Effects of weed harrowing and undersown clover on weed growth and spring cereal yield

Weed competition and nutrient scarcity often restrict organic cereal production, especially where the availability of livestock manure is limited. While harrowing of annual weeds and legume cover crops can be used, these methods are both executed in early spring and may hinder each other. Two cycles of a 2‐year crop rotation were carried out in south‐east Norway (60°42′N, 10°51′E, altitude 250 m) with weed harrowing and undersown cover crops (WHCC) at two fertiliser rates (40 and 100 kg nitrogen ha^?1). The effect of the WHCC treatments was measured by weed density and species, weed biomass, changes in weed seedbank and grain yield. The weed density depended on the interaction between WHCC, fertiliser and year. On average, pre‐emergence weed harrowing reduced weed density by 32% and weed biomass by 49%, while pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing reduced weed density by 59% and weed biomass by 67% compared with the untreated control. Spergula arvensis became more abundant at low rather than at high fertiliser rates. On average, white clover cover crop sown after pre‐emergence weed harrowing resulted in the highest yields for both oat (+12.1%) and wheat (+16.4%) compared with the untreated control. Despite differences in weed population density and biomass among WHCC treatments within years, the weed biomass, weed density and seedbank increased for all WHCC treatments over the 4‐year period. More research is required into improving the efficacy of mechanical and cultural weed suppression methods that organic systems rely on.     

Seasonal restrictions of bud growth on roots of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis and rhizomes of Elymus repens

Brandsæter LO, Fogelfors H, Fykse H, Graglia E, Jensen RK, Melander B, Salonen J & Vanhala P (2010). Seasonal restrictions of bud growth on roots of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis and rhizomes of Elymus repens. Weed Research 50 , 102–109.

Summary

The success of weed management aimed at depleting the regenerative structures of perennial weeds depends largely on the sprouting activity of rhizome and root buds. Seasonal variation in sprouting of these buds on Cirsium arvense, Sonchus arvensis and Elymus repens was studied for plants collected from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. At 2‐week intervals from July to October, 5‐cm fragments of roots or rhizomes were cut from plants grown in buckets and planted into soil in pots, half of which were placed immediately into growth chambers at 18°C for 4 weeks. The other half of the pots were initially placed in a dark room at 2°C for 4 weeks before being transferred to the same growth chamber, also for 4 weeks. During the growth chamber period, the numbers of emerged shoots in each pot were counted weekly. The sprouting activity of C. arvense and E. repens was relatively uniform during this period and bud dormancy was not apparent. In all ecotypes of S. arvensis, innate bud dormancy developed during the latter part of the growing season. For all three species, differences in sprouting readiness were found among ecotypes. The results imply that C. arvense and E. repens are more likely to be controlled by mechanical measures in autumn than S. arvensis.     

Identifying the problem weeds of rice‐based systems along the inland‐valley catena in the southern Guinea Savanna,Africa

While weeds generally are considered as the most important overarching production constraints in inland‐valley cropping systems in West Africa, little is known about species' associations with environmental and crop management factors. Weed species' associations with seasonal and environmental factors, such as their position on the catena, soils and cropping systems, were studied during two seasons (dry and wet) in 45 arable fields of three inland valleys in south‐western Benin, Africa. The three most dominant weed species were Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Commelina benghalensis and Digitaria horizontalis on the inland‐valley crests (uplands), Ludwigia hyssopifolia, Corchorus aestuans and Ludwigia octovalvis on the sloping hydromorphic fringes and Leersia hexandra, Ipomoea aquatica and Fimbristylis ferruginea in the valley bottoms (lowlands). Echinochloa colona, Cleome viscosa and Talinum triangulare were the three most dominant species in the dry‐season crops (maize or vegetables) and Leer. hexandra, I. aquatica and Sphenoclea zeylanica were the three most dominant species in the wet‐season crop (rice). Ageratum conyzoides, Synedrella nodiflora and D. horizontalis were observed throughout the catena. Problem weeds in inland‐valley agro‐ecosystems are those that combine a high frequency with a high submergence tolerance and ecological plasticity, C₄ grasses, perennial C₃ species with persistent root structures and broad‐leaved species with high propagation rates. Weed management strategies that are aimed at increasing the resilience of rice‐based cropping systems in the inland valleys of the southern Guinea Savanna of Africa should address the categories of problem species that were identified in this study. This can be done best by following an integrated approach, including the use of more weed‐competitive cultivars and rotation crops.     

Modelling the sprouting capacity from underground buds of the perennial weed Sonchus arvensis

Sonchus arvensis is a problematic perennial weed species causing problems in many crops. Control measures often rely on soil tillage or mowing; both methods are used to exhaust the root system. This approach fails during periods of restrictions in sprouting capacity or shoot regrowth. The aim of this study was to develop a simulation model for prediction of shoot sprouting capacity in underground buds of S. arvensis. We hypothesised restricted regrowth to be induced as a function of photoperiod and temperature sum and released as a function of cold temperature sum. The model was parameterised and calibrated against observations of shoot regrowth from an experiment on intact roots of S. arvensis. Subsequently, it was validated against observations of regrowth from another experiment on intact roots and sprouting from fragmented roots from a third experiment. Restriction in regrowth was attributed to reduction in the photoperiod, observed when the day length decreased below a threshold of 16.5 h, but also to a daily mean temperature below 16.8°C. Resumed regrowth occurred in late autumn at a daily mean temperature threshold of 4.7°C. The pattern of changes over time in shoot regrowth from an intact root system was well predicted by the model. The temporal change in sprouting capacity from buds on fragmented roots followed the same pattern, but with a quantitative difference between the model prediction and the observed sprouting capacity. We conclude that the model can be used to predict the pattern over time of sprouting capacity in intact roots of S. arvensis.     

Integrated management of Bromus diandrus in dryland cereal fields under no‐till

As herbicides have limited effect in controlling Bromus diandrus in no‐till dryland cereal fields, the integration of chemical and cultural methods needs to be investigated. A field study was carried out in Lleida (Spain) during 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, in a no‐till winter cereal field integrating delayed crop sowing with herbicides in a barley–wheat–wheat rotation. Three crop sowing dates were considered: D1, mid‐October; D2, mid‐November; and D3, early December, and the herbicides mesosulfuron‐methyl plus iodosulfuron‐methyl‐sodium were applied in wheat. Weed density, cumulative emergence and fecundity were estimated for each sowing date. In all three seasons, a significant reduction in the cumulative emergence of B. diandrus as compared to D1 was observed in D2 (82.0, 97.5 and 98.1%) and D3 (80.8, 98.7 and 97.2%). In addition, a significant decrease in weed density and seed rain was observed across all sowing dates and seasons. The herbicide used in wheat was more effective under delayed sowing, due to lower weed density and presence of less developed weed seedlings. After three seasons, the populations of B. diandrus were completely depleted in D2 and D3. This study demonstrates the possibility of eliminating brome infestations in dryland cereal fields in no‐till systems through the integration of cultural and chemical strategies.     

Survival of seeds from perennial biomass species during commercial‐scale anaerobic digestion

Tall perennial grass species can be utilised as bioenergy feedstocks, but some are considered invasive species. Using biomass from such species as feedstocks for anaerobic digestion (AD) may introduce the risk of disseminating viable seeds onto agricultural lands during digestate application. To evaluate this risk, we investigated the survival rates of perennial grass seeds obtained from biomass species during AD. After removal from the digester, seeds were germinated and stained with tetrazolium chloride to determine viability. During three experimental runs, batches of 100 seeds from four species were exposed to 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h of mesophilic (38°C) AD within a commercial‐scale digester. Seed viability of Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Panicum virgatum and Solanum lycopersicum was reduced by 95% (LT₉₅) after 29, 52, 98 and 105 h of AD respectively. Commercial digesters that utilise perennial grasses as a feedstock typically have retention times ranging from 240 to 1480 h, which greatly exceeds the LT₉₅ values found in this study. Anaerobic digestion resulted in the rapid death of seeds in all species tested, suggesting unwanted dissemination of perennial grass species via digestate application to agricultural land is unlikely.     

Under‐sown cover crops and post‐harvest mowing as measures to control Elymus repens

Two potential control methods for Elymus repens, which do not disturb the soil, are post‐harvest mowing and competition from under‐sown cover crops. Our aim was to quantify the effect of cover crop competition and mowing on E. repens and to evaluate the potential for combining the two methods. We present a two‐factorial split‐plot experiment conducted at three locations in Sweden, in two experimental rounds conducted in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. A spring cereal crop was under‐sown with perennial ryegrass, red clover or a mixture of the two (subplots). Under‐sown crops were either not mowed, or mowed once or twice post‐harvest (main plots). This was followed by ploughing and a new spring cereal crop the next year. Mowing twice reduced autumn shoot biomass by up to 66% for E. repens and 50% for cover crops compared with the control, twice as much as mowing once. Pure ryegrass and mixture treatments reduced E. repens shoot biomass by up to 40% compared with the control. Mowing twice reduced rhizome biomass in the subsequent year by 35% compared with the control, while the pure red clover treatment increased it by 20–30%. Mowing twice and treatments including red clover resulted in higher subsequent grain yields. We concluded that repeated mowing has the potential to control E. repens, but a low‐yielding cover crop has insufficient effect on rhizome biomass. Clover–grass mixtures are of interest as cover crops, because they have the potential to increase subsequent crop yield and even at low levels they reduce E. repens above‐ground autumn growth.     

Weed–pathogen interactions and elevated CO2: growth changes in favour of the biological control agent

In this study, we used Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents, the winter rust (Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola) as a model system to investigate how the weed may respond to infection under a climate change scenario involving an elevated atmospheric CO₂ (550 μmol mol^?1) concentration. Under such a scenario, P. hysterophorus plants grew significantly taller (52%) and produced more biomass (55%) than under the ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentration (380 μmol mol^?1). Following winter rust infection, biomass production was reduced by 17% under the ambient and by 30% under the elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The production of branches and leaf area was significantly increased by 62% and 120%, under the elevated as compared with ambient CO₂ concentration, but unaffected by rust infection under either condition. The photosynthesis and water use efficiency (WUE) of P. hysterophorus plants were increased by 94% and 400%, under the elevated as compared with the ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentration. However, in the rust‐infected plants, the photosynthesis and WUE decreased by 18% and 28%, respectively, under the elevated CO₂ and were unaffected by the ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The results suggest that although P. hysterophorus will benefit from a future climate involving an elevation of the atmospheric CO₂ concentration, it is also likely that the winter rust will perform more effectively as a biological control agent under these same conditions.     

Overwintering biology of the carob moth Apomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The pomegranate fruit moth, Apomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), is the most important pest of pomegranate orchards in Iran, where infestations lead to 20%–80% fruit loss. A. ceratoniae overwinters as larvae in several instars. The success in overwintering determines the fruit loss in the following season, thus overwintering physiology of A. ceratoniae could provide insights into population prediction. To this end, overwintering strategy and some seasonal physiological and biochemical changes were investigated in the field-collected larvae of A. ceratoniae. The lowest supercooling point was recorded in November (?14.6 ± 0.9 °C) and the highest in both October and March (?10.2 ± 0.9 °C). The median lethal temperature (LT₅₀) of larvae was higher than supercooling point, suggesting that A. ceratoniae is chill-susceptible. Overwintering larvae had slightly higher concentrations of glycerol and sorbitol compared to summer larvae. There were no significant seasonal changes in body water content or hemolymph osmolality. Current winter temperatures in Iranian orchards are higher than the cold tolerance thresholds of A. ceratoniae, suggesting that overwintering mortality is not a key factor in determining A. ceratoniae populations.     

Influence of cutting time and stubble height on regrowth capacity of Juncus effusus and Juncus conglomeratus

Infestation by Juncus effusus and Juncus conglomeratus causes a serious reduction in forage quality along the western coastline in Norway. Timing of treatments, for example cutting to reduce photosynthate return to the weeds, is crucial for successful and cost‐effective weed control. However, the effect may depend on changes in regrowth capacity over the growing season. A growth chamber experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of cutting time and stubble height on the regrowth capacity of J. effusus and J. conglomeratus from western and eastern Norway. Tussocks were collected from extensively managed pastures at 4‐ and 6‐week intervals in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The plants were potted, cut at 1 or 5 cm and exposed to three different temperatures (7.5, 12.5 and 17.5°C) in 2009 and to 17.5°C only in 2010. The regrowth ability was evaluated after 6 weeks by measuring stem number and dry biomass from old mowed and new shoots. Regrowth increased more with temperature for the eastern than for the western ecotype of J. effusus. Cutting to 1 cm stubble height gave substantially less regrowth than 5 cm cutting, both for dry biomass and number of shoots in both years. Regrowth varied significantly with date of cut and was lowest in late summer (mid‐July–August). This suggests that weeding strategies based on low cutting and mowing rush tussocks in late summer will be most effective, due to the low regrowth capacity.     

Occurrence of sulfonylurea resistance in Sagittaria trifolia,a basal monocot species,based on target‐site and non‐target‐site resistance

Sagittaria trifolia L. is one of the most serious weeds in paddy fields in Japan. Since the late 1990s, severe infestations of S. trifolia have occurred following applications of sulfonylurea herbicides in Akita prefecture. In this study, two accessions of S. trifolia, R1 and R2, were collected from paddy fields with severe infestations and their resistance profiles were determined in comparison to a susceptible accession, S1. R1 and R2 were highly resistant to bensulfuron‐methyl. R1 was also highly resistant to pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl, but R2 was susceptible. Relative to S1, R1 had an amino acid substitution at the Pro₁₉₇ residue of acetolactate synthase (ALS), a well‐known mutation that confers sulfonylurea resistance, suggesting that R1 has a target‐site‐based resistance (TSR) mechanism. The sequence of the ALS gene in R2 was identical to that in S1. A Southern blot analysis indicated that there was only one copy of the ALS gene in S1 and R2. These results suggest that R2 has a non‐target‐site‐based resistance (NTSR) mechanism. R2 was moderately resistant to imazosulfuron but susceptible to thifensulfuron‐methyl. R2 and S1 were susceptible to pretilachlor, benfuresate, MCPA‐ethyl and bentazon. The results reveal the occurrence of two sulfonylurea‐resistant biotypes of S. trifolia that show different mechanisms of cross‐resistance to sulfonylureas related to TSR in R1 and NTSR in R2.     

Frost tolerance,regeneration capacity after frost exposure and high photosystem II efficiency during winter and early spring support high winter survival in Juncus spp.

During the past two decades, significant spread of the perennial weeds Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) in coastal parts of Norway seems to have coincided with an observed rise in winter temperatures. This study investigated the frost tolerance (LT₅₀) and effects of moderate frost exposure on rush plant regrowth over time during the period late November to late winter/spring, and photosynthetic activity in late winter/spring. Juncus effusus and J. conglomeratus of physiologically young age (seedlings) displayed similar high frost tolerance (LT₅₀) and did not differ significantly in regenerative ability following prolonged frost exposure. Regrowth capacity generally increased during winter and when stress conditions increased, shoot formation was prioritised over total biomass production. Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m) and performance index of photosystem II (PI) were high in late winter/spring, with J. effusus showing higher values than J. conglomeratus. Green, photosynthetically active shoots, which facilitate accumulation of carbohydrates during autumn and even in winter, may provide Juncus spp. with substantial competitiveness in late winter and spring. The results revealed that the dominance of J. effusus over J. conglomeratus in pastures and leys is not due to major differences in winter survival parameters, but probably the higher photosynthetic efficiency observed in J. effusus. Generally higher temperatures during winter and lower frost kill may be contributing to the current increase in rush infestation.     

Ecophysiological attributes of Mikania micrantha,an exotic invasive weed,at two different elevations in the tropical forest regions of the Western Ghats,South India

Mikania micrantha H.B.K. is a fast‐growing, perennial vine and one of the world's worst alien invasive weeds. It is a major threat to agro‐ecosystems, plantation crops and agro‐forestry systems. An attempt was made to understand the physiological adaptation and ecological amplitude of M. micrantha at two different altitudes and seasons in the Western Ghats of south India. The relationships between the net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and other physiological parameters, like stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, vapor pressure deficit and water use efficiency, and environmental factors, like photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), leaf temperature and air temperature, were analyzed in order to understand their physiological adaptabilities. The P_N exhibited a peak at 10.00 hours and declined gradually at both elevations; however, the populations at the lower elevation had a significantly greater P_N than the populations at the higher elevation in November. The P_N and g_s were positively correlated with the PAR. Under significantly different PAR levels, the difference in the average P_N was not significant for summer but was significant for winter between the two elevations. It suggested that the photosynthetic ability of M. micrantha is not affected by a difference in altitude (451 m and 912 m), as the differences in the environmental parameters were inconspicuous between the two elevations. These results indicated that this weed possesses great phenotypic plasticity and thrives better at lower elevations.     

Establishing targeted control of creeping perennial weeds with soil‐active chemical injections: Assessment of subterranean bud responses in contact

Increased infestation of aggressive creeping perennial weeds is a significant problem in urban vegetation management programs. These weeds produce vigorous biomass and extensive underground networks of either rhizomes or creeping roots that easily regrow from numerous buds. Foliar application of proper systemic herbicides has been a most effective way to suppress regrowth from underground creeping organs; however, killing the mature plants has disadvantages from aesthetic, economic, and ecological viewpoints. Therefore, we intended to test the possibility of soil‐injection of soil‐active herbicides for effective control of the perennial weeds which develop underground network systems. A pot experiment using combinations of seven species (seven rhizomatous and two having creeping roots) and five chemicals (four herbicides and a plant growth regulator) was conducted to assess whether and how chemicals diffused in soil affect the sprout and growth of buds on creeping organs. All the tested herbicides completely inhibited bud sprouting in one and more species when applied at median or high rates, while most of the flurprimidol‐applied segments sprouted but shoot elongation was significantly reduced. Characteristics of each herbicide were also reflected in the selectivity and features of new outgrowth. The results indicated that chemicals existing in soil were undoubtedly absorbed and affected bud activities. It is concluded that soil injection that delivers the probable soil‐active chemicals to subterranean creeping systems could be a promising technology for controlling noxious creeping perennials.     

Effects of relative humidity on infection,colonization and conidiation of Magnaporthe orzyae on perennial ryegrass

Grey leaf spot, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, causes severe damage on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) turf. In this study, the effects of relative humidity (RH, 88 to 100% at 28°C) on infection, colonization and conidiation of M. oryzae on perennial ryegrass were investigated in controlled humidity chambers. Results showed that the RH threshold for successful M. oryzae infection was ≥92% at 28°C. The advancement of infection on the leaf tissue was further examined with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged M. oryzae strain. No appressorium formation was found when the inoculum was incubated at RH ≤ 88%. Additionally, the GFP‐tagged staining provided a rapid method to quantitatively compare the fungal colonization from leaf tissue at different levels of RH. The fluorescence intensity data indicated that the fungal biomass was highest at 100% RH and there was no fluorescence intensity observed at 88% RH or below. Conidiation was only observed when RH was ≥96%, with the most abundant conidiation occurring 8 days after inoculation. Reduced conidiation was associated with decreasing RH, and no conidiation occurred at RH ≤ 92%. This study indicates that infection and conidiation of M. oryzae on perennial ryegrass required different thresholds: 92% and 96% RH for infection and conidiation, respectively. The quantitative data from this research will assist in prediction of grey leaf spot disease outbreaks and of secondary infection of perennial ryegrass.     

Diversity in weed seed production and the soil seed bank: Contrasting responses between two agroecosystems

This study was carried out to compare the diversity in seed production and the soil seed bank in a dryland and an irrigated agroecosystem in the dry tropics. Both agroecosystems showed a comparable number of species, but only 25% and 38% similarity during the winter and rainy cropping seasons, respectively. In the irrigated agroecosystem, the amount of seed production diversity was almost double in the winter season, compared to the rainy season. The weed seedbank diversity was low but was sensitive to cropping practices and seasons in both agroecosystems. A considerably smaller soil seedbank size in the irrigated agroecosystem (cf. dryland) was related to lowered weed seed production. The dryland agroecosystem showed a greater accumulation of the seeds of broad‐leaved weeds, whereas the irrigated agroecosystem accumulated more seeds of the grasses or sedges. About three‐fourths of the seeds during the winter season were accounted for by Anagallis arvensis and Chenopodium album in the dryland agroecosystem and by C. album and Melilotus indica in the irrigated agroecosystem. However, during the rainy season, Ammannia baccifera, Echinochloa colona and Cyperus rotundus dominated in both agroecosystems. The changes in the weed seed bank and its diversity are mainly attributed to differences in water management, which tends to reduce species diversity, especially at a lower depth, but leads to the dominance of some potentially noxious weeds (e.g. Phalaris minor and M. indica). Approximately double the soil seedbank size and a greater diversity at a lower depth might indicate an adaptive mechanism in the storage of weed seeds in the dryland agroecosystem.     

Relationship between the temperature and the overwintering of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) at Kowataike,a branch of Yodogawa River,Japan

The successful overwintering of water lettuce (Araceae, Pistia stratiotes L.) is reported in Kowataike, a pond in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, in the temperate climate zone. Overwintering was observed in the northern zone of Kowataike, where warm water discharge flows from an upstream electrical appliance factory. From December 2007 to January 2008, several overwintering water lettuce plants were observed in the northern zone where the water temperature was abnormally high (average: 21.9°C; low: 19.5°C). Water in the central zone of Kowataike was isolated from the warm water discharge. The temperatures here were much lower (average: 8.2°C; low: 4.2°C) and no water lettuce plant survived here. The overwintering in the northern zone fluctuated annually. This fluctuation appeared to be correlated with the period of warm water discharge, which varied from year to year and resulted in higher water temperatures most, but not all, of the winter. The results suggest that artificial environmental factors, such as anthropogenic warm water discharge, could enable water lettuce to overwinter. In the northern zone of Kowataike under the influence of the warm water discharge, only small water lettuce plants overwintered. This may be attributed to the presence of older plants with larger leaves that seemed to protect the small rosettes from frost. Second, the air warmed by the warm discharge accumulated in the space under the piles of dead large leaves, which created conditions similar to those of a greenhouse. These two mechanisms apparently allow the small water lettuce plants to be surrounded by moderate atmospheric conditions.     

Alternative inoculum sources for fire blight: the potential role of fruit mummies and non‐host plants

Fire blight is the most damaging bacterial disease in apple production worldwide. Cankers and symptomless infected shoots are known as sites for the overwintering of Erwinia amylovora, subsequently providing primary inoculum for infection in the spring. In the present work, further potential sources of inoculum were investigated. Real‐time PCR assays covering a 3‐year‐period classified 19·9% of samples taken from fruit mummies as positive. Bacterial abundance in fruit mummies during autumn, winter and spring was up to 10⁹ cells per gram of tissue and correlated well with later infection rates of blossoms. Blossoms of non‐host plants growing close to infected trees were also shown to be colonized by E. amylovora and to enable epiphytic survival and propagation of bacteria. The results indicate a potential role of fruit mummies and buds in overwintering and as a source of primary inoculum for dissemination of the pathogen early in the growing season. Non‐host blossoms may also serve as an inoculum source in the build‐up of the pathogen population. Both aspects may contribute significantly to the epidemiology of E. amylovora. The significance of infected rootstocks as an inoculum source is also discussed. Fruit mummies might be used to determine pathogen pressure in an orchard before the beginning of the blooming period.     

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.     

Laboratory survival of Drosophila suzukii under simulated winter conditions of the Pacific Northwest and seasonal field trapping in five primary regions of small and stone fruit production in the United States

BACKGROUND: Drosophila suzukii was first found in Oregon in August 2009. The threat of this pest to regional small and stone fruit production industries led to investigations on its overwintering capabilities in fruit‐growing regions in the Pacific Northwest. Knowledge of its cold tolerance will help in the development of computer models to forecast seasonal population growth and decline. RESULTS: Of 1500 adults or pupae, 22 (1.4%) individuals survived the 84 day experimental chilling period. Most (86%) of the survivors were subjected to 10 °C temperature treatments. Survival decreased significantly at lower temperature treatments. Freezing temporarily increased the mortality rate but did not significantly affect overall mortality over the trial period. Flies that emerged from pupae are estimated to survive for up to 103–105 days at 10 °C and for shorter periods at lower temperatures. Field trapping in five fruit production areas has demonstrated overwintering survival in California and Oregon, but lower survival is predicted in Eastern Washington and Michigan. CONCLUSION: The experiments reported here indicate that long‐term survival of D. suzukii is unlikely at temperatures below 10 °C. Field data from five climatic regions indicated extended low initial D. suzukii field presence in 2010 in all regions except California, where field presence was recorded earlier. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry