Effectiveness of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) living mulch on weed suppression and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract Weed control plays a vital role in achieving higher maize yield. We tested the hypothesis that interseeding cowpea as living mulch with maize will reduce biomass and diversity of weeds, and improve soil physical properties and maize yield. In 2017/2018 cropping seasons, a 2 × 4 factorial experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Savelugu Municipality of Northern Ghana. The factorial treatment consisted of three cowpea varieties interseeded with two maize genotypes and a control (maize with no living mulch). Our result showed that, in both seasons, weed biomass and diversity, soil temperature, and grain yield were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in control plots than in cowpea living mulch plots at all growth stages of both maize varieties. However, maize growth was not affected by weeds at tasseling. We established that cowpea varieties as living mulch in maize cropping have similar effect on soil moisture and temperature but have varying degrees of suppressing weeds and improving maize yield. The cowpea living mulch had weed biomass of 0.5 t ha−1 compared to 2.6 t ha−1 in the control. In addition, living mulch plots had maize grain of 2 t ha−1 and stover yield of 3 t ha−1 compared to 0.98 and 2 t ha−1 respectively in the control. In conclusion, choosing the appropriate time for intercropping living mulches and selection of plant species (growth and canopy cover) for living mulch are essential in suppressing growth of weeds.

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Decomposition of cover crop mulch and weed control under a no-till system for organic maize

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v35n5a2019-41836 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Lamara Freitas Brito ◽

João Carlos Cardoso Galvão ◽

Jeferson Giehl ◽

Steliane Pereira Coellho ◽

Silvane de Almeida Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Organic Production ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Production Model ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Jack Bean ◽

White Lupine

The decomposition dynamics of cover crop mulch influence the nutrient supply of successor crops and weed suppression. This is even more relevant in organic production systems, due to their limited use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. As such, the aim of this study was to quantify biomass production, model the decomposition and N, P and K release of the mulch of different cover crops, and assess the weed suppression of cover crops in the form of mulch and in consortium with organic maize. A randomized block design was used, with a 7x2 factorial scheme (7 cover crop management strategies and 2 cropping systems - maize in monoculture and intercropped with jack bean) and 4 replicates. The management practices that produced the most biomass were white lupine intercropped with black oat and the white lupine, black oat and sunflower monocultures. The use of cover crops did not differ from manual weeding in terms of weed biomass, but did affect the relative importance (RI) of nutgrass. Additionally, maize intercropped with jack bean reduced weed biomass in subsequent crop growth stages.

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Spring-planted cover crops for weed control in soybean

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170521000107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Katja Koehler-Cole ◽

Christopher A. Proctor ◽

Roger W. Elmore ◽

David A. Wedin

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cold Temperatures ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Small Grains

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

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Approach for Image-Based Semantic Segmentation of Canopy Cover in Pea–Oat Intercropping

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10080354 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 354

Author(s):

Sebastian Munz ◽

David Reiser

Keyword(s):

Cropping Systems ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Semantic Segmentation ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Light Competition ◽

Management Options ◽

Sole Cropping ◽

Single Dataset ◽

High Yields

Intercropping systems of cereals and legumes have the potential to produce high yields in a more sustainable way compared to sole cropping systems. Their agronomic optimization remains a challenging task given the numerous management options and the complexity of interactions between the crops. Efficient methods for analyzing the influence of different management options are needed. The canopy cover of each crop in the intercropping system is a good determinant for light competition, thus influencing crop growth and weed suppression. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility to estimate canopy cover within an intercropping system of pea and oat based on semantic segmentation using a convolutional neural network. The network was trained with images from three datasets during early growth stages comprising canopy covers between 4% and 52%. Only images of sole crops were used for training and then applied to images of the intercropping system. The results showed that the networks trained on a single growth stage performed best for their corresponding dataset. Combining the data from all three growth stages increased the robustness of the overall detection, but decreased the accuracy of some of the single dataset result. The accuracy of the estimated canopy cover of intercropped species was similar to sole crops and satisfying to analyze light competition. Further research is needed to address different growth stages of plants to decrease the effort for retraining the networks.

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Weed suppression ability of six soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties under natural weed development conditions

Acta Agronomica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aagr.61.2013.1.5 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 43-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Rezvani ◽

F. Zaefarian ◽

M. Jovieni

Keyword(s):

Competitive Ability ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Competitive Balance ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Weed Suppressive Ability ◽

Glycine Max L ◽

Hand Weeding

The weed suppression ability of different soybean varieties was studied in a field experiment in 2010. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design using a split-plot arrangement with 3 replicates. The main plots were either weedfree (hand weeding) or infested with the natural weed population (weedy). Six soybean varieties (Sari, Telar, Sahar, Hill, 032 and 033) were randomized within the main plots. The relative biomass total (RBT), relative crowding coefficient (RCCcw) and competitive balance index (Cb) were recorded and were regressed against crop traits under weedy conditions. The results showed a reduction in the maximum height of the soybean varieties under weedy conditions. No significant relationship was found between weed biomass and the canopy height of the varieties. Competition indices and the weed suppressive ability of soybean showed intergenotypic variation in competitive ability between the varieties tested. Weed pressure reduced the yield and yield components of all the soybean varieties. Under weedy conditions the soybean variety Hill gave a higher economic yield than the others, with high weed biomass suppression ability.

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Effect of Maize –Legume Intercrop and Fertilizer on Weed Suppression and Maize Performance in South Eastern, Nigeria

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2019/v27i230071 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Akpa, Ogonnaya Esther ◽

Udensi Ekea Udensi ◽

Omovbude, Sunday ◽

Orluchukwu, Joseph Amadi

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Forest Zone ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Early Integration ◽

South Eastern ◽

Natural Fallow

Maize is one of the most commonly cultivated arable crops in the rain forest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. Globally soil fertility and weed pressure are the most important constraints limiting increase productivity of Maize especially in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Unavailability and cost of inorganic fertilizer as well as cost of labour for weeding have engendered low productivity of maize. Hence this trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of maize-legume systems on weed suppression and maize performance. The trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria located within latitude 04°54’N and longitude 6°55’ E). The trial was conducted between April 4th and July 5th, 2017. The experiment was a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 3 types of legume systems (Mucuna pruriens, Lablab purpurens and No legume) and three levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0, 15, and 30 kg NPK/ha). The 9 treatment combinations were replicated thrice to give 27 plots. Data collected were on maize yield and yield components, weed and legume parameters at 4, 8 and 16 weeks after sowing (WAS). Result showed that legume significantly reduced weed biomass when compared to the natural fallow. The effect of weed biomass reduction was Mucuna 34.8% >Lablab 29.2%. The legume system significantly suppressed weed compared to natural fallow and the weed suppression ability average 56% and 30% respectively for Mucuna and Lablab whether or not they received NPK. Result of this trial also revealed that within 8 weeks after sowing legumes (8 WASL) 26% N and 22% N can be harvested by integrating this legume cover in cropping system and that NPK application has little or no effect in the performance of these legumes. Mucuna was not sensitive to fertilizer application while Lablab responded to fertilizer application. Maize was sensitive to Mucuna due to early integration; hence, it is recommended that these legumes be integrated at six weeks after sowing maize.

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Cover Crop Performance between Plastic-mulched Beds: Impacts on Weeds and Soil Resources

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci14956-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (7) ◽

pp. 1069-1077

Author(s):

Alyssa R. Tarrant ◽

Daniel C. Brainard ◽

Zachary D. Hayden

Keyword(s):

White Clover ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

Eragrostis Tef ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Living Mulch ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Weed Biomass

Growing a cover crop living mulch between plastic-mulched beds may reduce soil erosion while providing other agroecosystem services. However, information regarding the relative differences among living mulch species to maximize services and minimize competition for nutrients and water in adjacent plastic-mulched beds is limited. A 2-year experiment in Michigan evaluated nine living mulch species for biomass production, in-season weed suppression, and potential for cash crop competition. Species included three warm season grasses {Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot], teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter, and sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet & Harlan]}; three cool season grasses [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)]; and three clover species grown in combination with rye {Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens L.), New Zealand white clover (T. repens L.) and yellow blossom sweet clover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.]}. Although all living mulch treatments significantly reduced in-season weed biomass relative to the weedy control in 2018, weeds were generally a dominant component of total biomass in all living mulch treatments other than teff. Weed biomass was negatively correlated with living mulch biomass, and teff exhibited both the greatest biomass and weed suppression in both years. However, despite spatial and physical separation, all living mulches demonstrated the potential to compete with a cash crop by reducing soil inorganic nitrogen and moisture levels in adjacent plastic mulch–covered beds. Growers interested in integrating living mulches into plasticulture systems must consider desired benefits such as enhanced weed suppression, soil quality, and harvesting conditions alongside potential risks to cash crop yields.

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Maize Response to Sole and Combined Effects of Nitrogen and Nematode Stresses

Advanced Journal of Graduate Research ◽

10.21467/ajgr.9.1.71-80 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 71-80

Author(s):

Joshua Benjamin ◽

Sifau Adenike Adejumo ◽

Abiodun Claudius-Cole

Keyword(s):

Growth Parameters ◽

Block Design ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Nematode Population ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Nitrogen Levels ◽

Maize Growth ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Low Nitrogen

Crops grown on the field or in phytotrons are faced with different biotic stresses including plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) and abiotic stresses such as drought and poor soil fertility (low nitrogen levels). In this study, the interactive responses of a low-nitrogen tolerant variety LNTP-YC6 and a regular variety BR-9928-DMRSR to Pratylenchus zeae under four nitrogen-levels: no amendment; [T0], low nitrogen [100kgN/ha NPK; T1], optimum nitrogen [200kgN/ha NPK + Urea; T2] and compost [10t/ha; T3] were investigated. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial fitted into randomised complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height and stem girth), yield components (number and weight of cobs), lesion score (LS), final nematode population (FNP) and reproductive factor (RF). Low nutrient stress in combination with nematode infection generally reduced maize growth and yield. Growth parameters of BR-9928-DMRSR variety were generally high while yield parameters of LNTP-YC6 variety were significantly greater than in BR-9928-DMRSR variety. However, T2 and T3 improved growth and yield of both maize varieties compared to T0, with T2 being superior to T3. Meanwhile, T3 reduced FNP more than T2. FNP (107.65) and RF (1.3) of P. zeae on LNTP-YC6 variety and with T3 was significantly low compared to T2 (178, 3.34), T0 (188, 3.6) and T1 (217, 5.0). In all the parameters considered, LNTP-YC6 outperformed BR-9928-DMRSR variety. In conclusion, soil amendment with optimum rate of nitrogen and compost reduced nematode population and enhanced maize growth, while low nitrogen in combination with nematode stress reduced maize yield.

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Rolled Mixtures of Barley and Cereal Rye for Weed Suppression in Cover Crop–based Organic No-Till Planted Soybean

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2016.23 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 426-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jeffrey A. Liebert ◽

Antonio DiTommaso ◽

Matthew R. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Management Tool ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Lower Cover ◽

Crop Biomass

Maximizing cereal rye biomass has been recommended for weed suppression in cover crop–based organic no-till planted soybean; however, achieving high biomass can be challenging, and thick mulch can interfere with soybean seed placement. An experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in New York to test whether mixing barley and cereal rye would (1) increase weed suppression via enhanced shading prior to termination and (2) provide acceptable weed suppression at lower cover crop biomass levels compared with cereal rye alone. This experiment was also designed to assess high-residue cultivation as a supplemental weed management tool. Barley and cereal rye were seeded in a replacement series, and a split-block design with four replications was used with management treatments as main plots and cover crop seeding ratio treatments (barley:cereal rye, 0:100, 50:50, and 100:0) as subplots. Management treatments included high-residue cultivation and standard no-till management without high-residue cultivation. Despite wider leaves in barley, mixing the species did not increase shading, and cereal rye dominated cover crop biomass in the 50:50 mixtures in 2013 and 2014, representing 82 and 93% of the biomass, respectively. Across all treatments, average weed biomass (primarily common ragweed, giant foxtail, and yellow foxtail) in late summer ranged from 0.5 to 1.1 Mg ha−1in 2013 and 0.6 to 1.3 Mg ha−1in 2014, and weed biomass tended to decrease as the proportion of cereal rye, and thus total cover crop biomass, increased. However, soybean population also decreased by 29,100 plants ha−1for every 1 Mg ha−1increase in cover crop biomass in 2013 (P=0.05). There was no relationship between cover crop biomass and soybean population in 2014 (P=0.35). Soybean yield under no-till management averaged 2.9 Mg ha−1in 2013 and 2.6 Mg ha−1in 2014 and was not affected by cover crop ratio or management treatment. Partial correlation analyses demonstrated that shading from cover crops prior to termination explained more variation in weed biomass than cover crop biomass. Our results indicate that cover crop management practices that enhance shading at slightly lower cover crop biomass levels might reduce the challenges associated with excessive biomass production without sacrificing weed suppression in organic no-till planted soybean.

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Screening Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Conservation Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v6n4p124 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 124

Author(s):

Mutondwa M. Phophi ◽

Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽

Alfred O. Odindo ◽

Lembe S. Magwaza

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Block Design ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Lablab Purpureus ◽

Velvet Bean ◽

Weed Biomass

The use of herbicides amongst smallholder farmers is minimal because herbicides are expensive and they require specialized application equipments. Weeds are problematic in conservation agriculture where herbicides are expensive for smallholder farmers. The use of cover crops can help to suppress weed growth and development by creating an environment which is not suitable for weeds survival. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) were evaluated for biomass accumulation and weed suppression under conservation agriculture system in two contrasting experimental sites: Ukulinga and Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. Bare plot and herbicide treatments served as controls. Treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC had the highest biomass accumulation in both sites Bergville (0.72 t/ha) and Ukulinga (1.59 t/ha). Cowpea had the lowest biomass accumulation in Bergville (0.59 t/ha) and lablab was the lowest in Ukulinga (0.88 t/ha). Lablab was effective in suppressing weed biomass in Bergville (P < 0.05). Cowpea performed best in suppressing weed biomass in Ukulinga (P < 0.05). The results suggest that cowpea and lablab can be effective for weed suppression and therefore can be recommended for use in conservation agricultural systems.

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Physiological and nutritional significance of potassium application under sole and intercropped maize (Zea mays L.)

Italian Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.4081/ija.2021.1737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aftab Ahmed ◽

Atta Mohi Ud Din ◽

Samina Aftab ◽

John Kwame Titriku ◽

Shoaib Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area Index ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Block Design ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Light Interception ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Area Index ◽

Strip Intercropping

Highlights - Potassium nutrient management in maize-soybean strip intercropping can increase the resource use efficiency. - Compared to the T0 (no potassium), T2 (80 kg ha–1 on maize) application increases the light interception and leaf area index of maize by 17% and 38% respectively. - Regression analysis reveals a positive relationship between physiological parameters measured at R2 and at R6 growth stages in maize under maize-soybean strip intercropping. - High K2O (80 kg ha–1) inputs enhanced the partitioning of biomass production in maize. - Overall, the optimum K2O application increased the maize yield by 16% under maize-soybean strip intercropping system relative to control. Globally, maize is an essential food and fodder crop. Fertilisers, as soil amendments, particularly K2O, could increase maize yields. A Two-year field research was designed in 2018- 2019 to examine the influence of three-potassium fertiliser applications on maize-soybean strip intercropping and sole-maize yield components. A Randomized complete block design with three replications was used, and one of three K2O doses (T0, 0; T1, 40:30; T2, 80:60 kg ha–1) was given in each plot. The effects K2O treatments on photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic active radiation, leaf area index, total biomass accumulation, and seed yield were investigated at V6, R2, R4, and R6. Compared to T0, maize-soybean strip intercropping system and sole-maize results showed T2 maize enhanced the light interception by 14, 26, 15, and 17% at V6, R2, R4, and R6 respectively. Maize increased the partitioning of biomass to cob and seed by 8 and 10% at R6, respectively in T2, relative to T0 treatment. T2 showed a higher green leaf area than T0; K2O applications led to an enhancement in leaf area index at R6 by 38%, under T2, and subsequently increased the photosynthetic rate at R4 and R6 by 8% and 6% respectively, in both years of the study. These results suggest that we may increase the accumulation of biomass and the yield of the maize seed under maize-soybean strip intercropping system and sole-maize by optimum K application in maize plants.

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