Penoxsulam‐resistant barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) in rice fields in China

Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) proliferation seriously threatens rice production worldwide. Whole‐plant bioassays were conducted in order to test the sensitivity to penoxsulam of 52 barnyardgrass populations and the resistance of six penoxsulam‐resistant populations to 12 other herbicides that are commonly used in rice fields. Among the 48 populations that had escaped penoxsulam control in the rice fields, 8.3% showed a very high level of resistance, 58.3% showed a high level of resistance and 10.4% showed a moderate level of resistance. Multiple resistance was confirmed in all six penoxsulam‐resistant populations that were tested further. They exhibited at least a moderate level of resistance; that is, to 6–10 of the total of 13 herbicides that was tested. Most of the six penoxsulam‐resistant populations showed at least a moderate level of resistance to bispyribac‐sodium, quinclorac, metamifop, cyhalofop‐butyl and oxadiazon, three populations held at least a moderate level of resistance to oxyfluorfen and pretilachlor, two populations also held at least a moderate level of resistance to pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl, pyribenzoxim and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl, but the resistance indices of the six populations to pendimethalin were all low. This study has confirmed resistance to pretilachlor and oxadiazon in weeds for the first time.     

Herbicidal activity on acetolactate synthase‐resistant barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) in Arkansas,USA

The intensive use of the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides, imazethapyr, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium, in imidazolinone‐resistant (Clearfield) rice increases the risk of the evolution of ALS‐resistant barnyardgrass. In 2009, imazethapyr failed to control barnyardgrass that was collected from a field in Arkansas, USA, following the failure of the herbicide in 2008. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to confirm and document the level of resistance of the biotype against three ALS‐inhibiting herbicides that currently are labeled in rice. The level of control of the resistant biotype at the labeled rate of bispyribac‐sodium of 35 g ai ha^?1 was 10%, penoxsulam at 22 g ai ha^?1 was 0% and imazethapyr at 70 g ai ha^?1 was 25%. The level of mortality of the susceptible biotype was 100% with all the herbicides at the labeled rate. The dose needed to kill 50% of the resistant plants was 49 g ha^?1 of bispyribac‐sodium, 254 g ha^?1 of penoxsulam and 170 g ha^?1 of imazethapyr. For the susceptible biotype, bispyribac‐sodium at 6 g ha^?1, penoxsulam at 10 g ha^?1 and imazethapyr at 12 g ha^?1 killed 50% of the treated plants. Based on these findings, it was confirmed that a barnyardgrass population has evolved cross‐resistance to three ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in rice culture in Arkansas. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted to determine if the ALS‐resistant biotype could be controlled using other mechanisms of action. The results indicated that propanil, a photosystem II inhibitor, and quinclorac, a synthetic auxin, failed to control the resistant biotype at the labeled rates, whereas all the other evaluated herbicides provided effective control of both biotypes.     

Cross‐resistance of Echinochloa species to acetolactate synthase inhibitor herbicides

This study was conducted to evaluate the cross‐resistance of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors with different chemistries, specifically azimsulfuron (sulfonylurea), penoxsulam (triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide) and bispyribac‐sodium (pyrimidinyl thio benzoate), in Echinochloa oryzicola and Echinochloa crus‐galli that had been collected in South Korea and to investigate their herbicide resistance mechanism. Both Echinochloa spp. showed cross‐resistance to the ALS inhibitors belonging to the above three different chemistries. In a whole plant assay with herbicides alone, the resistant/susceptible ratios for azimsulfuron, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium were 12.6, 28.1 and 1.9 in E. oryzicola and 21.1, 13.7 and 1.8 in E. crus‐galli, respectively. An in vitro ALS enzyme assay with herbicides showed that the I ₅₀‐values of the resistant accessions were approximately two‐to‐three times higher than the susceptible accessions, with no statistical difference, suggesting that the difference in ALS sensitivity cannot explain ALS inhibitor resistance in Echinochloa spp. for azimsulfuron, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium. A whole plant assay with fenitrothion showed that the GR ₅₀‐values significantly decreased in both the resistant E. oryzicola and E. crus‐galli accessions when azimsulfuron, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium were applied with the P450 inhibitor, while no significant decrease was observed in the susceptible accessions when the P450 inhibitor was used. Thus, these results suggest that ALS inhibitor cross‐resistance for azimsulfuron, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium is related to enhanced herbicide metabolism.     

