The importance of light quality in crop–weed competition

Plant competition is thought to be driven by limiting resources. We propose that plant competition is triggered initially by the red to far-red light ratio (R:FR) originating from neighbouring plants, followed by a series of complex physiological processes, which exclude direct resource competition. Field experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 in which maize ( Zea mays ) was grown hydroponically. The effect of R:FR signal being reflected from the leaf surface of Amaranthus retroflexus was isolated by avoiding direct competition for light, water and nutrients. Results showed that the low R:FR reflected from the leaf surface of A. retroflexus did alter the carbon allocation pattern of maize when compared with maize growing free of weeds. Prior to silking, maize grown under low R:FR experienced temporal changes in plant height, persistent changes throughout the sampling period in root and shoot dry weights and rate of leaf appearance, but no changes in leaf area. At silking, low R:FR reduced ear and total plant dry weight. These results support the hypothesis that changes in R:FR acts as an early signal of pending competition by initiating a shade avoidance response. Data from this experiment suggest that once a plant is physiologically triggered into a shade avoidance response, these plants do so at a physiological cost, which may constrain plant development and possibly reduce reproductive fitness.     

Effects of phosphorus and light intensity on the growth and competition of the two weed species,Veronica persica and Chorispora tenella

Veronica persica Poir. (Persian speedwell) is an invasive alien weed species in the upland soils throughout China. Its dominance in weed flora could be alleviated by Chorispora tenella (Pall.) (tender chorispora) in P‐poor soils and in an intense light environment. Here, three experiments in growth chambers were carried out in order to explore the effect of P and light intensity on the growth and competition of V. persica and C. tenella, the pH value in their rhizospheres, and the kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) of the H₂PO₄^‐ uptake by the two weed species. The ANOVA results showed that the light intensity and P level in the soil obviously influenced the growth of the two weed species. However, the effect of the P level in the soil was greater for V. persica and the effect of the light intensity was greater for C. tenella. The restriction of the growth of V. persica by a low P level in the soil was much more than that of C. tenella, but it was reversed in the two species in relation to a low light intensity. In addition, the pH was lower in the rhizosphere of C. tenella after the P‐deficient treatment and there was a lower K_m in the uptake of H₂PO₄^‐ than for V. persica, suggesting that C. tenella could adapt to a low‐P environment more easily. In conclusion, C. tenella growing together with V. persica had a competitive advantage under high‐light‐intensity and low‐P‐level conditions, but it lost its advantage with an increase in P fertilization and a decrease in light intensity.     

光对入侵性植物黄顶菊种子萌发及植株生长的影响

入侵性杂草黄顶菊原产南美,2003年在我国河北省衡水湖首次报道。采用室内控制试验,对光与黄顶菊种子发芽及植株生长的关系进行了研究。结果表明：黄顶菊种子属光敏型,种子需要光刺激才能发芽。但其萌发对光强要求不严,1 000 lx光照强度30 ℃培养6、12 h和24 h转入暗培养,5 d后黄顶菊种子发芽率分别为67.0%、88.0%和95.8%。黄顶菊种子出苗与光照关系密切,播种在土壤表面、0.5 cm和1 cm深土层的种子出苗率分别为96.0%、8.0%和0。随光照强度减弱,植株的生物量及繁殖力显著降低。黄顶菊在35%自然光强下生长时其生物量、结实数比自然光强下分别降低55.0%和55.6%。上述结果为预测黄顶菊的适生区域及制订有效的防除策略提供了科学依据。     

Reduced crop sowing density improves performance of rare arable weed species more effectively than reduced fertilisation

Characteristic arable weed species of dryland cereal fields have undergone significant declines, due to agricultural intensification, to the point that some of them are considered rare. Crop edges host higher abundances of arable weed species, therefore they may act as a refuge for the conservation of these rare arable species. Using mesocosms, we experimentally tested how conditions at field edges (i.e. lower sowing densities and less intensive fertiliser applications) operate on the growth (biomass and height) and reproduction (reproductive biomass and flower onset) of six rare arable species. We found the rare arable species achieved lower biomass when growing with wheat compared with growing alone, and biomass of most of species was lower under high wheat sowing density than under low sowing density. In contrast, fertiliser application affected only two of the six arable species tested, especially when they were growing alone. Although the time to flowering was not affected by the conditions tested, reproductive biomass showed the same trends as overall biomass. These results indicate that conservation of rare arable species must primarily consider reductions in crop competition to increase their biomass and reproductive ability.     

