Predicting the competitive effects of weed and crop density on weed biomass, weed seed production and crop yield in wheat

Competition between winter-sown wheat and Viola arvensis Murray or Papaver rhoeas L. was studied in two experiments in two successive years. The effects of varying crop and weed density were modelled in terms of weed biomass over time, weed seed production and crop yield. Biomass model parameters, representing maximum weed biomass and intra- and interspecific competition, were obtained for different assessment dates, enabling biomass levels to be predicted during the two growing seasons. Weed biomass declined, and its maximum level was reached earlier, with increasing crop density. Intraspecific competition was higher in the absence than in the presence of crop, increasing with time and with weed density. Halving the wheat population increased June biomass of V. arvensis by 74% and of P. rhoeas by 63%. Crop yield losses with increasing weed density were greater with low than with medium and high crop populations. P. rhoeas was significantly more competitive than V. arvensis in both years. Weed biomass in 1989 responded more to reductions in crop density following the milder winter of 1988/89 than in the previous year; however crop yields were less affected in 1989 due to summer drought, restricting late weed growth and competition. Weed seed production was related to weed biomass; the progressive lowering of crop density increased seed production, and both species were very prolific in the absence of crop. By combining models, seed production could be derived for a given competitive effect on the crop. Threshold weed populations, based on low weed levels that are not economic to control, could then be equated with the accompanying weed seed production.     

The effect of crop,cultivation and seed addition for birds on surface weed seed densities in arable crops during winter

Weed seeds present an agronomic threat, but are also an important food resource for wildlife in winter. Weed seed densities on the soil surface in winter were examined from 1999 to 2002 in 105 fields on three different farms in UK. The effect of the preceding crop, cultivation, position within the field and the application of seed for birds (bird seed) on surface seed abundance and species composition was tested. Six or fewer species comprised c. 80% of the weed seeds. By January of each study year, the densities of seeds important for farmland birds (key seeds) were 73% or 87% lower compared with early winter on two of the farms, but were stable on the third where seeds were incorporated through cultivation. At the edge and mid‐field, seed densities only exceeded 400 m^?2 in 17%, 10% and 12% of fields for total, key and dicotyledonous seeds respectively. The preceding crop only affected seed densities at one site; stubbles of winter barley had fewer seeds compared with winter wheat or spring barley. Seed densities varied between the edge and mid‐field, but trends were inconsistent between sites. The density of the larger seeds (Atriplex patula, Viola arvensis, Polygonum aviculare and Chenopodium album) were reduced in fields receiving bird seed. The objectives of weed control and conservation may not be mutually exclusive because seed return was most reduced where the ground remained uncultivated through the winter, yet this also provided the best foraging opportunities for surface feeding seed predators.     

Comparison of crop and weed height,for potential differentiation of weed patches at harvest

Weeds and weed control are major production costs in global agriculture, with increasing challenges associated with herbicide‐based management because of concerns with chemical residue and herbicide resistance. Non‐chemical weed management may address these challenges but requires the ability to differentiate weeds from crops. Harvest is an ideal opportunity for the differentiation of weeds that grow taller than the crop, however, the ability to differentiate late‐season weeds from the crop is unknown. Weed mapping enables farmers to locate weed patches, evaluate the success of previous weed management strategies, and assist with planning for future herbicide applications. The aim of this study was to determine whether weed patches could be differentiated from the crop plants, based on height differences. Field surveys were carried out before crop harvest in 2018 and 2019, where a total of 86 and 105 weedy patches were manually assessed respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that across the 191 assessed weedy patches, in 97% of patches with Avena fatua (wild oat) plants, 86% with Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish) plants and 92% with Sonchus oleraceus L. (sow thistles) plants it was possible to distinguish the weeds taller than the 95% of the crop plants. Future work should be dedicated to the assessment of the ability of remote sensing methods such as Light Detection and Ranging to detect and map late‐season weed species based on the results from this study on crop and weed height differences.     

Comparison of growth,survivorship, seed production and shedding of eight weed species in a wheat crop in Western Australia

Development of integrated weed management strategies is dependent on a thorough knowledge of the demography of individual species. The current research established eight winter or summer weed species in a winter annual wheat cropping system at Wongan Hills, Western Australia, and investigated emergence of the first cohort of each species, survivorship, plant size, seed production and seed shedding over three years (2016–2019). The winter weeds Bromus diandrus and Lolium rigidum emerged at the same time as the wheat crop, and the initial cohort of marked plants had 100% survival to seed production in each year. By comparison, other winter weed species like Hordeum leporinum, Rumex hypogaeus, Sonchus oleraceus and Polygonum aviculare frequently emerged later than the crop and had a lower percentage of plants surviving to seed production. However, individual S. oleraceus and P. aviculare plants had the greatest seed production compared to other species. All winter weeds had variable patterns of seed shedding between years, with the exception of L. rigidum. Summer weed species emerged at the same time, but plants in the initial cohort of each species did not always survive to produce seed. The early emergence and high survivorship of B. diandrus indicates high competitive ability, but shedding commenced at a similar time to L. rigidum and harvest weed seed control may be a viable control method for this species.     

Integration of soil, crop and weed management in low-external-input farming systems

Greater adoption and refinement of low-external-input (LEI) farming systems have been proposed as ways to ameliorate economic, environmental and health problems associated with conventional farming systems. Organic soil amendments and crop diversification are basic components of LEI systems. Weed scientists can improve the use of these practices for weed management by improving knowledge of four relevant ecological mechanisms. First, multispecies crop rotations, intercrops and cover crops may reduce opportunities for weed growth and regeneration through resource competition and niche disruption. Secondly, weed species appear to be more susceptible to phytotoxic effects of crop residues and other organic soil amendments than crop species, possibly because of differences in seed mass. Thirdly, delayed patterns of N availability in LEI systems may favour large-seeded crops over small-seeded weeds. Finally, additions of organic materials can change the incidence and severity of soil-borne diseases affecting weeds and crops. Our research on LEI sweetcorn and potato production systems in central and northern Maine (USA) suggests that these mechanisms can reduce weed density and growth while maintaining crop yields. Low-external-input farming systems will advance most quickly through the application of interdisciplinary research focused on these and other ecological mechanisms.     

Effects of drought on weed emergence and growth vary with the seed burial depth and presence of a cover crop

In conservation agriculture, weed seed germination could decrease with the presence of a cover crop, surface weed seed location and temporal drought in summer just after seed shedding. This study simultaneously examined the effects of a cover crop, burial depth (seed location) and hydric stress on weed emergence and early growth. It was hypothesized that drought would reduce weed emergence and the initial growth of weed seeds and that this effect would be greater when the seeds were on the soil surface and in the presence of a cover crop. Four annual weed species were chosen that are frequently found (Anisantha sterilis, Vulpia myuros, Sonchus asper, Veronica persica) and not frequently found (Alopecurus myosuroides, Poa annua, Cyanus segetum, Capsella bursa‐pastoris) in fields that implement conservation agriculture. The unburied seeds had 26% lower emergence, on average, than the buried seeds (significant for six of the eight species), hydric stress reduced emergence by 20% (for seven of the eight species) and the presence of a cover crop reduced the level of emergence by 17% (for all species). The unburied seeds with hydric stress were emerging under the “most stressful” set of factors, with a 45% decrease in emergence, compared with the seeds emerging under the “least stressful” set of factors (buried seeds without hydric stress). All the weed growth measurements (height, dry matter content and number of leaves) decreased with the presence of a cover crop. The species that are found frequently in the fields that implement conservation agriculture, compared with the species that are not frequently found in conservation agriculture fields, had higher rates of germination and a higher tolerance of hydric stress when their seeds were unburied.     

Investigation of crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement in the lower Amu Darya River Basin,Central Asia

High water consumption and inefficient irrigation management in the agriculture sector of the middle and lower reaches of the Amu Darya River Basin(ADRB)have significantly influenced the gradual shrinking of the Aral Sea and its ecosystem.In this study,we investigated the crop water consumption in the growing seasons and the irrigation water requirement for different crop types in the lower ADRB during 2004–2017.We applied the FAO Penman–Monteith method to estimate reference evapotranspiration(ET0)based on daily climatic data collected from four meteorological stations.Crop evapotranspiration(ETc)of specific crop types was calculated by the crop coefficient.Then,we analyzed the net irrigation requirement(NIR)based on the effective precipitation with crop water requirements.The results indicated that the lowest monthly ET0 values in the lower ADRB were found in December(18.2 mm)and January(16.0 mm),and the highest monthly ET0 values were found in June and July,with similar values of 211.6 mm.The annual ETc reached to 887.2,1002.1,and 492.0 mm for cotton,rice,and wheat,respectively.The average regional NIR ranged from 514.9 to 715.0 mm in the 10 Irrigation System Management Organizations(UISs)in the study area,while the total required irrigation volume for the whole region ranged from 4.2×109 to 11.6×109 m3 during 2004–2017.The percentages of NIR in SIW(surface irrigation water)ranged from 46.4%to 65.2%during the study period,with the exceptions of the drought years of 2008 and 2011,in which there was a significantly less runoff in the Amu Darya River.This study provides an overview for local water authorities to achieve optimal regional water allocation in the study area.     

咸水非充分灌溉下土壤水盐动态及对制种玉米生长的影响

为了探究石羊河流域地下水资源的利用方式,在甘肃省石羊河流域开展了为期2年的制种玉米咸水非充分灌溉田间试验,试验设置3种灌水水平即w1(1ETc)、w2(2/3ETc)、w3(1/2ETc),3种盐分水平即s1(矿化度0.71 g·L~(-1),淡水)、s2(矿化度3 g·L~(-1))、s3(矿化度6 g·L~(-1)),共9个试验处理,研究咸水非充分灌溉对土壤水盐动态及制种玉米生长的影响。研究结果表明:咸水非充分灌溉条件下,由于灌溉水量和灌水矿化度不同,土壤水盐动态表现出不同的特征,非充分灌溉处理土壤含水量低于充分灌溉处理,咸水灌溉处理土壤含水量高于淡水灌溉处理;充分灌溉处理盐分累积较深,非充分灌溉处理盐分主要累积在表层土壤和根系吸水层土壤。灌溉水量采用2/3 ETc的非充分灌溉方式进行灌溉,土壤盐分随着水分运移,盐分主要累积在表层土壤和根系吸水层土壤,短时期采用灌水矿化度为3 g·L~(-1)的微咸水灌溉,盐分不会在土壤产生大量累积。因此,在研究区灌溉水量控制在2/3 ETc左右,灌水矿化度不超过3 g·L~(-1),对制种玉米生长的影响较小,减产幅度在11%以下,能够达到合理利用地下咸水资源和节水灌溉的目的。     

Effect of tillage, cover crop and crop rotation on the composition of weed flora in a sandy soil

The development of integrated weed management strategies requires knowledge of mechanisms that influence compositional changes in weed flora. A 9-year study was initiated in 1988 at Delhi, Canada, on a loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of tillage systems [conventional (CT) and no-till (NT)] and cover crops (only in NT) on weed density, species composition and associations, and crop yield in a winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)/bean/winter wheat rotation. Three bean types: soyabean ( Glycine max L. Merr.), white bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and kidney bean ( P . vulgaris L.) were included. The NT system included variations: rye ( Secale cereale L.) or maize ( Zea mays L.) cover crop, volunteer wheat disked after harvest and wheat stubble. Data were collected in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Tillage systems, cover crops and crop type had differential effects on weed densities, species composition and associations. Weed densities were not affected by tillage or cover crops in wheat but, in the beans, densities were greater in the CT than in the NT systems. Various associations of weed species with tillage system, cover crop and crop type were observed. Crop yields were not affected by tillage type or cover crop, except that soyabean yields were highest in plots with cover crops.     

Influence of Chromolaena odorata and Mucuna pruriens fallow duration on weed infestation

Summary Fallow management is a major strategy for weed control and soil fertility restoration in tropical farming systems. From 1995 to 1998, weed infestation was evaluated in plots managed under 0, 1, 2 and 3 year fallow durations of (1) a natural bush fallow dominated by Chromolaena odorata ; (2) a planted Mucuna pruriens fallow; and (3) a modified bush fallow without C. odorata . The study was conducted at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Nigeria. The 3 × 4 factorial experiment was set up in a split plot arrangement. The three fallow types were the main plots and the four fallow durations were the subplots. Each year, the subplots were planted to maize ( Zea mays , cv. TZSR-W) as appropriate and harvested 14 weeks after planting for yield comparison. Continuous cropping and the modified natural bush fallow increased weed diversity and biomass. Irrespective of fallow type, weed infestation was more gradual in the first year of cropping after fallow than in subsequent cropping years. Regardless of cropping intensity, C. odorata and M. pruriens fallows promoted broad-leaved weeds, chiefly Ageratum conyzoides , Tridax procumbens and Phyllanthus amarus , whereas the modified bush fallow promoted grasses. Maize grain yield was higher in the C. odorata and M. pruriens fallows than in the modified bush fallow, but the yield difference diminished with cropping intensity.     

灌水与覆膜对春玉米土壤温度、生育期和水分利用的影响

在移动式遮雨棚内,采用子母桶栽土培法,研究充分灌水(F)和调亏灌水(D)2种灌水模式与拔节期揭膜(A)、抽雄期揭膜(B)和全生育期覆膜(C)3种覆膜时长对春玉米整个生育期(苗期、拔节期、抽雄期和灌浆期)地面下5、10 cm和15 cm深度处土壤温度、生育周期、干物质量、蒸散量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:各生育期土壤温度的主导影响因子有差异;5 cm深度处土壤温度日变幅最大,覆膜的增温效应主要体现在0~10 cm土层;处理间(DB和FC)生育周期最大相差8 d;整个生育期中,与全生育期覆膜处理相比,拔节期揭膜处理和抽雄期揭膜处理累积降温对收获时春玉米干物质量的效应在2012年分别为16.3 g·℃-1和60.2 g·℃-1,2013年分别为18.4 g·℃-1和61.8 g·℃-1;同一灌水模式下,随覆膜时间的延长,蒸散量减少,与充分灌水处理相比,调亏灌水处理在3种覆膜时长(A、B、C)下蒸散量在2012年依次减少7.1%、6.6%和4.3%,2013年依次减少6.3%、6.2%和5.4%;调亏灌水和抽雄期揭膜均可获得较高的水分利用效率,两年中处理间水分利用效率的极差(DB处理和FA处理)分别为0.12 g·mm-1和0.13 g·mm-1。综合考虑土壤温度、生育周期和水分利用效率,调亏灌水+抽雄期揭膜(DB)组合具有较好的节水增产效果。     

作物冠层对喷灌水分分布影响的研究进展

喷灌水分到达冠层以后,经过冠层的截留和水分再分配过程,主要以两种方式到达地面,即穿过冠层直接落入土壤和通过叶片的集水,然后以茎秆为通道流入土壤.以不同方式进入土壤中的水量与作物的种类、冠层结构、种植密度,以及喷灌系统和喷灌时的农田小气候等因素有关.本文根据喷灌水分在农田的分布特点,把喷灌系统和作物结合起来,提出了喷灌有效灌水均匀系数的概念.该系数能综合反映灌溉水经过冠层再分配过程以后,田间水分的有效性.     

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.     

Germination,emergence, and persistence of Sonchus oleraceus,a major crop weed in subtropical Australia

Sonchus oleraceus (common sowthistle) is a dominant weed and has increased in prevalence in conservation cropping systems of the subtropical grain region of Australia. Four experiments were undertaken to define the environmental factors that favor its germination, emergence, and seed persistence. Seeds were germinated at constant temperatures between 5 and 35°C and water potentials between 0 and ?1.4 MPa. The maximum germination rate of 86–100% occurred at 0 and ?0.2 MPa, irrespective of the temperature when exposed to light (12 h photoperiod light/dark), but the germination rate was reduced by 72% without light. At water potentials of ?0.6 to ?0.8 MPa, the germination rate was reduced substantially by higher temperatures; no seed germinated at a water potential >?1.0 MPa. Emergence and seed persistence were measured over 30 months following seed burial at 0 (surface), 1, 2, 5, and 10 cm depths in large pots that were buried in a south‐eastern Queensland field. Seedlings emerged readily from the surface and 1 cm depth, with no emergence from below the 2 cm depth. The seedlings emerged during any season following rain but, predominantly, within 6 months of planting. Seed persistence was short‐term on the soil surface, with 2% of seeds remaining after 6 months, but it increased with the burial depth, with 12% remaining after 30 months at 10 cm. Thus, a minimal seed burial depth with reduced tillage and increased surface soil water with stubble retention has favored the proliferation of this weed in any season in a subtropical environment. However, diligent management without seed replenishment will greatly reduce this weed problem within a short period.     

干旱区棉花水分胁迫指数对滴灌均匀系数和灌水量的响应

为了修订和完善滴灌均匀系数的设计与评价标准,在新疆干旱区研究了滴灌均匀系数和灌水量对作物水分胁迫指数（CWSI）的影响。供试作物为棉花,试验中滴灌均匀系数（C_u）设置0.65（C1）、0.78（C2）和0.94（C3）三个水平,灌水量设置充分灌水量的50%、75%和100%三个水平。结果表明：棉花冠层温度和CWSI表现出随灌水量增加而降低的趋势;冠层温度和CWSI均匀系数的变化范围分别为0.91～0.98和0.65～0.91,均随滴灌均匀系数增加而增大;灌水量对冠层温度和CWSI均值的影响达到极显著水平（α=0.01）,滴灌均匀系数对冠层温度和CWSI均匀系数的影响达到显著水平（α=0.05）或极显著水平。CWSI与皮棉产量呈显著或极显著的负相关关系;滴灌均匀系数越低,水分亏缺引起的减产幅度越小。     

新疆主要粮食作物滴灌条件下作物系数及水分生产率试验研究

通过3a小区试验,摸清新疆主要粮食作物在滴灌条件下作物系数和水分生产率的变化规律,为提高水资源利用效率、加强灌区用水管理、编制流域综合规划等项工作提供科学的试验数据和决策依据.采用小区试验方法,以小麦、早稻、玉米、土豆、谷子、大豆6种粮食作物为试验对象,设置灌水定额单因素4水平(300m3/hm2、375m3/hm2、...     

Changes of weed seed bank parameters according to species, time and environment

The soil seed bank of weeds was studied in two fields, The first was not treated with herbicides for nine years and had a high weed seed density. The second was treated every year and had a low weed seed density. A study of the probability distributions of the weed seed populations in the soil showed that they were aggregated and appeared to have the negative binomial distribution. Transformations were therefore used to normalize the original values in order to compare the distributions and amounts of different species at different times and locations. However, normalizations were possible only with species having an average of at least two seeds per core. With the normalized values, it was observed that some species had similar statistical distributions in the same field. However, the distribution of a species may vary throughout the field, in time, and according to herbicide and culture rotations.     

农田草害反弹原因与控制

20世纪 90年代以来 ,江苏省东台市全面实施农田无草害工程建设 ,有效地控制了农田杂草对作物的危害 ,取得了显著的经济效益和社会效益 ,对促进农业生产的持续稳定发展发挥了重要作用。然而 ,由于多种因素的影响 ,近年来农田草害有所反弹 ,部分作物草害相当严重 ,一定程度上制约了农业生产效益的提高。针对农田草害呈现反弹趋势的实际情况 ,就其产生的原因我们进行了调查分析 ,并提出了相应的应变对策。1　农田杂草发生概况江苏省东台市地处苏北沿海 ,以 2 0 4国道为界分为堤东和堤西两大自然生态区。堤西地势低洼、水网密布 ,为粮食棉花主产…