Weeding techniques in transplanted and direct wet-seeded rice in Pakistan

Field studies were undertaken to explore the weed management strategies for transplanted and direct wet-seeded rice in the Dera Ismail Khan district of North-west Frontier Province, Pakistan. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split plot arrangement. The main plots consisted of two planting techniques (transplantation and direct seeding), while weed control practises assigned to the subplots included the use of the granular herbicide Sunstar 15WG (ethoxy sulfuron), Machete 60EC (butachlor), conventional hand weeding, and the weedy check (untreated control). Data were recorded on weed dynamics and the agronomic parameters of the rice crop. Economic analyses on the data were also run. The weed density and biomass were lower in the transplantation plots than the direct-seeding plots. The herbicides ethoxy sulfuron and butachlor reduced the density over the weedy check, with a density comparable to hand weeding in 2002, but slightly higher in 2003. As a result of weed management by hand weeding and herbicides, the paddy yield and its components were significantly higher for the transplanted method compared to the direct-seeded method. The comparable yield of herbicides with hand weeding offers an option for the use of herbicides as an alternative management tool. In light of our findings, it is concluded that for good economic returns, rice crops may be transplanted rather than direct-seeded. The herbicides ethoxy sulfuron and butachlor offer a weed control cover comparable with hand weeding under the transplantation method, while butachlor is good for controlling weeds even under the direct-seeded conditions in the agroclimatic conditions of the area.     

The Ant Mosaic - Tropical Tree Crops and the Limiting of Pests and Diseases

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of herbicides in controlling Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W. D. Clayton and Cyperus rotundus L. in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) at different moisture regimes as imposed by a line source sprinkler system. Preemergence application of pendimethalin [N‐(1‐ethylpropyl)‐3,4‐dimethyl‐2,6‐dinitrobenzenamine] was highly effective in controlling R. cochinchinensis irrespective of soil moisture after herbicide application. Bentazon [3‐(1‐methylethyl)‐(1H)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazin‐4(3H)‐one 2,2‐dioxide] and 2,4‐D [(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] applied at postemergence effectively controlled C. rotundus when moisture supply was well above pan evaporation. These herbicides also had no adverse effect on rice stand and resulted in higher yield over the control. Water application rates above upland pan evaporation for a season‐long period was essential to obtain a high response to weed control either by herbicides or hand weeding. The data suggest that proper weed control by herbicides or hand weeding will not result in high upland rice grain yields if moisture level from rains fall below the critical level.     

Agronomic practises for weed control in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Weeds are the main problem with turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivation where herbicides are not allowed. This is because herbicides cause water contamination, air pollution, soil microorganism hazards, health hazards, and food risks. Considering turmeric's medicinal value and the environmental problems caused by herbicides, various agronomic practises have been evaluated for non‐chemical weed control in turmeric. One additional weeding is required before turmeric emergence and weed infestation is much higher when turmeric is planted in February and March, as compared to April, May or June planting. A similarly higher yield of turmeric is achieved when it is planted in February, March, and April, compared to late plantings. Weed emergence and interference are not affected by planting depth, seed size, planting pattern, planting space, ridge spacing, and the row number of turmeric until 60 days after planting. This is because turmeric cannot develop a canopy structure until then. Thereafter, weed infestation reduces similarly and significantly when turmeric is planted at depths of 8, 12, and 16 cm, compared to shallower depths. The yield of turmeric at these depths is statistically the same, but the yield for the 16 cm depth is difficult to harvest and it tends to decrease. Turmeric grown from seed rhizomes (daughter rhizomes) weighing 30–40 g reduces weed infestation significantly and obtains a significantly higher yield compared to smaller seeds. The mother rhizome also can suppress weed infestation and increase the yield markedly. Around 9% weed control and 11% higher yield are achieved by planting turmeric in a triangular pattern compared to a quadrate pattern. The lowest weed infestation is found in turmeric grown in a 20 or 30 cm triangular pattern and the highest yield is obtained with the 30 cm triangular pattern. Turmeric gown on two‐row ridges spaced 75 cm apart shows excellent weed control efficiency and obtains the highest yield. This review concludes that turmeric seed rhizomes of 30–40 g and/or the mother rhizome could be planted in a 30 cm triangular pattern at the depth of 8–12 cm on two‐row ridges spaced 75–100 cm apart during March to April in order to reduce weed interference and obtain a higher yield. Mulching also suppresses weed growth and improves the yield. The above agronomic practises could not control weeds completely; biological weed management practises could be integrated in turmeric fields using rabbits, goats, sheep, ducks, cover crops or intercrops.     

