The importance of reduced light intensity on the growth and development of six weed species

Crops limit light for photosynthesis and growth of weeds. We studied the effect of reduced light on performance of six weed species [one invasive species (Amsinckia micrantha), three common species (Veronica persica, Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Viola arvensis) and two less common weeds (Anagallis arvensis and Scleranthus annuus)]. In two glasshouse experiments, six light levels were achieved aiming at 0%, 20%, 50%, 80%, 90% and 95% reduction of light and corresponding with daily light integrals (DLI) of 12.4, 9.63, 7.13, 2.74, 0.95 and 0.69 mol m^?2 day^?1 in experiment 1 and 21.2, 18.0, 10.7, 3.71, 1.64 and 1.20 mol m^?2 day^?1 in experiment 2. The number of leaves was strictly controlled by DLI. Chlorophyll content index, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), stomatal conductance, flowering and dry matter were strongly reduced when DLI was reduced to 0.69–3.71 mol m^?2 day^?1 for all species. Threshold DLI for flowering was ca. 3.71 mol m^?2 day^?1 for S. annuus, V. arvensis, A. arvensis and V. persica, while C. bursa‐pastoris deviated by flowering at DLI of 0.95 mol m^?2 day^?1. This may explain why C. bursa‐pastoris is common in the seedbank of Danish arable soils in spite of intensive farming with well‐fertilised and dense crops.     

喹草酮与辛酰溴苯腈复配应用于小麦田的除草效果及对小麦的安全性

为明确新型除草剂喹草酮应用于小麦田的除草效果及对小麦的安全性,在温室内采用共毒系数法对喹草酮与辛酰溴苯腈联合作用进行测定,并验证喹草酮与辛酰溴苯腈两者混用以及与双氟磺草胺三者混用时对小麦田杂草的防效,以及对小麦的安全性。温室试验结果表明,喹草酮对阿拉伯婆婆纳Veronica persica防效优,试验剂量下全部死亡,对播娘蒿Descurainia sophia和麦家公Lithospermum arvense的GR₅₀分别为12.67 g (a.i.)/hm²和152.99 g (a.i.)/hm²;辛酰溴苯腈对播娘蒿和麦家公防效优,其GR₅₀分别为26.22 g (a.i.)/hm²和13.36 g (a.i.)/hm²,对阿拉伯婆婆纳防效略差,GR₅₀为85.12 g (a.i.)/hm²。喹草酮与辛酰溴苯腈按有效成分用量1∶1～1∶2.5配比时,阿拉伯婆婆纳全部死亡,对播娘蒿的共毒系数在140.34～202....     

Effects of drought on weed emergence and growth vary with the seed burial depth and presence of a cover crop

In conservation agriculture, weed seed germination could decrease with the presence of a cover crop, surface weed seed location and temporal drought in summer just after seed shedding. This study simultaneously examined the effects of a cover crop, burial depth (seed location) and hydric stress on weed emergence and early growth. It was hypothesized that drought would reduce weed emergence and the initial growth of weed seeds and that this effect would be greater when the seeds were on the soil surface and in the presence of a cover crop. Four annual weed species were chosen that are frequently found (Anisantha sterilis, Vulpia myuros, Sonchus asper, Veronica persica) and not frequently found (Alopecurus myosuroides, Poa annua, Cyanus segetum, Capsella bursa‐pastoris) in fields that implement conservation agriculture. The unburied seeds had 26% lower emergence, on average, than the buried seeds (significant for six of the eight species), hydric stress reduced emergence by 20% (for seven of the eight species) and the presence of a cover crop reduced the level of emergence by 17% (for all species). The unburied seeds with hydric stress were emerging under the “most stressful” set of factors, with a 45% decrease in emergence, compared with the seeds emerging under the “least stressful” set of factors (buried seeds without hydric stress). All the weed growth measurements (height, dry matter content and number of leaves) decreased with the presence of a cover crop. The species that are found frequently in the fields that implement conservation agriculture, compared with the species that are not frequently found in conservation agriculture fields, had higher rates of germination and a higher tolerance of hydric stress when their seeds were unburied.     

