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

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

Integrated management of Bromus diandrus in dryland cereal fields under no‐till

As herbicides have limited effect in controlling Bromus diandrus in no‐till dryland cereal fields, the integration of chemical and cultural methods needs to be investigated. A field study was carried out in Lleida (Spain) during 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, in a no‐till winter cereal field integrating delayed crop sowing with herbicides in a barley–wheat–wheat rotation. Three crop sowing dates were considered: D1, mid‐October; D2, mid‐November; and D3, early December, and the herbicides mesosulfuron‐methyl plus iodosulfuron‐methyl‐sodium were applied in wheat. Weed density, cumulative emergence and fecundity were estimated for each sowing date. In all three seasons, a significant reduction in the cumulative emergence of B. diandrus as compared to D1 was observed in D2 (82.0, 97.5 and 98.1%) and D3 (80.8, 98.7 and 97.2%). In addition, a significant decrease in weed density and seed rain was observed across all sowing dates and seasons. The herbicide used in wheat was more effective under delayed sowing, due to lower weed density and presence of less developed weed seedlings. After three seasons, the populations of B. diandrus were completely depleted in D2 and D3. This study demonstrates the possibility of eliminating brome infestations in dryland cereal fields in no‐till systems through the integration of cultural and chemical strategies.     

Secondary dispersal, spatial dynamics and effects of herbicides on reproductive capacity of a recently introduced population of Bromus sterilis in an arable field

An arable field was subdivided and subjected to either deep inversion ploughing or non‐inversion cultivation after viable seeds of Bromus sterilis had been sown into oilseed rape stubble. After sowing in isolated plots distributed within the field, sequences of cropping treatments for the establishment of two successive winter wheat crops were applied. Each subfield was split into an uphill and a downhill direction for soil cultivation. The field had a 10° slope. In the season following seed introduction, 2.6% of the introduced seeds had successfully germinated and established in the non‐inversion cultivation regime, when no effective graminicide was applied. Ploughing eradicated B. sterilis. Using differential global positioning system (DGPS) mapping of the whole field population, emerged plants were observed up to 8.7 m (uphill treatment) and 21.3 m (downhill treatment) of their initial source. The median distance seeds were transported was 2.3 m uphill and 4.8 m downhill. Post‐emergence application of the herbicide propoxycarbazone slightly reduced weed density and seed weight, and almost halved weed seed production. Application of fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl was followed by higher density of plants, tillers and seeds of B. sterilis. Seed viability was unaffected by herbicide use. Thus, in the second wheat crop following seed rain, the weed population was dispersed more widely in the field, such that 20–30% of seeds were dispersed more than 5 m distance from the first year's foci of infestation. The relevance of soil cultivation to secondary dispersal of B. sterilis is discussed.     

Weed infestation is affected by chickpea farmer demographics and agronomic practices

To investigate the effects of agronomic practices and farmer demographics on levels of weed infestation in chickpea fields, a survey was conducted during 2015 in Sanjabi district, Kermanshah, Iran. Two sets of data were collected: (a) weed sampling from the selected chickpea fields, and (b) questionnaire recording of farmer demographics and agronomic management. The farmers were asked about their residence status (resident or migrant), occupation (farming only, farming plus a second job), experience and education levels, as well as seedbed preparation, sowing date and method, source of seed supply, crop cultivar, sowing seed rate, weed control operation and crop rotation history. The results showed that weed species composition was similar across the studied fields. The use of a row crop planter, a sowing rate of 45 kg ha^‐1, and weed control resulted in 30.2, 23.03 and 34.2% reductions in weed infestation compared with hand sowing, a sowing rate of 30 kg ha^‐1 and lack of weed control, respectively. Weed density decreased with increasing farmer experience and decreased by 33.0% and 23.5% in chickpea fields of resident farmers and owners whose sole occupation was agriculture. We found that 89.5% of the most experienced farmers adopted weed control operations and most resident landowners (77.4%) opted for crop planter (77.4%) and weed control (90.3%) compared to migrant farmers (50 and 68.5%, respectively). More landowners who were exclusively farmers performed weed control (90.6%) than owners who had a second job (67.9%).     

