Alternative Route of Infection for Bacterial Seedling Blight of Rice Caused by Burkholderia plantarii

Burkholderia plantarii , the pathogen of bacterial seedling blight of rice, was detected in paddy water. Its concentration rose in July and August. The bacterial concentration in the paddy water was always higher along levees than at distances more than 5 m from levees. Confirmed to be released into water when graminaceous weeds were immersed, B. plantarii survived for at least 4 days at 30°C. B. plantarii was splashed at least 30 cm upward by rain splash in the field. Harvested seeds, which had been sprayed with B. plantarii released from graminaceous weeds at the flowering stage, retained the bacteria. Bacterial seedling blight occurred when the seeds were then sown in nursery boxes. These results indicated that graminaceous weeds growing on levees of paddy fields are a source of infection of the disease and that rice seeds are infected through the paddy water. Received 23 May 2002/ Accepted in revised form 1 September 2002     

Sodium Alginate as an Adjuvant of an Antagonistic Bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain A11RN, to Enhance Biocontrol of Turfgrass Snow Mold Caused by Typhula ishikariensis

Pretreatment with sodium alginate (20 g/m²) prior to application of a biocontrol agent, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain A11RN, enhanced the control turfgrass snow mold caused by Typhula ishikariensis biotype B. Disease severities in two fields relative to untreated control plots were 53% and 61% in plots treated with both the strain and sodium alginate, which were significantly lower than 69% and 77% in plots treated only with the strain. The antagonist population remained above the threshold for effective control (ca. 1×10⁷ cfu/cm³) at least for the first month under snow in pretreatment with sodium alginate. The population of the biocontrol agent after snowmelt on turfgrass was five times higher in sodium alginate-amended plots than in unamended plots. Sodium alginate alone did not reduce disease severity. Sodium alginate might have supported the survival of the applied strain. Received 7 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 20 December 1999     

Relationships between soil properties and the occurrence of the most agronomically important weed species in the field margins of eastern Arkansas – implications for weed management in field margins

The work presented in this study adds to previous research on the occurrence, distribution and growth habitat of common weeds along roadsides in the Mississippi River Delta region of eastern Arkansas, USA. It addresses the relationships between soil properties (i.e. defined as a group of individual soil characteristics or attributes such as P, K, Ca, Mn and other nutrients) and the most agronomically important weeds of which the occurrence at field margins accounted for ≥ 10% of the total sampling sites. These were three broad‐leaved weeds (Amaranthus palmeri, Ipomoea spp. and Sida spinosa) and four grass weeds (Echinochloa crus‐galli, Urochloa platyphylla, Sorghum halepense and Digitaria sanguinalis). Soil properties were used as explanatory variables for weed occurrence (presence–absence) using partition analysis; the occurrences of the weeds under examination were partitioned by the application of a decision‐tree method. The most important soil properties explaining the occurrence of these weeds in field margins were extractable soil nutrients, specifically sodium, boron and copper content, as well as soil physical attributes, in order of importance, bulk density, silt content, field moisture capacity, hydraulic conductivity, wilting point, available water and clay content. Soil chemical properties proved least reliable in explaining weed occurrence at roadside field margins. Knowledge of the relationships between soil properties and weed occurrence can add to our understanding of weed biology and hence enhance the efficiency of weed management strategies. For example, the occurrence of A. palmeri, in soils with high bulk density (>1.4 g cm^?3) and low organic matter content (<2.7%) and thus lower residual herbicide activity, will require integrated weed management of this species in field margins. This is of interest given the occurrence of herbicide resistance in roadside arable weeds, mainly A. palmeri, E. crus‐galli and S. halepense, in the Mississippi River Delta region of eastern Arkansas and other parts of the world.     

From weed biology to successful control: an example of successful management of Ludwigia grandiflora in Germany

Ludwigia grandiflora (water primrose), a native to the Americas, is one of the most important invasive alien aquatic plants in Europe. In Germany, a first population was found in an oxbow lake of the River Leda in Lower Saxony, north‐western Germany, in 2004. Ludwigia grandiflora formed both dense monospecific patches and mixed stands with native plants. A study on the biology of L. grandiflora documented that the plants regrow in spring from vegetative means only, even though viable seed production occurred. Hand weeding was successfully tested in different sampling sites as a sustainable management tool and subsequently used for the management of this species. Within 3 days, more than 99% of the biomass (25 tonnes of fresh mass) was harvested in 2013. Afterwards, a one‐day post‐treatment in the same year, two‐one‐day treatments in 2014 and one‐one‐day treatment in 2015 were made to harvest the regrown plants. After the first year, plant regrowth occurred only in one extremely muddy site, while in more than 99% of the water body, L. grandiflora was eradicated. Even though L. grandiflora was not completely eradicated from the water, a total eradication seems achievable within the next few years. The study documented the difficulties in the management of aquatic weeds, particularly in heterogeneous habitats with varying sediment structure. Management measures must be adapted to the infested habitat and species biology, which is mandatory for successful management of all aquatic weeds.     

Use of bentonite and humic acid as modifying agents in alginate-based controlled-release formulations of imidacloprid

In order to prepare a formulation to be used for controlled release, imidacloprid was incorporated into alginate granules by using calcium chloride as gellant. The formulation prepared (alginate–imidacloprid–water) was modified by the addition of different sorbents. The effects on release rate of the addition of natural bentonite desiccated at 105 °C, untreated, acid-treated with sulfuric acid solutions over a concentration range between 0.5 mol dm⁻³ and 2.5 mol dm⁻³, and a commercial humic acid, were studied by immersion of the granules in water under static conditions. The time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, (T₅₀), was calculated from the data obtained. On the other hand, the sorption–desorption processes of imidacloprid from a 0.01 M aqueous calcium chloride solution at 25 °C, by natural, acid-treated bentonite samples, and humic acid, have been studied by using batch experiments in order to evaluate the potential of these materials for their application in controlled-release formulations of pesticides. The experimental data have been fitted to the Freundlich equation in order to calculate the adsorption capacities (K_f). K_f values ranged from 1.76 mg kg⁻¹ for the untreated bentonite up to 126.9 mg kg⁻¹ for the humic acid. A correlation study was performed with T₅₀, the surface area (S) and the Freundlich parameter (K_f) of the bentonite samples in order to know the factors that affect release rate of imidacloprid from bentonite granules. A linear correlation of the T₅₀ values and both S and K_f parameters was observed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Controlled release of isoproturon from an alginate–bentonite formulation: water release kinetics and soil mobility

The herbicide isoproturon [3‐(4‐isopropylphenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea] was incorporated in alginate‐based granules to obtain controlled‐release (CR) properties. The basic formulation (sodium alginate (1.87%)–isoproturon (0.67%) in water) was modified by addition of different sorbents. The effect on isoproturon release rate, modified by the incorporation of natural and acid‐treated bentonite in alginate formulation, was studied by immersion of the granules in water while shaking. The release of isoproturon was diffusion‐controlled. The time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, T₅₀, was longer for those formulations containing added bentonite (5.98 and 7.43 days, for natural and acid‐treated (1 M H₂SO₄) bentonite, respectively) than for the preparation without bentonite (3.78 days). The mobilities of non‐formulated technical grade (98%) and formulated isoproturon were compared using soil columns. The use of alginate‐based CR formulations containing bentonite reduced isoproturon movement compared with the technical product. Sorption capacity of the soil for isoproturon was measured using batch experiments (0.29 litre kg⁻¹) and the results obtained here in agreement with those obtained under dynamic conditions. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Effect of Winter Weather on the Survival of Aphid Populations on Weeds in Scotland1

Since 1975 studies have been made in Scotland on the status of weeds as overwintering hosts for potato-infesting aphids. The results show that Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorblae and Aulacorthum solani can all overwinter anholocyclically on weeds or wild plants, and also suggest that the success of such overwintering depends on the relative severity of the winter. It appears that this overwintering success can be quantified and used in forecasting the potential for these aphids to colonise potato crops during the following spring.     

Biological control of water hyacinth – the South African experience1

Water hyacinth remains one of the worst aquatic weeds worldwide, and its presence in South Africa since the early twentieth century prompted research into biological control options. The first control agent released in South Africa was the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae in 1974, but the project was terminated three years later, and resumed in 1985. Since then, five arthropod biocontrol agents have been released in South Africa, more than anywhere else in the world, including another weevil, N. bruchi, a moth, Niphograpta albiguttalis, a mite, Orthogalumna terebrantis and a mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis. To date, the success of biological control of water hyacinth in South Africa has been variable, and this has been ascribed to, amongst other factors, climatic incompatibility of control agents, and eutrophication of water hyacinth impoundments. Successful control is achieved in warm subtropical sites which are not affected by frost in winter, and in water bodies that are not heavily polluted with nitrates and phosphates. The biocontrol programme is the result of collaborative research with scientists from the USA, Australia and Argentina, and the experience obtained and lessons learned in these regions and South Africa can be used to initiate a biocontrol programme in Europe.     

Aquatic Weeds in African Man-Made Lakes

Abstract

There is a pattern of succession of weeds in man-made African lakes. Each phase of succession differs in each lake depending on the local environment. Floating weeds develop first, followed by sudd, a later decrease in floating weeds, an increase in submerged weeds, and finally an emergent drawdown flora. The stages in this sequence may be very pronounced in some lakes, or may be virtually absent in others.     

Assessment of phylogenetic signal in the germination ability of Phelipanche ramosa on Brassicaceae hosts

Phelipanche ramosa is a generalist parasitic weed known to cause yield losses in various crops, especially in winter oilseed rape, its new preferred host in France. This parasitic plant is also able to complete its life cycle on many Brassicaceae weeds, which are thus important alternative hosts. We studied a set of 14 common Brassicaceae weeds and characterised their ability to induce the germination of three genetically distinct pathovars of P. ramosa, based on in vitro experiments. We then investigated whether phylogenetic relatedness among Brassicaceae weeds could inform on their ability to induce germination of P. ramosa by testing for a phylogenetic signal in the germination rate of the parasite. In the presence of some phylogenetic signal, phylogenetic distances among species might be used as a surrogate to predict the ability to induce germination of potential additional Brassicaceae hosts. The three pathovars studied showed different germination patterns. Moreover, we found substantial variation in the germination rate of P. ramosa among the different Brassicaceae species, with a significant effect of the clustering of species into two ancient phylogenetic lineages. However, no significant phylogenetic signal was detected overall, that is we could not exclude that germination rates were randomly distributed over the phylogeny. We suggest that further analyses should be conducted across wider sets of potential hosts to better characterise the existence of a phylogenetic signal of the ability of weeds to induce the germination of P. ramosa.     

Ecological pest management and control by using allelopathic weeds (Ageratum conyzoides,Ambrosia trifida,and Lantana camara) and their allelochemicals in China

The development of pest management and control is striving toward a future of sustainable agriculture. Weeds cause serious problems in agricultural ecosystems and attempts to control them have met with limited success. However, many weeds are allelopathic; that is, they can produce and release allelochemicals to interact with other plant competitors and to attack microbes or insect and other animal predators. These allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals may be put into use for ecological pest management and control or employed for other uses. Currently, little attention has been paid to how allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals potentially can be utilized as an important part of pest management and control in agricultural ecosystems. This review outlines recent research regarding the potential for pest management and control by allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals by studying the cases of Ageratum conyzoides, Ambrosia trifida, and Lantana camara and provides examples of allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals that have been incorporated into ecological pest management and control in China.     

Influence of environmental factors on the weed flora in crops in the Guadalquivir Valley

The study was conducted on the weed flora of the main irrigated crops of the Guadalquivir Valley. The TWINSPAN (Two Way Indicator Species Analysis) method was applied for each crop separately to all the species present as well as to their degree of infestation. The results indicated that soil texture may markedly influence the flora, whereas the effects of pH and carbonate content were less important. The climatic differences found in the three areas studied were of little importance. The type of irrigation markedly influenced the flora, although it was always related to edaphic factors, especially texture and slope. In general, the weed flora found in the crops can be divided into two communities. One is characterized by species such as Ridolfia segetum, Picris echioides, Phalaris brachystachys, Phalaris paradoxa and Chrozophora tinctoria and the second by Capsella bursa-pastoris, Cyperus rotundus, Paspalum paspalodes, Digitaria sanguinalis, Sorghum halepense and Portulaca oleracea. The first community comprises weeds in the higher altitudes, further away from the riverbed, with a soil of clayey texture, a high slope and irrigated with sprinklers. The second community comprises the flora of flat areas, with sandy soils, located in the middle and low river terraces and furrow irrigated.     

Weed flora of water rice in the Red River Delta,Vietnam

The occurrence of weeds in water rice was surveyed in the Red River Delta, Vietnam during spring and summer rice-growing seasons in 1995 and 1996. Sixty different weeds from 19 plant families were recorded. The most important plant families as weeds of rice were Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The most important weed however was Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne (Lythraceae) followed by Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and Cyperus difformis L. A brief comparison of this rice weed flora and those of Australia and California was made.     

新疆阿尔泰山区白湖水质水量基本特征

白湖位于喀纳斯国家级自然保护区的核心区域,人迹罕至,湖泊及其流域环境保持自然状态。湖水直接接受喀纳斯雪冰融水补给,湖泊基本特征的变化敏感地反映了流域的气候变化。开展核心区湖泊流域水文、水质以及生物等基本特征的调查,为了解不同气候变化背景下自然环境的变化特征与规律,为科学保护和管理环境、适应未来气候变化提供依据。据调查,目前白湖最大水深为137 m,湖泊面积约9 km²,蓄水量4.1×10⁸ m³,湖水矿化度为32.9 mg•L^-1,硬度和碱度分别为17.1 mg•L^-1和18.2 mg•L^-1,pH为8.3,水体呈弱碱性。水化学特征与喀纳斯湖接近,但水体颜色差别大。采用LEO1530VP扫描电子显微镜、INA C300 X射线能谱仪分析表明,水体中白色悬浮颗粒主要为石英矿物,并从河源区物质、河水动力以及湖水介质3个方面分析了白湖颜色形成的原因。     

Ecophysiological characteristics of five weeds and a wheat crop in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains,India

The objective of this research was to compare selected ecophysiological parameters for a wheat crop found in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India and its five dominant weeds. The dominant and regionally ubiquitous weeds in the wheat field that was selected for the study were Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Melilotus albus, Phalaris minor and Rumex dentatus. Taller weeds, such as C. album and P. minor, constituted one group along with the crop, with a low photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen mass basis, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency and leaf area ratio, in comparison to shorter weeds, such as A. arvensis, M. albus and R. dentatus, which formed another group with a high photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen mass basis, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency and leaf area ratio. Interspecific variations in the photosynthetic rate were driven mainly by variability in the specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen content. The taller weeds and the crop had a low specific leaf area later in the season, whereas the smaller weeds had a relatively high specific leaf area, which might be an adaptation to the shaded environment below the canopy. The result indicates that any weed management in the wheat fields of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains will need two different approaches because of the different strategies followed by the two weed groups that were identified in the present study.     

Utilization of Bidens pilosa var. radiata (Sch. Bip.) Sherff integrated with water irrigation for paddy weed control and rice yield production

The application of allelopathic plant materials combined with an agricultural production method is a concept that can be used to manage weeds during rice production. This research investigated the effects of the utilization of Bidens pilosa var. radiata integrated with water irrigation for weed control and rice production. B. pilosa and water extract exerted more toxicity against Echinochloa crus‐galli than the extracted residue applied at the same rates, suggesting that weed control was caused by compounds extracted from B. pilosa. The changes in water properties after the application of B. pilosa were explored. Dissolved oxygen was rapidly reduced after application and then slowly increased within 3–5 days after application (DAA), while the pH also decreased at the early stage and then increased back to normal values within 1–3 DAA. Electrical conductivity increased with increasing rates of application, suggesting that allelochemicals were released from B. pilosa. The concept was studied under field conditions. B. pilosa was applied along with irrigation at 7 days after sowing (DAS) on a direct wet seed system. The results showed that application rates of 2, 4 and 6 tons ha^?1 decreased the number of weeds by 52.16, 86.73 and 95.18% at 30 DAA and reduced dried weight of weeds by 17.65, 34.69 and 86.82%, respectively. The rice yield showed an increase of 72.73, 81.03 and 73.66% when compared with the nonweeded crop, while herbicide treatment increased by 84.68%. The findings demonstrate that the application of B. pilosa integrated with water irrigation was able to control weeds in a direct seeded rice production system.     

On the formulation of disulfide herbicides based on aminophenoxazinones: polymeric nanoparticle formulation and cyclodextrin complexation to combat crop yield losses

Background

The resistance of weeds to herbicides is a significant issue in ensuring future food supply. Specific examples are Plantago lanceolata, Portulaca oleracea and Lolium rigidum, which mainly infect rice, wheat, barley and pastures, and cause high yield losses every year. In this regard, natural products and their mimics have provided new hope as a result of their different modes-of-action, activity at low concentrations and reduced pollution effects relative to conventional herbicides. However, the poor water solubility and physicochemical properties of these compounds limit their broad application. These problems can be addressed by formulation techniques, and encapsulation appears to be of great interest.

Results

Disulfide herbicides inspired by aminophenoxazinones have been formulated with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), γ-CD and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). In silico studies were employed to identify which complexes would be generated and complex formation was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Solubility diagrams were generated to assess any improvement in water solubility, which was enhanced 2–13-fold. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra confirmed the success of the formulation process for the nanoparticles. Formulated compounds were evaluated in an in vitro wheat coleoptile bioassay, with almost 100% elongation inhibition achieved using only water for the bioassay. Specific in vitro testing on weed phytotoxicity showed that the application of core/shell NPs is highly effective in the fight against P. lanceolata seed germination.

Conclusions

The formulation of disulfide herbicides with CD complexes and NPs led to an enhancement in water solubility and bioactivity. These systems can be applied in pre-emergent mode against P. lanceolata, using only water to prepare the sample, and they showed better activity than the positive controls. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

A method to obtain fast and uniform emergence of weeds for field experiments

In studies on competition between crops and weeds it may be desirable to manipulate time of emergence, density and spatial arrangement of weeds. This requires a method to obtain a fast and uniform emergence of weeds. Two planting methods were compared that differed in the medium (agar or blotting paper) on which seeds were germinated, and in the method of transplanting the seeds (with or without the medium). In wet soil, emergence started earlier when seeds were germinated on agar and subsequently planted with agar. Root tips of seeds germinated on blotting paper may have been damaged to a greater extent during transplanting, because root tips tended to grow into the blotting paper. The duration, heterogeneity and final level of emergence were not affected by the planting method. In dry soil in a greenhouse experiment, the final level of emergence was much less when seeds were planted using the blotting paper method than when they were planted using the agar method. The agar may have provided a small source of water which reduced dehydration of emerging plants. The results were similar for the three species studies, namely, Chenopodium album L., Senecio vulgaris L. and Solanum nigrum L.     

五氯酚钠防除稻田杂草的试验

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

Influence of allocation and detoxification of metribuzin in Chenopodium album on the reliability of prediction of the minimum lethal herbicide dose rate

A new method for application of minimum lethal herbicide dose (MLHD) rates is based on the assumption that a MLHD for a photosystem (PS) II herbicide can be predicted for weeds when the developmental stage of seedlings, herbicide uptake and herbicide action are taken into account. Chenopodium album