Critical periods of weed competition in cotton in Greece

Four experiments were conducted in central Greece during 1997 and 1998 to determine the late-season presence of weeds in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the critical times for removing weeds. Experiments were conducted in natural, heavily infested cropland. The presence of weeds for more than 3 weeks after crop emergence caused significant reductions in crop growth and lint yields. However, weeds that emerged 11 weeks or more after crop emergence did not adversely impact yields. Total weed biomass increased with increasing time prior to weed removal. A weed-free period of 11 weeks after crop emergence was needed to prevent significant reductions in cotton height, biomass, number of squares, and yield. These results indicated that postemergence herbicides or other control measures should be initiated within 2 weeks after crop emergence to avoid significant yield reduction. For greater efficiency, soil-applied herbicides in cotton should provide effective weed control for at least 11 weeks. Curvilinear regression equations were derived to describe the relationship between critical periods of weed presence and cotton growth and fruit development.     

Critical period of weed interference in chickpea

The critical period of weed interference in one variety of chickpea was determined in field experiments carried out at two sites, Tabriz 2002 and Kermanshah 2003, Iran. Chickpea culture was either kept free of weeds for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 days after crop emergence (DAE) or weeds were allowed to grow for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 DAE. In these experiments, chickpea yield increased with increasing duration of weed-free period and was reduced by increasing duration of weed-infested period. Unweeded conditions for the entire growing season caused 66.4% and 48.3% seed yield reduction when compared with the treatment that was weed-free throughout the growing season, at Tabriz 2002 and Kermanshah 2003, respectively. The results indicated that chickpea must be kept weed-free between the five-leaf and full flowering stages (24–48 DAE) and from the four-leaf to beginning of flowering stages (17–49 DAE) at the two sites, respectively, in order to prevent >10% seed yield loss. At both sites, reduction in seed yield, because of the increased weed interference period, was accompanied by simultaneous reduction in plant dry weight, number of branches, pods per plant and 100-seed weight. This was supported by significant and positive correlations between these traits and chickpea seed yield. There was no significant correlation between the number of seeds per pod and seed yield. A linear regression model was used to describe the relationship between weed dry weight and seed yield loss.     

Competition from weeds and their control in direct-seeded rice

In direct-seeded upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield reductions due to weed competition ranged from 42 to 65% in field experiments conducted in eastern Utter Pradash, India. The most critical period, when crop losses due to weed competition were most severe, ranged from 10 to 20 days after emergence. Yields generally continued to increase, however, as the length of the weed-free period increased. The weed flora consisted of various grasses, sedges and broadleaved species. The most effective herbicide treatment evaluated was a pre-emergence application of alachlor followed by a post-emergence application of propanil or one mechanical weeding.     

Critical period of weed competition in three vegetable crops in relation to management practices

The critical period of weed competition was determined in three vegetable crops: early cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), pickling cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), and field-seeded processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). There were significant interactions between weed-removal treatments, year, and row width. Cabbage yields were reduced if plots were not kept weed-free for at least 3 weeks after transplanting or if weeds which emerged with the crop were allowed to remain longer than 4–5 weeks, Cucumber yields were reduced if plots were not kept weed-free for up to 4 weeks after seeding or if plots remained weed-infested longer than 3–4 weeks. Higher crop population densities (narrower row widths) in cabbage and cucumbers resulted in smaller plants, earlier competition from weeds, and therefore a shorter period that the crop could remain weed-infested without suffering reduced yields. Yields of direct-seeded tomatoes were reduced if plots were not kept weed-free for up to 9 weeks after seeding or if weeds which emerged with the crop were allowed to remain longer than 5 weeks. In each crop the timing of the critical period of competition was verified by weed removal only during this interval. There was a true critical period in direct-seeded tomatoes, but not in cabbage or cucumbers where a single weeding was sufficient to prevent yield losses.     

Effect of time of weed removal on growth and yield of potato

The effects of weed removal at five dates after planting the crop were examined and compared with weed-free and unweeded controls. The results revealed that the total weed population increased up to 6 weeks after planting and then decreased drastically in both the years. Total dry weight of weeds (at weeding and at haulm-cutting) was greatest in the unweeded control, followed by weeding at 10 weeks after planting. In both years, maximum yield was obtained where plots were kept weed-free, followed by weeding at 4 and 6 weeks after planting. The remaining treatments, including weeding at 2 weeks after planting, resulted in significant reductions in tuber yield. In unweeded control plots the tuber yield of potato was reduced by 40–43%.     