Predicting longer-term changes in weed populations under GMHT crop management

The UK Farm Scale Evaluations (FSE) compared the effects on biodiversity of management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops and conventional crops over the shorter term. We simulated population changes over seven 4-year rotations (28 years) for weeds in crop rotations that included cereals and spring-sown GMHT and conventional oilseed rape and beet, using FSE data and assuming the continuation of the weed management systems practised in the FSE. The weed density dependence that was modelled integrated change caused by population dynamics and farmers’ responses to changes in weed density. Predicted weed seed populations decreased under conventional management and at a greater rate under GMHT. Total seed densities were lower for GMHT cropping by a factor of 0.7–0.8. The predicted distributions of weeds had more fields with lower weed densities under GMHT cropping. Such changes could affect animal populations on farmland, depending on the scale of uptake of GMHT crop cultivars.     

Micro‐elevations in paddy fields affect the efficacy of mechanical weeding: Evaluation of weeding machines to control Monochoria vaginalis in herbicide‐free farming

Differences in local topography (micro‐elevation) within a paddy field that constitute a source of variability in agronomical indicators have not been considered thoroughly as a block factor in weed studies. This study investigated and evaluated the performance of weeding machines (weeders) in two herbicide‐free paddy fields that contained micro‐elevations. The plant density of Monochoria vaginalis, a typical and harmful paddy weed unless controlled with herbicides, was used as the indicator of the efficacy of the weeders. Among the three weeders that were tested, one suppressed M. vaginalis dramatically at low elevations and the others were less sensitive to micro‐elevation. For comparison across the fields, micro‐elevations at weed sampling locations were converted to the initial depth of water by using the records of hydrographs that had been set in each field. The relationship between the initial depth of water and the plant density of M. vaginalis was very clear with the use of the elevation‐sensitive weeder. Moreover, this relationship was valid, even with the less‐sensitive weeders. The finding that the greater the depth of water, the less the plant density was significant, even for M. vaginalis, a difficult aquatic paddy weed that was controlled with any of the weeders tested. Thus, micro‐elevation within a paddy field needs to be treated as a crucial block factor in weed‐sampling studies. A coarse survey of the level of a field and the installation of a hydrograph are recommended for a clear analysis of the background of weed control practices.     

Composition of floating weed seeds in lowland rice fields in China and the effects of irrigation frequency and previous crops

The diversity and composition of floating weed seed communities were surveyed in 27 sites across the main rice-growing regions in China with the aim of better understanding weed seed dispersal via irrigation water. Seed of 74 species, belonging to 20 families, were identified from floating matter on the water surface in lowland rice fields. Thirty-five species from three families: Poaceae (15), Asteraceae (11), and Polygonaceae (9), accounted for 47% of all species identified. Species with seed maturing in the summer accounted for 64% of the weed seed and their mean relative abundance was 0.74. Species richness, Shannon–Wiener index and Pielou evenness index were significantly different among the floating weed seed communities. The diversity of weed seed communities in the Yangtze river valley was higher than that in other sites, and some sites were dominated by only a few weed species, such as Beckmannia syzigachne , Alopecurus aequalis , A. japonicus , and Polypogon fugax. At all sites, the dominant weed seeds reflected the dominant weed species in the previous crop. The 27 sample sites of weed seed communities can be clustered into two groups on the basis of previous crop, either lowland rice or sites with previous crops of winter fallow, winter wheat or oilseed rape. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that irrigation frequency, previous crop, and latitude, but not soil type or longitude, significantly affected species composition. The numbers of floating weed seed species were high in lowland rice fields; composition was affected by previous crops and irrigation frequency. Filtering irrigation water and collecting and removing floating weed seeds from the water surface could be integrated into weed management practices to control weeds in lowland rice fields.     

Modelling population dynamics of Sinapis arvensis in organically grown spring wheat production systems

Although we know that alterations in crop density, crop spatial pattern and inclusion of more selective weed control can improve weed suppression for organic growers, it is unknown whether these result in changes to the weed seedbank that increase cropping system profitability over time. Data collected from field trials conducted in 2009 and 2010 in Maine, USA, comparing regional grower practices (Standard) with management that aimed to (i) facilitate better physical weed control through the use of wide row spacing and inter‐row cultivation (Wide) or (ii) enhance crop–weed competition through increased seeding rate and narrow inter‐row spacing (Narrow HD), were used to construct a matrix population model with an economic sub‐model. Using field measurements of grain yield and weed survival and fecundity, we investigated the lasting implications of employing alternative organic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) production practices on Sinapis arvensis population dynamics. In most scenarios, the model indicated that regional production practices were not sufficient to prevent an increase in the weed seedbank, even with excellent weed control. The two alternative methods, on the other hand, were able to limit weed population growth when initial densities were low or cultivation efficacy was >80%. Due to higher seed costs in the Narrow HD system, net returns were still lower after 10 years of simulation in this system compared with wide rows with cultivation, despite a lower weed seedbank.     

Germination rates of weedy radish populations (Raphanus spp.) altered by crop‐wild hybridisation,not human‐mediated changes to soil moisture

Cultivated plants are known to readily hybridise with their wild relatives, sometimes forming populations with weedier life‐history strategies than their progenitors. Due to altered precipitation patterns from human‐induced global climate change, crop‐wild hybrid populations may have new and unpredictable environmental tolerances relative to parental populations, which would further challenge farming and land‐management weed control strategies. To recognise the role of seed dormancy variation in weed invasion, we compared seedbank dynamics of two cross‐type populations (wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum, and crop‐wild hybrid radish, R. raphanistrum × R. sativus) across a soil moisture gradient. In a seed‐burial experiment, we assessed relative rates of seed germination, dormancy and seed mortality over two years across cross types (crop‐wild hybrid or wild) and watering treatments (where water was withheld, equal to annual rainfall, or double annual rainfall). Weekly population censuses in 2012 and 2013 assessed the frequency and timing of seedling emergence within a growing season. Generally, germination rates were two times higher and seed dormancy was 58% lower in hybrid versus wild populations. Surprisingly, experimental soil moisture conditions did not determine seedbank dynamics over time. Yet, seed bank dynamics changed between years, potentially related to different amounts of annual rainfall. Thus, variation in seedbank dynamics may be driven by crop‐wild hybridisation rates and, potentially, annual variation in soil moisture conditions.     

Effects of winter wheat cultivars and seed rate on the biological characteristics of naturally occurring weed flora

Summary Differential competitive ability of six winter wheat cultivars and traits that confer such attributes were investigated for a range of seed rates in the presence or absence of weeds for a naturally occurring weed flora in two successive years in split-plot field experiments. Crop height and tillering capacity were considered suitable attributes for weed suppression, although competitiveness is a relative rather than an absolute characteristic. Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon were the most competitive cultivars whereas Fresco was the least competitive. Manipulation of seed rate was a more reliable factor than cultivar selection for enhancement of weed suppression, although competitiveness of cultivars Buster, Riband and Maris Widgeon was not enhanced by increased seed rate. Crop densities ranging between 125 and 270 plants m⁻² were found to offer adequate weed suppression. Linear relationships were observed between individual and total weed species dry weight and reproductive structures per unit area.     

Potential of weed seedbanks for managing weeds: a review of recent New Zealand research

Weed seedbanks are the primary source of weeds in cultivated soils. Some knowledge of the weed seedbank may therefore be appropriate for integrated weed management programs. It would also be very useful in planning herbicide programs and reducing the total herbicide use. However, a number of problems are inherent in the estimation of the seedbank size for arable weeds that usually have annual life cycles. In a long-term research project we have investigated the dynamics of weed seedbanks in corn fields for the past 8 years. Specific studies have included (i) developing cheap and efficient methods for estimating the weed seedbank; (ii) developing guidelines for efficient soil sampling (including the number and size of samples); (iii) influence of cultivation methods on weed seed distribution; (iv) mapping the spatial variability of the seedbank; (v) estimating the rate of seedbank decline for certain weed species; and (vi) assessing the potential of using the weed seed content in the soil to predict future weed problems. This paper reviews and summarizes the results of our research on the above aspects. The strong correlation between seedlings emerged in the greenhouse and seeds extracted in the laboratory for the most abundant weed species has demonstrated the potential for using the weed seed content of the soil to predict future weed infestations. The next step is to establish correlations with field emergence under commercial conditions using the sampling guidelines developed in our studies. Subsequently, we aim to offer the weed seedbank estimation as a commercial service to farmers for planning the most appropriate weed management options.     

Weed seed movement and dispersal strategies in the agricultural environment

This paper reviews the current knowledge on weed seed movement in an agricultural environment. Seed movement is analyzed both from an agronomic and ecological perspective, focusing predominantly on horizontal seed movement. Abiotic (anemochory and hydrochory), as well as biotic (autochory, myrmecochory, epizoochory, and endozoochory) weed seed dispersal typologies are examined, highlighting the mechanisms involved, the specializations displayed by weed species that have evolved by exploiting a particular dispersal mechanism, and their adaptive interaction with the surrounding ecosystem. Emphasis is also placed on the crucial role of human activity (anthropochory), which can affect natural (biotic and abiotic) weed seed dispersal at several stages, partly via the worldwide commercial seed trade but, above all, by crop management operations, thereby potentially facilitating the entry and spread of alien weed species. This phenomenon, together with the invasive expansion of existing weeds that more successfully coevolve and adapt to the new environment, might exert an adverse effect on biodiversity. In-depth knowledge of weed seed dispersal, survival, and germination mechanisms is therefore essential for effective and eco-compatible management of the weed phytocoenoses present in the agroecosystem in order to promote a rational trade-off between agricultural productivity and environmental protection.     

Spatial stability of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana populations under annual applications of low rates of imazamethabenz

Long‐term experiments were conducted in two winter barley fields in central Spain to determine the spatial stability of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana populations under annual applications of low rates of imazamethabenz herbicide. Weed density was sampled every year (over 5 years in the first field and over 3 years in the second) on the same grid locations prior to herbicide application. Although weed patches were stable in their location, weed density decreased in most of the years. In the first field, the populations decreased exponentially over the 5‐year period. The rates of population decline were dependent on the initial density of the population, being higher for the central core of the patches and lower for the low‐density areas. Under the conditions present in this experiment, it was possible to reduce heavy weed patches (up to 1200 seedlings m^?2) down to relatively safe levels (18 seedlings m^?2) in a period of 3 years using a density‐specific control programme, applying low rates of herbicides when weed densities were below a given level (1000 seedlings m^?2). However, under adverse environmental conditions, half rates of the herbicide failed to control the weed populations adequately. The stability of the location of patches of A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana suggest that weed seedling distributions mapped in one year are good predictors of future seedling distributions. However, the actual densities established each year will depend on the control level achieved the previous year and the climatic conditions present during the establishment period.     

Evaluation of the allelopathic activity of five Oxalidaceae cover plants and the demonstration of potent weed suppression by Oxalis species

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the usefulness of Oxalis spp. as allelopathic ground-cover plants for weed management. Some Oxalis spp. have previously been reported to possess strong allelopathic activities but few studies have been conducted on their activities in fields. This study aimed to investigate allelopathic activities and the possibility of weed suppression in five species of common Oxalis : shamrock oxalis ( Oxalis articulata Savigny), Bowie's woodsorrel ( Oxalis bowiei Lindl.), trefoil ( Oxalis brasiliensis Lodd. ex Knowl. et West.), lucky clover ( Oxalis deppei Lodd. ex Sweet) and Oxalis hirta L. The effects of the leachates from dry leaves and the exudates from living roots of these plant species were tested in laboratory experiments. The leachates from O. articulata , O. bowiei , O. deppei and O. hirta and the exudates from O. deppei caused > 84% inhibition of the radicle elongation of lettuce seedlings, but no effect was observed on the seed germination of lettuce. In the field experiment, O. deppei significantly reduced the weed population in July. A significant relationship was observed between the weed population and the percentage ground coverage of Oxalis spp. In contrast to the weed population, a significant relationship was observed between the weed above-ground biomass and the allelopathic activity of exudates from Oxalis spp.     

Spatial correlation between weed species densities and soil properties

The spatial cross‐correlation between weed species densities and six soil properties within fields was analysed using cross‐semivariograms. The survey was carried out in three successive years in two fields. The most consistent relationship between weed species density (numbers m^?2) and soil properties was negative cross‐correlation between the density of Viola arvensis Murray and clay content. This correlation was found in both fields; however, the range of spatial dependence varied between fields. In one of the fields, the density of Lamium purpureum L. was positively cross‐correlated with the phosphorus content in the soil in all years. The density of Veronica spp. and Poa annua L. was negatively cross‐correlated with pH in all three years. Other spatial cross‐correlations that were found in this study were inconsistent over time or field site. The densities of some of the weed species were spatially cross‐correlated with more than one soil property. The results showed that the range of spatial dependence varied not only between fields, but also between weed species and soil properties, as well as between years. This study indicates that the weed pattern is field‐specific and that the spatial variation in soil properties within a field is one of several factors affecting weed patchiness.     

You cannot fight fire with fire: a demographic model suggests alternative approaches to manage multiple herbicide‐resistant Avena fatua

Multiple herbicide‐resistant (MHR ) weed populations pose significant agronomic and economic threats and demand the development and implementation of ecologically based tactics for sustainable management. We investigated the influence of nitrogen fertiliser rate (56, 112, 168, or 224 kg N ha^?1) and spring wheat seeding density (67.3 kg ha^?1 or 101 kg ha^?1) on the demography of one herbicide susceptible and two MHR Avena fatua populations under two cropping systems (continuous cropping and crop‐fallow rotation). To represent a wide range of environmental conditions, data were obtained in field conditions over 3 years (2013–2015). A stochastic density‐dependent population dynamics model was constructed using the demographic data to project A. fatua populations. Elasticity analysis was used to identify demographic processes with negative impacts on population growth. In both cropping systems, MHR seedbank densities were negatively impacted by increasing nitrogen fertilisation rate and wheat density. Overall, MHR seedbank densities were larger in the wheat‐ fallow compared with the continuous wheat cropping system and seedbank densities stabilised near zero in the high nitrogen and high spring wheat seeding rate treatment. In both cropping systems, density‐dependent seed production was the most influential parameter impacting population growth rate. This study demonstrated that while the short‐term impact of weed management tactics can be investigated by field experiments, evaluation of long‐term consequences requires the use of population dynamics models. Demographic models, such as the one constructed here, will aid in selecting ecologically based weed management tactics, such as appropriate resource availability and modification to crop competitive ability to reduce the impact of MHR .     

Incorporated cover crop residue suppresses weed seed germination

Cover crops have been shown to be important integrated weed management tools. In addition to directly competing with weeds, cover crops can provide weed suppressive effects following incorporation through release of allelopathic compounds and/or changes to nutrient availability. Incorporation of a cover crop mixture may provide a synergistic or antagonistic effect on weed suppression by further altering nutrient dynamics. To investigate this phenomenon, we evaluated the suppressive effects following incorporation of annual ryegrass, buckwheat, brown mustard, and phacelia sown with and without field pea on germination and growth of several pernicious weed species. Further, we used the additive partitioning model to determine if pea synergistically improved biomass production and weed suppression of cover crops. Our results demonstrate that following incorporation, cover crop residues suppress weed germination and weed biomass production. According to the additive partitioning model, the addition of pea had an antagonistic effect on buckwheat and brown mustard biomass production and decreased buckwheat weed suppression by 8%. In contrast, the addition of field pea greatly enhanced biomass production of phacelia at a reduced seeding rate suggesting a positive biodiversity effect. Limited evidence was found for changes to nutrient availability following cover crop incorporation, however, a dose-dependent effect of cover crop residue on weed suppression suggests allelopathy and/or nutrient availability may have a role on weed seed germination success. Together, our results support the use of incorporated cover crop residues as an integrated weed management tool.     

Weed seed rain interception by grass cover depends on seed traits

Weed management requires a better understanding of the dynamics of the weed seedbank, which is a primary source of weeds in a field. Seeds reaching the ground after seed rain replenish the seedbank and therefore contribute to future weed infestations. Our investigation is based on the hypothesis that a permanent vegetation cover, such as a grassland, can prevent weed seeds from reaching the ground. Therefore, we developed an innovative experimental device to simulate in controlled conditions the seed rain of 12 weed species (Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Conyza canadensis, Myosotis arvensis, Papaver rhoeas, Poa annua, Polygonum aviculare, Ranunculus sp., Rumex obtusifolius, Sonchus asper, Stellaria media, Taraxacum officinale and Veronica persicaria). We quantified the interception of weed seeds by a grass cover. Grass cover height, seed size and seed appendage (e.g. pappus, wing or awn) increased seed interception, in contrast to seed weight and shape index. From these results, we established a linear model to predict weed seed interception by a grass cover as a function of their seed trait values. The relationship between the predicted interception and weed community dynamics observed in grasslands was negative for some species, indicating that other processes may be involved depending on weed species. The weed seed interception model will be incorporated into an existing model of weed population dynamics to simulate the impact of grassland insertion into arable crop rotations.     

Practical experiences with a system for site-specific weed control in arable crops using real-time image analysis and GPS-controlled patch spraying

Information on temporal and spatial variation in weed seedling populations within agricultural fields is very important for weed population assessment and management. Primarily, spatial information allows a potential reduction in herbicide use, when post‐emergent herbicides are only applied to field sections with high weed infestation levels. This paper presents a system for site‐specific weed control in sugar beet, maize, winter wheat, winter barley, winter rape and spring barley. The system includes on‐line weed detection using digital image analysis, computer‐based decision making and Global Positioning System‐controlled patch spraying. In a 2‐year study, herbicide use with this map‐based approach was reduced in winter cereals by 6–81% for herbicides against broad leaved weeds and 20–79% for grass weed herbicides. Highest savings were achieved in cereals followed by sugar beet, maize and winter rape. The efficacy of weed control varied from 85% to 98%, indicating that site‐specific weed management will not result in higher infestation levels in the following crops.     

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

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