Control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) in cotton with benfuresate

The herbicide benfuresate applied preplanting to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields infested with purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) inhibited nutsedge growth for several weeks and was found selective for cotton. The best nutsedge control was achieved when the herbicide was mechanically incorporated following a preplant broadcast or band application which was activated by a sprinkler irrigation. The rate of benfuresate needed for effective and selective nutsedge control in cotton ranged from 0.80 to 1.60 kg/ha, the higher rates necessary in soils with higher clay and organic matter contents.     

Metabolic fate of methazole in purple and yellow nutsedge

The mechanisms for the tolerance of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and susceptibility of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) to methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] were studied. Both species absorbed and translocated[¹⁴C]methazole and metabolites from nutrient solution; however, greater amounts of ¹⁴C per unit weight were detected in yellow than in purple nutsedge. Although intact plants and excised leaves of both species rapidly metabolized methazole to DCPMU [1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylurea], detoxification of DCPMU to DCPU [1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea] occurred more slowly in yellow than in purple nutsedge. Compared to yellow nutsedge, a greater percentage of the radioactivity in purple nutsedge was recovered as polar products. Polar products were converted to the free forms of the parent herbicide and to phytotoxic DCPMU by proteolytic enzyme digestion. Based on the findings of this study, at least three mechanisms (differential absorption, metabolism, and formation of polar products) account for the differential tolerance of these two species to methazole.     

Growth and reproduction of Cyperus esculentus L. and Cyperus rotundus L.

The growth of both species (as characterized by their total dry weight, inflorescence dry weight, root and rhizome dry weight and number of shoots per pot) was similar, but they differed in the manner in which the dry weight was partitioned to reproductive structures. Each species partitioned less than 2% of its dry weight into floral formation. However, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) partitioned only 28% of its dry weight to tubers, whereas purple nutsedge (C. rotundus L.) partitioned 50% of its dry weight to fewer and larger tubers. The allocation of dry weight to reproductive structures was related to changes in day-length. Yellow nutsedge tuber formation increased as day-length decreased from 14.5 to 12.5 h, while floral formation did not begin until the day-length dropped below 14 h. Purple nutsedge formed inflorescences earlier and production continued throughout the remainder of the study, but tuber formation was curvilinear and accelerated as the day-length decreased.     

Effects of isothiocyanates on purple (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.)

Purple and yellow nutsedge are two of the most troublesome weeds in the world. In the south-eastern USA, both weeds are common in vegetable crops and are the most difficult weeds to control in this region. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the herbicidal activity of five liquid isothiocyanates (ITCs) (benzoyl, o -tolyl, m -tolyl, tert -octyl, and 3-fluorophenyl) on purple and yellow nutsedge. All ITCs were applied to soil in jars at 0, 100, 1000, 5000, and 10 000 nmol g⁻¹ of soil and sealed for 72 h to prevent gaseous losses, followed by nutsedge growth evaluations after an additional 18 days. All ITCs reduced purple and yellow nutsedge shoot density and shoot biomass over the concentrations evaluated, with differences in the effectiveness on each species apparent among the compounds. Based on the lethal concentration values for shoot density, all ITCs were more effective in suppressing purple nutsedge than yellow nutsedge. Benzoyl and 3-fluorophenyl were generally the most effective of the five ITCs evaluated.     

Effects of humidity and moisture stress on glyphosate control of Cyperus rotundus L.*

Glyphosate at 2 kg/ha was more effective in reducing regrowth of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) scapes at 90% than at 50% relative humidity (r.h.), and more effective at ?2 bars than at ?11 bars of plant water potential. Regrowth of treated plants subjected to water potentials of ?1 to ?8 bars was reduced 54–60% while at ?11 bars growth inhibition was only 34%. A time interval of as little as 8 h between application and excision was sufficient to give 47% reduction in regrowth at 90% r.h. None of the treated plants, except those clipped immediately after application, produced new shoots from the basal bulb, while all the untreated control plants produced one or more new shoots. Experiments using ¹⁴C-glyphosate substantiated these results. Three times more ¹⁴C-label was translocated into the underground parts of nutsedge at 90% than at 50% r.h. Twice as much translocated at ?2 bars than at ?11 bars of water potential.     

Factors affecting benfuresate activity against purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundas L.)

