Four years validation of decision support optimising herbicide dose in cereals under Spanish conditions

The Danish decision support system Crop Protection Online (CPO) optimises herbicide weed control. CPO recommends specific herbicide solutions to achieve a required level of control. The aim is to apply herbicides as little as possible but as much as necessary. CPOWeeds is a version of CPO adjusted to conditions in North-eastern Spain. The predicted efficacies and the yield obtained with CPOWeeds were validated in winter cereal field trials from 2010 to 2013. All CPOWeeds treatments were related to the efficacies obtained with standard herbicide treatments decided upon by local advisors. The predictions from CPOWeeds were compared to the actually achieved efficacies in the field trials for the nine weed species at different developmental stages and for 84.2% of the comparisons the obtained efficacies were equal to or higher than predicted. The average difference between predicted and observed efficacies was 2.35 percentage points. Yield was measured in three trials and the recommendations from CPOWeeds were maintaining yield. There were two situations where CPOWeeds were performing suboptimal. One is in the early weed growth stages, as the model is not yet prepared to account for water stress on root action herbicides applied at 10-11 BBCH. The second situation was in fields with a prior unidentified population of resistant Alopecurus myosuroides. For key species in winter cereals in Spain, such as Avena sterilis, Lolium rigidum and Papaver rhoeas, CPOWeeds achieved a satisfactory control level. It was concluded that the use of CPOWeeds allowed optimisation of the herbicide application with a very high robustness. The recommendations were satisfactorily for the conditions of the Northeast of Spain and have the potential to decrease the amount of applied herbicides by at least 30%. Therefore, it can be an important tool in Integrated Weed Management.     

Relationship of Icelandic cattle with Northern and Western European cattle breeds,admixture and population structure

ABSTRACT

Icelandic cattle is believed to have been brought from Norway during the settlement of Iceland around AD 870-930. Previous research on genetic relationships has indicated that Icelandic cattle is most related to northern Nordic indigenous breeds. Using single nucleotide polymorphism genotype data from Icelandic cattle and 29 Northern and Western European cattle breeds, we studied relationships and admixture among these breeds, and assessed population structure in Icelandic cattle. Population structure analysis through principal component analysis, estimation of ancestry, and analysis of patterns of population splitting and mixing revealed that Icelandic cattle are most related to three Finncattle breeds (Eastern, Northern and Western Finncattle), and Swedish Mountain cattle. Icelandic cattle has very low levels of admixture. We observed very limited population structure in Icelandic cattle. The observed structure was due to variable sire contributions. Over 1000 years of almost complete isolation has made Icelandic cattle highly genetically distinct from other cattle breeds.     

Biology,impact, and management of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. is one of the most problematic weeds across the world. It is an annual C₄ summer grass, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, emerged as a serious and persistent threat in 35 cropping systems in more than 60 countries. E. colona is reported as an important associated weed species in transplanted and direct-seeded rice. Diverse ecotypes, high seed production, short seed dormancy, rapid growth, competitive potential, allelopathic interaction, and resistance against several herbicides makes it a more adaptable and persistent challenge in various agro-ecosystems. Development of resistance to recommended or higher doses of numerous herbicides, including ametryn, atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, clefoxidym, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, glyphosate, metribuzin, propanil, and triazine, is a serious concern for the farming and scientific community. Crop infestation with resistant E. colona biotypes may ultimately increase the weed control cost. Unfortunately, investigations on seed dormancy release, genetic diversity, allelopathic interference, and competitive ability of this weed are inadequate in accomplishing its appropriate control in different environments. Therefore, a comprehensive review is presented here to gather the existing information, to pin point key findings, and to highlight the research gaps in the biology, interference, and management of E. colona. Different management options have been discussed in relation with eco-biology of this noxious weed. The potential research endeavours have also been highlighted in order to provide an insight of its existing scenario and to facilitate the future management strategies.     

Effect of mulch on initial coverage of four groundcover species for low input landscaping in a Mediterranean climate

Groundcovers play a very important role in the creation of urban green spaces. They provide many agronomic and environmental benefits while simplifying the urban landscape management.In the areas with a Mediterranean-type climate, the development of low-input landscapes, with the ability to maintain their functions and aesthetical appeal, is pivotal. The aim of this study was to identify groundcover species that could be suited to the local environmental conditions and to evaluate the effect of different mulching systems on plant growth and weed suppression.Digital image analysis was used to measure the green cover percentage of four species (Hedera helix L., Hypericum calycinum L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Vinca minor L.) grown on two different types of mulch (EcoCover^® and wood-chips) and on bare soil. Changes in plant coverage, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and weed biomass were recorded over a two year period.The prostrate R. officinalis established rapidly and reached more than 80% of coverage within 3 months after planting. Also, it was not affected by weed competition. Non-native H. calycinum also exhibited a quick spread, but it was unsuitable for low-input Mediterranean landscapes because it died during late summer from fungal disease. H. helix and V. minor were also adversely affected by pathogens and, due to their slow initial growth and low percent cover in the second year, they did not control weeds during the study. With the exception of R. officinalis, mulching materials did not significantly improve the establishment and cover ability of the tested species, but had significant effects on weed suppression. Digital image analysis and spectral reflectance proved to be reliable and objective techniques to assess groundcover performance.     

抚育间伐对燕山北部山区山杨林物种多样性的影响

为了了解抚育间伐对燕山北部山区山杨林物种多样性的影响,对山杨林抚育间伐前后的物种多样性进行了调查和分析,结果表明:抚育后林地草本植物的物种多样性高于未抚育林地,抚育间伐林地草本植物的Patrick指数、Margarlef指数、Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数分别为35.0、6.13、0.89和2.76,未抚育样地分别为29.0、4.90、0.32和1.91;抚育林地灌木的Patrick指数、Margarlef指数、Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数分别为9.0、1.41、0.43和0.98,未抚育林地则分别为8.0、1.48、0.68和1.51,除Patrick指数外,抚育林地的其他多样性指数都低于未抚育林地;抚育间伐使乔木层优势种的优势更为明显。由此得出结论,抚育间伐对山杨林的物种多样性有明显影响,但草本、灌木与乔木对抚育间伐的响应有所不同。     

Analysis on Genetic Diversity and Phyletic Evolution of mtDNA Cytb Gene in Zhongdian Yak

In order to investigate the genetic diversity and the origin of evolutionary relationship of Zhongdian yak,we analyzed the complete sequence of 15 individuals Cytb gene,its sequence polymorphism was analyzed,and the phylogenetic tree was constructed.The results showed that the length of the nucleotide sequence were 1 140 bp,with nucleotide frequencies of 26.3%,31.8%,13.1% and 28.8% for T,A,G and C,respectively.Three haplotypes were identified of 15 individuals,with 3 polymorphic sites,including two conversions,one transversion,haplotype diversity was 0.2571 and nucleotide diversity was 0.00035.Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Zhongdian yak and Bos mutusc clustered firstly,then gathered with Bison bison,which indicated that there were high genetic similarity and closer genetic relationship,genetic similarity with other cattle genus was relatively low.Combining with the proof of molecular biology and paleontology,the result supported the point that Bos grunniens and Bos mutus were classified as an alone genus in Bovinae.     

皖北石灰岩山地不同植被恢复模式对植物群落物种组成及多样性的影响

通过研究皖北石灰岩山地生态系统的植被群落,分析不同植被恢复群落的组成、结构、多样性和生活型组成,进而阐明石灰岩山地生态系统植被恢复模式对群落结构特征以及植物物种多样性的影响。结果表明:研究区有54种植物,隶属26科54属。侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)+构树(Broussonetia papyrifera)人工混交林有植物种类16科26种,分别占总数的61.5%和48.1%。酸枣(Ziziphus jujuba var.spinosa)+牡荆(Vitex negundo var.cannabifolia)灌丛和荩草(Arthraxon hispidus)+牡荆草灌丛植物种类分别为32和33种,分别占调查总物种数的59.3%和61.1%。不同植被恢复群落生活型也有差异。侧柏+构树人工混交林群落高位芽植物占优势,而酸枣+牡荆灌丛和荩草+牡荆草灌丛则以地面芽植物所占比例较大。分析表明,多样性指数、均匀度指数和优势度指数均表现为侧柏+构树混交林>酸枣+牡荆灌丛>荩草+牡荆草灌丛,但物种丰富度表现为荩草+牡荆草灌丛>酸枣+牡荆灌丛>侧柏+构树混交林。Sörensen较高值出现在酸枣+牡荆灌丛与侧柏+构树混交林和荩草+牡荆草灌丛之间,侧柏+构树混交林与荩草+牡荆草灌丛Sörensen多样性值较低。研究结果表明,石灰岩山地独特的地貌特征和人工植被恢复对植物群落组成、多样性及其生活型组成产生重要影响。     

基于nSSR和cpDNA序列的城步峒茶群体遗传多样性和结构研究

采用简单重复序列标记(nSSR)与叶绿体DNA序列(cpDNA)分析技术,对城步峒茶群体进行了遗传多样性、遗传结构和遗传分化等研究。结果表明,15对nSSR引物在参试81份资源中共获得142个等位位点,平均每对引物9.47个,城步峒茶群体的观测杂合度(Ho)、期望杂合度(He)和Nei期望杂合度(Nei)分别为0.49、0.62和0.62,具有较高的遗传多样性。Structure分析将79份峒茶资源分成3个类群,但各类群的遗传背景较为复杂,没有明显的群体结构。F检验表明,城步峒茶群体的近交系数F_IS为正值(F_IS=0.177 5),群体间的遗传分化系数F_ST较小(F_ST=0.034 5),分化程度较低,基因流Nm较高(Nm=7.01)。3对cpDNA引物分别获得了473 bp(rbcL)、704 bp(matK)和320 bp(psbH-trnA)的片段序列,变异位点占总位点的比例分别为0.42%、0.71%和1.25%。将3个序列依次拼接,共产生了9个单倍型,单倍型数由多到少的居群依次为TXZ(6)、DZC(4)、DPS(4)、TYS(3)、HJZ(2),群体的单倍型多样性(Hd)和核苷酸多样性(π)分别为0.732和0.001 39。9个单倍型中,单倍型H1和H5处于进化网络图的中心节点上,并且包含资源数量最多,属于比较原始的单倍型。同时,nSSR和cpDNA的AMOVA分析结果基本一致,居群内的变异百分比分别达到96.69%和80.54%,城步峒茶的遗传变异主要存在于居群内。     

Herbicide options for effective weed management in dry direct-seeded rice under scented rice-wheat rotation of western Indo-Gangetic Plains

Farmers' participatory field trials were conducted at Madhuban, and Taraori, the two participatory experimental sites/locations of the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), a collaborative project of IRRI and CIMMYT in Karnal district of Haryana, India, during Kharif (wet season) 2010 and 2011. This research aimed to evaluate preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides for providing feasible and economically viable weed management options to farmers for predominant scented rice varieties. Treatments with pendimethalin PRE fb bispyribac-sodium + azimsulfuron POST had lower weed biomass at 45 days after sowing (DAS). At Madhuban, highest grain yield of scented basmati rice (3.43 t ha⁻¹) was recorded with the sequential application of pendimethalin PRE fb bispyribac-sodium + azimsulfuron POST. However, at Taraori, yields were similar with pendimethalin or oxadiargyl PRE fb bispyribac-sodium and/or azimsulfuron POST. Applying oxadiargyl by mixing with sand onto flooded field was less effective than spray applications in non-flooded field. The benefit-cost ratio of rice crop was higher with herbicide treatments at both sites as compared with the non-treated weed-free check except single PRE and POST applications and sequential application of oxadiargyl PRE fb oxadiargyl PRE. In a separate experiment conducted at Nagla and Taraori sites, scented rice cultivars' ('CSR 30′ and 'Pusa 1121′) tolerance to three rates of azimsulfuron (15, 25, and 35 g ai ha⁻¹) was evaluated over two years (2010 and 2011). CSR 30 (superfine, scented) was more sensitive to higher rates (35 g ai ha⁻¹) of azimsulfuron as compared to Pusa 1121 (fine, scented). Crop injuries were 8 and 28% in case of CSR 30; 5 and 15% in Pusa 1121 when applied with azimsulfuron 25 and 35 g ai ha⁻¹, respectively. Azimsulfuron applied at 35 g ai ha⁻¹ reduced yield in both cultivars but in CSR 30 yield reduction was twofold (11.5%) as that of Pusa 1121 (5.2%).