Comparative ecophysiology of grain sorghum and Abutilon theophrasti in monoculture and in mixture

Selection of crop genotypes that are more competitive with weeds for light interception may improve crop yield stability in the presence of weeds. The effects of interference on ecophysiological characteristics of Abutilon theophrasti Medic. and three morphologically diverse grain sorghum hybrids was evaluated to determine the relative tolerance and suppressive ability of the three hybrids and specific traits that may contribute to those differences. A tall hybrid was more tolerant to A. theophrasti interference than two medium stature hybrids. Early leaf area growth of two medium-stature sorghum hybrids was reduced by A. theophrasti interference, whereas early growth of a tall hybrid was unaffected. The height of A. theophrasti was greater than two moderate-stature hybrids but lower than the tall hybrid. Greatest leaf area density (L_D) of the tall sorghum hybrid was above that of A. theophrasti , whereas greatest L_D of medium-stature hybrids was below that of the weed. In monoculture, the partitioning of new biomass to various plant organs was similar among sorghum hybrids, whereas the tall sorghum hybrid partitioned less biomass to leaves and more to stems than medium hybrids in mixture. The results indicate that the three hybrids differ in their susceptibility to A. theophrasti competition. Crop traits that may contribute to greater crop competitiveness include greater maximum height and its growth rate and greater height of maximum leaf area distribution.     

Model of crop:weed competition applied to maize:Abutilon theophrasti interactions. I. Model description and evaluation

A complex set of interactions among crops, weeds and their environment determines the impact of weed interference on crop productivity. These interactions can be simulated with dynamic crop:weed competition models, such as ALMANAC. In this study, ALMANAC was modified to simulate maize: Abutilon theophrasti competition. In the modified ALMANAC model, daily increases in leaf area index (LAI), height and rooting depth are attenuated on the basis of accumulated above-ground biomass and by environmental stress. Also, a simple, flexible method is adopted to partition radiation in a mixed canopy. A maize: A. theophrasti competition study conducted near Aurora, NY, in which a range of weed densities (0–16 plants m⁻²) were established in a maize crop, was used to evaluate the model. The modified ALMANAC proved to be a useful tool for segregating the maize response to competition in 1991 (simulated loss of 35% at the highest weed density) from those in 1992–94 (simulated losses not greater than 16%). Based on these findings, the modified ALMANAC model is judged to be capable of distinguishing between environmental conditions that facilitate large yield losses and those that allow maize to outcompete A. theophrasti .     

Model of crop:weed competition applied to maize:Abutilon theophrasti interactions. II. Assessing the impact of climate: implications for economic thresholds

The practical application of single-season economic thresholds for post-emergence weed control decisions has been frustrated by the impact of growing season, climate and edaphic factors on crop:weed interactions. Competition in a mixed plant community is a dynamic process that is contingent upon species-specific growth characteristics and their expression based on environmental conditions. To address these issues, a modified version of the ALMANAC competition model was parameterized and run to simulate maize: Abutilon theophrasti competition with 30 years (1966–95) of historical climate data for a site in New York State. Simulations indicate that, when weeds do not emerge before maize, maize will only suffer substantial yield reductions from A. theophrasti competition in two out of every 10 years at this site. It is also evident that economic thresholds based solely on the level of weed infestation are inherently flawed. Long-term simulation results suggest that estimates of early season water stress could be used as an independent tool for rationalizing post-emergence control decisions. Shifting the focus from quantifying the infestation intensity of the weed population to assessing the competitive status of the maize crop indirectly with climate information may alleviate many of the problems commonly associated with threshold management strategies.     

CHEMICAL INHIBITION OF CROP GERMINATION BY WEED SEEDS AND THE NATURE OF INHIBITION BY ABUTILON THEOPHRASTI

Summary. Aqueous extracts of the ground seeds of thirteen weed species were assayed for their ability to inhibit the germination on filler paper of eight crop species. All of the extracts delayed germination of at least some of the crop species. Germination of some crop species was delayed when the crop seeds were surrounded by weed seeds on filter paper, The seeds of Abutilon theophrasti were inhibitory to tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) germinated in sterile and non-sterile soil in the laboratory. The inhibition of germination was apparent under conditions which excluded light, water and minerals as factors in the competition. Chemical studies indicated that the inhibition by Abutilon seeds was due to free amino acids emanating from the seeds.
Inhibition chimique de la germination de plantes cultivées par des semences de mauvaises herbes et nature de l'inhibition par Abutilon theophrasti     