Benfuresate (2-3-dihydro-3,3-dimethylbenzofu-ran-5-yl ethanesulfonate) is a selective herbicide for the control of purple nutsedge in cotton. Under outdoor conditions, purple nutsedge was sensitive to benfuresate incorporated in soil up to eight days after initiation of shoot sprouting from the tuber. Older seedlings recovered from the damage. During the period of susceptibility to benfuresate, young shoots more sensitive than the roots. Under controlled environmental conditions, benfuresate applied directly to apical buds developing from the tuber caused severe damage to the treated bud and induced abrupt development of axillary buds. Negligible amounts of the applied herbicide were translocated from the treated part to the other buds and roots. Application of the herbicide to fully developed leaves had no effect, probably because of its rapid metabolism and low basipetal mobility. Its relatively high volatility may also contribute to its low foliar post-emergence activity. Tubers also absorbed herbicide vapours. Root uptake of ¹⁴C-benfuresate resulted in a rapid accumulation of ¹⁴C in the shoot, which had no effect on the purple nutsedge plant, regardless of concentration. The herbicide is rapidly converted, mainly to a non-phytotoxic polar product. These results may explain the high sensitivity of the weed to benfuresate at early growth stages, and the lack of sensitivity in mature plants.     

玉米行距对大豆/玉米间作产量及种间竞争力的影响

为明确大豆/玉米间作体系中玉米最佳种植行距,通过设置5个间作玉米种植行距(D10:10 cm、D20:20 cm、D45:45 cm、D60:60 cm、D70:70 cm),研究不同玉米种植行距对作物产量、体系生产力、种间相对竞争力的影响。结果表明:玉米行距改变不影响间作产量优势,土地当量比(land equivalent ratio,LER)均大于1;随玉米行距的增加,间作大豆产量随之下降,间作玉米产量随之升高,系统生产力(system production,SP)随之提升;间作玉米行距改变显著影响了间作大豆的结荚数和单株粒数,单株结荚数从D10处理的38.5荚·株-1下降为D70处理的15.8荚·株-1,单株粒数从D10处理的66.6粒·株-1下降为D70处理的26.4粒·株-1;随玉米行距的增加,间作玉米穗粒数呈现先增加后减小的趋势,D60处理穗粒数最大,达606粒;间作玉米行距改变显著影响了种间相对竞争力,随间作玉米种植行距的增加,大豆相对于玉米的竞争力Asm逐渐弱化,竞争力平衡点出现在D45处理,采样期平均Asm为0.01。因此,综合考虑间作体系产量,作物产量和种间竞争力,D45处理为大豆/玉米间作体系间作玉米的最佳行距配置。     

Comparison of commercial glyphosate formulations for control of prickly sida, purple nutsedge, morningglory and sicklepod

The efficacy of the commercial glyphosate [( N -phosphonomethyl) glycine] formulations Roundup Ultra, Touchdown and Engame were compared for the control of prickly sida ( Sida spinosa L.), morningglory ( Ipomeae hederacea var. integriuscula Gray), sicklepod ( Senna obtusifolia L.) and purple nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus L.). Engame is a new formulation of glyphosate that contains glyphosate acid and 1-aminomethanamide dihydrogen tetraoxosulfate (AMADS), a proprietary mixture of sulfuric acid and urea, other than glyphosate salt and surfactants. Injury by Engame differed from Roundup Ultra and Touchdown in that necrotic lesions formed on leaves several hours after treatment. Leaves of very susceptible species, such as prickly sida, were rapidly, although incompletely, desiccated and then became chlorotic and died in a manner typical of other glyphosate formulations. Engame was 2–3 times more active to growth inhibition than either the Roundup Ultra or Touchdown formulations, based on GR₅₀ comparisons expressed on an acid equivalent basis. The GR₅₀ estimates did not change over the 3 week evaluation period for prickly sida and purple nutsedge, and after 2 weeks after treatment for morningglory. The GR₅₀ estimates for sicklepod decreased over the 3 week evaluation period indicating a slower response to glyphosate. The application of AMADS alone caused minute necrotic lesions on sicklepod and purple nutsedge, and lesions up to 3 mm in diameter on prickly sida and morningglory. Further injury from AMADS was not noted and plants resumed growth without apparent delay. At glyphosate rates above 1120 g ha⁻¹, greater than 80% control was achieved at 7 days after treatment. These results demonstrate that glyphosate efficacy can be further enhanced by formulations that apparently improve uptake and translocation.     

