Factors affecting glyphosate activity in Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. and Cyperus rotundus L. II: effect of shade

Imperata cylindrica and Cyperus rotundus were grown under three different light regimes; unshaded, 50% shade, and 75% shade and no shade plus 75% shade before and after spraying, (temporary shade) in a heated greenhouse. Six weeks after the start of the experimenis, glyphosate was applied to the plants at 0·2, 0·4 and 0·8 kg/ha (for Imperata) or 0·3, 0·6 and 1·2 kg/ha (for Cyperus). Glyphosate toxicity was enhanced as shade increased. In Imperata, all shade regimes at all rates of glyphosate eaused greater damage to the plants than the unshaded regime. The reduction in shoot dry weight, rhizome dry weight and total carbohydrate content of Imperate rhizotties at 75% continuous and temporary shaiie conditions, with the lowest rate of glyphosate, was almost twice as much as the reduction in the same features m the unshaded plants caused by the highest rate of glyphosate. In Cyperus. glyphosate at the intermediate and highest rates decreased the shoot dry weight at 75% continuous shade by 79% and 98% respectively. Plants in 50% shade were significantly affected only at the highest rate of glyphosate. Sprouting ability of the tubers al 75% continuous shade was inhibited when the tubers were replanted for recovery. Enhanced toxicity of glyphosate in reduced light intensity was attributed to the morphological changes in the nature of the leaves caused by shade.     

Effect of glyphosate on the sprouting of Cyperus rotundus L. tubers

Post-emergence applications of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] have been shown not to eradicate purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) in the field. It was not known if this was due to failure to control emerged plants or if dormant tubers produced new plants after application. Studies with individual plants were conducted in screenhouse facilities to determine the effects of glyphosate rate, time for translocation, area of foliage treated, and shade on the sprouting ability of tubers attached to treated plants. Rates of 1.5–2.0 kg/ha glyphosate inhibited tuber sprouting; 72 h were required for complete translocation at 1.0 kg/ha whereas 36 h were sufficient at 2.0 kg/ha. Treating less than all of the foliage reduced foliar control and increased tuber sprouting. Shading treated plants reduced control of the foliage but did not affect glyphosate translocation to the tubers. These studies showed that glyphosate kills C. rotundus foliage and the tubers attached to treated plants. Therefore, regrowth after glyphosate application under field conditions is due to dormant tubers which sprout after treatment.     

Seasonal activity of EPTC for Cyperus rotundus L. control in a tropical climate*

Four experiments were conducted at six week intervals to determine the seasonal activity and persistence of soil-incorporated EPTC (5-ethyl N,N-dipropyl(thiocarbamate)) for Cyperus rotundus L. control and tolerance of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) during the dry and wet seasons in Viçosa, Brazil. Satisfactory control of C. rotundus was obtained at 2 kg/ha EPTC during the dry season and 4 kg/ha or more during the wet season. Only red beet and carrot tolerated these doses of EPTC when the crops were planted five days after application. However, selective control of C. rotundus was obtained when the planting date of lettuce was delayed for three or six weeks after EPTC application. EPTC controlled C. rotundus at half the dose that was required to control three species of annual grass that germinated near the soil surface. EPTC persisted longer when applied to air dry soil and incorporated with a rototiller than when incorporated into moist or wet soil.     

Effect of intervals between application and tillage on glyphosate control of Cyperus rotundus L.*

Research conducted in El Salvador, Central America, demonstrated that an interval of 3 days between application of glyphosate and tillage was sufficient to cause 90% reduction in purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) plants, while delays of 11–23 days generally gave slightly less reduction. à second application to the same plots 35 days following tillage resulted in more than 90% reduction with all intervals. Approximately 3 months after the initial treatment, tuber numbers had been reduced to half the original population. Germination of the remaining tubers was reduced by more than 50%. Glyphosate applied during the dry season caused an average of 79% reduction in plant numbers compared with 88% in the rainy season. However, in the dry season, the remaining plants had no competition from other weeds and after 5 months there was only à 40% reduction in nutsedge population. During the rainy season, 1, 2 and 3 kg/ha were equally effective, but 1 kg/ha was not sufficient in the dry season.     

Growth and reproduction of Cyperus esculentus L. and Cyperus rotundus L.

