil, and to evaluate different methods of weed control for developing an integrated weed management practice. At Rubatab. unrestricted weed growth accounted for up to 84% loss in yield. The critical period of weed control was between 2 and 4 weeks after sowing. However, a weeding regime experiment at Dongola, a cooler location with a longer growing season, indicated that the critical period was between 4 and 6 weeks after sowing. suggesting that the critical period might vary with the environmental conditions. The herbicides imazethapyr (0.05 kg a.i. ha^-1), terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) and prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1), each in a tank mixture with pendimethalin (1.2 kg a.i. ha^-1), were tolerated by lentil, controlled weeds effectively and significantly increased yields at Wad Hamid. Their efficacy in controlling weeds at Rubatab was low, however, because of the presence of Tephrosia apollinea (Del.) DC. and Melilotus indica (L.) All., which tolerated these herbicides. Efficacy was also reduced in heavier soils. One supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing enhanced the performance of these herbicides under such conditions. A tank mixture of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) with either terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) or prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) also provided good weed control and increased yield of lentil at Wad Hamid. Application of a higher dose (1.5 kg a.i. ha^-1) of terbutryn and prometryn caused phytotoxicity. Irrigation before seed-bed preparation reduced grass and broad-leaved weeds by 58% and 40% respectively, and gave a 30% increase in grain yield over no irrigation. Pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) and a supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing gave excellent control of weeds and increased lentil yield by 57% over the weedy control. Thus, use of presowing irrigation, pre-emergence herbicide and one hand-weeding form an effective integrated package for controiling weeds in northern Sudan.     

Performance of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl in non-puddled transplanted rainy season rice and its residual effect on growth of the succeeding crop in rice-wheat cropping pattern

Abstract

A study was carried out in sandy clay loam textured soil of Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate weed control efficiency of pre-emergence herbicide pyrazosulfuron-ethyl either alone or in sequential application with post-emergence herbicide in transplanted rainy season rice under non-puddled strip-tilled (NPST) field condition and also to examine the residual effect of those herbicides on germination and growth of the subsequently grown wheat crop. Five treatment combinations of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl were tested against one weedy check and one weed-free check. The study revealed that NPST rice field was mostly infested by grass and sedge weeds and herbicide treatments offered a wide range of control (above 50% to 95%) on all types of weeds. Application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl followed by (fb) orthosulfamuron fb butachlor plus propanil provided the most effective and economic weed control over two years of the study. Moreover, micro-plot bioassay study claimed germination and growth of subsequently grown wheat were not adversely affected by herbicides that were applied in rice. Therefore, application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl followed by post-emergence herbicide could be effective and economic to control weeds in NPST rice under rice-wheat system, but proper rate and time of application should strictly be followed.     

Weed flora distribution in Greek cotton fields and its possible influence by herbicides

A weed survey methodology was used for 2 years in three provinces in Greece to determine the abundance and spatial distribution of weeds in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields. Based on a stratified random sampling procedure, the most frequently occurring weeds were counted in 150 cotton fields. The field surveys were conducted late in the growing season; hence, the weed populations consisted of species that had been present during the critical competitive period for the crop and may have contributed to yield losses.Solanum nigrum was the most abundant weed in the surveyed fields of the southern province, followed byCyperus rotundus, Convolvulus arvensis, Xanthium strumarium, Chrozophora tinctoria andCynodon dactylon, in descending order. The ranked weed flora in the fields of the northern province was differentiated, suggesting the geographical distribution of weed species. The weedsDatura stramonium andS. nigrum were recorded in high abundance and followed byAmaranthus spp.,Abutilon theophrasti, Portulaca oleracea, Chenopodium album andXanthium spinosum, in descending order. Although the use of preplant incorporated herbicides is the dominant practice in cotton cultivation, certain weeds continue to spread in increasing densities. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 26, 2005.     

