The creation of longitudinal cracks in shrinking soils to enhance seedling emergence. Part I. The effect of soil structure

Stand establishment in crusting soils is one of the most critical stages in the production of crops with delicate seedlings. This becomes more difficult in hard‐setting soils of arid lands where dispersion of aggregates due to irrigation results in the formation of a hard layer as the soil dries from the surface downwards and impedes seedling emergence. However, seeds planted near to natural cracks manage to emerge through them. The aim of this study was to improve seedling emergence of irrigated crops in arid and semi‐arid conditions by devising methods to create longitudinal cracks in the vicinity of the seed rows during the subsequent drying phase. Laboratory experiments were conducted in soil boxes containing air‐dried clay soils to investigate the influence of different mechanical effects on the cracking pattern after flooding. Promising results were achieved by compacting a 7–15‐mm wide strip along the seed row. Monitoring the effect of compaction on water release characteristics and tensile strength of soil revealed that the greater water loss of the surrounding non‐compacted soil caused a suction gradient towards the points of lower water content resulting in movement of water and particles towards the drier zones. The compacted soil with a greater tensile strength did not permit the flow of water and particles to the loose soil and a discontinuity occurred. A field experiment in central Iran proved the feasibility of the technique in a semi‐arid area. This was achieved by lightly compacting a narrow strip of soil by applying 17–35 kg on a 22‐mm wide, 558‐mm diameter wheel covered by a layer of flexible rubber which ran over the pre‐compacted soil.     

Effect of surface crusting on emergence of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) seedlings II. Influence of tillage treatment,planting method and time of crust formation

The influence of tillage treatment and the time of crust formation after planting on the degree of surface crusting and seedling emergence of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), planted on the flat and on ridges, are described. Crusts were developed artificially at specific times after planting. Under non-crusted conditions (control), more rapid drying of the soil in the seed zone occurred in conventionally-tilled, ridge-planted (Tcr) and minimum-tilled, flat-planted (Tmf) seedbeds compared with excessively and conventionally-tilled, flat-planted (Tef and Tcf) seedbeds. The formation of surface crusts induced a reduction in moisture loss from the seed zone. On drying, large crust blocks with a smooth surface developed in Tef plots whereas, in Tmf plots, small crust blocks with a rough surface appeared. Both the rate of emergence and the ultimate emergence of soybeans were in the order Tef > Tcf > Tcr > Tmf under non-crusted conditions and, on average, in the order Tcr > Tcf > Tef > Tmf under crusted conditions. Crusts which formed within two days of sowing were more injurious because these were hard and impenetrable, and were present at the normal time of seedling emergence. Crusts induced 72 h after planting had less effect on seedling emergence because, by the time they could form, emergence was already almost completed.     

Seedling emergence and yield of pearlmillet on naturally crusted arid soils in relation to sowing and cultural methods

The influence of sowing and cultural methods in pearlmillet production on the crust formation and seedling emergence in natural field conditions is described. In drill sowing, higher penetration strengths of 108–128 K Pa were recorded on Day 3 which slightly decreased on Days 4–5 and again increased to 162–172 K Pa on Day 7 after sowing during the years of crust formation. Minimum penetration strengths (64–74 K Pa) were recorded where farm yard manure (FYM) was applied over seed furrows. High rates of emergence (19–20 day⁻) and ultimate emergence (65–69%) with a low mean period of emergence (3.5–3.6 days) and seedling mortality (30–34%) were recorded with FYM applied over seed furows. Furrow planting in a ridge and furrow system improved emergence parameters as compared with drill sowing and was dependent on the compactness of the ridges. Application of FYM over seed furrows gave significantly higher yields compared with drill sowing, seed soaking and mixed sowing with legumes. The mixing of FYM in the soil gave a higher number of plants than did mixed sowing of pearlmillet and a legume in the years of crust formation, although yields were the same.     