An integrated approach to weed management practices in direct-seeded rice under zero-tilled rice–wheat cropping system

An increasing water crisis as well as shortage of farm labor farmers in many Asian regions is forcing a shift from puddled transplanted rice to direct-seeded rice. The weeds, however, are a major constraint to the production of direct-seeded rice. In this perspective, a field study was carried out to evaluate various pre- and post-emergence herbicides and different possible integrated weed management practices in zero-till direct-seeded rice. Weed infestation decreased the rice yield by near about 75%. Co-culture rice with Sesbania followed by (fb) pendimethalin fb 2,4-D effectively reduced the total weed population (65.1%) and biomass (86.7%) at 30 days after sowing (DAS). The lowest total weed dry biomass at 60 DAS was recorded from bispyribac-sodium+azimsulfuron-treated plot and such tank mix application of herbicide performed better against diverse weed flora as compared to a single herbicide. Higher yield and more profit from zero-till direct-seeded rice were obtained with the application of bispyribac-sodium+azimsulfuron herbicides as a tank mixture or an integrated approach through cowpea green-manuring fb 2,4-D+glyphosate fb bispyribac-sodium by effective management of versatile weed flora.     

The impact of management on weeds and aquatic plant communities in Hungarian rice crops

This study assessed the cultural and weed management factors influencing the weed communities of Hungarian rice fields. Hungary is situated at the northern limit of rice production with a history of about 300 years of rice culture. We surveyed the weed flora and 25 background variables in 100 active rice fields. Using a minimal adequate model containing 11 terms, 48.5% of the total variation in weed species data could be explained. The net effects of nine variables on species composition were significant. Crop cover was found to be the most important explanatory variable, which was followed by the herbicides penoxsulam and azimsulfuron, tillage depth, phosphorous and potassium fertilisers, years after last rotation, water depth in May, sowing type, pendimethalin and water conductivity. Filamentous algae, as the most abundant group of weeds, were positively associated with deep tillage, deep water and surface sowing. Echinochloa crus‐galli, one of the most troublesome grass weeds, was associated with low rice cover, shallow water and later years after crop rotation, while weedy rice favoured high crop cover, deep water and soil sowing. These findings can be used to design improved weed management strategies. The occurrence of red list species and charophytes in diverse micro‐mosaic patterns deserves attention from a conservation perspective, as well. The maintenance of these unique charophyte communities can be facilitated by shallow tillage without soil inversion.     

A novel pre‐emergence herbicide (Diclosulam) as an environmentally friendly weed management option in peanut and its phytotoxicity evaluation

A two‐season field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of diclosulam compared with recommended doses of pendimethalin and oxyfluorfen for weed management in peanut. Persistence of diclosulam in oil, de‐oiled cake, haulm of peanut, and soil was also studied. Diclosulam 22 and 26 g a.i. ha^?1, and a weed‐free check had a high pod yield due to more mature pods and their mass. Pre‐emergence application of diclosulam 26 g a.i. ha^?1 provided better weed management and enhanced peanut growth and yield with high net returns. Phytotoxicity studies indicated that the diclosulam application did not cause any phytotoxic symptoms (vein clearing, epinasty, hyponasty, wilting, and injury) on leaf tips and leaf surface of peanut. Diclosulam residues in peanut viz. oil, de‐oiled cake, haulm, and soil were below the detection level after harvesting of peanut from the experimental field. Further, germination percentage and seed cotton yield of cotton crop cultivated after peanut were also not affected significantly.     

