Studies on competition between Macroptilium atropurpureum and Crotalaria goreensis

Experiments were conducted at Walkamin, Queensland, Australia on the competitive effects of Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr. on Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb. cv. Siratro. In one experiment it was shown that varying C. goreensis densities of 10, 20, 40 and 200 plants/m² produced successive reductions in M. atropurpureum yields and successive increases in C. goreensis yields. Varying the M. atropurpureum density from 2.3 to 6 plants/m² did not significantly affect the yield of either species. Two hundred C. goreensis plants/m² produced approximately 500 10⁶ seeds/ha. In three time of emergence experiments it was shown that the competitive ability of one species relative to the other varied with environmental factors. In one of these experiments with equal numbers of each species C. goreensis lowered M. atropurpureum top dry matter yield only when the former species emerged 2 weeks prior to the M. atropurpureum. When there were many more plants of C. goreensis present, emergence of both species at the same time lowered M. atropurpureum top dry matter yield in one experiment and emergence of C. goreensis 2 weeks after the M. atropurpureum lowered the dry matter yield of the latter species in a third experiment. In a time of weeding experiment it was shown that under the particular environmental and plant density conditions prevailing removal of C. goreensis for 12 days after planting was sufficient to prevent a reduction in M. atropurpureum dry matter. In this experiment it was also shown that under these conditions the two species were not mutually exclusive. In mixtures the C. goreensis provided physical support to the M. atropurpureum, enabling the latter species to intercept more light energy than it could when growing in monoculture.     

Chemical control of Eleusine indica and other weeds in Setaria anceps

In field experments on the Altherton Tableland. Queensland. Auslralia, methabenzthiazuron used at 1 2 kg ha pre-emergence was the most effective herbicide for selectively controlling Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn in seed crops of Setaria anceps Stapf. Bromoxynil. bromoxynil plus MCPA, simazine and terbutryne were either ineffective or phytotoxic to S anceps. A more reliable technique was the use of diuron applied at 2.8 kg ha pre-emergence when the crop row was physically protected with metal shields at spraying or when activated carbon applied as a slurry in water at 168 kg per sprayed ha was sprayed in a 3 cm wide band over the crop row at sowing Three successive applications of paraquat over a 39 day period prior to sowing the crop were necessary for effective control of E. indica using the ‘stale seed bed’ technique     

Temperature effects on Eleusine indica and Setana anceps grown in association (I)

Studies were made at Kairi on the Atherton Tableland of Queensland, Australia, on the effects of varying lemperature regimes, both controlled and natural, on the germination of seed of Setaria antcept Stapf. cv. Nandi and Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. The germination of E. indica seed was found to be much more temperature labile than that of S. ancepts. The temperature required for peak germination was higher for E. indica seed than for S. ancepts seed. The effects of temperature on competition between E. indica and S. ancepts were studied in the field by varying the time of planting. It was shown that at mean screen temperatures measured throughout the growth period of <23° C, S. ancepts was dominant in mixtures of the two species. At mean temperatures >23° C E. indica was dominant. There was a tendancy for S. aweps yields to decline with increase in E. indica plant density but there was a much closer negative correlation between E indica top dry weight and S. aancepts yield. From the meteorological data for Kairi for the past 25 years predictions were made on the best times to plant S. ancepts to avoid serious competition from E indica.     

Temperature effects on Eleusine indica and Setaria anceps grown in association (II)

