Weed seed predation rate in cereals as a function of seed density and patch size,under high predation pressure by rodents

Weed seed predation is an ecosystem service, influencing weed population dynamics. The impact of weed seed predation on weed population dynamics depends on how predators respond to seed patches at the field scale. Seed predation will be most effective if the proportion of seeds predated increases with increasing size and seed density of patches. Density‐dependent rodent seed predation was measured by varying seed density and patch size in four irrigated conventionally managed cereal fields in north eastern Spain. Artificial weed seed patches were created by applying a range of Lolium multiflorum seed densities from 0 to 7500 seeds m^?2 in 225 m² patches (2008) or in patches that varied in size from 1 to 9 m² (2009). Seed predation was estimated using seed cards and seed frames. The granivorous rodents Mus spretus and Apodemus sylvaticus caused high seed predation rates (92%) in three fields, whereas in a fourth field, it was lower (47%). Rodents responded in an inversely density‐dependent manner, but this had little biological meaning as even in patches seeded with the highest density, the input to the soil seedbank was reduced by 88%. For the period of time this experiment lasted, hardly any new seeds would have entered the seedbank.     

Plant community dynamics in arid lands: the role of desert ants

Ants (Formicidae, Hymenoptera) play an important role in seed bank, seedling establishment andplant composition of arid ecosystems. Thus, knowing plant-ant interaction provides useful information formanagers to design restoration and conservation plans. In this study, the roles of desert harvester ants (Messorintermedius and Messor melancholicus) and scavenger ants (Cataglyphis nodus and Lepisiota semenovi) on plantcommunities were investigated in arid ecosystems of southeastern Iran. Two vegetation types weredistinguished in the study area and the nest density of ant species was determined. Furthermore, plantcomposition and soil seed bank were estimated at different distances from the ant nests. Results showed thatthe density of M. intermedius and M. melancholicus nests was higher in dwarf shrub-shrub vegetation type and thedensity of C. nodus and L. semenovi nests was higher in dwarf shrub vegetation type. The harvester and scavengerants had enhanced the seed bank to 55% and 70%, respectively. Therefore, the role of scavenger ants on theplant communities' seed bank was greater than that of harvester ants. Although the scavenger ants were moreinfluential on the annuals and the invasive plant species, the radius impact of the harvester ants on theperennials was greater, i.e., a positive interaction existed between the perennial plants and the harvester ants. C.nodus and L. semenovi played an important role in enhancing the ecosystem's potential for restoration throughestablishment of pioneer species in early stage of succession. The activity of M. intermedius is crucial for thedevelopment and maintenance of climax plant communities in arid ecosystems through assisting the plantspecies' establishment in late stage of succession. It is essential to preserve the diversity of these key ant speciesfor the maintenance and sustainability of shrubs in arid ecosystems.     

Characterizing the spatial pattern of Abutilon theophrasti seedling patches

Spatial biology of weed populations is the study of weed patches and their relevant patch-level processes. In this context, a patch was defined as an area in which individuals are aggregated into discrete subdivided populations. Four Abutilon theophrasti seedling patches in two continuous maize production fields were surveyed using a contiguous grid of quadrats between 1995 and 1997. Surveyed area was dependent on patch size and ranged from 96 m² to 1134 m². Within each area, all seedlings were counted in each 1 m × 0.75 m quadrat in June, just before post-emergence weed control, and in mid-July after all weed control practices were completed. The spatial pattern observed in the seedling distribution maps was single or multiple focal points of high seedling density that decreased with distance from the focal point. Two-directional correlograms corroborated this visual observation, such that A. theophrasti seedling density in neighbouring quadrats was spatially autocorrelated, and correlation strength decreased with distance separating quadrats. Autocorrelation coefficients decreased at a greater rate across crop rows than parallel to crop rows. Visually, patch shape was elliptical and oriented in the direction of field traffic. Factors affecting patch-level processes of spatial aggregation, stability and edge dynamics were considered.     