Study on the effect of four herbicides with and without applied phosphorus on weed control and seed yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Jobner (Rajasthan) during the winter seasons of 1982 and 1983 to evaluate certain physical and chemical weed control systems in fenugreek at two levels of applied phosphorus. The experiments comprised four herbicides (fluchloralin, pendimethalin, thiobencarb, and chloramben) at two levels each, manual weeding at three levels; and an unweeded check. The second factor, namely, application of phosphorus was evaluated at 0 and 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. The soil of the experiment site was loamy sand, containing 0.16% organic carbon. The results showed that amongst the herbicides, preemergent pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha controlled the weeds most effectively and gave 8.91 q/ha fenugreek seed yield, which was more than twice the seed yield obtained from the unweeded check plots. The twice hoed plots were found to give 1.32 q/ha higher seed yield than the pendimethalin herbicide treatment, but the benefit‐cost ratio was found higher for the herbicidal treatment. Application of phosphorus at 40 kg P₂O₅/ha was found to bring about significant increase in the seed yield of fenugreek by 59 kg/ha over control, without any interaction with the weed control treatments.     

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

Abstract

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

稻秆覆盖结合除草剂减量化使用对移栽甜玉米田杂草的控制效果

为了明确稻秆覆盖结合除草剂减量使用对甜玉米田杂草控制效果及产量的影响,采用大田试验方法,将乙草胺、二甲戊乐灵按常量（田间常规推荐剂量）、半量（1/2常量）、1/4量（1/4常量）分别与稻秆覆盖相结合,研究不同处理对甜玉米田杂草发生及甜玉米产量的影响。结果表明：从甜玉米移栽至收获,若仅用稻秆覆盖对甜玉米田杂草的株防效、鲜质量防效分别为59．92％、74．10％;若将除草剂与稻秆相结合使用,从对总草的控制效果看,二甲戊乐灵常量、1/4量与稻秆相结合均不同程度好于乙草胺相应剂量与稻秆相结合的效果。二甲戊乐灵1/4剂量与稻秆相结合即对甜玉米田总草的株数、鲜质量防效达到了较好的效果,分别为69．56％、82．87％,且具有一定的增产效果,增产率为11．5％。     

五氟磺草胺与吡氟酰草胺的联合作用及对水稻移栽田杂草的防效

吡氟酰草胺属于类胡萝卜素生物合成抑制剂类除草剂,为明确其与乙酰乳酸合成酶抑制剂类除草剂五氟磺草胺复配的联合作用及复配剂对水稻移栽田杂草的田间防效,采用温室盆栽法,评价了二者复配后的除草活性及联合作用类型,并通过田间小区试验评价了复配制剂对水稻田杂草的防效和对水稻的安全性。温室盆栽试验结果表明：五氟磺草胺与吡氟酰草胺复配后对稗、马唐、异型莎草及鳢肠的活性均表现为相加作用,二者复配的合适配比(质量比)范围为(1～2):(5～10)。田间小区试验结果表明,于水稻移栽后8 d茎叶喷雾处理,300 g/L五氟磺草胺·吡氟酰草胺(1:5)悬浮剂对水稻生长安全,且对水稻田稗、异型莎草、耳叶水苋及丁香蓼有良好的防效：在有效成分用量112.5～135.0 g/hm²剂量下,药后35 d,复配悬浮剂对上述杂草的总草株防效和总草鲜重防效分别为93.8%～95.8%和94.1%～96.1%,尤其是显著提高了对较难防除型杂草耳叶水苋及丁香蓼的防效,整体防效显著高于对照两个单剂处理及当地常规用药22%苄嘧磺隆·乙草胺可湿性粉剂处理。五氟磺草胺与吡氟酰草胺复配能够在扩大杀草谱的同时提高防效,且...     