The Story of Modern Agrochemicals

Abstract

In Hamoul in the Nile Delta, where barnyard grass was the prevalent weed, two field trials of 12 herbicides were carried out in transplanted rice (cultivar; G12a 170). In the 1972 season granular herbicides were shown to be significantly superior to liquid formulations. In 1973 an improved technique was investigated, broadcasting herbicide/gypsum mixture by hand onto flood water. This type of application was successfully extended to some 7,000 feddans during the 1973 and 1974 seasons with the use of molinate/gypsum mixture. All herbicidal applications seemed significantly superior to hand-weeding once. Among all the tested herbicides, molinate was found to be the most beneficial, since it increased the rice grain yield by 62.5% and 108.0% over one hand-weeding and the control respectively.     

Correspondence

Abstract

Twenty-seven different herbicides were tested at the AUB Agricultural Research and Education Center in the Beqa'a, Lebanon, to determine their effects on weeds in wheat, barley, maize, onion and sugar beet. Each herbicide was tested at three different rates as pre-emergence and post-emergence applications. Unweeded and hand-weeded check plots were included. Data on yield, quality and other agronomic characteristics of the crops tested were recorded.

Concentrations of 1,000 and 10,000 ppm of 2, 4–D caused a significant decrease in the height and grain yield of wheat and barley when sprayed at the 3-leaf stage. At the 5-leaf stage, injury to wheat and barley occurred only when sprayed at 10,000 ppm, whereas an increase in the grain yield was obtained at 1,000 ppm of 2, 4–D acid equivalent (1 kg a.i./ha).

Pre-emergence treatments of atrazine and simazine at 2.5 kg a.i./ha caused a significant increase in the forage and grain yields of maize as compared to unweeded check plots. Wheat, oats, vetch and sugar beet were injured when planted after triazine-treated maize, whereas onions and soyabeans were tolerant. Other promising herbicides tested on maize were C 3095 (N–3–trifluoromethylphenyl–N'–methyl–N'–methoxyurea) and BV– 201 (1–(3′, 4′–dichlorophenyl)–3–methylpyrrolidin–2–one) applied as a pre-emergence spray at 1 and 2 kg/ha respectively.

Pre-planting treatment of EPTC and pre-emergence treatment of pebulate at 2 kg/ha gave a slight increase in the yield of roots of sugar beet. BV–201 and BV–207 (1–(3–chloro–4–methylphenyl)–3–methylpyrrolidin–2–one) were phytotoxic to beet.

In onions, nitrofen, BV–201 and BV–207 at 1–2 kg/ha were promising as pre-emergence and post-emergence sprays. DNOC and dinoseb at 1.5 kg/ha and ioxynil at 0.5 kg/ha sprayed post-emergence increased the yield of onions significantly over the check. No significant effects of these herbicides were observed on the bulb index, moisture content and total soluble solids of onions.     

Control of Grasses and Weeds Growing in Asphalt Pavements

Abstract

Herbicides offer the engineer a means for controlling vegetation involving asphalt surfaces. The plants may arise from seeds or plant parts in the base material, by encroachment of plants from outside the pavement, or from seeds that become lodged in cracks or seams in the pavement.

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and many associated plants can be controlled with either pre-surface or post-surface application of herbicides. Pre-surface treatment just before the prime coat effectively prevents the penetration of the new surface by plants growing from the base material. Post-surface treatments are applied on a programme basis beginning with the start of plant growth in the spring. Subsequent treatments are applied when the plants again become green, usually 30 days after the initial treatment. A trichloroacetic acid (TCA) application at 200 lb/ac is used for each post-surface treatment.

Research is stilt seeking effective post-surface treatment for a mixture of annual and perennial broad-leaved and grassy weeds in northwestern Texas. Materials recommended for open-soil treatment in agriculture are not as effective when applied to the same materials growing in asphalt surfaces.     

