EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS., SORGHUM HALEPENSE (L.) PERS,AND CYPERUS ROTUNDUS L.*

Summary. Plants of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Sorghum helepense (L.) Pers. and Cyperus rotundus L. were treated with the following growth regulators by dipping or foliar spraying: chlormequat, N-dimethylamino succinamic acid (B–995), MH, 2-chloroethane phosphonic acid (ethephon), flurecol and chlorflurecol. Effects varied from stimulation to inhibition of aerial growth, increases in shoot number, and kill of plants. The effect of combinations of foliar spraying with ethephon, MH, flurecol or chlorflurecol followed after 2 days by spraying with the herbicides dalapon or aminotriazole activated with ammonium thiocyanate, was investigated. The herbicides applied alone had no marked effect but combinations were generally more toxic. Ethephon stimulated growth of C. dactylon but combination with dalapon was phytotoxic. MH sprayed alone and combinations of flurecol or chlorflurecol with dalapon or aminotriazole were highly inhibitory to S. halepense. None of the treatments completely inhibited regrowth of C. rotundus. Effets de diverses substances de croissance sur Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. et Cyperus rotundus L. Résumé. Des plantes de Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. et de Cyperus rotundus L. ont été traitées par trempage ou pulvérisation folaire avec les substances de croissance suivantes: chlorméquat, adde N-diméthylamine succinique (B-995), hydrazide maléique, acide 2-chloroéthane phosphonique (éthéphon), flurécol et chlorflurécol. Les effets furent variables, depuis la stimulation jusqu'à l'inhibition de la partie aérienne, l'accroissement du nombre de tiges et la mort de la plante. L'auteur a étudié l'effet de combinaisons de pulvérisations foliaires avec l'éthéphon, I'hydrazide malélque. le flurécol ou le chlorflurécol suivies deux jours plus tard de traitements au dalapon ou à l'aminotriazole activé avec le thyocyanate d'ammonium. Les herbicides appliqués seuls n'eurent pas un effet marqué mais les combinaisons furent en général plus toxiques. L'éthéphon stimule la croissance de Cynodon dactylon, mais la combinaison avec le dalapon fut phytotoxique. L'hydrazide maléique appliqué seul et les combinaisons de flurécol ou de chlorflurécol avec le dalapon ou I'aminotriazole furent hautement inhibiteurs pour Sorghum halepense. Aucun des traitements n'inhiba completement la repousse de Cyperus rotundus. Wirkung von Wackstunsregulatoren auf Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. und Cyperus rotundus L. Zusammenfassung. Pflanzen von Cyrwdon dactylon (L.) Pers., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. und Cyperus rotundus L. wurden durch Eintauchen oder Blattspritzung mit folgenden Wachslun Lsregulatoren behandelt: Chlormequat, B-995, MH, 2-Chlorächanphosphonsaure (Ethephon), Flurenol und Chlorflurenol. Die erzielten Effekte variierten zwischen Stimulierung und Hemmung des Sprosswachstums, Erhöhung der Zahl der Triebe und Abtötung der Pflanzen. Die Herbizide Dalapon und Aminotriazol, letzteres mit Ammoniumthiocyanat aktiviert, wurden zwei Tage nach Blattsprilzung mit Ethephon, MH, Flurenol oder Chlorflurrnol angewandt und der Effekt der Kombinationen untersucht. Die kombinierten Behandlungen erhöhten die Toxizität, hingegen blieb die Anwendung von Herbiziden allein ohne merkliche Wirkung. Ethephon stimulierte das Wachstum von C dactylon, aber eine Kombination mit Dalapon war phytotoxisch. MH allein sowie Kombinationen von Flurenol oder Chlorflurenol mit Dalapon oder Aminotriazol wirkten auf S. halepense stark hemmend. Keine dieser Behandlungen konnte das Wiederaustreiben von C. rotundus vollständig verhindern     

SPATIAL GROWTH OF CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS.*

Summary. Small sprigs of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., were planted and grown without competition from weeds and crops for 2 1/2 years. The plant spread by means of above-ground creeping stolons and subterranean rhizomes which could also emerge as aerial shoots, producing in their turn new stolons and rhizomes. Initially there was linear extension of stolons and rhizomes, following which gaps in the sod were filled by stolon branching and new shoots. There was no preferential direction of stolon elongation and established sods developed an approximately circular shape and expanded concentrically. The rate of increase in sod area was similar in both years of observation but radial extension was smaller in the second year than in young plants. The mean sod area was 25 m² after 2½ years of growth, and mean monthly area increment was 0·9 m². Growth almost stopped in the cold season and exceeded 2 m² per month in the summer. The plants had extended up to 3·9 m from the plant centre after 2 1/2 years. The number of flowering culms per sod, produced only in the warm season, was directly proportional to sod area; seeds were infertile in the Newe Ya'ar area. After 2½ years of growth about 70% of the rhizome dry weight was present in the upper 20 cm of soil. Few rhizomes penetrated deeper than 40 cm. More than 60% of the rhizomes were present within 1 m radius of the plant centre and 90% were present within 2 m radius. Croissance spatiale de 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.     

The effect of temperature on sprouting and early establishment of Cynodon dactylon

Bud-sprouting dynamics, sprouting base temperature and reserve mobilization of rhizomes and stolons of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. were characterized in a laboratory experiment under dark conditions. In addition, the dynamics of sprout emergence were determined during 2 years under field conditions. In the laboratory experiment, buds from the vegetative structures did not sprout at temperatures below 7^C. The rate of sprouting increased with temperature within the range 11–33^C, and a base temperature of 7.71^C was determined for bud sprouting of rhizome and stolons of the weed. An exponential model is proposed relating the percentage of sprout emergence in the field to accumulated thermal units, calculated as the sum of the daily mean air temperature above the base temperature of bud sprouting. This model satisfactorily predicted the dynamics of C. dactylon sprout emergence in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop fields. The efficiency of carbohydrate reserve use during sprout growth was highly dependent on temperature and type of vegetative structure The efficiency was maximum at 20^C and was higher for rhizomes than for stolons. The main factors influencing bud sprouting and early weed establishment are discussed.     

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.     

STUDIES ON THE BIOTYPES OF CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS.

Summary. Results obtained on the growth response of biotypes of Cynodon dactylon to trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon), both formulated as the sodium salt, have indicated that the tetraploid biotypes are more resistant than the triploid, and that biotypes of the same chromosome number also differ in their response to these herbicides.
Investigations on the effects of adding non-ionic, cationic and anionic wetting agents to aqueous Solutions of the herbicides in which the leaves of plants were immersed showed that, in general, the wetting agents did not significantly increase the phytotoxicity of either herbicide.
Studies on bud dormancy revealed that uptake of TCA and dalapon via the roots is through the transpiration stream and that in tetraploids the dormant period induced by the acids is shorter than in triploids.
Eludes sur les biotypes de Cynodon dactylon ( L.) Pers. II. Les réactions aux acides trichloracétique et 2,2-dichloropropionique     

Preliminary studies on two Diaspididae (Hemiptera) species feeding on Johnsongrass (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Sorghum halepense</Emphasis>) in Turkey

The scale insects Acanthomytilus sacchari (Hall) and Duplachionaspis erianthi Borchsenius (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) are newly recorded as indigenous insects from Turkey. Both A. sacchari and D. erianthi were found to feed only on rhizomes of Johnsongrass. A field study was conducted to determine host ranges and feeding effects of these scale insects on Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. No feeding of these species was observed on Zea mays L. (maize), Sorghum sudanense Staph. (sorghum), Aegilops triuncialis L. (barbed goatgrass), Avena fatua L. (wild oat), A. sterilis (sterile oat), Bromus tectorum L. (downy brome), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (bermudagrass), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel (common reed), Poa bulbosa L. (bulbous bluegrass), or Secale montanum Guss. (wild rye). The mean infestation rates of the scale insects on Johnsongrass in southeastern Anatolia were 11.47% and 1.64% for A. sacchari and D. erianthi, respectively. Further investigations are required to clarify their biology and damage to Johnsongrass under field conditions.     

TRANSLOCATION OF AMINOTRIAZOLE AND DALAPON IN AG ROPY RON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.

Summary. Tracer studies using single drops of solutions containing 3–amino-1,2,4–triazole-5–¹⁴C (aminotriazole-¹⁴C) or 2,2–dichloropropionic acid-2–¹⁴C (datapon-¹⁴C) revealed that in couch plants (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) growing under field conditions in the autumn and at the stage where the aerial shoots were 40–50 cm long, both compounds moved in both symplast and apoplast. Dalapon was less mobile in the symplast than aminotriazole and only negligible amounts of dalapon were translocated to the rhizomes. The nodes of the treated shoots appeared to act as barriers to translocation, a phenomenon more pronounced for dalapon than for aminotriazole.
Application to a basal green leaf led to a more uniform distribution of the compounds within plants and rhizomes than when the application was made to the youngest fully-expanded leaf.
In couch plants with aerial shoots 10–15 cm long treated in the stubble, the distribution of both aminotriazole and dalapon was mainly restricted to the treated shoots. Even 15 days after application only trace amounts of radioactivity could be found in the rhizomes and untreated shoots.     

Growth of Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. at different light intensities

Elymus repens (L.) Gould and Agrostis gigantea Roth. raised from rhizomes both responded to reduced light intensity by increased stem length, while the number of aerial shoots was reduced. The weight of the aerial parts was not influenced by a 50% reduction of the daylight intensity, but a further reduction of light caused a significant decrease in weight. The production of new rhizomes was more influenced by shading than were the aerial shoots. The consequence was an increase in the shoot/rhizome ratio. The food reserve per bud measured as inter-node weight in E. repens and A. gigantea was reduced only with intensive shading, and the vitality of the rhizomes appeared independent of light intensity. Intensive shading in early as compared to late summer caused a reduction in the number and weight of aerial shoots, but not in the weight of new rhizomes. Light intensities equal to those found in a spring wheat crop allowed more E. repens growth than light intensities equal to those in a spring oat crop. E. repens raised from seeds and grown at light intensities equal to those found in a cereal crop, showed insignificant rhizome production.     

Fate of glyphosate in Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. growing under low temperature conditions

Absorption, translocation and distribution of ¹⁴C-glyphosate were examined in Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. plants growing under field conditions in the autumn. Glyphosate absorption did not increase beyond 3 days after application, whereas translocation to the rhizomes continued up to 7 days after application. The translocated glyphosate accumulated more in new rhizomes than in older parts of the rhizomes. Ten per cent of the glyphosate translocated out of the treated shoot was recovered in younger shoots 7 days after application. Plants harvested the following spring contained less than 20% of the glyphosate originally applied. Although a growth cabinet experiment indicated that 34% of the glyphosate in the rhizomes of treated plants could be remobi-lized into new aerial shoots, considerably less was recovered in new, aerial shoots in the spring in the field-grown plants. Freezing experiments showed that glyphosate translocation to the rhizomes was only prevented when cold treatment caused visible damage to A. repens foliage.     

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.     

Control of johnsongrass (sorghum halepense) in cotton fields

Control of johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) in cotton fields was achieved by the combined action of two herbicides: 1.5 kg/ha trifluralin incorporated preplanting prevented emergence of seedlings throughout the cotton growth season and reduced the vigor of rhizomes; and 1.25 kg/ha fluaziflop applied postemergence to the cotton crop selectively inhibited the growth of established rhizomes of the grass and completed the control. Reducing the spray volume for fluazifop from 300 to 200 1/ha resulted in efficient control of johnsongrass with lower rates of the herbicide.     

Rhizome depth: the critical factor in winter survival of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Johnson grass)

Two biotypes of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., (Johnson grass) one which overwinters and one which does not overwinter from rhizomes at the northern limit of their North American ranges, were compared for rhizome production, rhizome survival and physiological tolerance to cold. The two biotypes differed in both the amount and depth of rhizome production under field conditions, with the non-overwintering biotype producing very few rhizomes 20 cm below the soil surface. Rhizome survival was clearly related to depth of burial for both biotypes. Survival was much reduced in the top 20 cm of soil and increased at greater depths to nearly 100% survival at depths of 40 to 50 cm. Differences in rhizome survival were apparent between the two biotypes and under the two climatic conditions tested, with greatly reduced survival of the overwintering biotype in the more extreme northern field plot. Similar levels of cold hardiness were observed in both hardened seedlings and rhizomes of the two biotypes. These levels were low and, in general, would not provide major protection against freezing temperatures. La profondeur des rhizomes; facteur critique de la siurvie hivernale de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Sorgho d'Alep) Deux biotypes de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Sorgho d'Alep), l'un capable et l'autre incapable d'hiverner à l'état de rhizomes à la limite septentrionale de leurs aires nord-américaines, ont été comparés pour leur production en rhizomes, la survie de ces rhizomes et la tolérance physiologique au froid. Les deux biotypes différaient à la fois par la quantité et le niveau de profondeur de leur production de rhizomes au champ :le biotype incapable d'hiverner produisait très peu de rhizomes à une profondeur de 20 cm. La survie des rhizomes était clairement reliée à la profondeur d'enfouissement pour les deux biotypes. La survie était réduite dans les premiers 20 cm de sol et augmentait avec la profondeur jusqu'à presque 100%à des profondeurs de 40 à 50 cm. Des différences de survie des rhizomes étaient apparentes entre les deux biotypes sous les deux conditions climatiques étudiées, le biotype capable d'hiverner présentant un taux de survie fortement réduit dans la parcelle expérimentale située le plus au Nord. Des niveaux similaires d'endurcissement au froid ont été observés dans des plantules et des rhizomes endurcis des deux biotypes. Ces niveaux étaient bas et en général ne fournissaient pas de protection majeure contre le gel. Tiefenlage der Rhizome: der kritische Faktor fur das Ueberleben von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. während des Winters Zwei Biotypen von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. von der nördlichen Grenze ihres Verbreitungsgebietes in N-Amerika wurden in Bezug auf Rhizomproduktion, Ueberleben ihrer Rhizome und physiologisch bedingte Kälteresistenz miteinander verglichen. Der eine der beiden Biotype überwintert nicht, der andere überwintert, d.h. reproduziert neues Wachstum aus den bestehen-den Rhizomen. Die beiden Typen zeigten unter Feldbedingungen Unterschiede in der Rhizom-bildung, sowohl bezüglich Menge und Tiefenlage der neubildung, wobei der nicht überwinternde Biotype sehr wenig Rhizome tiefer als 20 cm unter der Bodenorberfläche bildet. Das Ueberleben während des Winters war für beide Biotypen eindeutig mit der Tiefenlage der Rhizomasse korreliert. Die Uebelebensrate war in den obersten 20 cm sehr reduziert und nahm mit zunehmen der Tiefe bis zu fast 100% in 40–50 cm Tiefe zu. Es wurden eindeutige Unterschiede in der Ueberlebensrate zwischen den beiden Biotype unter den zwei untersuchten Klimabedingungen festgestellt, wobei ein stark verringertes Ueberle-benspotential des überwinternden Typs unter den extremeren nördlicheren Feldbedingungen beobachtet wurde. Abgehärtete Sämlinge und Rhizome beider Biotypen wiesen einen ähnlichen Grad von Kälteresistenz auf. Diese Resistenz war relativ gering und stellte in der Regel keinen genügenden Schutz gegen Frost dar.     

Nature and importance of weeds in sorghum in the Yemen Arab Republic

Abstract

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the dominant crop in North Yemen agriculture, covering about 70–80% of the arable land. Weed control is still carried out mainly by hand. Many of the weeds are used as fodder for animals. A total of 137 weeds was collected in sorghum. Most frequent were Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Cyperus mtundus (L): their importance decreased, however, under a well‐established sorghum crop providing good shade cover and under conditions of increased crop fertilization with mineral nitrogen. Under these conditions, for example, Commelina spp. and Flaveria trinerva (Spreng.) Mohr became commoner. Thus increased use of nitrogen altered the nature and hierarchy of the weed flora. Relationships between the indicator figures of the weeds and the habitat, as defined by Ellenberg, were confirmed. Traditional methods of weed control have so far worked well, as witness an average cover of 60% sorghum and 20% weeds. In future, however, rising costs and labour shortages will increase the demand for less time‐consuming weed control strategies.     

Improvement of carpet grass (Axonopus affinis Chase) pasture by fertilization and oversowing with the aid of selective herbicides

An experiment was done to determine the effect of spring and autumn application of asulam and dalapon, nitrogen fertilizer and oversown white clover (Trifolium repens L.) on the productivity of subtropical pasture dominated by carpet grass (Axonopus affinis Chase). Assessments were made of pasture yield, botanical composition, weed invasion and recolonization by pasture species during the 12-month period following herbicide application. Both herbicides decreased the yield of carpet grass and increased that of the more productive paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) except after autumn application when the yield of paspalum was greatly reduced by dalapon. White clover became established only on plots treated with herbicide and only after autumn application. Clover yields were greatest on plots treated with dalapon. Asulam was considered to be the most suitable herbicide for altering the balance between carpet grass and paspalum because dalapon initially reduced paspalum yield after autumn application and delayed recovery of total pasture. In addition, dalapon permitted greater invasion by broadleaf weeds. This work showed that herbicides have a potential role for speeding up botanical changes in unproductive carpet grass pasture and further refinement of the technique might provide a useful tool for increasing pasture productivity.     

The use of thermal calendar models to improve the efficiency of herbicide applications in Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers

The dynamics of sprout emergence and rhizome populations of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. were followed in two field experiments. In addition, the herbicide dalapon was applied at various stages during rhizome development and the degree of control was evaluated. Rhizome biomass oscillated during the growth cycle, whereas the number of rhizome sprouts increased asymptotically until mid-summer. Observed values were compared against those predicted from a thermal calendar model. The dynamics of the rhizome population was predicted accurately in both experiments, but only in one of them was the prediction of the sprout emergence satisfactory. The degree of control differed markedly between herbicide applications at various intervals during population development. Best results were obtained from applications when rhizome biomass was at a minimum. The time of minimum biomass was predicted by a thermal calendar model. The advantages of using the thermal calendar model to determine the time of herbicide application, and the possible influence of the distribution of the rhizome population in the soil profile on the predictions of the model, are discussed.     

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.     

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) growth characteristics as related to rhizome length

Growth characteristics of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepence(L) Pers] grown in the field from rhizomes 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 cm long were studied in a sandy loam soil for 2 years. Plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of tillers per plant, and fresh weight of new rhizomes and shoots were significantly dependent on the length of the planted rhizome 20, 40, 60, or 80 days after planting. All growth characteristics increased significantly as the length of planted rhizome increased from 2.5 cm to 10 cm to 25 cm Growth characteristics of Johnsongrass plants grown on rhizomes of adjacent lengths (differing by 5 cm) generally were not significantly different. Longer rhizomes (15, 20, or 25 cm) initiated new rhizome growth much earlier (about 20–30 days) than shorter rhizomes (2.5, 5, or 10 cm) Although all rhizome lengths showed a parallel growth potential, the lunger rhizomes were capable of more and faster growth, especially early after planting. It is suggested that Johnsongrass plants associated with longer rhizomes in the field as a result of limited tillage, coupled with their faster growth rate, are expected to interfere with crop production earlier than plants on shorter rhizomes unless controlled.     

Soil moisture relations and critical period of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (coastal bermudagrass) competition in conservation-tillage cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Field experiments were established at the Southern Piedmont Research facility near Watkinsville, GA during 1989 and 1990 to assess the critical period of interspecific interference between different Cynodon dactylon (coastal bermudagrass) densities and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in a conservation-tillage system. Cotton was exposed to coastal bermudagrass for 0, 4, 7, 10 and 25 weeks. Cotton height, yield, and soil volumetric water content were examined. Volumetric water content was determined by time domain reflectometry. Cotton height and yields were significantly reduced by exposure to coastal bermudagrass and reduction in cotton productivity increased with increasing coastal bermudagrass density. Soil volumetric water content decreased in the upper 30 cm of soil with increasing coastal bermudagrass density. The critical period of coastal bermudagrass in cotton was determined to be 4 to 7 weeks after planting. Relations entre l'humidite su sol et la periode critique de competition de Cynodon dactylon (L.) dans du coton en systeme de labour (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Des essais de plein champ ont été mis en place sur le centre de recherche du Sud-Piémont près Watkinsville, GA pendant 1989 et 1990 pour évaluer la période critique d'interférence interspécifique entre différentes densités de Cynodon dactylon et de coton (Gossypium hirsutum) dans un système de labour. Le coton a été exposé au cynodon pendant 0, 4, 7, 19 et 25 semaines. La hauteur du coton, le rendement et la teneur en haut du sol ont été examinés. Le volume d'eau du sol a été déterminée par reflectométrie. La hauteur du coton, et les rendements ont été réduits significativement par l'exposition au cynodon et la réduction de productivité du coton a augmenté avec l'augmentation de la densité du cynodon. Le volume d'eau du sol dans les 30 premiers centimètres a diminué avec l'augmentation de la densité du cynodon. La période critique du cynodon pour le coton a été déterminée comme se situant 4 à 7 semaines après la plantation. Konkurrenz von Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. mit Baumwolle (Gossypium hirsutum L.) bei konservierender Bodenbearbeitung — Kritische Periode und Bezug zur Bodenfeuchte Zur Ermittlung der kritischen Periode der Konkurrenz von Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. mit Baumwolle (Gossypium hirsutum L.) bei konservierender Bodenbearbeitung wurde die Kultur in Feldversuchen 1989 und 1990 auf der Piedmont-Versuchsstation für 0, 4, 7, 10 und 25 Wochen mit dem Unkraut in unterschiedlicher Dichte wachsen gelassen. Höhe und Ertrag der Baumwoll-Pflanzen wurden durch die Verunkrautung signifikant reduziert, und mit steigender Unkrautdichte nahm die Produktivität genauso wie die Bodenfeuchte in den obersten 30 cm ab. Die kritische Periode der Konkurrenz zwischen dem Unkraut und der Kulturpflanze lag zwischen der 4. und der 7. Woche.     

EVALUATION OF HERBICIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF COUCHGRASS, AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.

Summary. Two techniques for the comparative evaluation for the control of couchgrass ( Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) were tested in 1960, and it was concluded that the more practicable was the one in which known lengths (96 in.) of couchgrass rhizome fragments were planted in a plot of 10 × 2 ft. The rhizomes were allowed to grow and herbicides were applied when the shoots were 6–9 in. high. Two to 3 months later the rhizomes were carefully dug up, weighed, measured and dried. Dry weight of rhizomes was used as a measure of the quantity of couchgrass present. Four trials of spring applications, and two of autumn applications are reported.
Of the commercially available herbicides, amitrole-T, TCA and dalapon were effective in that order, and presented no insuperable problems of persistence in the soil. Fenac and atrazine showed little promise. Spring applications of herbicides were considerably more effective than autumn treatments.
Essai d'herbicides pour la lutte contre Agropyron repens