Effects of rye cover crop residue and herbicides on weed control in narrow and wide row soybean planting systems

Α three‐year, non‐irrigated field study was conducted in 1998, 1999, and 2000 at the Southern Weed Science Research Unit farm, Stoneville, MS to study the effects of rye cover crop residue, soybean planting systems, and herbicide application programs on the control, density and biomass of several weed species and soybean yield. The soybean planting systems comprised 19 cm rows with high plant density, 57 cm rows with medium plant density, and 95 cm rows with low plant density. The herbicide programs evaluated were pre‐emergence, postemergence, pre‐emergence followed by postemergence, and no herbicide. Flumetsulam and metolachlor were applied pre‐emergence, and acifluorfen, bentazon, and clethodim were applied postemergence. The presence or absence of rye cover crop residue and a soybean planting system did not affect weed control of the species evaluated (browntop millet, barnyard grass, broadleaf signal grass, pitted morningglory, yellow nutsedge, Palmer amaranth and hyssop spurge), when herbicides were applied, regardless of the application program. In addition, rye cover crop residue was not an effective weed management tool when no herbicide was applied, because density and biomass of most weeds evaluated were higher than a no cover crop residue system. Among soybean planting systems, narrow with high plant density soybeans reduced density of grasses, broadleaf weeds and yellow nutsedge by 24–83% and total weed biomass by 38%, compared to wide with low plant density soybeans. Although weed pressure was reduced by narrow with high plant density soybeans, herbicide applications had the most impact on weed control, weed density and biomass. All herbicide programs controlled all weed species 81–100% at two weeks after postemergence herbicide applications, in comparison to no‐herbicide. Density of grasses and all broadleaf weeds as well as total weed biomass was lower with the pre‐emergence followed by postemergence program than these programs alone. Soybean yields were higher in the pre‐emergence followed by postemergence, and postemergence only programs than the pre‐emergence alone program. Planting crops in narrow rows is one cultural method of reducing weed pressure. However, even with the use of this cultural practice, prevalent weed pressure often requires management with herbicides.     

Prevalence of herbicide‐resistant weed species in Malaysian rice fields: A review

The management of weeds in Malaysian rice fields is very much herbicide‐based. The heavy reliance on herbicide for weed control by many rice‐growers arguably eventually has led to the development and evolution of herbicide‐resistant biotypes in Malaysian rice fields over the years. The continuous use of synthetic auxin (phenoxy group) herbicides and acetohydroxyacid synthase‐inhibiting herbicides to control rice weeds was consequential in leading to the emergence and prevalence of resistant weed biotypes. This review discusses the history and confirmed cases and incidence of herbicide‐resistant weeds in Malaysian rice fields. It also reviews the Clearfield Production System and its impact on the evolution of herbicide resistance among rice weed species and biotypes. This review also emphasizes the strategies and management options for herbicide‐resistant rice field weeds within the framework of herbicide‐based integrated weed management. These include the use of optimum tillage practices, certified clean seeds, increased crop competition through high seeding rates, crop rotation, the application of multiple modes of action of herbicides in annual rotations, tank mixtures and sequential applications to enable a broad spectrum of weed control, increase the selective control of noxious weed species in a field and help to delay the resistance evolution by reducing the selection pressure that is forced on those weed populations by a specific herbicidal mode of action.     