Effects of removing Cynodon dactylon from a recently abandoned agricultural field

An understanding of ecosystem response to the removal of a dominant non‐native species is critical for planning control or eradication efforts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of recently abandoned agricultural fields in south‐eastern Arizona, USA to the removal of Cynodon dactylon, a dominant perennial rhizomatous grass. C. dactylon was removed from treatment plots using glyphosate herbicide. Repeated application of glyphosate to C. dactylon did have a significant impact on the cover of C. dactylon and in the community composition of the treated plots. However, patterns observed in this study were similar in both control and treated plots, suggesting that the response of the system to the removal of C. dactylon was nested within larger changes the entire system was experiencing during the time of the study. The short‐term, dynamic response to herbicide treatment seemed to be mediated by the amount and timing of precipitation. Additionally, though C. dactylon removal via herbicide treatment was effective, undesired effects including increases in other non‐native, noxious species were observed. The results demonstrate that control of C. dactylon would likely be possible and cost‐effective for this site. However, removing C. dactylon apparently created conditions conducive for other opportunistic species to increase. The decision to undertake a large‐scale eradication effort should weigh the benefits of C. dactylon removal against the potential increase in other undesirable species.     

Chemical weed control in rainfed upland rice in Nigeria

Abstract

Two field experiments on chemical weed control in Faro 41 upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety were conducted at a rainforest site near the National Cereals Research Institute, Amakama Substation in 1989 and 1990. The herbicides tested were a coformulated mixture of pretilachlor and dimethametryne at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg a.i./ha, a co‐formulated mixture of piperophos and propanil applied at 3.16 and 3.95 kg a.i./ha, and Oxadiazon at 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Two hand weedings and a ‘no weeding’ treatment were included. The herbicides were applied 5 days after planting. All were safely selective to the crop. Most provided adequate weed control through 8–12 weeks after planting. Weeds controlled included Cynodon dactylon, Commelina benghalensis, Dlgitaria horizontalis, Eleusine indica, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum as grass weeds. The broadleaf weeds were Emilia sonchifolia, Ageratum conyzoides, Portulaca oleraceae, Richardia brasiliensis and Ipomoea Involuncrata. The sedges Mariscus alternifolius and Cyperus esculentus were encountered in the plots. Pretilachlordimethametryne at 2.5 kg a.i./ha had the best weeding score. Twoyear average grain yields of 1.7–2.6 t/ha were obtained from the herbicide treatments. With only 0.4 t/ha from the unweeded treatment, yield losses of more than 80% were recorded.     

A New Approach to Weed Control in Puerto Rican Sugarcane Fields

Abstract

Experiments have been carried out on the south coast of Puerto Rico to determine the susceptibility of Leptochloa filiformis, Echinochloa colonum and Saccharum officinarum-spontaneum-robustum hybrids (sugarcane) to various herbicides applied post-emergence.

Ametryne proved to be the most suitable herbicide for use as a selective post-emergence grass-killer in sugarcane. The crop is resistant to rates of up to 1.6 lb a.i./ac, while very young seedling grasses are highly susceptible to this or lower rates. During tillering, the weed grasses rapidly become resistant and even 3.2 lb a.i./ac (which damages emerged cane) does not kill fully tillered seedlings. The residual pre-emergence effect of ametryne applied over seedling grasses is as pronounced as when this herbicide is applied to clean ground.     

Potential safeners for protecting sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) against chlorsulfuron,fluazifop-butyl and sethoxydim*

In greenhouse studies, the efficacy of the herbicide safeners NA(1,8-naphthalic anhydride), R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide), cyometrinil and CGA-92194 [N-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl-methoxy)imino-benzeneaceto-nitrile] in protecting grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. ‘Funk G623’) against injury from pre-emergence or early post-emergence applications of the herbicides chlorsulfuron, fluazifop-butyl and sethoxydim was examined. NA as a seed dressing at 0·5 or 1·0% (w/w) was the most effective of the four safeners and offered partial to good protection to sorghum against injury from the lower rates of pre-emergence applications of all three herbicides. R-25788 was totally ineffective as a sorghum protectant against fluazifop-butyl injury but it did antagonize partially the injurious effects of the lower rates of sethoxydim and chlorsulfuron on sorghum. Cyometrinil and CGA-92194 offered partial protection to sorghum against injury from the lowest rate of all herbicides but their efficacy against higher rates of the three herbicides was very limited. None of the four safeners was effective in protecting grain sorghum against injury from post-emergence applications of the three herbicides tested.     