Critical period of weed control in transplanted chilli pepper

Summary Field experiments were conducted from 1991 to 1993 to determine the critical period of weed control in chilli pepper. The maximum weed-infested period ranged between 0.7 and 3.2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) at a 5% yield loss level. To prevent losses in total and marketable yields, weeds should be removed 2.1 or 0.9 WAT respectively. The end of the critical period decreased as the predetermined yield loss level increased from 2.5% to 10%. The minimum weed-free period ranged between 6.7 and 15.3 WAT at a 5% yield loss level depending on crop yield category. The chilli pepper crop required an average of 12.2 weeks of weed-free maintenance to avoid losses above 5%. Using a 5% yield loss level, the duration of the critical period of weed control was 14 weeks in 1991 and 11.2 weeks in 1993, but was shortened to 5.1 weeks in 1992. The results suggest that weeds must be controlled during the first half of the crop's growing season in order to prevent yield losses.     

Relationships between crop yield and weed time of emergence/removal: modelling and parameter stability across environments

Seventeen Italian experiments relating to maize, soyabean and durum wheat were used to analyse the variability of duration of tolerated competition (DTC) and weed-free period (WFP) curves across reasonably homogeneous areas. The data sets were analysed by regression analysis using four models relating yield loss to weed density, time of emergence and removal. These models differ in the way they account for the effect of time of weed removal on potential competitiveness. A sigmoidal relationship between these two variables appears necessary. The model with the best overall performance was then used to test the stability of the parameters that give the shape of the curve in relation to time of emergence and removal. This was done by comparing a full model with shape parameters specific to each experiment and a reduced model with a common set of parameters for all the experiments referring to a specific crop. For all three crops, the residual sum of squares of the reduced model did not increase significantly, indicating that, across tested environments, the yield loss caused by mixed weed infestations can be expressed by a single set of parameters relating weed competitivity to time of emergence and removal. For a given area, it should therefore be possible to predict yield loss on the basis of a quite limited set of experiments, thus greatly simplifying the development and use of decision support systems (DSS).     

Effects of some integrated management options on parthenium interference in sorghum

Parthenium is widely distributed across the uncropped areas of the tropics. It has slowly encroached into many crops and causes considerable yield loss. It heavily infests sorghum, which is widely cultivated by the resource‐poor farmers in Africa and Asia. Its interference and management in sorghum in these cropping systems is not well understood. Therefore, this experiment was undertaken to determine the appropriate parthenium management techniques to use in sorghum crops. All the studied weeds, in combination with parthenium, offered greater competition to sorghum than parthenium alone. Similarly, under a composite stand of weeds, parthenium was inferior in competitiveness to the other weeds until 60 days after sowing (DAS); by 90 DAS, it could accumulate a higher dry weight due to its consistent growth. A pre‐emergence treatment of atrazine (0.75 kg ha^‐1) with wheat straw mulch (5.0 t ha^?1) brought about a consistent and significant reduction in the parthenium growth and, consequently, increased the sorghum yield by 90.8%. Cowpea intercropping with and without pendimethalin (1.0 kg ha^?1) as a pre‐emergence treatment could not control parthenium between 0 and 60 DAS, but could reduce the parthenium growth during the later period of 60–90 DAS, which resulted in a significant increase in sorghum growth. These intercropping treatments increased the sorghum grain yield by 156.2% and 142.4%, respectively, over the unweeded control and by 18.5% and 12.1%, respectively, over the weed‐free control. These treatments also promoted a higher uptake of N, P, and K by the sorghum crop. Thus, cowpea intercropping was the most effective method for parthenium management vis‐à‐vis sorghum yield improvement, followed by cowpea intercropping with pendimethalin and then by atrazine as a pre‐emergence treatment with wheat straw mulch.     