Competition between maize and Datura stramonium in an irrigated field under semi-arid conditions

Crop growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) and Datura stramonium L. in monoculture and competition was studied over 4 years in a flood irrigated field in Zaragoza (Spain). Plant density was 8.33 m^–2 for maize and 16.66 m^–2 (1994 and 1995) and 8.33 m^–2 (1996 and 1997) for D. stramonium . Maize yield was decreased by 14–63% when competing with the weed. Yield reduction increased as the time between crop and weed emergence decreased. The development of leaf area per plant during the exponential growth phase was faster in maize primarily because the leaf area of maize seedlings at emergence time was greater than that of the weed. The faster growth of maize in leaf area and height reduced the photosynthetically active radiation received by the weed. Datura stramonium had a lower radiation use efficiency (RUE) than maize. Competition from the weed slightly decreased the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of the crop, and leaf senescence of maize was accelerated. The weed competed with the crop late in the season reducing crop growth rate, grain number per ear and grain weight. Competitive ability of D. stramonium for light was mainly due to its growth habit, with the leaves concentrated in the upper part of the canopy (more than 75% of LAI in the upper 25% of its height), its higher light extinction coefficient (0.89) and its indeterminate growth habit. The N plant content of maize was not influenced by the presence of the weed. The weed had a higher N plant content than the crop throughout the season and took up more N in monoculture.     

Over-winter predation of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi seeds in arable land

To improve understanding of over-winter weed seed predation in arable fields, we used data from winter exclosure trials to determine the amount of predation and the influence of crop habitats on predation of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi seed in 2-year (maize/soyabean) and 4-year (maize/soyabean/small grain+lucerne/lucerne) crop rotation systems between 2005 and 2008. Crop habitat influenced seed predation, and had similar impacts on the two weed species. Mean A. theophrasti predation ranged from 31% in the 2-year soyabean habitat to 99% in the 4-year lucerne habitat. Mean S. faberi predation ranged from 31% in the 2-year soyabean habitat to 97% in the 4-year lucerne habitat. Results suggest that a combination or interaction of cover and substrate may have affected crop habitat preference by seed predators. Future research should further examine the influence of physical habitat on seed predation to determine characteristics of cropping systems that encourage predation, particularly during over-winter periods, so as to routinely incorporate seed predators into long-term weed management strategies.     

Characterizing the spatial pattern of Abutilon theophrasti seedling patches

Spatial biology of weed populations is the study of weed patches and their relevant patch-level processes. In this context, a patch was defined as an area in which individuals are aggregated into discrete subdivided populations. Four Abutilon theophrasti seedling patches in two continuous maize production fields were surveyed using a contiguous grid of quadrats between 1995 and 1997. Surveyed area was dependent on patch size and ranged from 96 m² to 1134 m². Within each area, all seedlings were counted in each 1 m × 0.75 m quadrat in June, just before post-emergence weed control, and in mid-July after all weed control practices were completed. The spatial pattern observed in the seedling distribution maps was single or multiple focal points of high seedling density that decreased with distance from the focal point. Two-directional correlograms corroborated this visual observation, such that A. theophrasti seedling density in neighbouring quadrats was spatially autocorrelated, and correlation strength decreased with distance separating quadrats. Autocorrelation coefficients decreased at a greater rate across crop rows than parallel to crop rows. Visually, patch shape was elliptical and oriented in the direction of field traffic. Factors affecting patch-level processes of spatial aggregation, stability and edge dynamics were considered.     

Crop competitive ability contributes to herbicide performance in sweet corn

Crop variety effects on herbicide performance is not well characterised, particularly for sweet corn, a crop that varies greatly among hybrids in competitive ability with weeds. Field studies were used to determine the effects of crop competitive ability on season‐long herbicide performance in sweet corn. Two sethoxydim‐tolerant sweet corn hybrids were grown in the presence of Panicum miliaceum and plots were treated post‐emergence with a range of sethoxydim doses. Significant differences in height, leaf area index and intercepted light were observed between hybrids near anthesis. Across a range of sub‐lethal herbicide doses, the denser canopy hybrid Rocker suppressed P. miliaceum shoot biomass and fecundity to a greater extent than the hybrid Cahill. Yield of sweet corn improved to the level of the weed‐free control with increasing sethoxydim dose. The indirect effect of herbicide dose on crop yield, mediated through P. miliaceum biomass reduction, was significant for all of the Cahill’s yield traits but not Rocker. These results indicate that a less competitive hybrid requires relatively more weed suppression by the herbicide to not only reduce weed growth and seed production, but also to maintain yield. Sweet corn competitive ability consistently influences season‐long herbicide performance.     