Experiments on the effects of seedbed characteristics on seedling emergence in a dry weather situation

A research program concerning the seedbed preparation problems in Swedish agriculture included a series of pot experiments in shallow plastic boxes. Seedbeds of well-defined characteristics were arranged, and seedling emergence was determined by daily plant countings. In the experiments reported, the main subject of study was the efficiency of the seedbed in controlling evaporation. Clay or clay loam soils were used, and the crops were mainly small grain cereals.Seven experiments with unstratified seedbeds showed that for small grains in a dry weather situation, the seed should be placed directly onto the moist bottom of a harrowed layer, which should be 4–5 cm deep and mainly consist of aggregates smaller than 4 mm. If the bottom layer contains less than 5% plant available water, or if a fine enough seedbed structure cannot be produced, the depth of both harrowing and sowing should be increased. In four experiments with stratified seedbeds, no reasons were found for sorting the coarse aggregates to the soil surface, provided the initial moisture content increased with depth.Effects of seed quality were studied in two experiments. Seed lots with equal germinability under optimum moisture conditions gave large differences in emergence in a moisture stress situation. Within a rather wide seed size range, the size as such had only minor influence on the emergence rate.     

Increasing seed protein content enhances seedling emergence and vigor in wheat

Deep seeding of wheat, a common practice when soil moisture is deficient, causes poor seedling emergence and stand establishment. We investigated whether increasing seed protein content by nitrogen fertilization of parental plants might increase emergence rate and vigor of winter wheat seedlings from deep‐planted seeds. Four seeding depths, three cultivars, and three seed protein contents were compared in different soil mixtures and fertility regimes. Under all treatments, emergence rate and dry weight of seedlings markedly decreased as seeding depth was increased. Increasing protein content of seeds sometimes, but not always, increased seedling emergence rate and commonly increased seedling dry weight regardless of soil mixture or fertility regime. Differences were greatest at 4.8‐ and 12‐cm seeding depths; seedlings failed to emerge from 16‐cm depth under any treatments. We concluded that increasing seed protein content by nitrogen fertilization of parent plants is an economic and efficacious method of enhancing wheat establishment when seed must be deeply planted.     

丰产沟覆盖效应及其最佳覆盖技术研究初报

<正> 丰产沟耕作法(亦称蓄水聚肥保土耕作法),把土地优化组合成“种植沟”和“生土垄’两大部分,彻底改造了土体构型,较好地改善了土壤环境:一能使地面环境相对稳定,地积温提高;二能较好地发挥雨养农业的优势;三能使上下土层中水、肥、气、热得以协调运转,加之作物良种良法的配合,就能使耕作与栽培、地下与地上、用地与养地有机地结合于一体,不仅改善了土壤肥力水平,而且提高了光能与气热的利用率,因而增产效果较为显著。一般增产30％～80％,严重干旱年份和瘠薄耕地增产幅度更大。     

Effects of seedbed properties on crop emergence: 2. Effects of aggregate size,sowing depth and initial water content under dry weather conditions

Abstract

Rapid and uniform crop establishment is a prerequisite for efficient crop production and minimal environmental impact. Extensive experiments were carried out in shallow plastic boxes placed in the field directly on the ground for studies of the effects of seedbed properties on emergence of small-grain cereal crops in a cool, temperate climate. This paper presents studies of the seedbed as a protective layer against evaporation and the requirements for good emergence under dry weather conditions. Without rainfall after sowing, nearly complete emergence of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was obtained, when rapidly germinating seed was placed on a moderately compacted basal layer containing at least 5% (w/w) plant-available water and covered by a 4 cm deep surface layer consisting of aggregates < 5 mm. This applied even when initial water content in the surface layer was below the wilting point and potential evaporation was high. If the soil at 4 cm depth is drier or if a sufficiently fine seedbed cannot be obtained, then seedbed and sowing depth should be somewhat greater, and if the soil is wetter, then the depth may be smaller. There were only small differences in emergence between surface layers consisting of aggregates < 2 mm, 2–4 mm or 2–5 mm, or dominated by these aggregate fractions, but when the surface layer consisted of coarser aggregates, emergence was usually much lower. Determinations of water losses from the soil during the experimental period showed that the differences in emergence were caused by differences in efficiency of the seedbed to control evaporation. The results indicate that, in an initially wet soil, it is always possible to find a time and method for seedbed preparation and sowing that lead to good emergence of small-grain cereal crops, even with a lengthy period without rainfall after sowing.     