Weed flora and seed yield in quinoa crop (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as affected by tillage systems and fertilization practices

The effects of tillage system and fertilization regimes on weed flora in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) were evaluated by means of two field experiments in 2011 and 2012. The experiments were laid out in a split-plot design with two main plots (conventional and minimum tillage) and four sub-plots (fertilization regimes). The results indicated that weed biomass and density in quinoa were influenced by the different fertilization and tillage treatments. Moreover, seed yield in conventional was 5%–13% higher than that of minimum tillage, probably due to the lower weed density and biomass. Concerning fertilization treatments, total weed density and biomass increased under manure application and inorganic fertilization. Tillage effects on weeds were species specific. The density of perennial weeds such as purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and the density of small-seeded weeds such as redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) were significantly lower under the conventional tillage than under the minimum tillage system.     

Factors affecting glyphosate activity in Imperata cylindrica (L) Beau, and Cyperus votundus L. I. Effect of soil moisture

Established Greenhouse grown plants of cogongrass Imperata cylindrica (L) Beauv.) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundusL.) were given three different soil moisture regimes; field capacity, moderate stress and extreme stress, followed 6 weeks later by glyphosate [(N-phosphonomeihyl) glydne] applications to the shoots at 0.2,0.4 and 0.8 kg/ha for Imperata and 0.3,0.6 and 1.12 kg/ha for Cyperus. Field capacity watering stimulated most vegetative growth in hoth species. Glyphosate given at field capacity decreased shoot dry weight in both species, and rhizome length, rhizome dry weight and total carbohydrate in Imperata and total number of tuber-bulbs in Cyperus. In contrast. at extreme soil moisture stress, glyphosate showed reduced activity which appeared to be related to the physiological and morphological behaviour of the plants arising from the drought trealment. Application of waier to the roots of the plants grown at soil moisture stress. I week before and I week afler glypbosate spraying, enhanced glyphosate activity, probably because of the recovery of processes disturbed by ibe soil moisture deficit.     

Effect of intervals between application and tillage on glyphosate control of Cyperus rotundus L.*

Research conducted in El Salvador, Central America, demonstrated that an interval of 3 days between application of glyphosate and tillage was sufficient to cause 90% reduction in purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) plants, while delays of 11–23 days generally gave slightly less reduction. à second application to the same plots 35 days following tillage resulted in more than 90% reduction with all intervals. Approximately 3 months after the initial treatment, tuber numbers had been reduced to half the original population. Germination of the remaining tubers was reduced by more than 50%. Glyphosate applied during the dry season caused an average of 79% reduction in plant numbers compared with 88% in the rainy season. However, in the dry season, the remaining plants had no competition from other weeds and after 5 months there was only à 40% reduction in nutsedge population. During the rainy season, 1, 2 and 3 kg/ha were equally effective, but 1 kg/ha was not sufficient in the dry season.     

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.     

Reduction of Striga hermonthica parasitism on maize using soybean rotation

Striga hermonthica is a serious parasite of cereals in most of the semi-arid savanna zone of West Africa, causing substantial yield loss. It has been observed that some soybean cultivars are capable of stimulating germination of S. hermonthica seed, which would reduce the seed bank in the soil. This study was undertaken to quantify the effect of a soybean crop (compared with a sorghum control) on S. hermonthica emergence in subsequent maize in three farmers' fields in northern Nigeria. Soybean cultivar TGx 1740-7F, previously identified as efficacious for S. hermonthica seed germination, was grown at four densities without P fertilizer to test the effect of increasing plant density of soybean on subsequent S. hermonthica parasitism. The effect of P as single super phosphate was tested on the two highest soybean densities. S. hermonthica parasitism on maize was significantly lower after unfertilized soybean than after the sorghum control treatment at two of three trial sites. Soybean rotation increased maize yield by approximately 90% for the three sites combined. Increasing soybean plant density did not result in lower emerged S. hermonthica. Application of P to soybean at the higher soybean densities resulted in higher root length density, lower emerged S. hermonthica on maize (P<0.15), and significantly higher maize yield. The results suggest that an efficacious cultivar of soybean reduces S. hermonthica parasitism on a succeeding maize crop and that the effect is increased by application of P to the soybean.     