The ecophysiological determinants of nitrophily in annual weed species

Plant nitrophily plays a key role in weed community assembly. To date, the determinants of the success of nitrophilic weeds and of the decline of oligotrophic weeds in intensive cropping systems are not fully understood. This study investigated which ecophysiological traits related to carbon and N nutrition explain plant nitrophily in field annual species. Twelve species (consisting of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, as well as crops and weeds) covering the oligotrophic‐nitrophilic continuum were grown in a glasshouse experiment at two contrasted conditions of soil‐nitrogen supply. From measured plant growth variables, ecophysiological traits were calculated to account for plant nutritional strategies. Globally, whatever the soil‐nitrogen supply, increased nitrophily was associated with a decreased allocation of carbon to root vs. shoot. At high soil‐nitrogen only, increased nitrophily was also generally associated with an increased nitrogen uptake activity per unit of root biomass, pointing to a trade‐off between oligotrophic species with a preferential carbon investment in root structure and nitrophilic species with a preferential carbon investment in root activity. Beyond these global trends explaining nitrophily, results also show that different strategies are possible for plant species to be considered as nitrophilic. This study provides evidence on why adjusting N fertilisation in quantity, in space (with nitrogen fertiliser placement on the row) or in time can be useful strategies to manage the most nitrophilic weeds, which are also the most problematic in intensive cropping systems.     

Growth response of six weed species and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) to increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth of six common weed species growing alone or in competition with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Chenopodium album, Papaver rhoeas, Sinapis arvensis, Spergula arvensis, Viola arvensis and spring barley were grown in pots with different levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha^?1) or phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 kg P ha^?1). The aboveground parts of the plants were harvested after 7 weeks and the dry weight of shoots, percentage N and P content of the shoot and uptake of N and P were determined. A linear or a polynomial model was used to describe the data. Growing alone, Spergula arvensis was the only weed species that increased its dry weight at the same rate as barley. Weed species with low dry weight increase had larger increases in percentage N or P content than barley, indicating a luxury accumulation of nutrients. The uptake of N and P per pot did not differ much between weeds and barley. V. arvensis and P. rhoeas accumulated least nutrients (per cent of dry matter) and Spergula arvensis accumulated most. Weeds grew poorly in competition with barley. The percentage N and P content in barley did not change when they grew in competition with weeds.     

Effects of relative humidity, light intensity and photoperiod on the colony development of Erysiphe sp. on Rhododendron

Growth and reproduction by powdery mildew pathogens is generally inhibited by decreasing relative humidity. With Erysiphe sp. on Rhododendron cv. Elizabeth, the initial stages of colony development were adversely affected by reducing the relative humidity from 100% to 70 and 85%. No significant effects on secondary or tertiary hyphal development were detected. Light intensity and photoperiod both had considerable effect on the induced resistance response of the host. Over the initial 5 days of colonization there were no significant differences between any of the treatments. After 13 days, however, expansion of fungal colonies at 180 photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was limited solely to the area initially infested by primary hyphae. By comparison, in colonies grown at 80 PAR regardless of day length, secondary and tertiary hyphae had extended beyond the area first colonized. These effects resulted in differing morphologies, small colonies of densely packed hyphae formed at 180 PAR compared with open spreading colonies at 80 PAR.     