Weed competition in irrigated cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Sudan Gezira

Losses of crop yield due to weed competition in unweeded plots averaged nearly 60% of weed-free yields in cotton and 70% in groundnuts. Weed competition was not directly related to weed groundcover but was dependent on the seasonal growing conditions. The critical period of weed competition in both crops was the 6 weeks between 4 and 10 weeks after crop emergence. During this period cotton could tolerate up to 25% weed groundcover without appreciable loss in crop yield. Groundnuts could tolerate not more than 10% weed cover before yield loss occurred. A main factor in achieving standards of weed control within these limits was preventing the early growth of monocotyledonous weed species: pre-sowing application of trifluralin and benfiuralin provided this over a wide range of growing conditions.     

Row spacing impacts the critical period for weed control in cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis>)

The knowledge on the critical crop-weed competition period is important for designing an efficient weed management program. Field studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 at the Agricultural Research Institute, Kahramanmaras, Turkey to determine the effects of three row spacing (50, 70 and 90 cm) on the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in cotton. A four parameter logistic equation was fit to data relating relative crop yield to both increasing duration of weed interference and length of weed-free period. The relative yield of cotton was influenced by the duration of weed-infested or weed-free period, regardless of row spacing. In cotton grown at 50 cm row spacing, the CPWC ranged from 117–526 growing degree days (GDD) (V2–V11 growth stages) in 2012 and 124–508 GDD (V2–V10) in 2013 based on the 5% acceptable yield loss level. At 70 cm row spacing, the CPWC ranged from 98–661 GDD in 2012 (V2–V13) and 144–616 GDD (V2–V12) in 2013. At 90 cm row spacing, the CPWC ranged from 80–771 GDD in 2012 (V1–V14) and 83–755 GDD (V1–V14) in 2013. In order to obtain a 95% weed-free yield, the weed management should start at 16 days after crop emergence (DAE) and continued until 52 DAE (V2–V11) for crops grown in 50 cm row spacing, 15 and 60 DAE (V2–V13) for 70 cm row spacing and 11 and 67 DAE (V1–V14) for crops grown in 90 cm row spacing. This suggests that cotton grown in narrow row spacing (50 cm) had greater competiveness against weeds compared with wider row spacing (70 and 90 cm). Cotton growers can benefit from these results by improving cost of weed control through better timing of weed management.     

江苏省移栽油菜田杂草防治阈期研究

综合多点试验,建立移栽油菜栽后有草或无草天数与油菜产量损失率之间的函数关系,研究了江苏省油菜田杂草的防治阈期。结果表明：油菜栽后有草天数（x)与油菜产量损失率（y)之间符合方程y=26.09/(1 43.35e^-0.0417x),栽后无草天数（x)与油菜产量损失率（y)之间符合方程y=0.00001 26.52e^-0.0227x。江苏省油菜田杂草的防治阈期约为栽后41－96d,相当于油菜全生育期的19．5％－45．7％,油菜处于7－9叶期,此前田间杂草的发生量占总量的90％左右。在此阈期内保持田间无草,既能保证杂草造成的减产率低于3％,又能充分发挥杂草在田间生态系统中所起的积极作用。     

Critical period for weed control in sesame production

Planning effective weed control in cropping systems requires exact appraisal of the weed intensity and duration of their competition with the crops. This 2‐year study was carried out in order to determine the critical weed control period in sesame fields. Related and relative crop yields were monitored and analyzed using a four‐parametric log‐logistic model. We recorded data from weed‐free plots and compared these with data from different periods of weed interference. In both the study years, the longer period of weed interference decreased the relative yield of sesame, whereas the yield was increased with increasing duration of the weed‐free period. A 51–78.7% decline in sesame yield was noted if the weeds were allowed to compete with the crop from planting to harvest. In the first year, the duration of the critical period for weed control (CPWC) was 177–820 growing degree days (GDD), which corresponded to 14–64 days after crop emergence (DAE), and between 170 and 837 GDD (13–64 DAE) in the second year; this was based on a 5% acceptable yield loss. The results of this study clearly elaborated that maintaining weed‐free conditions is compulsory from as early as the second week after the emergence of sesame plants, and this should be maintained at least until the ninth week to avoid sesame yield losses by more than 5%. These findings show that growers can benefit from CPWC to improve weed control in sesame production, including the efficacy of a weed control program and its cost.     