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN MAIZE

Summary. From 1959 to 1962 the effects of some triazine and growth regulator herbicides applied pre-emergence and post-emergence to maize grown for silage were studied in field experiments on light to medium loam soils at Harper Adams College, Shropshire.
Atrazine applied pre-emergence at 1–1.5 lb/ac gave good control of annual weeds and was superior to simazine at equivalent rates. Soil moisture and rainfall after spraying were found to influence the activity of the triazines, but both were completely tolerated by maize. In 1960, 1961 and 1962 atrazine was much more effective against annual weeds than post-emergence applications of MCPA and 2,4-D. However MCPA and 2,4-D gave adequate control of a range of annual and perennial weeds under favourable conditions in 1959 and 1960 but results were poor in the two following years due to the presence of resistant and late germinating weeds .
The effect of the herbicides on development and yield of ihe maize are discussed.
Le désherbage chimique dans le mais     

Nature and importance of weeds in sorghum in the Yemen Arab Republic

Abstract

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the dominant crop in North Yemen agriculture, covering about 70–80% of the arable land. Weed control is still carried out mainly by hand. Many of the weeds are used as fodder for animals. A total of 137 weeds was collected in sorghum. Most frequent were Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Cyperus mtundus (L): their importance decreased, however, under a well‐established sorghum crop providing good shade cover and under conditions of increased crop fertilization with mineral nitrogen. Under these conditions, for example, Commelina spp. and Flaveria trinerva (Spreng.) Mohr became commoner. Thus increased use of nitrogen altered the nature and hierarchy of the weed flora. Relationships between the indicator figures of the weeds and the habitat, as defined by Ellenberg, were confirmed. Traditional methods of weed control have so far worked well, as witness an average cover of 60% sorghum and 20% weeds. In future, however, rising costs and labour shortages will increase the demand for less time‐consuming weed control strategies.     

A preliminary evaluation of cotton herbicides for peasant farming in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of herbicide applications on the yield of seed cotton and on the amount of hand labour required for weed control were measured in experiments at sites in northern Nigeria. A foliage application of fluometuron depressed yields in one experiment. Both trifluralin incorporated pre-sowing and fluometuron applied at thinning gave measurable weed control until the end of the rains.     

Best timing for glyphosate treatments and possible combinations with pre and post-emergence weed control practices in no-till maize

Use of reduced and no-tillage systems has increased in recent years due to concerns for ecological and economic sustainability of agricultural production. Effective weed control is a serious concern in reduced tillage production. This study was conducted to investigate weed control practices in reduced and no-till maize production. The most effective timing of glyphosate application, either before or after sowing, was investigated in combination with pre-emergence application of acetochlor (840 g a.i/L), post-emergence application of foramsulfuron (22.5 g a.i/L), and two hoeing treatments. The treatments were maintained on the same plots during 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the cumulative effects of the treatments. Main plot treatments consisted of four timings of glyphosate application: 20 or 10 days before sowing, day of sowing, 5 days after sowing, and an untreated control. Sub-plot treatments were: pre- plus post-emergence herbicides, pre-emergence herbicide plus rotary hoeing, post-emergence herbicide plus rotary hoeing, and post-emergence herbicide plus two hoeing treatments (rotary and lister hoe). In the main plots, the lowest weed biomass was produced in glyphosate treatments at sowing and 5 days after sowing; the highest biomass was produced in control plots and in the plots with glyphosate treatments 20 days before sowing. In the sub-plots, the greatest weed biomass was produced in plots with two hoeing treatments (rotary and lister hoe). Glyphosate treatments at sowing and post-emergence herbicide treatment combinations produced the best weed control. Economic analysis revealed that pre-sowing, non-selective herbicide treatments provided a slight increase in net profit. Mechanical hoeing decreased net income due to increased production costs. The highest income was obtained from the pre-emergence plus post-emergence herbicide treatment combinations with no glyphosate.     