Responses of Abutilon theophrasti to agricultural management systems

Seeds of Abutilon theophrasti Medic., collected from plants growing in a continuous maize or soyabean field subjected to herbicide application, cultivation or no weed management for 10 years, differed significantly in their weight and germinability. The differences in mean weight and germinability of the progeny seeds were maintained when the parent plants were grown in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. The offspring of plants with or without previous exposure to atrazine responded similarly to the herbicide in all the measurements of the growth and development of the plants, except blooms. Significant differences between the two groups of plants were mainly observed in the weight and germinability of their seeds. Although plants with or without previous exposure to atrazine usually did not differ significantly in their response to the herbicide in terms of individual traits, they differed both in the amount and pattern of overall response across all traits. The difference in overall response between plants increased with increasing rate of atrazine. It is possible that previous exposure to the herbicide had caused minor variation in a group of inter-correlated traits or in the strength or pattern of correlation among traits.     

Evaluation of selected commercial oilseed rape cultivars for early vigour,weed suppression and yield in southern New South Wales

The potential of oilseed rape to suppress weed growth while maintaining optimal yield and quality is not well understood under field conditions in Australia. This study, conducted in Condobolin and Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (NSW), during 2015 and 2016, examined a diverse range of commercial oilseed rape cultivars for their inherent ability to suppress weeds and maintain yields when in competition with natural weed infestations, with and without pre-emergent herbicide treatment. Cultivar differences were observed in oilseed rape canopy architecture and yield; however, early-season biomass, light interception, leaf area index and visual vigour ratings exhibited both year and location interactions. Cultivars with the highest biomass, light interception, leaf area indices and visual vigour were typically also the most weed-suppressive, in particular GT-50 and Hyola 600RR. Although crop and weed biomass accumulation differed significantly among cultivars for both location and year, weed biomass was inversely related to cultivar biomass in both years and locations. Hybrid Hyola and GT-50 cultivars exhibited up to 50% less weed biomass while maintaining consistently high levels of dry crop biomass. In addition, pre-emergent herbicide applications reduced weed infestation and contributed to higher crop yield in both locations and years. Given the consistent aboveground competitive ability of certain oilseed rape cultivars, our study demonstrated that diverse cultivar-dependent competitive traits such as early growth vigour, biomass production, absorption of photosynthetically active radiation and production and retention of crop residue significantly impacted weed establishment and total weed biomass. Our findings suggest that cultivar selection offers potential as a tool for maintaining suitable grain yield in the presence of weeds while potentially delaying the development of herbicide resistance through efficacious weed suppression.     

侵染苘麻的菜豆金色黄花叶病毒的鉴定及基因组结构分析

为明确引起我国山西晋中地区苘麻叶片表现皱缩和花叶症状的病原物及其基因组分子特征, 本研究利用双生病毒简并引物扩增获得病毒基因组部分序列,经测序、比对后设计特异性引物扩增病毒基因组序列, 进而通过生物信息学方法构建系统发育树并进行序列分析。结果表明:引起苘麻叶片皱缩、花叶的病原物为番茄黄化曲叶病毒(tomato yellow leaf curl virus, TYLCV), 将该分离物命名为TYLCV-Abu, GenBank登录号为OP293347, 但未扩增到β卫星。该病毒DNA-A基因组全长为2 782 bp, 含有6个开放阅读框。TYLCV-Abu分离物与TYLCV茄子分离物KSQ1-3(GenBank登录号KC428753)的核苷酸序列一致性最高, 为98.99%, 其中C4和V2编码的蛋白变异较大。重组结果分析显示,分离物TYLCV-Abu是由TYLCV-F(GenBank登录号KY971326)和TYLCV-KSQ1-3重组得到, 重组区域为其基因组2 617－2 782 nt区域。这是首次从苘麻样品中扩增到TYLCV全基因组序列并进行分析。     