The methods of de Wit were used to investigate the competitive abilities of Setaria anceps Stapf.cv. Nandi and Eleusine indica (L.)Gaertn grown over a range of natural climatic regimes at Kairi on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland, Australia. The ratio of the relative yields of both species was used as a measure of dominance. Overall, neither species dominated during the first 3 weeks of growth. During the periods from 3 to 6 weeks and more especially from 6 to 9 weeks. E. indica gained on S. anceps. From 9 to 12 weeks the advantage swung towards S. anceps. This change in competitive advantage was shown to be related to the growth patterns of the species involved. The two species were found to be mutually exclusive for all the yield components measured. Temperature was the primary factor controlling dominance. With two exceptions S. anceps dominated in terms of relative top dry matter at mean screen temperatures below 22·1 C. while E. indica dominated at warmer temperatures. There was a strong indication that at temperatures below 22·1 C. low light levels could allow E. indica to gain ascendancy over S. anceps thus explaining the two divergent points on the temperature graph. Effets de la temperature sur Eleusine indica et Setaria anceps poussant en association (II) Les méthods de de Wit ont été utilisées pour étudier les possibilitiés compétitives de Setaria anceps Stapf. Cv Nandi, et de Eleusine indica L. Gaertn, poussant sous une série de régimes elimatiques naturels à Kairi sur l'Atherton Tableland, Queensland, Australie. Le rapport des redements respectifs des deux espéces a été utilizé comme mesure de la dominance. En général, aucune des deux espéces n'a été dominante durant les trios premières semaines de la croissance. Durant la période de 3 à 6 semienes et plus particuliérement de 6 à 9 semaines. E. indica l'a emporté sur S. anceps. De 9 á 12 semaines l’avantage a tourné en faveur de S. anceps. Cette modification de l’avantage en matiére de compétition s'est révéléétre en rapport avec le déroulement de la croissance des deux espéces concernees. II a été constaté que les deux espéces étaient mutuellement exclusives pour tous les composants measurés du rendement. La température a été le facteur primaire contrólant la dominance. A part deux exceptions. S. anceps a été dominante en ce qui concerne la matiére séche relative de la partie aérienne pour des températures moyennes inférieures à 22.1 C. cependant que E. indica a été dominante pour des températures plus élevées. II apparait très probable qu'a des temperatures inférieures à 22.1 C. les faibles intensités lumineuses pourraient permettre àE indica de prendre l'ascendant sur S anceps: cela expliquerait ainsi les deux points divergents sur le graphiques des températures. Der Einfluss der Temperatur auf mitemander vergesellschaftete Eleusine indica und Setaria anceps (II) Mit Hilfe von de Wit entwickelten Verfahren wurde die Konkurrenzkraft von Setaria anceps Stapf. (Sorte Nandi) und Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn unter verschiedenen Klimatischen Bedingungen untersucht. Die Versuche wurden in Kairi (Atherton- Tafelland, Queensland: Australien) durchgeführt. Als Mass für die Dominanz wurde das Verhältnis der Relativerträge beider After verwendet. Während der ersten drei Wochen dominierte keine der beiden Arten: von der dritten bis zur seehsten Woche, besonder aber zwischen der sechsten und neunten Woche. dominierte E. indicaüber S. anceps. Von der neunten bis zur zwölften Woche wandelte sich die Situation zum Vorteil von S. anceps. Es konnte gezeigt warden, dass diese Änderung im Konkurrenzvorteil mit der Wuchsform der beiden Arten zusammenhängt. Weiterhin wurde festgestellt, dass sich bezüglich der gemessenen Ertragskomponenten, beide Arten gegenseitig ausschliessen. Für die dominanz spielte die Temperature die wichtigste Rolle. Mit Ausnahme von zwei Fällen dominierte bei Durchschnittstemperaturen unter 22.1 C. gemessen am relativen Trockengewicht (oberirdische Pflanzenteile). S. anceps, während E. indica bei höheren Temperaturen dominierte. Es gab deutliche Hinweise dafür, dass bei Temperaturen unter 22.1 C geringere Lichtmengen dazu führten. dass E. indica die Vorherrschaft über S. anceps gewann, wodurch wich die beiden oben erwähnten Ausreisser erklären liessen.     

Enhanced weed‐crop competition effects on growth and seed production of herbicide‐resistant and herbicide‐susceptible annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus)

Enhanced crop competition could aid in the management of annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), a dominant weed of Australian cropping systems. A two‐year pot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting densities (0, 82, and 164 wheat plants/m²) on growth and seed production of glyphosate‐resistant (GR) and glyphosate‐susceptible (GS) biotypes of annual sowthistle. Without competition, both biotypes produced a similar number of leaves and biomass, but the GS biotype produced 80% more seeds (46,050 per plant) than the GR biotype. In competition with 164 wheat plants/m², the number of leaves in the GR and GS biotypes was reduced by 62 and 61%, respectively, in comparison with the no‐competition treatment, and similarly, weed biomass was reduced by 78 and 77%, respectively. Compared to no‐competition treatment, the seed production of GR and GS biotypes was reduced by 33 and 69%, respectively, when grown with 82 wheat plants/m², but increasing wheat density from 82 to 164 plants/m² reduced the number of seeds only in the GS biotype (81%). Both biotypes produced greater than 6,000 seeds per plant when grown in competition with 164 plants/m², suggesting that increased crop density should be integrated with other weed management strategies for efficient control of annual sowthistle.     

Interference between velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) I. Growth

Three field experiments were conduced to evaluate the effect of Abutilon theophrasti on dry matter, branching and flowering node, and seed production of soybean. Low populations (2.4–4.7 plants m^?2) of the weed reduced soybean dry matter, flowering node and seed production. The effect was most pronounced on soybean seed yield, and less on flowering node and dry weight production. These effects were due to the presence of A. theophrasti with soybean, and not to changes in plant population. The effect on soybean branching node production was inconsistent between years.     

Volunteer winter wheat: its effects and control in ryegrass seed production

The effects of different populations of volunteer winter wheal and their control with ethofumesate and TCA on growth, seed yield and yield components of S.24 perennial ryegrass were investigated in lield experiments in 1978 and 1979. Reductions in ryegrass seed yield due to the presence of wheat depended on the density of wheat and the number and dry weight of ryegrass tillers. The greatest percentage reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred at high densities of wheat (300 plants m^?2) when the number of ear-bearing tillers and 1000 seed weight of ryegrass were reduced. When Ihe density of wheat was low (80 plants m^?2) a smaller reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred and the number of live wheat plants remaining gradually decreased. Within the range of wheat densities in these experiments (0–300 plants m ^?2) a 1% loss in ryegrass seed yield occurred for every 10 wheal plants m^?2 present in the crop post winter. Both herbicides caused a reduction in number of ryegrass tillers during growth but, except where TCA was applied at 12 kg ha^?1 in November, ryegrass seed yields were not significantly reduced (in comparison with a wheat-free control) and were always greater than those obtained in the presence of wheat where no herbicides had been applied. Levels of volunteer infestation of 300 wheat plants m^?2 were controlled with minimum risk of crop damage by applications of 6 kg ha^?1 TCA in either October or November, or by application of 1–9 kg ha^?1 ethofumesate in November.     

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. and Chenopodium album L. in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. (wild mustard) and Chenopodium album L. (lamb's-quarters) in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) was studied under field conditions in 1983 and 1984. Both weed species interfered with rapeseed early in the growing season, causing significant reductions in rapeseed dry weight by June of each year. Sinapis arvensis caused greater rapeseed grain yield reductions than did C. album. With weed densities of 20–80 plants m^?2, rapeseed grain yield reductions ranged from 19 to 77% with S. arvensis but only 20 to 25% with C. album. Rapeseed yield reductions caused by mixtures of both weed species ranged from being less than to being equal to the sum of reductions caused by each weed alone, depending on the weed density and year of study. Both weed species were prolific seed producers capable of returning large quantities of seed to the soil. With weed densities ranging from 10–80 plants m^?2, S. arvensis produced 5700–30 100 seeds m^?2 while C. album produced 3100–63 600 seeds m^?2.     

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.     

Effects of Irrigation Water in Different Salinity on Yield and Quality Parameters of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Plant

Salinity affects many areas in our country and around the world, resulting in dramatic reductions in plant yields. In this study, the plant yield, some plant quality parameters, and soil salinity in the plant root area were investigated by irrigating tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) with different salinity irrigation waters. The experiment was carried out in pots in 4 replicates according to the randomized plot design. Six different salinity of irrigation water applications were applied in the experiment (S0?=?0.38 dS m^?1, S1?=?2 dS m^?1, S2?=?5 dS m^?1, S3?=?8 dS m^?1, S4?=?11 dS m^?1, S5?=?15 dS m^?1). According to the data obtained at the end of the research, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant length, leaf width, leaf length, leaf dry weight and leaf number decreased. It was determined that there was a certain increase in nicotine content in the face of the decrease of all examined physical parameters in irrigation water increase. In addition, the salinity values in the plant root zone soils and the salinity values in the outlet (drainage) water have also increased. Salinity threshold value of the tobacco plant was determined to be 2.04 dS m^?1. With an increase in salinity by one unit, there was a 7.1% decrease in leaf dry weight. It was determined that the tobacco plant is vulnerable to salinity based on the data collected.

     

不同灌溉方式下制种玉米叶面积指数、干物质累积与产量研究

通过田间试验,研究了畦灌、常规沟灌、隔沟交替灌3种灌溉方式对制种玉米叶面积指数(LAI)、干物质累积及产量的影响。结果表明:不同灌溉方式下制种玉米苗期LAI与产量呈显著正相关关系,抽穗后期LAI与产量呈显著负相关关系,表明在生殖生长后期,应适当采取控水、控肥措施降低植株的生长冗余。隔沟交替灌方式使作物根区土壤保持湿润和干燥区域交替出现,能诱导作物的补偿生长效应。隔沟交替灌(AFI)方式下制种玉米进入干物质快速累积期的时间早于传统沟灌(CFI)与小畦灌(SBI)。制种玉米抽穗期干物质累积量与产量呈显著正相关关系(R~2=0.77)。隔沟交替灌溉方式下,制种玉米全生育期灌水8次,灌溉定额为2 250 m~3·hm~(-2)的灌溉制度能稳定提高经济产量,具有较好的灌水效果,但在抽穗期~灌浆期应考虑适当增加灌水频率或灌水定额。     

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) dry matter allocation and partitioning under different nitrogen and density levels

Dry matter partitioning and allocation is a major determinant of plant growth and its competitiveness. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a troublesome agronomic weed species and it is also a major health concern in Europe and many other countries because of its rapid spreading and production of allergenic pollen. A field experiment was conducted in 2009 to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 100, and 200 kg ha^?1) and plant density levels (1.3, 6.6, and 13.2 plants per m²) on the leaf, stem dry matter partitioning, and dry matter allocation of ragweed. With an increasing density, the stem partitioning coefficient increased, whereas the leaf partitioning coefficient decreased. The addition of nitrogen had a limited effect on the leaf and stem dry matter partitioning. The root dry matter production decreased with an increasing density and was not influenced by the addition of nitrogen. Under intraspecific competition, ragweed exhibited a stronger above‐ground competition intensity than below the ground, which resulted in a greater root : shoot ratio, compared to the low‐density stands. The level of nitrogen influenced the vertical leaf, stem, and total dry matter distribution, with a greater allocation to the top stratum of the plants, thus increasing their competition for light. The biomass allocation of ragweed to the roots in response to the nitrogen supply exhibited a low plasticity, compared to the shoots, which displayed a high plasticity. The results of this study suggested that, under intraspecific conditions and with an increasing nitrogen supply, ragweed would be more competitive in above‐ground resource acquisition.     

Effects of dose and application timing on the seed production of three weed species treated with MCPA or tribenuron-methyl

The seed production of Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love, Galium spurium L, and Thlaspi arvense L., treated with MCPA or tribenuron-methyl, was studied in a pot experiment. The herbicides were applied in doses from 1/16 to 1/l of a full dose at five different growth stages. The largest reduction of seed production was observed on plants treated when one true leaf had developed (F. convolvulus, both herbicides) or at the beginning of the generative phase (G. spurium treated with tribenuron-methyl and T. arvense treated with either herbicide). Tribenuron-methyl (0.375 g a.i. ha^?1) or MCPA (0.1875 kg a.i. ha^?1) applied at bolting stage was enough to reduce the seed production of T. arvense by 83% and 100%, respectively. The seed production of F. convolvulus, treated with 0.75 kg MCPA at the cotyledon stage, was reduced by 70%. Plants of G. spurium with 5–9 axillary shoots, treated with 3 g tribenuron-methyl, produced 45% fewer seeds than the control. Both herbicides (at least at the highest doses) reduced seed production of all three species more than shoot dry matter.     

Seed priming with plant gum biopolymers enhances efficacy of metalaxyl 35 SD against pearl millet downy mildew

‘Priming’ the plant and seed induces a physiological state in which plants are able to activate defense responses. Plant-based exudates are excellent gum biopolymers which contain plant growth-regulating hormones with priming potential without any side effects. In this study, gum exudates of Acacia arabica, Moringa oleifera, Carica papaya and Azadirachta indica were evaluated for synergistic effects of seed priming with exuded gum biopolymer combined with metalaxyl (Apron 35 SD) on pearl millet seed quality, growth parameters, and resistance to Sclerospora graminicola. Seeds of 7042S were primed with gum biopolymers and metalaxyl 35 SD and evaluated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Seed germination and vigor were synergistically enhanced using gum biopolymers solution (1:2 w/v) with 3 g kg⁻¹ metalaxyl 35 SD. A. arabica and A. indica gum biopolymers alone or with 3 g kg⁻¹ of metalaxyl 35 SD resulted in seed germination of >91%. Seed priming with 6 g kg⁻¹ of metalaxyl 35 SD gave 89% seed germination and was not significantly different from control. A similar trend in vigor was observed among treatments. Seed priming with gum biopolymers alone provided varied disease protection levels when compared with the control. A. arabica or A. indica gum with 3 g kg⁻¹ of metalaxyl 35 SD was the superior treatment, offering significant 86% disease reduction while exhibiting a growth-promoting effect. Synergistic use of gum biopolymers and metalaxyl 35 SD by seed priming is highly effective in growth promotion and management of pearl millet downy mildew disease.     

Threshold level and seed production of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medicus) in maize

Four tests were carried out in 1980 and 1981 to determine: (a) the economic threshold density of Abutilon theophrasti Medicus (velvetleaf) in maize, and (b) seed production with varying densities of infestation, both in the presence and in the absence of maize. The infestation was artificially created, and the density of the weed ranged from 0 to 80 plants m^?2. The economic threshold, calculated using the Cousens (1987) model, varied between 0?3 plants m^?2 and 2?4 plants m^?2, depending on the variables considered. The presence of maize reduced the seed-rain of A. theophrasti by 50%. This seed-rain reached its maximum level at 20–30 plants m^?2 in maize, and at 30–35 plants m^?2 in weed monoculture. However, with only 4–5 plants m^?2 in competition with maize, A. theophrasti produced 8–10 thousand seeds m^?2. The usefulness of threshold density in weed management is debatable when one considers the ecological characteristics of the A. theophrasti seed, and the great capacity of seed production of this weed.     

Effect of air temperature, rain and drought on hot water weed control

The influence of rain and drought before, and air temperature during, weed control with hot water was studied in laboratory experiments on the test weed Sinapis alba (white mustard). The plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated outdoors. There was no difference in weed control effect when S. alba plants at the four‐leaf stage were treated at the air temperatures 7°C and 18^°C. The effective energy dose for a 90% fresh weight reduction was 465 kJ m^?2 for both air temperatures. Weed control of S. alba at the four‐ to six‐leaf stage in rainfall above the rainwater run‐off level increased the required effective energy dose by 20% (i.e. 120 kJ m^?2) compared with dry plants. A short period of drought just before treatment on S. alba at the two‐ to four‐leaf stage increased the plant fresh weight reduction, which was 22% at low energy dose (190 kJ m^?2) and 44% at high energy dose (360 kJ m^?2). Hot water weed control should thus be carried out when the plants are drought stressed and avoided when the plants are wet. The air temperature seems to be of little importance in the range 7–18^°C.     

Efficacy of UV‐C radiation to reduce seedborne anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) from Andean lupin (Lupinus mutabilis)

The potential of UV‐C radiation of Andean lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) seeds to eradicate seedborne infections of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum was investigated. UV‐C doses from 0 to 691.2 kJ m^?2 (resulting from 0 to 96 h of exposure time) on disease incidence reduction and germination on artificially and naturally infected seed were evaluated. The degree of incidence reduction and seed germination was dependent on the dose of UV‐C. The UV‐C doses of 86.4 kJ m^?2 and higher reduced incidence from 6% to 7% to undetectable levels, but these UV‐C doses also reduced seed germination. UV‐C can deleteriously affect physiological processes and overall growth. To assess its impact, L. mutabilis seeds irradiated with UV‐C doses of 57.6 and 86.4 kJ m^?2 were grown. Seedlings grown from noninfected seed and UV‐C treated seed showed an increased concentration of chlorophyll and protein contents, as well as an increase in the activation of defence enzymes peroxidase and catalase, in comparison with plants grown from infected seed. UV‐C doses resulted in seed emergence and seedling dry weight rates that were similar to the noninfected control or better than the fungicide control. Moreover, 57.6 kJ m^?2 reduced transmission of the pathogen from seed to the plantlets by 80%, while 86.4 kJ m^?2 apparently eradicated the pathogen, under greenhouse conditions. The use of UV‐C, first reported here, is advantageous for controlling anthracnose in lupin.     

Effects of N, P and K on Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze seed germination and infestation of sorghum

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) plants were grown in pots with 12.5 and 50 mg applied N kg^?1 soil. With an increase of soil N, the Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze infestation, as well as the sorghum shoot dry matter losses due to infestation, decreased. The relative differences in stimulant capacity to induce Striga seed germination among the four sorghum genotypes were not consistent over the 0 to 150 mg N 1^?1 range. The sorghum root exudate was considerably more active at 0 mg N 1^?1, than at 30 mg N 1^?1, and the stimulant produced at 150 mg N 1^?1 failed to induce Striga seed germination. Presence of N in the growth medium considerably reduced the effectiveness of the stimulating substance produced by sorghum roots, whereas K promoted stimulant activity only in the absence of N. The presence or absence of P in the growth medium did not affect Striga seed germinability, probably due to the inability of this element to interfere with the production or activity of the stimulating substance from the host plants. It can be concluded, therefore, that sorghum plants seem to produce active root exudate only in conditions of N deficiency.     

Volunteer barley interference in fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Field experiments were conducted in 1989 and 1990 to determine the relationship between yield loss in fibre flax and the density of volunteer barley. At volunteer densities of 50–100 plants m^?2, plants which emerged 7 days before those emerging synchronously with the flax produced a significantly greater reduction in stem height (1990), stem dry weight (DW) at flowering (1989 and 1990) and seed boll DW (1990). The relationships between flax stem and boll DW and volunteer density were described at two growth stages (flowering and maturity) using a linear model. The 1990 model indicated that where volunteer tiller densities ranged from 0 to 350 m^?2, interference by 90 volunteer tillers m^?2 (30 plants m^?2) reduced stem DW by 2–9% at the flowering stage. These losses increased to 9–18% for stem DW plus 7–18% for seed boll DW when plants were grown to seed maturity. Due to the high value of flax fibres and seed it is concluded that an economic threshold based on the control of volunteer barley can be reached at low volunteer densities (30 plants m^?2) especially if both fibre and oilseed were to be harvested.     

Competition of sorghum cultivars and densities with Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta)

Field studies were conducted at two locations in southern Queensland, Australia during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons to determine the differential competitiveness of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars and crop densities against weeds and the sorghum yield loss due to weeds. Weed competition was investigated by growing sorghum in the presence or absence of a model grass weed, Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta). The correlation analyses showed that the early growth traits (height, shoot biomass, and daily growth rate of the shoot biomass) of sorghum adversely affected the height, biomass, and seed production of millet, as measured at maturity. “MR Goldrush” and “Bonus MR” were the most competitive cultivars, resulting in reduced weed biomass, weed density, and weed seed production. The density of sorghum also had a significant effect on the crop's ability to compete with millet. When compared to the density of 4.5 plants per m², sorghum that was planted at 7.5 plants per m² suppressed the density, biomass, and seed production of millet by 22%, 27% and 38%, respectively. Millet caused a significant yield loss in comparison with the weed‐free plots. The combined weed‐suppressive effects of the competitive cultivars, such as MR Goldrush, and high crop densities minimized the yield losses from the weeds. These results indicate that sorghum competition against grass weeds can be improved by choosing competitive cultivars and by using a high crop density of >7.5 plants per m². These non‐chemical options should be included in an integrated weed management program for better weed management, particularly where the control options are limited by the evolution of herbicide resistance.