Promising herbicides for weed control in chickpea

Abstract

Chickpea suffers severe competition due to Chenopodium album L. infestation. Two to three hoeings are generally given to check C. album but increasing labour costs and scarcity of farm labour make the manual weeding difficult. Usage of herbicides appears to be a logical solution. Pre‐emergence applications of pendimethalin or ametryn alone at 1.5 kg ai ha^?1 or one handweeding at 35–40 days after seeding following either 1 kg ai ha^?1 of pendimethalin, ametryn or fluchloralin or metribuzin at 0.3 kg ai ha^?1 applied pre‐emergence gave effective control of C. album and seed yields similar to clean‐weeded chickpeas. There was an 84% reduction in seed yield of chickpea without weeding.     

Competition between annual weeds and vining peas grown at a range of population densities: effects on the crop

Competition between annual weeds and vining peas (Pisum sativum L.) at five target population densities between 11 and 194 plants/m² was examined by means of periodic destructive sampling of weedy and weed-free plots. A further area of each plot was cut and vined to assess yields. Weeds impaired vegetative development, particularly by reducing tillering in low density crops. This resulted in weedy plots having fewer pods per plant at harvest but a lower proportion of flat pods than weed-free plots. Weeds had no effect on numbers or weights of peas in full pods nor on tenderometer values of samples of vined peas. Adverse effects of weeds on the growth of individual crop plants decreased with increasing crop density. However, at lower crop densities many of the additional pods on weed-free plots contributed little to vined yield, while at higher densities, direct or indirect effects of weeds increased the problem of maintaining sufficient photosynthetic area during pod swelling to prevent pod abscission and poor ovule development. Regression analysis of yield on crop density and of yield on numbers of pods per plant showed that vined yield per hectare was reduced by weeds by a constant amount across the range of densities and numbers of pods examined. Vining throughput was also reduced in weedy as compared with weed-free crops, even on high density plots where little or no weed vegetation remained at harvest. In general, weed presence had effects similar to those caused by increasing crop density, but without the additional contribution to yield made by extra plants. Higher density crops suppressed weeds very effectively but were no less vulnerable to yield loss than those of lower density; they therefore merit just as much attention to effective weed control as crops suffering more visibly from competition by weeds.     

Critical periods for weed control in cotton in Turkey

Field studies were conducted over 4 years in south‐eastern Turkey in 1999–2002 to establish the critical period for weed control (CPWC). This is the period in the crop growth cycle during which weeds must be controlled to prevent unacceptable yield losses. A quantitative series of treatments of both increasing duration of weed interference and of the weed‐free period were applied. The beginning and end of CPWC were based on 5% acceptable yield loss levels which were determined by fitting logistic and Gompertz equations to relative yield data representing increasing duration of weed interference and weed‐free period, estimated as growing degree days (GDD). Total weed dry weight increased with increasing time prior to weed removal. Cotton heights were reduced by prolonged delays in weed removal in all treatments in all 4 years. The beginning of CPWC ranged from 100 to 159 GDD, and the end from 1006 to 1174 GDD, depending on the weed species present and their densities. Practical implications of this study are that herbicides (pre‐emergence residual or post‐emergence), or other weed control methods should be used in Turkey to eliminate weeds from 1–2 weeks post‐crop emergence up to 11–12 weeks. Such an approach would keep yield loss levels below 5%.     

耕作方式对夏玉米地杂草关键无草期的影响

在河北省夏玉米地调查了免耕地和常规翻耕地条件下杂草出苗和发生的情况,比较了这两种耕作方式的关键无草期。免耕地杂草出苗较常规耕地略有延后,但很快便趋于一致,两种耕作方式下杂草结束出苗的时间没有区别。耕作方式对夏玉米地关键无草期没有影响,在免耕和翻耕两种耕作方式下,玉米相对产量(RY)和苗后无草期(T)的模型为:RY=98.93×exp[-0.1439×exp(-0.04031×T)],关键无草期均为玉米苗后31d。     

A simple model of crop loss by weed competition from early observations on relative leaf area of the weeds