Suppression of the in vitro growth and development of Microdochium nivale by phosphite

The ascomycete fungus Microdochium nivale is a major pathogen of many species of the gramineae. Control measures rely heavily on chemical fungicides, making alternative means of disease reduction desirable. Phosphite (PO₃^3?), has proven efficacy in reducing susceptibility of different species of gramineae to oomycetes, and has adverse effects on the in vitro growth of numerous other pathogens. The effect of phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃), phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), dihydrogen potassium phosphite (KH₂PO₃), dihydrogen potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) on the in vitro mycelial growth and development of M. nivale was determined. Radial growth on amended potato dextrose agar (PDA) was used to calculate mean daily growth and percentage inhibition. PO₃^3? had a significant inhibitory effect on mycelial growth, with EC₅₀ values ranging between 35.9 and 40.99 μg mL^?1, whilst PO₄^3? and KOH had no significant inhibitory effect. Microscopic examination of mycelia showed morphological deformities in hyphae growing on PO₃^3? amended PDA, whilst hyphal growth was normal on PO₄^3? and KOH amended PDA. Conidial germination of M. nivale was significantly reduced following immersion in solutions of 50, 100 and 250 μg mL^?1 of PO₃^3?, while PO₄^3? and KOH at the same concentrations induced no inhibitory affect. These results show that PO₃^3? is a significant inhibitor of the growth of M. nivale and may have the potential to be used as a chemical control agent in the field.     

低量化学除草剂对菌株QZ-97a侵染波斯婆婆纳的影响

为探索提高真菌除草剂防效的途径,研究了胶孢炭疽菌菌株QZ-97a与低剂量化学除草剂混用的互作效果。结果表明,菌株QZ-97a孢子悬浮液与低剂量的化学除草剂氯氟吡氧乙酸(Fluroxypyr,氯氟吡氧乙酸)混用可显著提高对波斯婆婆纳的防效。1.0×10~8个孢子/ml的菌株QZ-97a孢子悬浮液与常规剂量1/10的氯氟吡氧乙酸混用可在波斯婆婆纳危害时的田间条件下经保湿24～72h后使子叶期波斯婆婆纳死亡。可见,该菌与常用的防除波斯婆婆纳的化学除草剂配合性好,具有被开发为防除波斯婆婆纳的真菌除草剂的潜力。     

Predicting the competitive effects of weed and crop density on weed biomass, weed seed production and crop yield in wheat

Competition between winter-sown wheat and Viola arvensis Murray or Papaver rhoeas L. was studied in two experiments in two successive years. The effects of varying crop and weed density were modelled in terms of weed biomass over time, weed seed production and crop yield. Biomass model parameters, representing maximum weed biomass and intra- and interspecific competition, were obtained for different assessment dates, enabling biomass levels to be predicted during the two growing seasons. Weed biomass declined, and its maximum level was reached earlier, with increasing crop density. Intraspecific competition was higher in the absence than in the presence of crop, increasing with time and with weed density. Halving the wheat population increased June biomass of V. arvensis by 74% and of P. rhoeas by 63%. Crop yield losses with increasing weed density were greater with low than with medium and high crop populations. P. rhoeas was significantly more competitive than V. arvensis in both years. Weed biomass in 1989 responded more to reductions in crop density following the milder winter of 1988/89 than in the previous year; however crop yields were less affected in 1989 due to summer drought, restricting late weed growth and competition. Weed seed production was related to weed biomass; the progressive lowering of crop density increased seed production, and both species were very prolific in the absence of crop. By combining models, seed production could be derived for a given competitive effect on the crop. Threshold weed populations, based on low weed levels that are not economic to control, could then be equated with the accompanying weed seed production.     

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.     

Multiple herbicide resistance in littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor): A threat to wheat production in India

Littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.), a troublesome weed of wheat in India, has evolved multiple herbicide resistance across three modes of action: photosynthesis at the photosystem II site A, acetyl‐coA carboxylase (ACCase), and acetolactate synthase inhibition. The multiple herbicide‐resistant (MHR) populations had a low level of sulfosulfuron resistance but a high level of resistance to clodinafop and fenoxaprop (ACCase inhibitors). Some of the populations had GR₅₀ (50% growth reduction) values for clodinafop that were 11.7‐fold greater than that of the most susceptible population. The clodinafop‐resistant populations also showed a higher level of cross‐resistance to fenoxaprop (fop group) but a low level of cross‐resistance to pinoxaden (den group). Although clodinafop and pinoxaden are from two different chemical families (fop and den groups), their same site of action is responsible for cross‐resistance behavior. The populations that were resistant to four groups of herbicides (phenylureas, sulfonylurea, aryloxyphenoxypropionate, and phenylpyrazolin) were susceptible to the triazine (metribuzin and terbutryn) and dinitroaniline (pendimethalin) herbicides. The P. minor populations that were resistant to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate and phenylurea herbicides were effectively controlled by the sulfonylurea herbicide, sulfosulfuron. In the fields infested with P. minor that was resistant to clodinafop, a sulfosulfuron application (25 g ha^?1) increased the wheat yield by 99.2% over that achieved using the recommended rate of clodinafop (60 g ha^?1). However, the evolution of multiple resistance against the four groups is a threat to wheat production. To prevent the spread of MHR P. minor populations, as well as the extension of multiple resistance to new chemicals, concerted efforts in developing and implementing a sound, integrated weed management program are needed. The integrated approach, consisting of crop and herbicide rotation with cultural and mechanical weed control tactics, should be considered as a long‐term resistance management strategy that will help to sustain wheat productivity and farmers' income.     

Growth of Parietaria debilis in fallow and in undisturbed areas

Parietaria debilis is a dominant annual weed in many non‐tillage fallow and undisturbed areas in Argentina. Herbicides control P. debilis inconsistently. A study on the growth of P. debilis, in a fallow in a soyabean–maize rotation including glyphosate‐resistant cultivars and in an undisturbed area without crops or weed control, was conducted in the central soyabean area of Argentina. The biomass dynamics of all species in the community, as well as biomass, density and growth traits of P. debilis were assessed. Biomass of several species including P. debilis and total biomass were greater in undisturbed than in fallow plots in both years of the study. Diversity was greater in undisturbed plots in 2000, but no differences in diversity were observed in 2001. In both treatments, P. debilis emergence began in March and finished in October and density increased from March to May. High mortality occurred in June and July, particularly in undisturbed plots. In the fallow plots, no other tall weed species were present and light interception was higher in spring when fruit production was at its peak. Conversely, in the undisturbed plots, P. debilis was substantially taller and had greater leaf area due to lower light interception by the high canopy of the rest of the community. In fallow, P. debilis is favoured by single applications of glyphosate, because the herbicide eliminates competitors. Control, if applied, should be directed to both fallow and undisturbed environments, as the weed produces considerable numbers of seeds and can invade extensively managed areas.     

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting activity of the new,wheat-selective isoindoldione herbicide,cinidon-ethyl

Cinidon-ethyl (BAS 615H) is a new herbicide of isoindoldione structure which selectively controls a wide spectrum of broadleaf weeds in cereals. The uptake, translocation, metabolism and mode of action of cinidon-ethyl were investigated in Galium aparine L, Solanum nigrum L and the tolerant crop species wheat (Triticum aestivum L). When plants at the second-leaf stage were foliarly treated with cinidon-ethyl equivalent to a field rate of 50 g ha⁻¹ for 48 h, the light requirement for phytotoxicity and the symptoms of plant damage in the weed species, including rapid chlorophyll bleaching, desiccation and necrosis of the green tissues, were identical to those of inhibitors of porphyrin synthesis, such as acifluorfen-methyl. The selectivity of cinidon-ethyl between wheat and the weed species has been quantified as approximately 500-fold. Cinidon-ethyl strongly inhibited protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) activity in vitro, with I₅₀ values of approximately 1 nM for the enzyme isolated from the weed species and from wheat. However, subsequent effects of herbicide action, with accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, light-dependent formation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-derived ethylene, ethane evolution and desiccation of the green tissue, were induced by cinidon-ethyl only in the weed species. After foliar application of [¹⁴C] cinidon-ethyl, the herbicide, due to its lipophilic nature, was rapidly adsorbed by the epicuticular wax layer of the leaf surface before it penetrated into the leaf tissue more slowly. No significant differences between foliar and root absorption and translocation of the herbicide by S nigrum, G aparine and wheat were found. After foliar or root application of [¹⁴C]- cinidon-ethyl, translocation of ¹⁴C into untreated plant parts was minimal, as demonstrated by combustion analysis and autoradiography. Metabolism of [¹⁴C]cinidon-ethyl via its E-isomer and acid to further metabolites was more rapid in wheat than in S nigrum and G aparine. After 32 h of foliar treatment with 50 g ha⁻¹ of the [¹⁴C]-herbicide, approximately 47%, 36%, and 12% of the absorbed radioactivity, respectively, were found as unchanged parent or its biologically low active E-isomer and acid in the leaf tissue of G aparine, S nigrum and wheat. In conclusion, cinidon-ethyl is a Protox-inhibiting, peroxidizing herbicide which is effective through contact action in the green tissue of sensitive weed species. It is suggested that a more rapid metabolism, coupled with moderate leaf absorption, contribute to the tolerance of wheat to cinidon-ethyl. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interactions between the tillage system and crop rotation on the crop yield and weed populations under arid conditions