A stochastic simulation model for evaluating the concept of patch spraying

The long-term economic benefits of `patch' spraying are likely to be related to the initial spatial distribution of the target weeds, the demographic characteristics of the species and the weed control and crop husbandry practices to which they are subjected. This paper describes a stochastic simulation model developed to investigate the interaction between weed seed dispersal and patch spraying. Simulated weed plant and seed populations are generated and compared with data from field observations. Lloyd's Patchiness index is used to quantify the patchiness of the weed density distribution, and the parameter k of the negative binomial distribution is used as a measure of distribution shape. A method of assessing the spatial scale of weed aggregation is proposed, in which spatial weed density information is transformed into the frequency domain, using a discrete two-dimensional Fourier transform. In this paper, we simulate `on/off' patch spraying (full or zero herbicide application rate). A quantitative analysis of the effects of sprayer resolution and weed seed dispersal range on the herbicide reduction and yield benefits from patch spraying is performed for three initial spatial seedbank distributions. The model is parameterized for the grass weed Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. Herbicide is applied in square areas (whose size is defined by the spatial resolution of the sprayer) in which mean weed density is greater than or equal to one plant m^–2. For a system conforming to this specification we show that for the control of A. myosuroides , it is unlikely that patch spraying would be profitable in the long term if the control area is larger than 6 m × 6 m. In some circumstances higher resolution may be required.     

Correlation between the soil seed bank and weed populations in maize fields

Annual weed populations establish every year from persistent seed banks in the soil. This 3 year study investigated the relationship between the number of weed seeds in the soil seed bank and the resultant populations of major broadleaf and grass weeds in 30 maize fields. After planting the crop, 1 m² areas were protected from the pre-emergence herbicide application. Soil samples were collected soon after spraying to a depth of 100 mm and the weed seeds therein were enumerated. The emerged weed seedlings in the field sampling areas were counted over the following 8 weeks. Up to 67 broadleaf species and five grass weeds were identified, although not all were found at every site and some were specific to a region or soil type. For the most abundant weeds in the field plots, on average 2.1–8.2% of the seeds of the broadleaf species and 6.2–11.9% of the seeds of the grass weeds in the soil seed bank emerged in any one year, depending on the species. Overall, the results showed a strong linear relationship between the seed numbers in the soil and the seedling numbers in the field for all the grasses and for most broadleaf weeds. For some species, like Trifolium repens , only a weak relationship was observed. In the case of Chenopodium album , which had the largest seed bank, there was evidence of asymptotic behavior, with seedling emergence leveling off at high seed numbers. An estimate of the soil seed bank combined with knowledge of the germination and behavior of specific weed species would thus have good potential for predicting future weed infestations in maize fields.     

Effects of crop management practices on Echinochloa crus-galli and Chenopodium album seed production in a maize/soyabean rotation

Seed production of residual weed populations needs to be taken into account when estimating the long-term impact of low-input agronomic practices. The objective of this study was to measure the effects and interactions of crop, weed control, tillage practice and nutrient source on the seed production of the dominant residual weed species in a maize/soyabean rotation at two sites: Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. on a Sainte-Rosalie clay and Chenopodium album L. on a Duravin clay loam. Seed production per unit area was estimated in each experimental unit. Weed seed production was greater under mechanical weed control compared with chemical weed control. In 1997, E. crus-galli seed production reached over 326 000 seeds m^–2 in mechanical weed control treatments, but averaged less than 500 seeds m^–2 in the chemical weed control treatments. Chenopodium album produced in the range of 766 000 and 73 000 seeds m^–2 in mechanical and chemical weed control treatments respectively. Very few or no weed seeds were produced in soyabean under chemical control. Tillage intensity and nutrient source did not affect seed production of either weed species, with the exception that E. crus-galli produced more seeds in chisel than in mouldboard plough tillage in soyabean. Weed control method had more impact on seed production than tillage intensity and nutrient source in a maize/soyabean rotation.     

红火蚁的人工饲养方法

以石膏和沙子为主要材料,建立了红火蚁人工蚁巢。结果表明,经过1个月的人工饲养,红火蚁能够在这两种人工蚁巢中存活、发育,以及产生有翅性蚁,其死亡率为17%～19%,与自然蚁巢相比无显著差异。同时人工饲养蚁对毒死蜱的敏感性与自然蚁也无显著差异。种群数量随饲养周期的增加而不断增长,可以为红火蚁研究提供大量均一的试虫。     

A survey of weed seed contamination of rice paddy in Cambodia

Cambodia has experienced a rapid shift from transplanted to hand broadcast seeded rice, with a consequent increase in seeding rates from 25–30 to 100–200 kg ha^?1. To reduce costs, farmers keep their own seed for sowing with the risk of greater weed seed contamination of the sowing seed. A survey of weed seed contamination in harvested rice paddy was conducted in two provinces of Cambodia (Battambang and Takeo) at the end of the wet season in 2016. Farmers were interviewed about rice‐seeding practices, and a total of 110 farmers' fresh paddy samples were inspected for weed seed contamination from the two provinces. Sowing seed samples collected from 28 seed producer lots and 71 samples of farmer‐kept seed were also analysed for weed seed contamination. In both provinces, the majority of farmers kept their own seed or bought seed from a neighbour. Farm‐kept seed for sowing accounted for 88% of sown seed in Battambang and 89% in Takeo. Seeds of 41 different weed species from 13 plant families were found in the farmers' freshly harvested paddy samples. Overall, farmers managed to reduce the number of weed propagules by 60% and seed producers by 95%. There was no significant difference between farmer‐kept seed and seed producer/seed company seed for the total number of weed seeds present. When shown photos, farmers' rankings of the 10 most common weed species found in freshly harvested paddy did not closely correspond to the actual weed seed frequency in the paddy. When farmers were asked to rank the frequency of weeds in their fields without the option to choose from a list, they ranked the weeds differently. Farmers ranked Ischaemum rugosum, Echinochloa spp. and Fimbristylis miliacea as the three most frequent weed species in their fields. The most frequent weeds in harvested paddy, apart from weedy rice, were I. rugosum and Melochia corchorifolia. Farmers did not rank M. corchorifolia as a frequently occurring weed, and most farmers could not recognise M. corchorifolia from photographs. The priority for improved seed hygiene is to place the emphasis on assisting farmers to further improve their seed purification techniques and to caution them to inspect seed before purchasing from neighbours, seed producers and seed companies in the absence of the implementation of seed certification regulation.     

Assessment of the differential response of weeds to soil solarization by two methods

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the United Arab Emirates was evaluated by two methods: on-farm weed assessment and a seed germination test. In the on-farm weed assessment method, the weed frequency, density, and dry weight were compared in the solarized and non-solarized plots that were cultivated with cabbage. Prior to solarization, the soil was artificially infested with the seeds of 10 weeds. Generally, the densities of seven species and dry weights of five species were significantly lower in the solarized plots as compared to the control. Launea mucronata , Capsella bursa-pastoris , and Echinochloa colona were very sensitive to solarization, as they did not appear in the solarized plots. However, Portulaca oleracea and Melilotus indica were not significantly affected by soil solarization. In the second method, the germination was assessed for the seeds of four weedy species buried at three depths for different durations of solarization. The results confirmed the great sensitivity of L. mucronata and C. bursa-pastoris seeds to solarization, as all had not germinated after 15 days of solarization, even at the 15 cm depth. The seeds of E. colona , however, were less sensitive after 15 days of solarization, especially at 7.5 cm and 15 cm, respectively. The seed germination method confirmed the resistance of the P. oleracea seeds to solarization. The results emphasized the importance of the germination test to provide accurate predictions about the spatial and temporal changes of the soil seed bank in solarized farms. This would help to determine the optimal duration of solarization in each farm, depending on the kind of weeds infesting the farm.     

Ecophysiological study on weed seed banks and weeds in Cambodian paddy fields with contrasting water availability

Weed infestations are a major cause of yield reduction in rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation, particularly with direct‐seeding methods, but the relationship between weed dynamics and water availability in Cambodian paddy fields has not been documented previously. We surveyed the weed abundance and weed seed banks in the soil of paddy fields with inferred differences in their water regime in 22 farm fields in three provinces of Cambodia in the 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons. We studied rain‐fed lowland fields in upslope and downslope topographic positions and fields at different distances from the irrigation water source inside an irrigation rehabilitation area. The weed seed banks were estimated by seedling emergence in small containers and weed abundance and vigor were estimated by a simple scoring system. The estimated weed seed bank in the top 5 cm of soil ranged from 52.1 to 167 × 10³ seeds m^?2 (overall mean of 8.5 × 10³ seeds m^?2) and contained a high proportion (86%) of sedge species, such as Fimbristylis miliacea L. and Cyperus difformis. Several fields had particularly large seed banks, including one near the reservoir. No clear difference was found in the weed seed banks between the irrigated fields that were located close to (upstream) and distant from (downstream) the water source or between the irrigated and rain‐fed lowland fields, but the weed scores were larger in the rain‐fed fields and the downstream fields within the irrigated area. A water shortage during the late growing season in 2005 led to a proliferation of weeds in some fields and an associated increase in weed seedbank size in 2006. However, the weed scores in 2006 were more strongly associated with that year's water conditions than with the weed seedbank size.     

Simulating the effects of weed spatial pattern and resolution of mapping and spraying on economics of site-specific management

The economic benefits of using site‐specific weed management (SSWM) are related to the proportion of the field that is weed‐infested, the number of weed patches and the spatial resolution of sampling and spraying technologies. In this paper we simulate different combinations of these factors using parameter values obtained for Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana growing in Spanish winter barley crops. The profitability of SSWM systems increased as the proportion of the field infested by this weed decreased and when patch distribution was more concentrated. Under most of the conditions tested, positive net returns for SSWM were obtained when the weed‐infested area was smaller than 30%. The highest net return occurred using a 12 m × 12 m mapping and spraying resolution. The critical parameter that determined the economic viability of patch mapping and spraying resolution was the technology costs. The site specific strategy was economically superior to the standard strategy (overall herbicide application) in most cases. However, the differential between the two strategies decreased when the number of patches and the resolution of mapping and spraying increased, such that the highest net returns were obtained with a single patch covering 14% of the field and using a 12‐m mapping and spraying resolution; whereas the worst net returns were obtained for all patch numbers when 64% of the field was infested and a 3‐m mapping and spraying resolution was used.     

Comparison of sampling methodologies for site-specific management of Avena sterilis

The ability to manage weed infestations in a spatially precise manner requires efficient and accurate methods of mapping weed distributions. A study was conducted to compare four different ground-based methods for collecting georeferenced information on infestations of Avena sterilis in winter wheat and barley. Sampling was performed at harvest by scoring panicle density, either from the ground or from a combine, by counting the number of panicle contacts with a stick moved horizontally over the crop canopy by an observer walking through the field, and by sampling A. sterilis seed rain on the ground. No significant differences were observed among the populations estimated by the four methods. A partial budget analysis of the in-season costs and benefits of spraying patches using these methods showed that visual scoring from the combine was the most appropriate method for the creation of weed management maps to be used for patch spraying in the following season. As a large variety of spatial patterns may be found in fields, the recommended sampling method might be field-specific and optimality should be verified for general use.     

Horizontal movement of seeds following tine and plough cultivation: implicationsfor spatial dynamics of weed infestations

Horizontal movement of seeds by different cultivators was investigated in three experiments. Seeds of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), field bean ( Vicia faba L.) and oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) were positioned on the soil surface or buried 0.1 m deep prior to cultivation, Seed movement was assessed by counting germinated seedlings. The type of tine implement used significantly affected mean seed movement, with surface-sown seeds being moved significantly further than buried seeds. Primary cultivation with flexi- or spring-tine machines moved seeds further than straight-tine or power harrow implements. However, there was no overall difference between plough and flexi-tine mean seed movement. A single pass with a tine attached to a seed drili moved seeds less than the two passes with tine plus seed drill, but the first pass had the greatest effect. Small oilseed rape seeds moved significantly further than larger barley or field bean seeds. More than 84% of seeds moved ≤ 1m from the source: no seeds were observed>4.8m in a forward direction or >0.2m backwards from the source, In a fourth experiment, plots containing seeds of Sinapis arvensis L. were cultivated in alternate directions in successive years, The results broadly validated the findings of the previous experiments Quantifying the horizontal movement of weed seeds is important to the understanding of the spatial dynamics of weed patches and thus in the prediction of future weed distributions.     

Measures that describe weed spatial patterns at different levels of resolution and their applications for patch spraying of weeds

If weeds occur in aggregated spatial patterns, it is possible to reduce herbicide use by spraying only weed patches. The reduction in herbicide use will then depend on the spatial resolution of the patch sprayer and the weed-free area at that level of resolution. Three distance measures are presented that describe the weed spatial pattern at different levels of resolution. They give information on aspects of pattern that are relevant to patch spraying. The distance measures were applied to a spatial pattern of Galium aparine L. seedlings recorded in an area of 18.0 m × 32.4 m. In this area, the herbicide use of an idealized patch sprayer that detects and sprays all weeds with a spatial resolution of 1.0 m would be 41% of the amount required for a whole-field application. Spraying with a finer spatial resolution of 0.5 m would give a further 26% reduction in herbicide use.     

The demography of Datura ferox (L.) in soybean crops

The emergence, survival, seed production and seed dispersal of Datura ferox was studied in soybean fields in 1982–1983 and 1984–1985. Most seedling emergence occurred within one month of crop sowing. Later germination, associated with inter-row cultivation, represented 4–26% of the total seedlings, and none survived to seed production. Only 5% of the first cohort in 1982–1983, and 7% in 1984–1985, survived to seed production; it was independent of initial density. Although weed density was greatly reduced by control measures, negative relationships were observed between peak seedling density and plant height, stem diameter, number of ramifications, number of reproductive structures and seed production per plant. Only a small proportion of seeds (about 1%) were shed prior to soybean harvest. Combine harvesters collected more than 90% of capsules, but between 7% and 40% of the seeds were returned to the field. Seed viability was unaffected by passing through the machine. The patterns of seed dispersal varied depending on the design of the combine harvester. Two models shed seeds between 0 m and 21 m from their source, but another shed seeds between 0 m and 98 m. Calculations, based in life history parameters, showed that weed seed production would increase more rapidly if the seeds were dispersed during crop harvesting than if they arc not, even when the return of seeds to the soil by the combine is not large.     

Relative importance of crop seed, manure and irrigation water as sources of weed infestation

Three possible sources of field contamination by weed seeds were studied during 1983–86 in two areas of Fars Province, Iran. These sources were crop seed, irrigation water and sheep manure. Manure was found to be the most important, adding almost 10 million seeds ha^?1 at each application. Farmer-saved seed of wheat, the main crop of the area, added an average of 182,000 weed seeds ha^?1. Irrigation water added no more than 120 seeds ha^?1, but was able to carry seeds over long distances without affecting viability.     

Germination, emergence, and dormancy of Mimosa pudica

Mimosa pudica (common sensitive plant) is a problematic weed in many crops in tropical countries. Eight experiments were conducted to determine the effects of light, seed scarification, temperature, salt and osmotic stress, pH, burial depth, and rice residue on the germination, seedling emergence, and dormancy of M. pudica seeds. Scarification released the seeds from dormancy and stimulated germination, though the germination of the scarified seeds was not influenced by light. The scarification results indicate that a hard seed coat is the primary mechanism that restricts germination. The germination increased markedly with the exposure to high temperature "pretreatment" (e.g. 150°C), which was achieved by placing non-scarified seeds in an oven for 5 min followed by incubation at 35/25°C day/night temperatures for 14 days. The germination of the scarified seeds was tolerant of salt and osmotic stress, as some seeds germinated even at 250 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl (23%) and at an osmotic potential of −0.8 MPa (5%). The germination of the scarified seeds was >74% over a pH range of 5–10. The seedling emergence of the scarified seeds was 73–88% at depths of 0–2 cm and it gradually decreased with an increasing depth, with no seedling emergence at the 8 cm depth. The rice residue applied to the soil surface at rates of ≤6 t ha⁻¹ did not influence the seedling emergence and dry weight. The information gained from this study identifies some of the factors that facilitate M. pudica becoming a widespread weed in the humid tropics and might help in developing components of integrated weed management practises to control this weed.     

Determining the most effective concentration of cypermethrin and the appropriate carrier particle size for fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) bait

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective particle size of DDGS (distiller's dried grains with solubles) as fire ant bait carrier, as well as the most effective concentration of cypermethrin as a toxicant against the red imported fire ant (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta Buren under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: The DDGS particle size did not affect the fire ant's preference for the bait, but it did affect the mass of DDGS being carried back to the nest. The size of the DDGS particles and the mass of DDGS being carried back to the nest were positively correlated. The most efficient particle size of DDGS was 0.8–2 mm. The concentration of cypermethrin has a specific range for killing fire ants in an efficient manner. Neither a very low nor a very high concentration of cypermethrin was able to kill fire ants efficiently. The most effective concentration of cypermethrin was 0.13% in DDGS when mixed with 15% shrimp shell powders and 11% soybean oil. CONCLUSION: Based on its ability to kill fire ants when mixed with cypermethrin, as well as the advantage of having a larger area coverage when sprayed in the field, DDGS as the carrier and cypermethrin as the toxicant can be considered to be an efficient way to prepare fire ant bait for controlling fire ants in infested areas. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

施用茚虫威饵剂后红火蚁的蚁巢迁移及弃尸行为

红火蚁Solenopsis invicta是典型的社会性昆虫, 在防控过程中容易引起红火蚁巢体迁移和弃尸等现象, 影响防控效果。本研究对标记好的蚁巢施用茚虫威饵剂, 然后定时观察新增加的蚁巢数量和工蚁弃尸量。结果表明, 施用0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂后, 所有处理均有新蚁巢出现, 施药后5~10 d, 新蚁巢大量出现, 随后蚁群趋向稳定, 新增蚁巢减少, 至处理后25~30 d, 再次出现新蚁巢。0.1%茚虫威饵剂15 g/巢处理在施药后5 d出现8个新蚁巢, 药后10 d和30 d分别又新增5个蚁巢, 其他时间新增蚁巢数较少。按处理剂量, 药后30 d, 2种药剂15 g/巢处理出现的新巢数量均显著高于25 g/巢处理。0.1%茚虫威15 g/巢处理, 校正蚁巢累计增加率高达124.98%, 0.08%茚虫威饵剂15 g/巢处理为89.05%; 0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂25 g/巢处理, 校正蚁巢累计增加率分别为12.00%和51.34%。施用15 g/巢饵剂后2 d开始有大量工蚁尸体被丢弃, 至药后4 d弃尸量达最大值, 0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂处理弃尸量分别为330.5头/巢和300.2头/巢, 随后呈逐步下降趋势, 至14 d, 弃尸量降至最低。施药后8 d内弃尸量达总弃尸量75.26%以上, 至药后10 d, 已达总弃尸量的90.08%以上。施用0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂25 g/巢的处理新蚁巢出现较少, 表明施用相对低剂量的饵剂, 更容易引起蚁巢迁移。红火蚁的弃尸行为主要发生在饵剂施用后的前8 d。     

Impact of cropping systems on the weed seed banks in the northern Great Plains, USA

Very little research has been done on weed seedbank communities in the northern Great Plains region of the USA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of management systems on the weed seed banks and to assess the relationship between the weed seed banks and the above-ground weed communities. The seed banks were sampled along a range of areas of above-ground weed diversity in organic and conventional spring wheat production fields near Big Sandy, Montana, over 2 years. Eight 1 m × 0.33 m areas were selected in each field to encompass a wide range of above-ground weed diversity and soil cores were taken in each area to a depth of 20 cm and split in half at 10 cm. The number of seeds recovered from the top 10 cm of soil and the 10–20 cm depth were significantly affected by the sampling year and an interaction between the cropping system and the sampling year. The year was the only significant predictor affecting the weed seedbank diversity at both depths. A significant interaction between the management system and the year observed at the 10–20 cm sampling depth reflected the higher rate of decrease in diversity occurring between 2005 and 2006 in the conventionally managed fields compared with the organic fields. A multivariate ordination indicated that, although the year played a significant role in determining the weed seedbank communities, the management system had a role only during 2006. We failed to detect strong correlations between the above-ground and underground weed communities. The results of this study suggest that, in the studied region, yearly fluctuations in environmental factors have significant impacts on the weed seed banks.