Inactivation of Paraquat by an Aqueous Extract of Rehmannia glutinosa

Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. & Mey. was very tolerant to paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium). The paraquat concentration required to reduce dry weight of R. glutinosa by 50% (GR₅₀) was 24 mM , whereas a similar effect was obtained with 0·75 mM in Zea mays L. (maize, cv. Dekalb) and Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean, cv. Kwangkyo). When 1·5 mM paraquat in 10% aqueous extract of R. glutinosa was applied to maize and soybean, growth inhibition reached 24% and 7%, respectively, of the untreated control. Decreased activity of paraquat due to the extract also occurred in both leaf discs and chloroplasts of soybean. The total amount of [¹⁴C]paraquat absorbed into soybean leaves after 48 h was 34%, but it was reduced to 17% when the extract was added. Translocation of [¹⁴C]paraquat was also inhibited in the presence of the extract. In thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis using various solvent systems, R_f values of [¹⁴C]paraquat with the extract differed from those without the extract. The results suggested that the aqueous extract of R. glutinosa contained a substance which could nullify paraquat activity. © 1997 SCI.     

玉米-大豆间作对草地贪夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

为绿色防控草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda,通过生命表研究玉米和大豆对草地贪夜蛾生长发育和繁殖能力的影响,同时室内测定草地贪夜蛾幼虫和成虫对玉米及大豆的产卵选择性和取食趋向性,并通过室内和田间小区试验研究玉米-大豆间作对草地贪夜蛾种群发生的影响。结果显示,取食大豆后草地贪夜蛾可以完成生活史,但与取食玉米相比,取食大豆会导致草地贪夜蛾发育迟缓,存活率降低,成虫期缩短,繁殖力下降和产卵天数减少;取食玉米的草地贪夜蛾种群的内禀增长率、周限增长率和净增殖率均显著高于取食大豆的草地贪夜蛾种群,取食玉米的草地贪夜蛾种群的平均世代周期低于取食大豆的种群,但两者间差异不显著。与大豆相比,草地贪夜蛾幼虫和成虫均对玉米有明显的趋性。当玉米与大豆按照2∶2比例间作时,植株上的草地贪夜蛾着卵率为65.31%,显著低于玉米单作的着卵率。当大豆包围玉米和玉米与大豆按照2∶2比例间作时,玉米的被害率分别为86.67%和85.56%,均显著低于玉米单作的被害率。表明玉米与大豆按适度比例间作可以显著降低草地贪夜蛾的发生和为害。     

Maize Virus and Mycoplasma Diseases in Peru

Abstract

Surveys of maize for virus and mycoplasma-like diseases were conducted in Peru in 1978 and 1980. The following pathogens were discovered and identified: aphid-borne maize dwarf mosaic virus, beetle-borne maize chlorotic mottle virus, Peregrinus maidis-borne maize mosaic and maize stripe viruses, and Dalbulus maidis-borne maize rayado fino virus, corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS) and maize bushy stunt mycoplasma (MBSM). Some of these insect-borne pathogens are important constraints to maize production in Peru. Maize chlorotic mottle in the department of Lima and Cajamarca and ‘puca poncho’, a disease caused by CSS and/or MBSM, in Ayacucho significantly limit maize yields. As a result of these surveys, we believe that the principal maize virus and mycoplasma-like diseases in Peru have been identified, an accomplishment unrealised in other Latin American countries at present.     

Velvetbean (Mucuna spp.) suppresses speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel) and increases maize yield

Speargrass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel, is a serious weed, threatening crop productivity in smallholder farms in West Africa. Since the use of more effective practices such as deep tillage and chemical control is beyond the means of resource-poor farmers who carry out most agricultural activities in this region, low-input alternative technology needs to be developed. Field studies were conducted during the 1993/1994 and 1995/1996 growing seasons to investigate the influence of three velvetbean accessions and two levels of fertilizer on the control of speargrass during the year of cover crop planting and one year later. The velvetbean accessions in 1993 were: Mucuna cochinchinensis and M. pruriens var. utilis. In 1995, M. pruriens var. IRZ was included in the study. M. cochinchinensis in 1993 and M. pruriens var. IRZ in 1995 had the highest ground cover rating early in the growing seasons whereas M. pruriens var. utilis had the lowest ground cover rating in both years. Inorganic fertilizer at30 kg ha- 1 each of N, P and K increased velvetbean ground cover by 2-22%, with M. cochinchinensis (14-22%) and M. pruriens var. IRZ (5-15%) showing the highest response in 1993 and 1995, respectively. M. pruriens var. utilis showed the least response in both years. After one growing season M. pruriens var. utilis, M. cochinchinensis, and M. pruriens var. IRZ reduced speargrass shoot density by 50, 76, and 68%, and shoot dry matter by 72, 92, and 79%, respectively. Fertilizer reduced speargrass growth in velvetbean plots, while the opposite occurred in plots without velvetbean. Velvetbean residue effectively suppressed speargrass until the beginning of the subsequent cropping season. Maize grown 1 year after velvetbean required 50% less weeding than plots without velvetbean. Maize shade reduced speargrass shoot growth by 30-80% but regrowth of the weed occurred 4 weeks before maize harvest. Maize grain yield was higher in plots previously seeded to velvetbean than in plots without velvetbean. Speargrass shoot density and dry matter were negatively correlated with maize grain yield (r =_-0.42 and r =_-0.32, respectively, P < 0.01). Although velvetbean may effectively reduce speargrass during the year of establishment and the subsequent cropping phase it has a limited effect on rhizomes and, as such, does not provide a long term control.     