Field experiments were conducted in Iran in order to determine the interactions between the tillage system and crop rotation on weed seedling populations and crop yields from 2002 to 2005. No tillage, shallow tillage and deep tillage were the main plots and three crop sequences comprising continuous wheat (W‐W), wheat–canola–wheat–canola (C‐W) and wheat–safflower–wheat–safflower (S‐W) were the subplots. Bromus japonicus, Carthumus lanatus, Polygonum aviculare, Lolium temulentum and Avena ludoviciana were found to be the dominant species. The initial weed population in 2002 was estimated at 65 seedlings per m² and B. japonicus (～35 seedlings per m²) was the most abundant species, followed by A. ludoviciana and L. temulentum. The dominant weed species mostly did not favor the combination of S‐W and C‐W with any tillage type. For the B. japonicus population, S‐W in combination with moldboard plowing indicated the lowest seedling population. In conclusion, the crop sequence in combination with tillage would help to control troublesome weed species. Safflower and canola were determined to be effective in reducing the grass weeds. The inclusion of these crops in rotation also increased the total revenue of the cropping systems because of the higher sale price of canola and safflower.     

Effect of air temperature, rain and drought on hot water weed control

The influence of rain and drought before, and air temperature during, weed control with hot water was studied in laboratory experiments on the test weed Sinapis alba (white mustard). The plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated outdoors. There was no difference in weed control effect when S. alba plants at the four‐leaf stage were treated at the air temperatures 7°C and 18^°C. The effective energy dose for a 90% fresh weight reduction was 465 kJ m^?2 for both air temperatures. Weed control of S. alba at the four‐ to six‐leaf stage in rainfall above the rainwater run‐off level increased the required effective energy dose by 20% (i.e. 120 kJ m^?2) compared with dry plants. A short period of drought just before treatment on S. alba at the two‐ to four‐leaf stage increased the plant fresh weight reduction, which was 22% at low energy dose (190 kJ m^?2) and 44% at high energy dose (360 kJ m^?2). Hot water weed control should thus be carried out when the plants are drought stressed and avoided when the plants are wet. The air temperature seems to be of little importance in the range 7–18^°C.     

Modelling the effects of sub-lethal doses of herbicide and nitrogen fertilizer on crop–weed competition

The effects of sub‐lethal dose of herbicide and nitrogen fertilizer on crop–weed competition were investigated. Biomass increases of winter wheat and a model weed, Brassica napus, at no‐herbicide treatment with increasing nitrogen were successfully described by the inverse quadratic model and the linear model respectively. Increases in weed competitivity (β₀) of the rectangular hyperbola and parameter B in the dose–response curve for weed biomass, with increasing nitrogen were also successfully described by the exponential model. New models were developed by incorporating inverse quadratic and exponential models into the combined rectangular hyperbola with the standard dose–response curve for winter wheat biomass yield and the combined standard dose—response model with the rectangular hyperbola for weed biomass, to describe the complex effects of herbicide and nitrogen on crop–weed competition. The models developed were used to predict crop yield and weed biomass and to estimate the herbicide doses required to restrict crop yield loss caused by weeds and weed biomass production to an acceptable level at a range of nitrogen levels. The model for crop yield was further modified to estimate the herbicide dose and nitrogen level to achieve a target crop biomass yield. For the target crop biomass yield of 1200 g m^?2 with an infestation of 100 B. napus plants m^?2, the model recommended various options for nitrogen and herbicide combinations: 140 and 2.9, 180 and 0.9 and 360 kg ha^?1 and 1.7 g a.i. ha^?1 of nitrogen and metsulfuron‐methyl respectively.     