A new simple empirical model for early prediction of crop losses by weed competition was introduced. This model relates yield loss to relative leaf area of the weeds shortly after crop emergence using the relative damage coefficient q as the single model parameter. The model is derived from the hyperbolic yield density relationship and therefore accounts for the effects of weed density. It is shown that the model also accounts for the effect of different relative times of weed emergence. A strong advantage of the approach is that it can be used when weeds emerge in separate flushes. The regression model described experimental data on sugar-beet – lambsquarters (Beta vulgaris L. –Chenopodium album L.) and maize-barnyard grass (Zea mays L. –Echinochloa crus-galli L.) competition precisely. The model describes a single relationship between crop yield loss and relative leaf area of the weeds over a wide range of weed densities and relative times of weed emergence. Possibilities for scientific and practical application of the model are discussed.     

Response of onion (Allium cepa L.) plants to fertilizers, weed competition duration, and planting times in the central Jordan Valley

The competitive ability of onion with weeds and the effects of weeds on onion crop growth and yield were investigated in three field experiments carried out in the central Jordan Valley during the 1997–1998 growing season. Fertilizer application to the onion plants in the presence of weeds significantly lowered the onion yield and reduced the bulb diameter, compared to the unfertilized, weed-infested onion crop. Weed competition and onion yield reduction increased with an increase in the fertilizer rate. All weed-free treatments with or without fertilizer gave a significantly higher onion yield than any of the fertilized, weedy plots. The highest yield of onion was obtained from the weed-free plots with a moderate application of fertilizer. Weed competition reduced the growth, bulb yield, and size of onion in the plots established from bulbs, seedlings, and seeds when compared to the relevant weed-free controls. The effect increased with competition duration and was more pronounced in direct-seeded onion than in the other two types of planting material. However, onion grown from bulbs or seedlings gave better growth, bulb weight, and number and was more competitive than the direct-seeded onion. The results showed that the minimum number of days of weed competition needed for a significant reduction in onion growth was 42 days when propagated from bulbs or seedlings and 21 days after direct-seeding. Onion grown from bulbs tolerated weed competition better and produced a higher bulb yield than that obtained from direct-seeded or transplanted onion, irrespective of the planting dates. December was found to be the best planting time for onion that was grown from bulbs and seedlings, while November was the best planting time for direct-seeded onion, provided the plots were weed-free throughout the growing season.     

The critical period of weed control in double-cropped soybean

Double-cropped soybean after winter cereals is the most common soybean production system in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Weeds are among the main obstacles to double-cropped soybean. A study was conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) for double-cropped soybean. The treatments consisted of either allowing weeds to infest the crop for increasing durations after sowing, or maintaining plots weed-free for increasing durations after sowing. The Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to relative yields representing the critical weed-free period and the critical time of weed removal, respectively. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) were the dominant weeds. For 5% crop loss level, the CPWC was almost all season long, whereas it was from V1 to R6-R7 growth stages for 10% yield loss level. These findings indicate that pre-sowing or pre-emergence control methods should be applied in the region to avoid greater crop losses.     

Competition of sorghum cultivars and densities with Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta)

Field studies were conducted at two locations in southern Queensland, Australia during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons to determine the differential competitiveness of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars and crop densities against weeds and the sorghum yield loss due to weeds. Weed competition was investigated by growing sorghum in the presence or absence of a model grass weed, Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta). The correlation analyses showed that the early growth traits (height, shoot biomass, and daily growth rate of the shoot biomass) of sorghum adversely affected the height, biomass, and seed production of millet, as measured at maturity. “MR Goldrush” and “Bonus MR” were the most competitive cultivars, resulting in reduced weed biomass, weed density, and weed seed production. The density of sorghum also had a significant effect on the crop's ability to compete with millet. When compared to the density of 4.5 plants per m², sorghum that was planted at 7.5 plants per m² suppressed the density, biomass, and seed production of millet by 22%, 27% and 38%, respectively. Millet caused a significant yield loss in comparison with the weed‐free plots. The combined weed‐suppressive effects of the competitive cultivars, such as MR Goldrush, and high crop densities minimized the yield losses from the weeds. These results indicate that sorghum competition against grass weeds can be improved by choosing competitive cultivars and by using a high crop density of >7.5 plants per m². These non‐chemical options should be included in an integrated weed management program for better weed management, particularly where the control options are limited by the evolution of herbicide resistance.