Effets non compétitifs entre le chénopode blanc (Chenopodium album L.) et le mas (INRA 258)

Non-competitive effects between lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album L.) and maize (INRA 25H) Maize is extremely sensitive to competition from weeds, lamb's quarters (C.alhum) often being particularly competitive, Under controlled conditions in a growth chamber short term bioassay methods techniques have shown that lamb's quarters exerted inhibiting influences on maize growth which were not attributable to competition alone. These non-compctitive, specific influences became apparent mainly from the early flowering stage of lamb's quarters both in soil and in nutrient solution. With an identical concentration of lamb's quarters roots, the growth-inhibiting effects are more marked when the soil structure is modified than when it is not, similarly when the aqueous extract is obtained by placing soils in suspension, the inhibiting effects are more marked than when it is obtained by percolation. Finally, water leached from the leaves, roots or seeds of lamb's quaners shows inhibiting effects proport ional to the concentration on root growth of maize. The presence of phytotoxins in the culture media of lamb's quarters is discussed.     

Impact of leaf damage by defoliators on yield of soybean as a sole crop and as a main crop in intercropping systems

Defoliators are common insect pests of soybean and often cause economic losses. Insecticides are the first option that farmers choose to minimize the damage caused by the defoliators, and the result is not only the emergence of resistance to insecticides in the pests but also environmental pollution. A field experiment carried out at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India, in 2013 and 2014 in the kharif season (June to September) tested nine intercrops in soybean – all grown as rain-fed crops – for their ability to reduce the damage caused by defoliators to soybean leaves and the effect on grain yield of soybean. Of the three species of defoliators, namely Spodoptera litura, Hedylepta indicata, and Diachrysia orichalcea, S. litura was the most severe. Maize and pigeonpea proved the most effective intercrops because of their phenology, repellent chemicals, and physical barriers and also because they were not the natural hosts of the defoliators and did not compete with soybean. In these two crops, the incidence of the defoliators and the extent of damage to soybean leaves were the lowest and the yields were the highest (3.56 t ha^?1 in soybean–maize and 3.25 t ha^?1 in soybean–pigeonpea).     

Control of Fusarium verticillioides,cause of ear rot of maize,by Pseudomonas fluorescens

BACKGROUND: Maize is one of the staple food crops grown in India. Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg is the most important fungal pathogen of maize, associated with diseases such as ear rot and kernel rot. Apart from the disease, it is capable of producing fumonisins, which have elicited considerable attention over the past decade owing to their association with animal disease syndromes. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate ecofriendly approaches by using a maize rhizosphere isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Trev.) Mig. and its formulation to control ear rot disease and fumonisin accumulation, and also to study the capacity to promote growth and yield of maize. In vitro assays were conducted to test the efficacy of P. fluorescens as a seed treatment on seed germination, seedling vigour and also the incidence of F. verticillioides in different maize cultivars. The field trials included both seed treatment and foliar spray. For all the experiments, P. fluorescens was formulated using corn starch, wheat bran and talc powder. In each case there were three different treatments of P. fluorescens, a non‐treated control and chemical control. RESULTS: Pure culture and the formulations, in comparison with the control, increased plant growth and vigour as measured by seed germination, seedling vigour, plant height, 1000 seed weight and yield. P. fluorescens pure culture used as seed treatment and as spray treatment enhanced the growth parameters and reduced the incidence of F. verticillioides and the level of fumonisins to a maximum extent compared with the other treatments. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the potential role of P. fluorescens and its formulations in ear rot disease management. The biocontrol potential of this isolate is more suited for fumonisin reduction in maize kernels intended for human and animal feed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry