Increased density and spatial uniformity increase weed suppression by spring wheat

It has been hypothesized that increased crop density and spatial uniformity can increase weed suppression and thereby play a role in weed management. Field experiments were performed over 2 years to investigate the effects of the density and spatial arrangement of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) on weed biomass and wheat yield in weed-infested fields. We used three crop spatial patterns (normal rows, random and uniform) and three densities (204, 449 and 721 seeds m⁻²), plus a fourth density (1000 seeds m⁻²) in the random pattern. Increased crop density reduced weed biomass in all three patterns. Weed biomass was lower and crop biomass higher in wheat sown in the random and uniform patterns than in normal rows in both years. At 449 seeds m⁻², weed biomass was 38% lower in the uniform and 27% lower in the random pattern than in rows. There was evidence of decreasing grain yield due to intraspecific competition only at 1000 seeds m⁻². The results not only confirm that increasing density and increasing crop spatial uniformity increase the suppression of weeds, but also suggest that a very high degree of spatial uniformity may not be necessary to achieve a major increase in weed suppression by cereal crops. Rows represent a very high degree of spatial aggregation. Decreasing this aggregation increased weed suppression almost as much as sowing the crop in a highly uniform spatial pattern. While the random pattern produced as much crop biomass and suppressed weeds almost as well as the uniform pattern, the uniform pattern gave the highest yield.     

An evaluation of four crop : weed competition models using a common data set

Summary To date, several crop : weed competition models have been developed. Developers of the various models were invited to compare model performance using a common data set. The data set consisted of wheat and Lolium rigidum grown in monoculture and mixtures under dryland and irrigated conditions. Results from four crop : weed competition models are presented: almanac , apsim , cropsim and intercom . For all models, deviations between observed and predicted values for monoculture wheat were only slightly lower than for wheat grown in competition with L. rigidum , even though the workshop participants had access to monoculture data while parameterizing models. Much of the error in simulating competition outcome was associated with difficulties in accurately simulating growth of individual species. Relatively simple competition algorithms were capable of accounting for the majority of the competition response. Increasing model complexity did not appear to dramatically improve model accuracy. Comparison of specific competition processes, such as radiation interception, was very difficult since the effects of these processes within each model could not be isolated. Algorithms for competition processes need to be modularised in such a way that exchange, evaluation and comparison across models is facilitated.     

Breeding spring wheat for improved allelopathic potential

It is becoming apparent that allelopathy plays a significant role in the competitive ability of cereals against weeds; barley, wheat and rice cultivars with high allelopathic activity have been identified. However, direct breeding efforts to improve allelopathy have to date only been reported in rice. In this study, a breeding programme in spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) was evaluated to determine the efficiency of selection of allelopathy and the ability of breeding lines to suppress weeds in the field. The material used originated from a cross between a Swedish cultivar with low allelopathic activity and a Tunisian cultivar with high allelopathic activity. Allelopathic activity was measured as growth inhibition of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) roots when grown together with the wheat cultivars on agar. For screening of F₂ populations, a single plant bioassay was used for the first time. In the F₆ and F₇ generations, three breeding lines with an average improved allelopathy of 20% and one line with an unimproved allelopathy activity, but with the same phenotype as the high allelopathic lines, were tested together with the low allelopathic Swedish parent. The main result from the field study was a 19% average reduction of weed biomass for the high allelopathic lines, but no significant reduction of the low allelopathic breeding line. Early shoot length and early crop biomass (stages 37–39, Zadoks scale) and straw length of the high allelopathic lines were not significantly different from the Swedish parent. A negative effect was that grain yield was reduced by 9% in the high allelopathic lines. It is suggested that the reduced biomass of weeds in plots planted with the highly allelopathic wheat lines is related to differences in allelopathic activity and not differences in plant growth.     

Field evaluation of a decision support system for herbicidal control of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana in winter wheat

Two field studies were conducted in Central and Northern Spain over a total of five seasons to assess the usefulness of a decision support system (AVENA-PC) from agronomic, economic and environmental points of view on herbicidal control of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana in winter wheat. The control treatments evaluated were: (i) AVENA-PC-based recommendations, (ii) full herbicide dose (standard farmer practice), (iii) half herbicide dose and (iv) no herbicide. The herbicide rates used in the AVENA-PC treatment averaged 65% and 30% lower than the full and half dose treatments respectively. AVENA-PC implementation controlled A. ludoviciana with similar efficacy as standard herbicide treatments. Nevertheless, it did support a reduction in relation to the non-herbicide treatment. Yields obtained with AVENA-PC were, in general, not statistically different to those obtained with herbicide treatments and were on average 69% higher than those in the no herbicide application strategy. Comparing AVENA-PC economic performance with the other treatments there were, in general, no significant statistical differences in Central Spain. In Northern Spain, all herbicide treatments had similar net returns, with there being no statistical differences between AVENA-PC and the herbicide treatments. However, there were differences recorded with the non-herbicide treatment. The results of this research indicate that AVENA-PC, due to its flexibility, may recommend less herbicide than the standard farmer practice, providing clear environmental benefits and adequate weed control with maintained crop yield and net returns similar to standard farmer practice.     

61份大麦种质资源对蠕孢菌叶斑病的抗性鉴定

 麦根腐平脐蠕孢菌[Bipolaris sorokiniana(Sacc.)Shoemaker]引起的叶斑病是大麦上重要的病害叶部之一,在世界各大麦主要种植区均能造成严重的经济损失。本研究利用3个致病力不同的蠕孢叶斑病菌株Z 12010、Z 12014和Z 13010分别对来源于中国及国外引进的61份大麦种质资源进行苗期抗蠕孢菌叶斑病鉴定,田间接种Z 12014菌株进行成株期抗病性鉴定。在所鉴定的大麦种质中未发现在苗期或成株期对叶斑病免疫的材料。苗期抗叶斑病分析发现,品种之间对3个菌株的抗性存在明显差异,Varunda、Legacy、Tradition、09GW-01、09GW-07、08PJ-36、09PJ-39、垦啤麦7号、垦啤麦10号、驻大麦3号、S-4和中饲麦1号等12份材料对3个菌株表现为中抗至高抗反应型。7份材料成株期抗Z 12014菌株,其中Legacy、蒙啤麦3号、09PJ-39、垦啤麦9号、垦啤麦11号和龙啤麦3号等6份材料具有全生育期抗性特点,品种10-3苗期对菌株Z 12014感病,而成株期抗该菌株。     

61份大麦种质资源对蠕孢菌叶斑病的抗性鉴定

麦根腐平脐蠕孢菌[Bipolaris sorokiniana(Sacc.)Shoemaker]引起的叶斑病是大麦上重要的病害叶部之一,在世界各大麦主要种植区均能造成严重的经济损失。本研究利用3个致病力不同的蠕孢叶斑病菌株Z 12010、Z 12014和Z 13010分别对来源于中国及国外引进的61份大麦种质资源进行苗期抗蠕孢菌叶斑病鉴定,田间接种Z 12014菌株进行成株期抗病性鉴定。在所鉴定的大麦种质中未发现在苗期或成株期对叶斑病免疫的材料。苗期抗叶斑病分析发现,品种之间对3个菌株的抗性存在明显差异,Varunda、Legacy、Tradition、09GW-01、09GW-07、08PJ-36、09PJ-39、垦啤麦7号、垦啤麦10号、驻大麦3号、S-4和中饲麦1号等12份材料对3个菌株表现为中抗至高抗反应型。7份材料成株期抗Z 12014菌株,其中Legacy、蒙啤麦3号、09PJ-39、垦啤麦9号、垦啤麦11号和龙啤麦3号等6份材料具有全生育期抗性特点,品种10-3苗期对菌株Z 12014感病,而成株期抗该菌株。     

The influence of nitrogen supply on the ability of wheat and potato to suppress Stellaria media growth and reproduction

Summary This paper tests the hypothesis that increased soil nitrogen supply reduces the growth of late-emerging weeds in wheat and potato by enhancing canopy leaf area development and thereby reducing the availability of light for weed growth. Two series of experiments were conducted: one in spring wheat (1997, 1999) with sown Stellaria media and one in potato (1998, 1999) with naturally emerged weeds, including S. media . For each crop, two cultivars were grown at three levels of nitrogen supply. In wheat, as in a monoculture of S. media , total dry weight and seed number of the weed increased with soil nitrogen supply, whereas in potato the opposite was found. Increased soil nitrogen supply increased the nitrogen uptake of S. media in wheat, despite the reduced light availability, indicating that S. media in wheat was limited by nitrogen. In potato, on the other hand, growth of S. media was limited by light availability, which decreased with increased soil nitrogen supply . We conclude that the differences in response of S. media in wheat and potato to additional nitrogen supply are attributable to the dual influence of soil nitrogen supply on light and nitrogen availability, which are mediated by the crops.     

大麦种质对叶斑病的抗性鉴定与评价

 由麦根腐平脐蠕胞菌引起的叶斑病在世界各大麦种植区均有发生,严重影响大麦的产量和品质。选育和应用抗性品种是防控该病害最有效的策略,然而可利用的抗源非常有限。在本研究中对中国233份具有代表性的大麦种质资源进行成株期抗叶斑病田间人工接种鉴定,发现只有垦啤麦5号等10份材料对3个供试菌株都表现抗病,仅占供试材料的4.3%。另外对37份国内外重要的叶斑病抗源材料进行苗期及成株期抗叶斑病鉴定,结果显示成株期抗叶斑病材料所占比例为41%~46%,苗期抗性材料所占比例为50%~64%,其中ND17293等11份材料在苗期和成株期对3个菌株均表现为抗病,可作为抗源继续加以利用;基于上述鉴定结果,进一步分析发现供试大麦苗期对三个菌株的抗病比例均高于成株期抗病比例,说明大麦在不同生育期对叶斑病的抗性存在较大差异。另外发现大麦对B. sorokiniana不同致病类型的抗性也存在明显的专化性。     

不同类型高产小麦品种产量形成特点及其生理特性分析

在高产栽培条件下,以多穗型、中穗型、大穗型3种类型9个小麦品种为材料,研究了高产小麦的产量性状及其光合生理特性。结果表明,在关中灌区生产条件下3种类型品种都能获得高产,但中德型和大穗型具有更大的产量潜力;与丰产品种相比,高产品种籽粒灌浆期的叶面积系数(LAI)、旗叶净光合速率(Pn)、叶绿素(Chl)含量及丙二醛(MDA)含量等几个重要生理指标均表现出明显优势,叶功能期持续期长、净光合速率高而衰减速率慢是高产品种籽粒产量高的重要生理原因。     

43个中国小麦品种(系)抗叶锈性研究

 选用12个墨西哥叶锈菌生理小种对43个中国小麦品种(系)所携带的抗叶锈病基因进行了推导,在25个品种(系)中推导出6个抗叶锈基因Lr1,Lr10,Lr13,Lr14a,Lr16和Lr26,9个品种(系)对本试验所使有的12个叶锈菌生理小种都表现感病反应,另有9个品种(系)携带未知的抗叶锈基因。在墨西哥2个地点进行的田间成株期抗叶锈性试验表明,12个品种(系)表现慢叶锈性,在将来的抗病育种中有一定的应用价值。     

Effects on growth of wheat plants of isolates of Gaeumannomyces/Phialophora-complex fungi in different conditions of soil moisture, temperature, and photoperiod

The effects on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Mario) of nine isolates of the Gaeumannomyces/Phialophora complex, ranging from non-pathogenic to pathogenic, were studied under different conditions of soil moisture, soil temperature, and photoperiod in growth chambers which simulated different autumn weather conditions. The experimental conditions were based on data (e.g. temperature) from representative sites (loamy sand, Muencheberg, Northeast Germany) collected in the last three decades. The results of seedling inoculation tests for four non-pathogenic isolates were partly in agreement with results from field trials done over 4 years. One non-pathogenic G. graminis var. tritici isolate (G 33) increased consistently dry weight of shoots in the simulation, and grain yield in field experiments. For non-pathogenic isolates, warm temperatures with moderate soil moisture most often stimulated plant growth, with less effect in cold dry soil conditions. The decrease in seedling growth caused by pathogenic isolates was influenced only slightly by temperature changes, but was often enhanced by increased soil moisture.     

狗尾草属4种杂草对550g/L硝磺·莠去津SC的耐受性研究

采用室内生物测定方法研究了金色狗尾草[Setaria glauca（L.）Beauv.]、莠狗尾草[Setaria geniculata（Lam.）Beauv.]、狗尾草[Setaria viridis（L）Beauv.]和大狗尾草（Setaria faberriHerrm.）对除草剂550 g/L硝磺.莠去津SC的耐受性差异。结果表明：狗尾草属的不同种对550 g/L硝磺.莠去津的耐受性有较大差异。在相同剂量下,大狗尾草耐受性最强,其次为狗尾草,而金色狗尾草最敏感。550 g/L硝磺.莠去津825 g a.i./hm2剂量下对1叶龄的大狗尾草鲜重抑制率为17.2%,对同叶龄狗尾草、莠狗尾草和金色狗尾草的相应鲜重抑制率分别为99.3%、99.7%和99.8%。随着狗尾草属杂草叶龄的增大,550 g/L硝磺.莠去津对其鲜重抑制率降低。550 g/L硝磺.莠去津对狗尾草属杂草鲜重抑制率较其单一组分硝磺草酮和莠去津单独使用时明显提高。     

Effects of pre- and post-emergence weed harrowing on annual weeds in peas and spring cereals

To assess the effects of timing and frequency of weed harrowing on weed abundance and crop yield, different pre- and post-emergence weed harrowing sequences were applied to spring cereals and peas in field experiments performed during 2003 and 2004 in Sweden. Post-emergence harrowing was performed at crop growth stages 2–3 and 5–6 true leaves respectively. The best weed control was obtained by a combination of pre- and post-emergence harrowing, but these treatments also caused yield losses of 12–14% in spring cereals, while no yield losses were observed in peas. Pre-emergence weed harrowing treatments alone or combined with weed harrowing shortly after crop emergence proved to be most effective against the early emerging annual weed species Sinapis arvensis and Galeopsis spp. Post-emergence harrowing alone in peas had no effect on S. arvensis . The late emerging annual weed species Chenopodium album and Polygonum lapathifolium were most effectively controlled when pre-emergence weed harrowing was combined with one or two weed harrowing treatments after crop emergence.