Phosphorus fertilizer effects on the competition between wheat and several weed species

Information on phosphorus (P) fertilizer affecting crop–weed competitive interactions might aid in developing improved weed management systems. A controlled environment study was conducted to examine the effect of three P doses on the competitive ability of four weed species that were grown with wheat. Two grass and two broad-leaved weed species were chosen to represent the species that varied in their growth responsiveness to P: wild oat (medium), Persian darnel (low), round-leaved mallow (high), and kochia (low). Wheat and each weed species were grown in a replacement series design at P doses of 5, 15, and 45 mg P kg⁻¹ soil. The competitive ability of the low P-responsive species, Persian darnel and kochia, decreased as the P dose increased, supporting our hypothesis that the competitiveness of species responding minimally to P would remain unchanged or decrease at higher P levels. As expected, the competitiveness of the high P-responsive species, round-leaved mallow, progressively improved as the P dose increased. However, wild oat's competitive ability with wheat was not affected by the P fertilizer. The results suggest that fertilizer management strategies that favor crops over weeds might deserve greater attention when weed infestations consist of species known to be highly responsive to higher soil P levels. The information gained in this study could be used to advise farmers of the importance of strategic fertilizer management in terms of both weed management and crop yield.     

Ecological weed management by cover cropping: effects on weed growth in autumn and weed establishment in spring

Cover crops grown in the period between two main crops have potential as an important component of a system‐oriented ecological weed management strategy. In late summer and autumn, the cover crop can suppress growth and seed production of weeds, whereas the incorporation of cover crop residues in spring may reduce or retard weed emergence. Based on these two criteria, six cover crop species were evaluated for their weed suppressive potential in 2 years of experimentation in the Netherlands. Fodder radish, winter oilseed rape and winter rye had the strongest competitive ability in autumn; the competitive strength of Italian ryegrass was intermediate and white lupin and lucerne were poor competitors. Competitiveness was strongly correlated to early light interception. Surprisingly, doubling the recommended sowing density did not increase weed suppressive ability. Although a poor competitor in the fall, after incorporation in spring, lucerne had the strongest inhibitory effect on seedling establishment, followed by winter oilseed rape and white lupin. Winter rye and fodder radish did not affect seedling establishment, whereas Italian ryegrass was not evaluated because of re‐growth after incorporation. Competition in autumn and subsequent residue‐mediated suppression of weed establishment in spring varied among the cover crop species, with winter oilseed rape offering relatively strong effects during both periods.     

不同光质的光周期对青蒜苗生长、光合特性及蔗糖合酶活性的影响

为寻找适宜青蒜苗生长的光环境,以民乐紫皮大蒜为培养材料,设置短光照(12 h光照/12 h黑暗)和长光照(18 h光照/6 h黑暗)2种光周期,每种光照期分别设置白光、白光+红光、白光+蓝光、白光+红蓝混光4种光质,共8个光周期组合：12 h白光/12 h黑暗(12W/12D)、6 h白光+6 h红光/12 h黑暗(6W+6R/12D)、6 h白光+6 h蓝光/12 h黑暗(6W+6B/12D)、6 h白光+6 h(红光+蓝光)/12 h黑暗(6W+6(R+B)/12D)和18 h白光/6 h黑暗(18W/6D)、6 h白光+12 h红光/6 h黑暗(6W+12R/6D)、6 h白光+12 h蓝光/6 h黑暗(6W+12B/6D)、6 h白光+12 h红蓝混光/6 h黑暗(6W+12(R+B)/6D),测定其对青蒜苗生长和光合特性及蔗糖磷酸合酶(SPS)活性的影响。结果表明：(1)与短光照光周期相比,长光照光周期处理的青蒜苗叶长、假茎长和C_i分别降低17.66%、16.38%和20.38%(P<0.05),其中18W/6D处理降低最多,降幅分别为25.88%...     

Effect of light and dark on the growth and development of downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis

Disease development in plants requires a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and a favourable environment. Oomycete pathogens cause many important diseases and have evolved sophisticated molecular mechanisms to manipulate their hosts. Day length has been shown to impact plant–oomycete interactions but a need exists for a tractable reference system to understand the mechanistic interplay between light regulation, oomycete pathogen virulence, and plant host immunity. Here we present data demonstrating that light is a critical factor in the interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and its naturally occurring downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa). We investigated the role of light on spore germination, mycelium development, sporulation, and oospore formation of Hpa, along with defence responses in the host. We observed abundant Hpa sporulation on compatible Arabidopsis under day lengths ranging from 10 to 14 hr. In contrast, exposure to constant light or constant dark suppressed sporulation. Exposure to constant dark suppressed spore germination, mycelial development, and oospore formation, whereas exposure to constant light stimulated these three stages of development. A biomarker of plant immune system activation was induced under both constant light and constant dark. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Hpa has the molecular mechanisms to perceive and respond to light and that both the host and pathogen responses are influenced by the light regime. Therefore, this pathosystem can be used for investigations to understand the molecular mechanisms through which oomycete pathogens like Hpa perceive and integrate light signals, and how light influences pathogen virulence and host immunity during their interactions.     

Competitive interactions in mixtures of broccoli and Chenopodium album grown at two UV-B radiation levels under glasshouse conditions

Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on intra- and interspecific competition in broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and Chenopodium album were studied using bivariate factorial experiments. A randomized block design was used in which three monoculture densities for each species [144 (low), 256 (medium), and 400 (high) plants m⁻²] and all binary combinations were grown in a glasshouse at two (4 and 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹) UV-B_BE radiation levels for 4 weeks in 1999 and 5 weeks in 2000. Inverse yield–density relationships were more discernible at 4, compared with 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. Substitution rates, indicating the balance of intra- to interspecific competitive effects, declined for broccoli at 7, compared with 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation, largely because of reduced interspecific competitive influences. Conversely, substitution rates increased for C. album grown at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation, as a result of both decreased intraspecific and increased interspecific competition. Interspecific competitive effects were influenced more than intraspecific competitive effects by UV-B radiation. Based on relative magnitude of substitution rates, C. album was a stronger competitor than broccoli at 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation in both years, and at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation in 1999. In 2000, broccoli was the stronger competitor at 7 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. Overall, the relative competitiveness of broccoli was enhanced, while that of C. album diminished at 7, compared with 4 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE radiation. These findings indicate that above-ambient UV-B radiation has the potential to alter crop–weed competitive interactions, which could change acceptable weed threshold levels.     

活性氧参与调控植物生长发育和胁迫应激响应机理的研究进展

复杂多变的自然环境使植物进化出复杂而又巧妙的机制来感知外部信号,并对外部环境的变化做出适应性调整。在这种信号整合和决策过程中起关键作用的一类物质是活性氧(ROS)。细胞内、外产生的ROS与Ca~(2+)和电信号相互偶联组成的ROS波,向"友邻细胞"或远端细胞进行快速信号转导,进而伴随着多种信号组分共同完成应激响应表达。而ROS的产生与清除平衡关系决定了ROS在植物生长发育、器官发生和抗逆方面的作用。系统结并讨论了ROS的产生来源、信号传导机制、响应表达及ROS引起的细胞程序性死亡的最新研究进展。为深入了解ROS激活相关基因的表达,进而研究触发信号转导通路,使植物积极、高效地应对各种内在或外源的刺激信号,以调控植物的生长发育或适应胁迫环境,提供新的观点和见解。     

Weed seed germination and the light environment: Implications for weed management

Light regulates dormancy termination and the subsequent germination in many weed species. Under field conditions, the light environment of the seeds, which is perceived mainly by photoreceptors of the phytochrome family, provides essential information for cueing germination in the proper environmental situation. The light environment's spectral composition and irradiance allow weed seeds to sense their position in the soil profile, the presence of a leaf canopy capturing light and other resources and the occurrence of soil cultivation. From an agronomical point of view, the control of germination by light represents a potentially useful step in the life cycle of weeds for developing effective control practices. The goal of this article is to place current knowledge regarding photoreceptors, physiological and molecular bases of seed responses to light and their ecological implications within the context of weed management in agricultural systems. With that final objective, the authors intend to show how a better understanding of the way in which the light environment regulates dormancy termination and the subsequent germination of weed seeds could be used to develop more accurate control practices and to improve weed management strategies.     