Chemical weed control in rainfed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

In a field trial in 1978 at Mokwa, southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria, metolachlor at 1.5 and 3.0, prometryne at 2.0 and norflurazon and diuron at 1.6 kg/ha combined good weed control with high grain yield of cowpeas. The grain yields with these herbicides were comparable to those of the hoe-weeded and significantly higher than the weedy controls. In 1979, under wetter conditions, crop injury was observed with prometryne and linuron at 2.0 kg/ha. However, the grain yields obtained with alachlor, metolachlor, chloramben, pendimethalin and norflurazon and their mixtures with prometryne, linuron, diuron or metobromuron were comparable to that of the hoe-weeded treatment. In 1979 at Samaru, northern Guinea savanna, pendimethalin at 1.5, metolachlor at 3.0 and chlorbromuron and linuron at 1.0 kg/ha gave selective weed control. Prometryne at 2.0 kg/ha was the only herbicide that gave a significantly lower broad-leaved weed weight than the weedy check but it reduced the crop stand. At 1.0 kg/ha it was tolerated by the crop but failed to control grasses. Metolachlor at 1.5 kg/ha had a significantly higher broad-leaved weed weight than the weedy check. All theherbicides, except pendimethalin at 3.0 kg/ha, controlled the annual sedges at Samaru.     

种植模式对棉田土壤处理除草剂除草效果的影响

露地直播棉田苗期除草,可以选用50%乙草胺EC5、0%扑草净WP和33%二甲戊乐灵EC。地膜覆盖棉田9,6%精异丙甲草胺EC4、8%氟乐灵EC5、0%萘丙酰草胺WP5、0%扑草净WP和48%仲丁灵EC对棉田杂草的防效较理想,药后45 d的株防效仍能达到83%以上。金都尔等7种除草剂在露地直播棉田中使用对棉苗生长无影响,而在地膜覆盖棉田使用乙草胺和二甲戊乐灵应慎重,浓度过高易对棉花幼苗产生药害。     

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.     

The impacts of traditional and novel herbicide application methods on target plants,non‐target plants and production in intensive grasslands

Herbicides contribute significantly to agricultural intensification, but some negatively impact non‐target organisms. Much research has focused on reducing herbicide use through technological improvements in application and herbicide selectivity, but impacts on non‐target organisms are less well understood. Using experimental plots in silage systems, we investigated impacts of herbicides (both narrow spectrum targeting broad‐leaved plants and selective and non‐selective broad spectrum) applied using traditional techniques (blanket‐ and manual spot‐spraying) and a novel application technique (automated spot‐spraying) on non‐target plant richness/diversity, target weed presence (Rumex species) and production (DM yield). All herbicides reduced non‐target plant richness/diversity and sometimes target weeds (when applied using traditional methods). Automated spot‐spraying had fewer negative effects on non‐target organisms, but did not reduce target weeds. No differences in production levels among treatments were observed. The automated spot‐spraying technique requires further research and development. Our results indicate that 20–30% weed cover does not significantly alter production and so, as herbicides are expensive, their effects on non‐target organisms and the environment can be more significant than their benefits to production. We advocate more research into the relationships between weed infestation and production in grasslands, so that the propensity to overuse herbicides is reduced.     

Weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp)

Abstract: Field investigations were carried out during 1999 and 2000 to identify effective chemical/ cultural methods of weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp). The treatments comprised pre-emergence applications of oxyfluorfen (0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50, 0.75 and 1.00kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand weeding, hoeing and mulching using spent of lemon grass (at 5 tonnes ha(-1)) 45 days after planting (DAP), three hand-weedings 30, 60 and 90 DAP, weed-free (frequent manual weeding) and weedy control. Broad-leaf weeds were more predominant than grass and sedge weeds, accounting for 85.8% weed density and 93.0% weed dry weight in 1999 and 77.2% weed density and 93.9% weed dry weight in 2000. Unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced geranium oil yield, by 61.6% and 70.6% in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin (0.75-1.00 kgAI ha(-1)) or oxyfluorfen (0.25 kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand-weeding, hoeing and mulching and three hand-weedings were highly effective in reducing weed density and dry weight and gave oil yield comparable to the weed-free check. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.15 or 0.20 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50 kg AI ha(-1)) were less effective in controlling the weed species in geranium. None of the herbicides impaired the quality of rose-scented geranium oil measured in terms of citronellol and geraniol content.