Tillage and mulching effects on seed-zone soil environment and cowpea seedling growth in the humid tropics

Abstract. Tillage and mulching effects on the environment of the seed zone and on growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings in the humid tropics were studied at Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, in the 1987 and 1988 late cropping seasons. The split-plot design experiment had conventional tillage (ploughing and harrowing), reduced tillage (ploughing only), zero tillage and grass mulch treatments. Conventional and reduced tillage practices decreased initial bulk density and increased seedling emergence, root growth, dry matter yield and overall seedling performance. Addition of mulch increased the soil moisture in the root zone and significantly decreased maximum soil temperatures and diurnal fluctuations in temperature. This provided a more stable environment for seedling establishment and growth than the unmulched soil.     

沟垄二元覆盖对渭北旱塬区土壤肥力及玉米产量的影响

探讨沟垄二元覆盖对旱地土壤肥力及作物生产力的影响,对完善半湿润区作物微集水栽培技术具有重要的理论和实践意义。2007—2011年在渭北旱塬进行5年定位试验,设置垄上覆地膜,沟内分别覆普通地膜、生物降解膜、玉米秸秆、液体地膜和沟不覆盖等不同沟垄覆盖模式,以传统平作为对照。结果表明,2011年春玉米收获后各处理土壤有机质及速效养分含量随土层的加深而降低,与2007年试验处理前相比,沟垄二元覆盖各处理土壤养分含量明显增加,而垄覆地膜+沟不覆盖和传统平作处理有所下降。垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理0~20 cm层土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均显著高于对照,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜处理有机质和碱解氮含量较对照有所增加,而其有效磷和速效钾含量显著增加。20~60 cm层土壤有机质和速效养分含量各沟垄二元覆盖处理均略高于对照。各沟垄覆盖处理表层(0~20 cm)土壤脲酶、磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性均较对照增加,且以垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理土壤酶活性最高,垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜和垄覆地膜沟覆地膜处理次之。垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜、垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理较对照显著增产41.1%、42.1%、39.3%,水分利用效率显著提高38.0%、39.6%、37.0%。在渭北旱塬区进行沟垄二元覆盖对提高土壤肥力、酶活性及春玉米产量和水分利用效率有显著提高作用,以垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理最佳,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜次之。可见,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜、生物降解膜或秸秆的沟垄全覆盖种植在渭北旱塬雨养农业区春玉米生产栽培具有一定的可行性和应用价值。     

Barley seeding establishment by direct drilling in a wet soil. 3. Comparison of six sowing techniques

Six techniques of sowing seed in an untilled seedbed, which subsequently became wet, were compared in the presence and absence of earthworms and surface residue. In the absence of earthworms, surface broadcasting produced the highest seedling emergence (89%), followed by a 100-mm-wide power-till opener (42%). All other openers produced poor seedling emergence (mean 20%). Where earthworms were present, however, a winged opener under residue produced high seedling counts equivalent to surface broadcasting (mean 82%). Power-till and hoe openers also performed reasonably well (63%), but triple-disc and corer openers failed (19%). Surface broadcasting was not considered practical because of its reliance on regular rain for a long period.Surface residues in the presence of earthworms had beneficial effects on most of the openers which performed well and which separated the seed from the residue, but little effect on the other treatments, including the power-till opener. High seedling-emergence counts were associated with high numbers and activity of earthworms close to the sown groove, high soil oxygen diffusion rate regimes, low soil bulk densities and high root and shoot weights.     

Effect of cultivation and within-field differences in soil conditions on feral Helianthus annuus growth in ridge-tillage maize

Differences in weed population dynamics with respect to within-field heterogeneity are not well documented despite increasing interest in site-specific management of agro-ecosystems. The focus of this study was to determine if mechanical weed management (cultivation) and/or soil factors help to explain observed within-field distributions of feral common sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The ridges and furrows created by the ridge–tillage system adds additional microsites to existing spatial heterogeneity for soil characteristics such as soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration. Experimental areas were selected on the basis of naturally high or low SOC concentration. Cultivation resulted in 100% mortality of H. annuus seedlings growing in the middle of furrows. Cultivation of pre-emergence herbicide treated and no-herbicide ridges resulted in small but statistically significant ( = 0.05) reductions in seedling survival. No differences were detected in H. annuus canopy height, stem diameter, stem length, or vegetative biomass between high and low SOC environments. Neither total reproductive biomass (P = 0.49) nor the biomass of flowers near physiological maturity (an estimate of fecundity; P = 0.59) were affected by SOC environment. Late season H. annuus lodging was observed to reduce reproductive biomass. Juvenile plants that survived mechanical weed control efforts grew and produced reproductive biomass similarly across SOC environments. The lack of difference in vegetative and reproductive characteristics between high and low SOC environments suggests that SOC (or the edaphic conditions associated with greater or lesser SOC level) was not critical in contributing to the observed distribution of H. annuus from juvenile to flowering stages of growth within well-fertilized, irrigated agricultural habitats.     