杂草防除对油菜田间透光率、养分和水分的影响

为明确杂草防除对油菜田间管理的重要性,研究了精异丙甲草胺和乙草胺对杂草的防效、杂草防除后田间不同高度层的透光率变化以及杂草的氮、磷、钾和水分含量变化规律。结果表明,精异丙甲草胺对油菜田杂草看麦娘、菵草、牛繁缕均有较好的防效;乙草胺对禾本科杂草看麦娘、菵草有较好的防效,但对阔叶杂草牛繁缕的防效较差,仅为39.19%～67.37%。杂草主要在田间离地75cm以下竞争光照,有效防除杂草可显著降低其株高和密度,改善田间不同高度层的透光率。此外,杂草的防效与杂草对田间的养分和水分吸收呈负相关。随着防效的提高,油菜第一分枝高度提高、分枝数和角果数增加,油菜产量显著提高。     

The persistence of seeds of 16 weed species over six years in two arable fields

Summary Two experiments have investigated the persistence of 16 arable, annual broad-leaved weed species over 6 years in a silty loam and a clay soil. Small plastic beads were included as an 'inert' comparison. Seeds were broadcast in October on to plots at the start of the experiment, and these were either tine cultivated or ploughed annually thereafter. Plots were sown with either spring or winter wheat. As far as possible, weed seeding was prevented each year. For some species, the seed decline appeared to be slower on the ploughed plots than on the tined plots and in the winter wheat compared with the spring wheat. Seed decline also tended to be slower on the clay soil at Rothamsted than on the silty loam at Long Ashton. Some species declined rapidly (e.g. Brassica napus , Chrysanthemum segetum , Galium aparine , Galeopsis tetrahit ), with annual decline rates in excess of 58%, whereas others declined very little (e.g. Papaver rhoeas decline rate 9%). Most of the other species had decline rates between 20% and 40%. The results are discussed in relation to the development of population dynamics models to predict long-term consequences of alternative weed management strategies.     

不同种植方式对玉米田杂草群落及生长发育的影响

采取随机区组试验,根据农田杂草群落的生态学原理 ,运用生态学方法,通过玉米苜蓿间种与玉米清种相对照,探讨了间种抗旱植物苜蓿对玉米田杂草群落与生长发育的影响.结果表明:清种玉米田中稗草和红蓼的重要值较高,为优势种,间种苜蓿田中的优势种有红蓼、稗草、苘麻、反枝苋、龙葵、藜;在玉米各生育期,间种苜蓿田中的杂草生物量均低于清种玉米田处理,杂草株高大部分低于清种玉米处理;间种苜蓿穗长、穗行数、行粒数、穗重、穗粒重、百粒重和产量较清种玉米分别增加了6.6%、7.6%、2.2%、 12.28%、9.9%、7.8%和4.3%.认为间种苜蓿能够控制杂草数量,抑制杂草生物量增加,苜蓿有抗旱保水的作用,使玉米产量有所提高.     

光照强度对甜瓜果实糖分积累的影响

以3个果实大小不同的品种为材料,研究光照强度对甜瓜果实糖分积累的影响。结果表明:果实定个前(玉金香花后14 d,银帝和黄河蜜花后28 d),果实中糖分积累以葡萄糖和果糖为主,蔗糖次之,可溶性总糖含量较低。果实定个后,蔗糖开始快速积累,并持续至果实成熟。果实成熟时,三品种含糖量为玉金香(136.63 mg/g)>银帝(119.9 mg/g)>黄河蜜(108.14 mg/g),果实3个部位的含糖量为脐部>中部>蒂部。遮阴对甜瓜果实糖分积累模式影响不显著,但使蔗糖开始大量积累的时间推迟、果实最终糖分积累量显著下降,表明甜瓜果实糖分积累量依赖于同化产物供应水平。果实生育期糖分积累动态表明:玉金香耐弱光性较强,银帝能够逐渐适应弱光,黄河蜜对弱光最敏感。遮阴后甜瓜果实糖分积累量降幅具有品种依赖性:大果型品种黄河蜜>中果型品种银帝>小果型品种玉金香。