The growth of both species (as characterized by their total dry weight, inflorescence dry weight, root and rhizome dry weight and number of shoots per pot) was similar, but they differed in the manner in which the dry weight was partitioned to reproductive structures. Each species partitioned less than 2% of its dry weight into floral formation. However, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) partitioned only 28% of its dry weight to tubers, whereas purple nutsedge (C. rotundus L.) partitioned 50% of its dry weight to fewer and larger tubers. The allocation of dry weight to reproductive structures was related to changes in day-length. Yellow nutsedge tuber formation increased as day-length decreased from 14.5 to 12.5 h, while floral formation did not begin until the day-length dropped below 14 h. Purple nutsedge formed inflorescences earlier and production continued throughout the remainder of the study, but tuber formation was curvilinear and accelerated as the day-length decreased.     

Effect of naptalam on growth of yellow nutsedge and subsequent control with glyphosate*

Naptalam applied to yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L., var leptostachvus Boeck.) plants through nutrient culture, as a foliar spray or to the soil surface significantly stimulated the transformation of rhizomes into new shoots when the plants were grown under a 20-h photoperiod. Applications of naptalam to plants grown under short-day conditions inhibited tuber production. Applications of glyphosate to yellow nutsedge foliage at 0·3 and 0·6 kg ha resulted in 57 and 68% dormant tubers respectively, compared to 27% in untreated plants. These lower rates did not significantly increase the number of nonviable tubers. The application of 1·1 and 2·2 kg ha resulted in 47 and 52% dormant tubers, respectively and approximately 40% nonviable tubers. When production of new shoots of yellow nutsedge was induced by soil treatment with napialam and followed later with glyphosate significantly greater control of the nutsedge was observed than from either herbieide alone. Effets du naptalame sur la crossance du experus aune et efficaeite ulterieure du glyphosate. Le naptalame appliquè sur des plantes de cypérus jaune (Cyperus esculentus L. var leptostachyus Boeck) a vee des éléments nutritifs, en pulvérisation fobaire ou à la surface du sol a significativement stimulé la transformation des rhizomes en nouvelles pousses forsque les plantes ont été soumises à une photopériode de 20 h. Les applications de naptalame aux plantes pousant dans des conditions de jours courts ont inhibe la production des tubercules. Des applications de glyphosate sur le feuillage du cypérus jaune à 0.3 et 0.6 kg ha ont donné respectivement 57 et 68% de tubercules dormants contre 27% chez les plantes non traitées. Ces doses plus faibles n'ont pas augmente significativement le nombre de tubercules nonviables. L'application de 1.1 et 2.2 kg ha a donné respectivement 47 et 52% de tubercules dormants, et approxativement 40% de tubercules non viables. Lorsque la production de nouvelles pousses de cypérus jaune a été induite par un traitement du sol au naptalame. suivi ulterieurement d'une application de glyphosate. l'efficacite observée sur le cypérus a été significativement meilleure qu'avee l'un ou l'autre de ces herdicides employé soul. Der Einfluss von Naptalam auf das Wachstum von Cyperus esculentus L. und nachfolgender Bekämpfung mit Glyphaxate Wird Naptalam in die Nähelösungskultur oder auf das Blatt von Cyperus esculentus var leptostachyus Boeek, sowj?e auf die Bodenoberfläche appliziert so stimulieri es die Bildung von neuen Trieben aus Rhizomen, wenn die Pflazen einer Photoperiode von 20 Std. ausgesetzt werden. Unter Kurztagshedingungen hemmt Napralam die Bildung von Knollen Wurde Naptalam auf die Blätter mít 0.3 und 0.6 kg ha appliziert so stieg die Zahl der dormanten Knollen von 27% bei unbehandelt auf 57% und 68% bei behandelt. Diese niedrigen Aufwandmengen steigerten die Zahl der keimfähigen Knollen nicht significant. Die Applikation von 1.1 und 2.2 kg ha resultiere in 47 und 52% dormanten und 40% nicht keimfähigen Knotlen. Wenn die Bildung von Trieben durch eine Behandlung mit Naptalam über dem Boden induziert wurde und diese nachfolgend mit Bekämpfungserfolg als wenn jades Herbizid allein angewandt wurde.     

Glyphosate injury on Cyperus esculent us leaves and basal bulbs: histological study

The effect of glyphosate on leaves and basal bulbs of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) plants was studied. Treatment with glyphosate did not affect leaf anatomy, although light necrotic spots were seen on the veins. In contrast, basal bulb organization was greatly affected with large necrotic zones and disorganization in the vascular cylinder due to herbicide accumulation. Depletion or disappearance of vacuolar phenols was observed in bulbs of plants treated with the highest doses of glyphosate. The most remarkable effect of glyphosate was the appearance of one layer of sclerenchymatic cells between root and rhizome primordia and the cortical tissues which could play an important role in the inhibition of rhizome and root emergence by the herbicide.     

Allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and different moisture conditions

The allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [ Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and the effect of water stress on the growth and allelopathic activity of this plant were investigated. Seed germination, shoot growth and root growth of tested plant species in soil collected from a field where Mexican sunflower had been grown for 5 years were less than those in soil from an area without the plant. Growth of young leaves, mature leaves, senescent leaves, stem and roots of Mexican sunflower was reduced with decrease in soil moisture level. The allelopathic activity of water extracts (per dry weight of starting material) from each part of the plants grown at low soil moisture levels was greater than that of the water extracts from the same part of the plants grown at high soil moisture levels. The allelopathic activity was found in the soil from the pots previously planted with Mexican sunflower to a similar extent (per plant) at different soil moisture levels. These results suggested that, in the field, under water stress conditions, the growth of Mexican sunflower was reduced but the plants contained a greater amount of allelopathic substance(s) per dry weight than in the absence of water stress. It was considered that allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower in soil was maintained to a similar extent under various soil moisture conditions in natural fields.     

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF IMPERATA CYLINDRICA (L.) BEAUV. IN MALAYSIA*

Summary. Paraquat-based treatments were evaluated for the control of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., a perennial grass with extensive rhizomes of great regenerative power. Single applications of 0–5 lb/ac paraquat gave good initial control, but regeneration was rapid. Increases up to 2–0 lb/ac had little effect on the duration of control, nor did the volume rate from 40 to 120 gal/ac. When an initial application of 05 lb/ac was followed by two further applications of 0–25 lb/ac, when the level of control had decreased to 50%, lasting control was obtained. Application of 6–8 lb/ac dalapon followed by 0–25 lb/ac paraquat also gave good control, comparable with that achieved by the conventional treatment of dalapon alone at 15–20 lb/ac. La lutte chimique contre Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. en Malaisie Résumé. Des traitements utilisant le paraquat ont étè essayés pour lutter contre Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., graminée pérenne avec des rhizomes importants qui manifestent un pouvoir de régénération élevé, Des applications uniques de paraquat à la dose 0,56 kg/ha ement un bon eifel initial mais la régéneration fut rapide. L'accroissement de la dose jusquà 2,2 kg/ha n'eut qu'une faible incidence sur la durée de l'action herbicide, l'augmentation du volume de traitement de 450 à 1350 1/ha ne provoqua pas non plus d'augmentation de I'efficacité. Une seule application de paraquat à 0,56 kg/ha, quand le niveau de I'efficacité eut décru jusquà 50%, suivie de deux applications supplémen-taires à 0,275 kg/ha, donna une efficacité plus durable. Des applications de dalapon de 6,7 à 9,0 kg/ha suivies de traitements au paraquat à 0,275 kg/ha donnèerent un résultat aussi bon que celui obtenu par les traitements habituels au dalapon seul, à la dose dc 16 à 22 kg/ha. Chemisehe Bekampfung von Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. in Malaysia Zusammenfassung. Es erfolgten Untersuchungen zur Bekämpfung von Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., einem mehrjährigen Gras mit einem ausgedehnten Rhizomsystem und starker Regenerationskraft, mit Paraquat, Einmalige Applikation von 0,56 kg/ha Paraquat hatte zwar eine gute Anfangswirkung, doch erfolgte rasche Regeneration. Eine Erhöhung bis auf 2,2 kg/ha war ebenso wie eine Änderung der Spritzbrühmenge von ca 450–1350 I/ha von geringem Einfluss auf die Nachhaltigkeit der Bekämpfungs-massnahmen. Eine einmalige Anwendung von 0,56 kg/ha Paraquat gefolgt von zwei weiteren Applikationen von 0,28 kg/ha, wenn die Regeneration ungelahr 50% erreicht hatte, ergab nachhaltige Wirkung. Behandlungen mit 6,7-9 kg/ha Dalapon gefolgt von 0,28 kg/ha Paraquat hatten ebenfalis eine gute Wirkung, die mit der einer konven-tionellen Behandlung mit 16,8-22 kg/ha Dalapon vergleiehbar war.     