Effects of seedbed properties on crop emergence: 1. Temporal effects of temperature and sowing depth in seedbeds with favourable properties

Abstract

Rapid and uniform crop establishment is a prerequisite for efficient crop production and minimal environmental impact. Experiments were carried out in shallow plastic boxes placed directly on the ground in the field for studies of the effects of seedbed properties on emergence of various crops. This paper presents an analysis of the time required for germination and emergence under near-optimal seedbed conditions. The crops studied were barley, oats, wheat, pea, rape seed, white mustard, sugar beet, red clover and timothy. The time required for germination generally increased with size of the seeds, presumably because larger seeds needed more water to initiate germination. This applied both when comparing different crops and different seed sizes of the same crop. However, considerable differences occurred between seed lots of the same crop and there were greater differences between seed lots of the same crop than between the three small grain crops studied. Growth rate of the seedlings generally increased with seed size, presumably because of increased energy content in the seed. Consequently, the most rapid emergence was obtained from small seeds at shallow sowing and from large seeds at deep sowing. The crops studied had a minimum temperature for germination and seedling growth close to 0 °C. Under optimal seedbed conditions, thermal time required for 50% germination of barley was typically about 65 °C days over this base temperature and for seedling growth about 6 °C days cm^?1. From 4 cm sowing depth, about 80 °C days were required for emergence but with considerable variations between seed lots. For rape seed or white mustard about 40 °C days were required for germination and about 8 °C days cm^?1 for the seedling growth.     

基于Voronoi图的单粒播玉米产量效果的蒙特卡罗模拟

为了明确在单粒播种条件下田间出苗率对玉米产量的影响,以蒙特卡罗二项分布作缺苗模拟,以Voronoi图分配缺苗土地,通过对产量-密度方程进行数学恒等变换计算产量补偿,模拟了2种单粒播策略的玉米产量随出苗率(75%~95%)的变化。结果表明,缺苗斑数目与出苗率呈单峰曲线关系,缺苗斑大小随出苗率呈负指数下降;单粒播造成0.06%~16.78%的减产,且减产率随出苗率下降而增加;两种单粒播策略的产量大小和产量稳定性均有差异,且差异随出苗率下降而扩大。该研究推荐的玉米单粒播策略是:在千方百计提高出苗率基础上,播种的种子数目应当等于目标种植密度除以出苗率、保证出苗的植株数目达到推荐种植密度。该结论对于在玉米生产上广泛采用单粒精量播种具有重要参考价值。     

The effect of reduced tillage of an irrigated silty soil and of a mulch on seedling emergence, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays) harvested for silage

Maize was grown for 1 season as a row-crop on raised beds in a factorial experiment on reduced tillage. The effects of 2 passes of a spring-tined cultivator (Treatment C), of a small 70-mm wide rotary-hoe, ahead of the seeder (Treatment R) and of a mulch (Treatment M) on emergence, growth and yield of maize were determined. Treatment C produced a coarse tilth (41% aggregates > 20-mm diameter; 9% aggregates 0.5–2 mm) in the top 30 mm of pre-irrigated beds of a silty soil. Treatment R produced a fine seed-bed (4% aggregates > 20-mm diameter; 21% aggregates 0.5–2 mm), 70 mm wide and 30 mm deep, along each of the 2 sowing-lines. In the same pass, 2 rows of maize were sown at a depth of 25 mm into the wet soil.

In the mulched treatments (M), where 5 t ha⁻¹ of barley straw was applied after the crop was sown, to cover the bed, the water content around the seed (0–30-mm depth) over the first 9 days after the crop was sown was 29–74% higher than in the unmulched treatments (M₀). For example, 1 day after the crop was sown, the water content of soil around the seed was 21% in Treatment M, close to field capacity, and 14% in Treatment M₀. In Treatment M, the temperature around the seed (25-mm depth) at 15.00 h over the first 9 days after the crop was sown was almost always significantly lower than in Treatment M₀; for example, the maximum temperatures of Treatments M and M₀ were 32 and 41°C, respectively.

Either Treatment M or R, but not Treatment C hastened emergence of maize seedlings and increased percentage final emergence. There were no significant effects of any treatments on plant yield. However, there was a trend within Treatment M for either Treatments R or C to increase yields.     

旱地玉米抗旱覆膜方式研究

针对陇东旱作农业区年降水量少、季节分布不均,特别是玉米生产中春旱严重等问题,研究了6种不同覆膜方式对旱作玉米水分利用效率、土壤水分变化、生育时期、出苗率、产量及经济效益的影响。结果表明,双垄面全膜覆盖沟播种植技术能够把小于5mm的无效降水蓄积起来,最大限度地减少了玉米棵间蒸发,提高自然降雨的利用效率,提高出苗率和出苗速度,提早成熟,增产效果明显,经济效益显著,是陇东旱地玉米有效的抗旱覆膜方式。     

Effect of tillage below the seed on emergence of wheat seedlings in a hardsetting soil

Two field experiments investigated the effect of tilled and untilled soil below the seed and the effect of a press wheel on the emergence of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings on a hardsetting soil at Tatura, Victoria, Australia. Soil physical properties of the seedbed including penetrometer resistance, temperature and water content were recorded. The fate of seeds and seedlings and the length of roots were determined. In the experiments, germination was high (over 90%) and was not affected by the depth of tillage, the press wheel or by temporary waterlogging, but several physical conditions of the soil restricted emergence. In the first experiment, the rate and final emergence (at Day 10) was increased by tillage below the seed (e.g. at 46–90 mm depth) in spite of the penetrometer resistance of soil at 0–20 mm depth being 50% greater than that in the treatment untilled below the seed. The roots of the seedlings in the treatments untilled below the seed were temporarily waterlogged (at Days 0–1) and grew in soil that was drier (at Days 3–9) and harder than in treatments tilled below the seed. In the second experiment, the press wheel increased the rate of emergence by decreasing the sowing depth by 10 mm. Tillage below the seed increased the rate of emergence by decreasing the penetrometer resistance of the soil to less than 2.0 MPa.     

Effects of tillage, seeding method and time of sowing on the establishment of mungbean in drying, previously puddled soil

Two field experiments were conducted on small plots in the Philippines to determine the effects of tillage, seeding method and time of sowing on the establishment of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. IPB-M79-17-79) in seedbeds created in drying soil that had been puddled as for an immediately preceding wetland rice crop.

Conditions following rice were simulated by flooding, puddling and then draining the plots. Mungbean was sown at 2–14 days after draining (DAD) as the soil dried. In one experiment, seeds were sown manually into plots that were either non-tilled or for which the surface 10 cm had been ploughed and harrowed. In a second experiment, manual sowing into non-tilled plots was compared with prototype machine seeding. Soil matric potential and temperature were monitored throughout the experiments, and germination and seedling emergence recorded.

Surface cultivation slowed the rate of water loss from depths below 5 cm and resulted in lower thermal diffusivity than in non-tilled soil. Germination results indicated that following drainage of a seedbed in previously puddled soil, manual sowing at a depth of 5 cm could be delayed until 8 DAD (while soil matric potentials remained > − 0.1 MPa) without a significant reduction in seed germination. The seeding machine was quicker and easier to use, but its constraint of shallow sowing (maximum depth 2 cm) meant that sowing could be delayed only to 5 DAD before germination and emergence were inhibited. Predictions of germination from measured values of temperature and water potential were made using equations derived from controlled-environment studies. Differences from germination observed could probably be accounted for by seed/soil/water contact effects, which appeared to be especially important in dry soil (< − 0.7 MPa). Subsequent seedling emergence was, however, often severely restricted in non-tilled soil by soil mechanical constraints in the drying, strengthening seedbed. In the first experiment, these conditions were alleviated by the cultivation treatment; in the second, disturbance of surface soil before drainage resulted in greater emergence and faster seedling growth.     

Effects of Compost Sources and Seeding Treatments on Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species

Greenhouse pot trials were conducted to compare the effects of compost sources and planting treatments on turfgrass germination and emergence. Eight seeding treatments and 4 turfgrass types were factorially combined and replicated four times in a completely randomized block design. The seeding treatments were: 1) seed planted on surface of 2.6 cm compost overlying soil, 2) seed planted on soil surface below 0.65 cm compost, 3) seed planted on soil surface below 1.3 cm compost, 4) seed planted on soil surface below 2.6 cm compost, 5) seed planted on soil surface covered with a 2.6 cm straw mat, 6) seed planted below 1.3 cm soil, 7) seed planted below 1.3 cm of 1:1 compost:soil mix, and 8) seed planted on soil surface. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) were used as the bioassay crops. The experimental design was repeated over time using composts produced with the following feedstocks: yard waste, food waste, dairy manure, biosolids, and paper mill sludge. Emerged seedlings were counted at 11 days for tall fescue, at 3 weeks for Kentucky bluegrass and at 7 weeks for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. There were significant (P<0.05) effects of seeding treatment x turfgrass type on germination and emergence for each compost type. All of the composts appeared to be well stabilized using routine compost laboratory testing except the biosolids compost, whose use resulted in the lowest overall germination and emergence rate. The highest rates of germination and emergence occurred in the treatments in which the seeds were planted on the surface, regardless of whether the surface was compost or soil. The lowest rate of germination and emergence occurred where the seed was placed under 2.6 cm compost, regardless of compost maturity.     

Soil properties and tree growth at medieval ridge and furrow sites in Brandenburg,northeastern Germany

Background

Ridge and furrow (RIFU) systems and associated soils are a widespread legacy of medieval agriculture, are archives of historical land use, and might affect recent ecosystems. Open questions about RIFU formation and potential legacy effects still exist, especially related to physical soil properties.

Aims

Our aims were (1) to characterize the soil properties of RIFU soils and (2) to compare the drought sensitivity and the growth resistance in extremely dry years of trees growing on ridges and furrows, respectively.

Methods

We studied soil physical (bulk density, saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, and texture) and chemical (soil pH, soil organic matter, and nitrogen content) properties and the climate sensitivity of tree growth on RIFU systems for three study sites in Prignitz, Germany.

Results

RIFU systems showed a high spatial heterogeneity of soil stratigraphy due to ridge construction and increased accumulation of soil moisture and organic matter in furrows due to post-abandonment pedogenesis. Slight spatial differences in soil physical properties were found, with increased air capacity in ridge soils and higher available water contents in furrow soils. No differences in drought sensitivity were observed for trees growing on ridges and furrows, except for a wet site, where trees in furrows showed a higher sensitivity. Resistance in dry years tended to be similar or increase from furrows to ridges.

Conclusions

The results reflect a spatial differentiation of stratigraphy and post-abandonment pedogenesis on abandoned RIFU systems and suggest an adaption to different moisture conditions through RIFU construction. Differences in drought sensitivity of tree growth with relative land surface could only be detected for one of the three sites, where trees were found to be less drought sensitive on ridges.     

Fluazifop-p-butyl herbicide: Implications for germination, emergence and growth of Australian plant species

Five experiments were implemented to collect information related to the effects of fluazifop-p-butyl (active chemical in grass selective herbicides, Fusilade^® and Fusilade Forte™) on seed germination, seedling emergence, growth and health of species native to southwest Australia (a grass and non-grasses), together with several co-occurring introduced species (grasses and a non-grass). Experiments investigated effects of herbicide concentrations, seed burial depths, seed-sowing times since herbicide application and application locations (foliage versus soil). Both herbicides, at half to quadruple strength of recommended field application concentrations, adversely affected development of native and introduced species, both grasses and non-grasses. Herbicidal effects were observed during the seed germination phase, and if germination had occurred, during seedling emergence and, finally, during plant establishment. However, effects were more pronounced after seed germination, particularly on development of seedlings and plants, with retardation and/or discoloration of either radicles or shoots. Not unexpectedly, seedlings from seeds buried deeper in the sand medium (20 mm) struggled to emerge. Both herbicides demonstrated residual characteristics by impeding seedling emergence and growth from seeds sown at various dates (up to maximum test duration of 3 weeks) following exposure of the sand medium to the herbicides. Further, herbicide application to sand only, produced effects on 5-6 months old plants that were similar as application to foliage only, demonstrating herbicide uptake from sand. While the findings support independent research, they contradict the purported herbicide characteristics by commercial sources - grass selective, post-emergent, non-residual, rapid breakdown and active through foliar application only. Implications of these herbicides for biodiversity conservation are discussed.