杂草种类、叶龄及药后降水时间对烟嘧磺隆药效的影响

温室盆栽条件下研究了反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus、马唐Digitaria sanguinalis、稗草Echinochloa crus-galli、牛筋草Eleusine indica和苘麻Abutilon theophrasti 5种杂草对烟嘧磺隆的敏感性。结果表明:反枝苋和稗草对该药剂最敏感,而苘麻对烟嘧磺隆的耐药性最高。药液中添加2.5 mL/L的有机硅助剂Silwet L-77提高了对除马唐以外的所有草种的防除效果,表明在作用于马唐时Silwet L-77与烟嘧磺隆之间存在拮抗作用。杂草叶龄对烟嘧磺隆的药效有明显的影响,3~5叶期施药,防效高达89.9%以上,而7叶期的防效只有75%。药后1.5 h和3.0 h降水3 mm降低了烟嘧磺隆的防效,但药后6.0 h降雨对药效无显著影响。烟嘧磺隆与Silwet L-77混用,可提高药剂对反枝苋的抗雨水冲刷能力,但对马唐的效果没有提高。     

The relevance of morphological plasticity in the simulation of competition between maize and Datura stramonium

The INTERCOM model was calibrated for Datura stramonium and maize with data from monoculture plots, and used to simulate the competition between the weed and the crop. The model adequately simulated the growth (leaf area index, above-ground biomass, plant height, yield) of both species in monoculture. In competition, the growth of D. stramonium and the competitive effect of D. stramonium on the growth of maize were clearly underestimated. Simulation of competition was improved when the observed morphological adaptations of D. stramonium under competitive light stress, as reflected in dry-matter partitioning, height growth and specific leaf area (SLA) were considered. Model analysis demonstrated that the observed changes in SLA and height growth were more relevant for the increased competitive ability of D. stramonium . The modification of the model in order to simulate the effect of shading by an overtopping species in the SLA of the shaded species improved model simulation of competition.     

Performance of potential non-crop or wild species under OECD 208 testing guideline study conditions for terrestrial non-target plants

The inclusion of 52 potential non-crop or wild species in new OECD guidelines for terrestrial non-target plant (TNTP) testing led to a ring test conducted by four laboratories experienced in regulatory testing. Species selected had shown potential to meet validity criteria of emergence for TNTP studies in a previous evaluation of the 52 species. OECD 208 guideline conditions were applied, with and without seed pretreatments recommended to enhance germination. These species were Abutilon theophrasti (L.) Medic., Avena fatua L., Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Adans., Galium aparine L., Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. and Veronica persica Poir. Only I. hederacea met the validity criterion of 70% emergence in all laboratories and showed a low variability in biomass. Of the other species, none led to 70% emergence in all four laboratories. The recommended pretreatments did not have a major impact on emergence. Biomass was also investigated with A. theophrasti, A. fatua, Centaurea cyanus L., I. hederacea and Rumex crispus L. Variability of biomass, a key parameter in TNTP regulatory studies, exceeded normal biomass variability of crop species used for TNTP studies. The addition of a thin layer of quartz sand to the soil surface resulted in improved emergence of C. cyanus, G. aparine and V. persica; however, such a procedure, while routine in screening studies to improve germination, is a deviation from the TNTP guidelines. These initial studies indicate that some species could meet the emergence criteria for TNTP testing. However, there is a need for further studies on seed source, seed quality and conditions for uniform emergence before their use in routine regulatory testing.     

A weed suppressive index for spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties

A screening programme for crop variety competitiveness would ideally be based on only a few, non-destructive measurements of key growth traits. In this study we measured the weed suppressive ability of 79 varieties of spring barley in two ways: (i) directly, by weed coverage assessments under weedy conditions at three Danish locations in 2002–2004 and (ii) indirectly, by non-destructive measurements of varietal growth traits under weed-free conditions in 17 other experiments in Denmark in 2001–2003. Based on just four varietal growth traits (reflectance, leaf area index, leaf angle and culm length), we successfully developed a method for indexing the weed suppressive ability of spring barley varieties. The suppressive index ranged from 12% in Lux and 55% in Modena in proportion to the 90% quantile coverage of all varieties. The index was validated against independent data from two locations in 2005 with 14 and 24 varieties and was found valuable for future use in regular screening programmes.     