Mulberry leaf water extract inhibits bermudagrass and promotes wheat growth

Allelopathy has the potential to tackle the concerns associated with the indiscriminate use of synthetic herbicides. In search of a natural herbicide, the effects of mulberry (Morus alba) leaf water extracts on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were investigated. Four concentrations of extract (25, 50, 75, and 100%) were compared with a control (distilled water). The results revealed that the pregermination application of 100% mulberry leaf water extract resulted in the complete inhibition of bermudagrass and wheat germination. However, postemergence, two foliar sprays suppressed only the growth of bermudagrass and promoted wheat growth. The effect of the mulberry leaf water extract was concentration dependent. It is evident that the postemergence application of mulberry leaf water extract has the scope for use as natural herbicide for the control of bermudagrass and to promote the growth and yield of wheat.     

Weed Control in Wheat and Barley in the Middle East

Abstract

Wheat and barley constitute the bulk of agricultural production in the Middle East. Unfortunately, these crops are grown on marginal soils which are infested with annual and perennial weeds. The principal weed species include Avena sterilis L., Convolvulus arvensis L., and Sinapis arvensis L. and it has been estimated that yield losses due to weeds are between 20 and 30%. Control is mostly by hand pulling, hoeing or mechanical tillage, the use of herbicides being limited to about 2–5%, of the cereal area. The chemical used is usually 2,4-D but there are a few applications of barban. With the increase in wages, and unavailability of agricultural labour it is suggested that herbicide application should be widely used in the Middle East. Mixtures with benzonitriles and dicamba should be used in addition to the economical phenoxy herbicides to widen the spectrum of control of broadleaved weeds. Glyphosate may also be used after grain harvest for the control of perennial weeds and tri-allate, chlortoluron and other chemicals for the control of wild oats and other grasses. Plant breeders should study the genetic response of newly developed varieties to the most widely used herbicides.     

Insect Pests of Cotton – Western Herbaceum Region of India

Abstract

Pre-plant and pre-emergence herbicides were tested for effective weed control in a seed crop of okra during 1974–75 and 1975–76. All treatments significantly decreased the weed population and increased the seed yield as compared to the unweeded control. Fluchloralin (0.90 and 1.20 kg a.i./ha pre-plant), alachlor (2.50 kg a.i./ha pre-em) and EPTC plus alachlor (3.75 kg a.i./ha pre-plant and 1.25 kg a.i./ha pre-em) proved to be the most effective and economical treatments. No residual effects were observed with any herbicide on the succeeding crops of radish, carrot, turnips, peas and spinach.     

湖南省棉田杂草调查

对湖南省棉花主产区棉田杂草的种类、发生规律及化学除草情况进行了调查。结果发现, 湖南省棉田常见杂草包括12科, 28种, 其中禾本科杂草占25.00%, 阔叶杂草占67.86%, 莎草科占7.14%; 一年生杂草占78.57%, 多年生杂草占21.43%。相对多度10%以上的杂草有7种, 其中马唐、牛筋草、千金子、铁苋菜、小飞蓬5种杂草为湖南省棉田杂草的优势种, 相对多度分别为37.79%、33.64%、29.15%、26.23%、23.83%。杂草发生呈现3个高峰期, 分别为5月下旬, 6月中下旬, 7月下旬至8月初, 杂草防除主要采用苗前土壤处理和苗后茎叶处理相结合的化学防除方法。