Using chemical seed dormancy breakers with herbicides for weed management in soyabean and wheat

Variable dormancies result in periodicity in the germination of weeds and make weed control a repetitive practice. Under some conditions, repeated applications of selective herbicides can lead to the dominance of perennial weeds like Cyperus rotundus . Our hypothesis was that applying a chemical dormancy breaker (DB ) plus herbicide mixture would better control a mixture of weed species. Three experiments were designed to develop a cost‐effective DB treatment and to evaluate its dose with herbicides tank‐mixtures for effective weed management. KNO ₃ and gibberellic acid GA ₃ as dormancy breakers offered comparable effects, but KNO ₃ was more economical than GA ₃. KNO ₃ at a 6% concentration was more effective in promoting weed germination than a 3% concentration in soyabean. A combination of KNO ₃ (6%) and pre‐emergence pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + imazethapyr 0.10 kg a.i. ha^?1 controlled annual weeds by 99% and reduced C. rotundus growth by 83%. This treatment gave significantly higher soyabean yield and net returns. Similarly, a tank‐mixture comprising of clodinafop 0.06 kg a.i. ha^?1 + metsulfuron 0.006 kga.i. ha^?1 was more effective against weeds than pre‐emergence tank‐mix application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + carfentrazone‐ethyl 0.02 kg a.i. ha^?1 and isoproturon 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1. The use of pre‐emergence tank‐mixture of pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + imazethapyr 0.10 kg a.i. ha^?1 should exhaust seed/tuber bank if repeated and reduce the application cost of herbicides by 50% and the dose, residue and cost of pendimethalin by 25%.     

Rapid vacuolar sequestration: the horseweed glyphosate resistance mechanism

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) weed species are now found with increasing frequency and threaten the critically important GR weed management system. RESULTS: The reported ³¹P NMR experiments on glyphosate‐sensitive (S) and glyphosate‐resistant (R) horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq., show significantly more accumulation of glyphosate within the R biotype vacuole. CONCLUSIONS: Selective sequestration of glyphosate into the vacuole confers the observed horseweed resistance to glyphosate. This observation represents the first clear evidence for the glyphosate resistance mechanism in C. canadensis. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anoda cristata control with glyphosate in narrow- and wide-row soyabean

Experiments evaluated the effect of glyphosate rate and Anoda cristata density, on crop and weed biomass and weed seed production in wide (70 cm) and narrow rows (35 cm) glyphosate‐resistant soyabean (Glycine max). Soyabean density was higher at 35 cm row spacing as an increase in planting rate in narrow‐row soyabean is recommended for producers in Argentina. Soyabean biomass at growth stage V4 (four nodes on the main stem with fully developed leaves beginning with the unifoliate leaves) was higher when grown on narrow than in wide‐rows but was not affected by the presence of A. cristata. At growth stage R5 (seed initiation – seed 3 mm long in a pod at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem, with a fully developed leaf and full canopy development), crop biomass was greater in narrow rows compared with wide rows with 12 plants m^?2 of A. cristata. In narrow‐row soyabean, a single application of a reduced rate of glyphosate maintained soyabean biomass at R5 and provided excellent weed control regardless of weed density. In wide‐row soyabean control was reduced at the high weed density. Regardless of row spacing, A. cristata biomass and seed production were severely reduced by half of the recommended dose rate of glyphosate but the relationship between biomass and seed production was not altered. Glyphosate rates as low as 67.5 g a.e. ha^?1 in narrow rows or 540 g a.e. ha^?1 in wide rows provided excellent control of A. cristata. To minimize glyphosate use, planting narrow‐row soyabean are effective where A. cristata density is low.     

Assessing potential germination period of weeds with base temperatures and base water potentials

Seed germination partly depends on both base temperature (T_b) and base water potential (Ψ_b), which currently are known only for a small number of species. Laboratory experiments were conducted to estimate these parameters for 14 weed species using the ‘x‐intercept’ method. T_b and Ψ_b (°C and MPa) for the 14 weed species were as follows: Amaranthus retroflexus (8.9 and ?0.95), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (3.6 and ?1.28), Avena fatua (2.2 and ?1.02), Capsella bursa‐pastoris (4.5 and ?0.95), Chenopodium album (5.9 and ?0.80), Echinochloa crus‐galli (6.2 and ?1.19), Geranium dissectum (0.6 and ?3.31), Matricaria perforata (2.0 and ?0.75), Picris echioides (5.2 and ?0.79), Polygonum lapathifolium (5.8 and ?1.55), Senecio vulgaris (2.5 and ?1.23), Setaria pumila (8.6 and ?0.75), Solanum nigrum (11.6 and ?0.89) and Veronica hederifolia (0.2 and ?1.67). The two parameters were used to determine potential germination times during expected non‐dormancy periods for three contrasting climatic years in Dijon, France. The number of potential germination days varied little among the tested climatic years, but substantially among species, ranging from 95 ± 9 days for V. hederifolia to 280 ± 7 days for M. perforata. These results may be of value for development of predictive growth models and understanding times when weed control may be most feasible.     

Vertical distribution, size and composition of the weed seedbank under various tillage and herbicide treatments in a sequence of industrial crops

Investigations were conducted during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 growing seasons in northern Greece to evaluate effects of tillage regime (mouldboard plough, chisel plough and rotary tiller), cropping sequence (continuous cotton, cotton–sugar beet rotation and continuous tobacco) and herbicide treatment on weed seedbank dynamics. Amaranthus spp. and Portulaca oleracea were the most abundant species, ranging from 76% to 89% of total weed seeds found in 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil depths during the 3 years. With the mouldboard plough, 48% and 52% of the weed seedbank was found in the 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil horizons, while approximately 60% was concentrated in the upper 15 cm soil horizon for chisel plough and rotary tillage. Mouldboard ploughing significantly buried more Echinochloa crus‐galli seeds in the 15–30 cm soil horizon compared with the other tillage regimes. Total seedbank (0–30 cm) of P. oleracea was significantly reduced in cotton–sugar beet rotation compared with cotton and tobacco monocultures, while the opposite occurred for E. crus‐galli. Total seed densities of most annual broad‐leaved weed species (Amaranthus spp., P. oleracea, Solanum nigrum) and E. crus‐galli were lower in herbicide treated than in untreated plots. The results suggest that in light textured soils, conventional tillage with herbicide use gradually reduces seed density of small seeded weed species in the top 15 cm over several years. In contrast, crop rotation with the early established sugar beet favours spring‐germinating grass weed species, but also prevents establishment of summer‐germinating weed species by the early developing crop canopy.     

Survey and Assessment of the Natural Enemies of Water Hyacinth,Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract

In northern Queensland, the addition of 2,4,5‐T butyl ester was found to be unnecessary to maintain the control of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link and Cyperus Iria L. In dry seeded rice when propanil rates were reduced below the registered rate of 4 kg a.i. ha^?1. Adequate weed control was obtained with 1.3 kg a.i. ha^?1 propanil alone. No adverse effects on rice yield were found with any of the propanil × 2,4,5‐T treatments. Low rates of propanil, 1.3 and 0.72 kg a.i. ha^?1, compared favourably with pre‐emergence treatments of thiobencarb, butachlor, oxyfluorfen and pretilachlor (plus a safener) when weed yields were low. Where water management was poor and Ischaemum rugosum Salisb. was the dominant weed, oxyfluorfen applied pre‐emergence at 0.96 kg a.i. ha^?1 produced a higher rice and a lower weed yield than the low rates of propanil. In three of the five experiments, weed growth was insufficient to depress rice yields significantly.     

Competitive interactions between chick-pea genotypes and weeds

Growing chick‐pea in sustainable systems requires the use and development of more competitive genotypes which can complement the effects of reduced input weed control. A 2‐year study assessed the competitive ability of 13 genotypes grown in either the presence or absence of weeds, in a split‐plot design including the weeds in pure stands. Crop and weed density, phenology, relative biomass of crop (RB_c) and weeds (RB_w), crop yield characters, crop biometric traits in the absence of weeds, relative biomass total of mixtures (RBT) and crop competitive ability (C_b = ln RB_c/RB_w) were recorded. Lines C136, C120, C101 and C106, and cultivars Pascià, Visir and Sultano gave the best seed yield in the absence of weeds (1.8–2.0 t ha^?1 DM). Weeds reduced yield by 75% and 83% in C136 and C133 and by 87–97% in the other genotypes. Weed biomass in mixture (mainly Chenopodium album) averaged 4.42 t ha^?1 DM. Chick‐pea genotypes C136 and C133 were the most competitive, but weeds were more competitive than any of the chick‐peas. C_b was correlated directly to the height of first fertile pod (r² = 0.84) and inversely to the insertion angle of primary branches to the vertical (r² = 0.77). Intergenotypic variation for competitive ability could be exploited in integrated weed control using more competitive genotypes, or used in breeding programmes aimed to develop highly competitive cultivars on the basis of easily screenable characters.