Weed–crop competition relationships differ between organic and conventional cropping systems

Experiments comparing conventional and organic systems often report similar yields despite substantially higher weed abundance in the organic systems. A potential explanation for this observation is that weed–crop competition relationships differ between the two types of systems. We analysed weed and crop yield data from the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial (FST), which provides a unique 27-year dataset of a conventional (CNV) and two organic [manure (MNR) and legume (LEG)] soyabean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and maize ( Zea mays L.) cropping systems. Average soyabean yields were similar between the MNR and CNV systems and only slightly reduced in the LEG system, whereas average maize yields did not differ among systems despite the two organic systems having more than four and six times greater weed biomass in soyabean and maize respectively. Plot-level weed biomass–crop yield relationships indicated that weed–crop competition differed between the two organic and CNV systems in maize, and was strongest in the CNV system, intermediate in the LEG system and weakest in the MNR system. These results suggest that organic cropping systems may be able to tolerate a greater abundance of weeds compared to conventional systems and that fertility management within organic systems may influence weed–crop competition.     

Photosynthetic and growth responses of zea mays L and four weed species following post-emergence treatments with mesotrione and atrazinet

We compared photosynthesis and growth of Zea mays L (corn) and four weed species, Setaria viridis (L) Beauv (green foxtail), Echinochloa crus-galli (L) Beauv (barnyardgrass), Abutilon theophrasti Medic (velvetleaf), and Amaranthus retroflexus L (redroot pigweed), following foliar applications with atrazine, mesotrione, or a combination of atrazine and mesotrione in two greenhouse experiments. Plant responses to the three herbicide treatments were compared with responses of untreated plants (control). Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of Z mays was not reduced by any of the herbicide treatments. Photosynthesis and dry mass of E crus-galli, A retroflexus and A theophrasti were significantly reduced by mesotrione and atrazine alone and in combination. Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of large Sviridis plants were not suppressed by either herbicide applied alone. The mesotrione plus atrazine treatment was the most effective treatment for grass weed control because plants did not regain photosynthetic capacity and had significantly lower dry mass. Shoot dry mass of broadleaf weeds was significantly reduced by all three herbicide treatments, except for A retroflexus treated with mesotrione alone.     

银胶菊花对苘麻和稗的化感作用

通过室内培养皿法,研究了银胶菊花水浸提液及其乙酸乙酯相、正丁醇相、剩余水相不同极性组分对苘麻和稗种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。定性测定结果表明,在50 g/L浓度处理下,水浸提液完全抑制苘麻和稗种子萌发,对苘麻和稗根长、芽长、鲜重抑制率分别为82.6%、89.1%、84.3%和91.7%、55.8%、39.1%;正丁醇相抑制苘麻种子萌发和幼苗生长最强,乙酸乙酯相抑制稗种子萌发和幼苗生长最强。定量测定结果表明,在1 g/L浓度处理下,乙酸乙酯相生物活性最高,苘麻和稗种子萌发率分别为13.3%和33.3%,对苘麻和稗根长、芽长、鲜重的抑制率分别为63.1%、80.0%、58.3%和51.3%、26.7%、23.3%。     

Growth parameters enhancing the competitive ability of corn (Zea mays L.) against weeds

In order to determine which plant growth parameters enhanced the competitive ability of corn ( Zea mays ) against weeds, a field study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. A factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was used. The factors consisted of weed treatments (including weedy and weed-free during all of the growing season) and corn cultivars (including KSC 260, KSC 302, KSC 500, KSC 647, KSC 700, and KSC 704). The plant growth parameters under study consisted of height, plant dry weight, the number of tillers, leaf area index, specific leaf area, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate. The results indicated that the cultivars, KSC 700 and KSC 704, had the highest competitive ability and the cultivars, KSC 302 and KSC 260, had the lowest competitive ability. The competitive ability of the cultivars, KSC 500 and KSC 647, was intermediate. All of the growth parameters under study, except the number of tillers, indicated a positive and significant correlation with competitive ability, and the relative growth rate showed the highest correlation. Variable selection using the stepwise multiple linear regression method revealed that, among the growth parameters under study, both the relative growth rate and the specific leaf area were the best predictors of corn cultivar competitiveness.     

玉米杂交种耐旱性状的因子分析

在干旱地区大田条件下,通过2a调查4个大面积推广玉米杂交种在4个不同干旱处理下与耐旱性有关的14个生长发育性状,选择差异显著的性状进行农艺性状和产量性状的因子分析。结果表明,影响玉米杂交种耐旱性和耐旱稳定性的主要性状是株高、结实长度、成穗率和出籽率,可利用其预测玉米杂交种的耐旱性。