五氯酚钠防除稻田杂草的试验

在旱秧田、水秧田、旱直播田和水直播田的试验中,播前施用五氯酚钠,每公顷5—20公斤,除草效果不够良好。但在插秧本田的试验中,插前每公顷施用五氯酚钠15—30公厅对防除稗草(Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.)和球穗莎草(Cyperus globosus All.)的效果极为良好。以在插秧前一天,每公顷施用30公斤效果最好,对稗草和球穗莎草的防除效果分别达到92.7%和79.6%。插后处理,每公顷施用五氯酚钠15公斤,效果也较好。另外的试验,观察了五氯酚钠不同剂型:颗粒剂、混土、溶液等的防除效果。防除稗草用颗粒剂和混土处理要优于溶液处理;防除球穗莎草则以溶液处理为最好。各处理对水稻均无药害,所有用五氧酚钠处理区的产量均高于不除草区,但较两次人工除草的为低。本文讨论了在秧田和直播田用五氯酚钠防除稗草效果较差的原因。     

GROWTH,TUBER FORMATION AND SPREAD OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS L. FROM SINGLE TUBERS*

Summary. Single tubers of Cyperus rotundus L. were planted at intervals over the year. Plant growth was slow and sprouting of tubers was inhibited at temperatures below 20°C, but tubers overwintered at temperatures above freezing point. In the warm season, plant growth and tuber formation rate closely followed air temperature and tubers were forming within 1 month from planting. No inflorescence appeared during the cool season. In autumn-planted C. rotundus grown in containers, the ratio of aerial to subterranean weight decreased from 1·1 in December to 0·2–0·4 in summer. The weight of tubers in mid-summer was about 10 times more than that present in December. Tubers formed at ail times of year and at various locations on plants sprouted readily in laboratory tests (76–100% sprouting). C. rotundus planted in March at wide spacings was grown in field conditions free of other plant competition for 20 months. Within 2 months the plants had spread to 90 cm. At the end of the first and the second summer of growth, the mean area of one plant was 7·6 m² and 56·7 m², respectively, and patches had expanded then by 2·8 m and 5·4 m, respectively, from the initial shoot. After 20 months of growth all tubers were present within the 0–40 cm soil depth, 60–70% of them in the 0–20 cm layer. About 30% of the tubers were within 1 m and 60% within 2 m of the plant centre. Under the patch centre there were about 1000 tubers per m² with 0·3 kg dry weight; in the upper 20 cm more than 3500 tubers weighing 0·9 kg were present per m³ of soil. Croissance, formation de tubercules et propagation de Cyperus rotundus L. issu de tubercules uniques     

Detection of triazine and urea herbicide residues by various characteristics of oat seedlings in bioassays

Atrazine, simazine, diuron, and linuron applied to soil increased the percentage moisture of oat (Avena sativa L.) shoots in bioassays at the lowest dose tested of 0·25 ppm. Further increases occurred up to 2 ppm but at higher concentrations the percentage moisture decreased. At all doses of each herbicide, shoot dry weight was decreased. In oats grown on soil collected from a peach orchard which had received repeated annual applications of these herbicides, the percentage moisture of the oat shoots was higher than the control value whenever the oat dry weight was decreased and provided a method of residue detection as sensitive as dry weight measurements. Treatment of oats by soil application of the above herbicides in bioassays also caused increases in the electrical conductivity of an aqueous extract of the oat shoots per mg of dry weight and this characteristic was slightly more sensitive than dry weight in detecting herbicides in orchard soil. The conductivity of the extract per mg of water in the shoots, however, only increased as percentage moisture decreased. The weight of neutral water-soluble material in oat shoots decreased much more rapidly than dry weight in bioassays with standard herbicide concentrations. Determination of the weight of neutral water-soluble material in oat plants grown on orchard soil samples indicated the presence of herbicide residues in 50% of the cases in which residues were not detectable by dry weight. The weight of neutral material as a percentage of dry weight was almost as sensitive. Chemical analysis of soil in which oat plants had a decreased level of neutral water-soluble compounds indicated that this characteristic had a lower limit of detection for herbicide residues of approximately 0.10 ppm.     

DEVELOPMENT OF CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS.*

Summary. Early development of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, was studied on one-node rhizome fragments planted at successive dates over a year. Aerial growth followed the changes in external temperature; in the cool season tops grew very slowly but remained alive. New rhizomes were formed only at temperatures exceeding 15–20°C. Flowering occurred in the warm season from May onwards. No relationship was found between flowering and rhizome formation. The age of plants forming new rhizomes decreased from 5 months for the January planting to less than 2 months for the May-September plantings. Rhizome bud germination was maximal between 23 and 35°C, slow below 20°C and inhibited at 10°C. The weight ratio of tops to subterranean parts of established plants was near 1 in winter, declined in March-April and remained at 0·5–0·6 from May onwards. An established sward of C. dactylon was sampled from September to November of the following year. Dry weight was lowest from January to mid-April, rose in spring and decreased in late summer. Almost no rhizomes were found deeper than 45 cm. Underground parts from the 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm horizons constituted 62, 26 and 12% of the total weight, respectively; rhizomes formed more than 90% of the total underground dry weight. In the warm season the dry weight of the subterranean organs amounted to 2, 0·7 and 0·4 kg/m³ of soil in the three horizons, respectively. Percent dry matter in tops and subterranean parts was about 35–45% in the winter and 50–65% in the warm season. Up to 2% reducing sugars was found in various parts of the plants. The water-soluble sugar content of rhizomes was high in November-December, decreased in late winter, rose again in spring, and decreased in late summer. Percent germination of rhizome buds fluctuated greatly during the year, but complete dormancy was never recorded. Newly-formed rhizomes showed a high germinative capacity. Similar germination percentages were found on fragments with one node and those with several nodes. Développement du Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.     

SPATIAL GROWTH OF SORGHUM HALEPENSE (L.) PERS.*

Summary. Small plants of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. were planted in the field and grown without competition from weeds and crops for 2½ years. The plant spread by means of subterranean rhizomes from which aerial shoots developed at increasing distances from the plant centre, and by tillering around these aerial shoots to form clumps. No preferential direction of expansion was detected and established patches developed an approximately circular shape. Aerial growth stopped completely in the cold season. During the warm season the mean area increment amounted to 1·3 m²/month and was similar in both years of observations. After 2½ years of growth, patches had extended up to 3·4 m from the initial sprig and had a mean area of 17 m². In the second summer of growth, shoot density reached 190/m² and mean seed production was 84 g, or 28 000 seeds per plant. About 80% of rhizome dry weight was present in the upper 20 cm of soil and rhizomes did not penetrate deeper than 40 cm. About 80% of rhizome dry weight was present within 1 m radius from the plant centre. Croissance dans l'espace de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.     

An Introduction to the Use and Preparation of Artificial Diets with Special Emphasis on Diets for Phytophagous Lepidoptera

Abstract

In an experiment conducted in an almost pure stand of Imperata cylindrica to compare manual and chemical methods of control, forking out of rhizomes up to a depth of 45 cm gave long-lasting control. Slashing the grass to ground level at intervals of 4–6 weeks resulted in a low degree of control in terms of visual assessment of top growth and a high degree of control in terms of suppression of rhizome development, which was comparable to the most effective chemical methods; dalapon (22.2 kg a.i./ha) and dalapon–paraquat sequential spray. The results suggest that the effectiveness of control measures can be improved by timing the dalapon spray to coincide with adequate soil moisture reserve and by regulating frequency of slashing with regard to soil moisture status and the number of previous slashings imposed. The chemical treatment and the slashings suppressed development of rhizomes but did not cause increased rhizome mortality. The stage of growth at which dalapon was sprayed in dalapon–paraquat sequential spray treatment, did not influence the degree of control achieved as assessed visually.     

Studies of Salvia reflexa Hornem. I. Possible competitive mechanisms

When grown in mixtures with equal numbers of wheat plants Satvia reflexa was found not to be a strong competitor. The height and inflorescence dry weight of wheat was increased by watering the mixtures from above ihe foliage. These effects were accentuated by moisture stress. Aqueous leachatcs oi S. refiexa foliage were found (o inhibit the germination and/or early growth of wheat grown on filter paper in petri dishes and in different soil lypes.     

AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.—SOME EFFECTS OF RHIZOME FRAGMENTATION, RHIZOME BURIAL AND DEFOLIATION

Summary. A factorial experiment with couch grass ( Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) grown in boxes examined the effects of rhizome fragmentation, planting depth and shoot removal on the survival of rhizome pieces, new rhizome growth and rhizome carbohydrate reserves.
Burial to 4 in. depth in sandy loam soil led to the death of 54% of 1 in. long rhizome pieces and 28% of 3 in. pieces. With all the segment lengths tested deeper planting decreased the proportion of buds which produced shoots.
Shoot removal every 14 days decreased the dry weight and carbohydrate content of the planted rhizomes and prevented new rhizome growth. Segments 1 or 3 in. long lost their carbohydrate reserves more quickly than 9 in. pieces. Rhizomes planted at 4 in. depth contained less carbohydrate after establishment than shallow-planted material, and produced less new rhizome growth.
IS Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.–Quelques effets de la fragmentation et de l'enfouissement du rhizome et de la defoliation     

Studies on the depth distribution and on the germination and growth of Equisetum arvense L (field horsetail) from tubers

Soil core samples taken from a sandy loam soil at Woburn during January 1972, following spring beans during the previous year, indicated that half the rhizome dry weight of Equisetum arvense (L.) occurred in the uppermost 25 cm of soil and 10% between 75 and 100 cm. Tubers occurred relatively more deeply with half the number and three-quarters of the weight deeper than 50 cm. However, after a 2-year fallow 80% of the rhizomes and tubers were in the uppermost 25 cm of soil. In general, the weight of individual tubers increased with increasing depth in the soil. In pots in the glasshouse, tubers that were formed in one season lost weight when new shoots emerged in the following year; those formed during summer germinated readily in warmth indoors when detached in the autumn, but not until June of the following year in the field. Burial of tubers at a range of depths down to 25 cm did not affect the number of shoots emerging but emergence was delayed. Plants made more growth in neutral than in acid or basic soil, more in silty clay loam than in sandy loam and appeared well adapted to growth in soils with little nitrogen. In general, rhizome growth was less affected by variations in pH and nitrogen level than were shoots and tubers. Plants grown from tubers were suppressed greatly by wheat sown densely and given a moderate amount of nitrogen fertilizer but had negligible effect on the wheat. With fewer wheat plants given less nitrogen, the species partitioned more of its assimilate into tubers than when it was grown alone. The significance of tubers in the biology of the species is briefly discussed and areas meriting further study are highlighted.     

Control of Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) by rotary cultivation and glyphosate

Various control strategies for Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) were investigated in a dense stand of the weed at Lincoln College in 1977–1978. In early spring plots were either rotary cultivated or left undisturbed. In late spring, plots of both previous treatments were either left undisturbed, rotary cultivated or sprayed with glyphosate at 1·5 kg ha^?1. The whole experiment was rotary cultivated twice 1 week later and sown with Hordeum vulgure L. cv. Zephyr (barley) at 144 kg seed ha^?1. MCPA + dicamba at 0·9+0·15 kg ha^?1 was applied to half of each plot when the second node was detectable (Zadok 32). Rotary cultivation and glyphosate both substantially reduced the regrowth of A. millefolium but glyphosate reduced regrowth by a greater proportion when applied to undisturbed plants than when applied to plants regenerating after cultivation. Both gave a more than 95% reduction compared to the control (rotary cultivation only at sowing time) in the amount of A. millefolium present in the barley stubble in the autumn. MCPA + dicamba caused seedling mortality but did not affect the numbers of primary shoots from rhizome fragments. The grain yield of the barley increased from 2·91 t ha^?1 when A. millefolium was not controlled to 4·23 t ha^?1 with good control. The barley yield appeared to be restricted by competition from regenerating A. millefolium and by a nitrogen deficiency induced in some regimes by nitrogen immobilization in decaying rhizomes.     

Weed management on Vertisols for small-scale farmers in Ghana

Vertisols and vertic clays represent a vast crop production resource (300 million hectares world-wide) that is underutilized, mainly because of problems with soil physical characteristics (particularly relating to water) and weeds. These montmorillonitic clays are generally more fertile and have higher water-holding capacities than many tropical soils, but they are difficult to manage as they are very sticky when wet and hard and cloddy when dry. Research in Ghana has shown that it is technically possible to increase crop yields by 90% in normal wet seasons by using raised (camber) beds to control water, but further increases in yield potential are prevented by highpopulations of Cyperus rotundus L. and Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel. These challenges have been addressed by research on farms and on a research station to determine the effectiveness of glyphosate and camber beds for weed and water management and crop production in maize-based farming systems. Field trials have shown that tuber populations of C. rotundus could be reduced by 95% after glyphosate at 1.8 kg a.e. ha-1 was applied at the beginning of four cropping seasons during 1997 and 1998. The combination of glyphosate for weed control and camber beds to shed excess water produced maize grain yields of 3.5 t ha-1 - a significant increase over the typical yields of ～1.0 t ha-1 withtraditional methods ofhoe-weeding onflat land. Economic evaluations have shown that the returns to small-scale farmers could be considerably increased by the use of glyphosate for weed control.