Temperature Response of Benghal Dayflower (Commelina benghalensis): Implications for Geographic Range

Weed Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 707-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Sermons ◽  
Michael G. Burton ◽  
Thomas W. Rufty

The noxious weed Benghal dayflower has become a severely troublesome agricultural weed in Georgia in the southeastern Unite States, and there are indications that it is moving northward. Benghal dayflower is glyphosate tolerant and possesses a high degree of reproductive elasticity, making it a formidable threat in many crop systems. The purpose of these experiments was to develop the first temperature response profiles for Benghal dayflower, and use them to evaluate whether temperature might limit its northward invasion into North Carolina and adjacent states on the U.S. east coast. Experiments focused on vegetative and early reproductive growth, stages considered crucial for establishment and competitiveness. Exposure to a range of aerial temperatures revealed that Benghal dayflower growth and production of aerial and subterranean reproductive structures were maximized at 30 C, with sharp declines occurring at cooler temperatures. When exposed to differing root temperatures in hydroponics, with a constant aerial temperature, Benghal dayflower growth did not show the same cool temperature sensitivity, but reproductive performance declined when temperatures decreased below about 29 C. The root temperature responses of several other weed species known to thrive in the climate of this geographic area also were determined. Growth of sicklepod, hemp sesbania, and jimsonweed was more sensitive than Benghal dayflower to cool temperatures, whereas the growth response of velvetleaf was similar. Based on the comparison of the Benghal dayflower temperature responses in controlled environments to (1) seasonal air and soil temperatures in the field, and (2) the temperature responses of agronomic weeds known to thrive in the region, it is concluded that cool temperatures will not restrain the northward spread of Benghal dayflower into North Carolina.

Weed Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandeep K. Riar ◽  
Theodore M. Webster ◽  
Barry J. Brecke ◽  
David L. Jordan ◽  
Michael G. Burton ◽  
...  

Benghal dayflower is an exotic weed species in the United States that is a challenge to manage in agricultural fields. Research was conducted in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to evaluate the longevity of buried Benghal dayflower seeds. Seeds were buried in the field for 2 to 60 mo at a depth of 20 cm in mesh bags containing soil native to each area. In North Carolina, decline of Benghal dayflower seed viability was described by a sigmoidal regression model, with seed size having no effect on viability. Seed viability at the initiation of the study was 81%. After burial, viability declined to 51% after 24 mo, 27% after 36 mo, and < 1% after 42 mo. In Georgia, initial seed viability averaged 86% and declined to 63 and 33% at 12 and 24 mo, respectively. Burial of 36 mo or longer reduced seed viability to < 2%. The relationship between Benghal dayflower seed viability and burial time was described by a sigmoidal regression model. In Florida, there was greater variability in Benghal dayflower seed viability than there was at the other locations. Seed viability at the first sampling date after 2 mo of burial was 63%. Although there were fluctuations during the first 24 mo, the regression model indicated approximately 60% of seed remained viable. After 34 mo of burial, seed viability was reduced to 46% and then rapidly fell to 7% at 39 mo, which was consistent with the decrease in seed viability at the other locations. Although there is a physical dormancy imposed by the seed coat of Benghal dayflower, which has been detected in previous studies, it appears that a decline in buried seed viability to minimal levels occurs within 39 to 48 mo in the southeastern United States, suggesting that management programs must prevent seed production for at least four growing seasons to severely reduce the Benghal dayflower soil seedbank.


Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. John Hayden ◽  
Camille Fagan

The anatomy and pollination of subterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) is described as a contribution to understanding its reproductive biology. Subterranean stems bear one spathe per node, each enclosing a single cleistogamous flower. Only the three anterior stamens produce functional pollen; the posterior three stamens are staminodes. Tapetum is amoeboid and endothecium is present. The three-carpellate superior ovary bears five dimorphic orthotropous ovules. Nearly mature flowers have straight to somewhat curved styles; at maturity, styles elongate and coil. Our observations indicate that coiled style growth causes rupture of anthers and brings pollen into contact with stigmas. Pollen tubes were observed in styles that had previously undergone coiling, located within mucilaginous secretions of the mature stylar canal. The subterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghal dayflower and their apparently unique mode of pollination, viewed together with reproductive capacity of its aerial chasmogamous flowers, underscore the complexity and flexibility of the reproductive biology of this noxious weed species.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 284
Author(s):  
Jackline Abu-Nassar ◽  
Maor Matzrafi

Solanum rostratum Dunal is an invasive weed species that invaded Israel in the 1950s. The weed appears in several germination flashes, from early spring until late summer. Recently, an increase in its distribution range was observed, alongside the identification of new populations in the northern part of Israel. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of herbicide application for the control of S. rostratum using two field populations originated from the Golan Heights and the Jezreel Valley. While minor differences in herbicide efficacy were recorded between populations, plant growth stage had a significant effect on herbicide response. Carfentrazone-ethyl was found to be highly effective in controlling plants at both early and late growth stages. Metribuzin, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen and tembutrione showed reduced efficacy when applied at later growth stage (8–9 cm height), as compared to the application at an early growth stage (4–5 cm height). Tank mixes of oxadiazon and oxyfluorfen with different concentrations of surfactant improved later growth stage plant control. Taken together, our study highlights several herbicides that can improve weed control and may be used as chemical solutions alongside diversified crop rotation options. Thus, they may aid in preventing the spread and further buildup of S. rostratum field populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1331
Author(s):  
Arnaud Jéglot ◽  
Sebastian Reinhold Sørensen ◽  
Kirk M. Schnorr ◽  
Finn Plauborg ◽  
Lars Elsgaard

Denitrifying woodchip bioreactors (WBR), which aim to reduce nitrate (NO3−) pollution from agricultural drainage water, are less efficient when cold temperatures slow down the microbial transformation processes. Conducting bioaugmentation could potentially increase the NO3− removal efficiency during these specific periods. First, it is necessary to investigate denitrifying microbial populations in these facilities and understand their temperature responses. We hypothesized that seasonal changes and subsequent adaptations of microbial populations would allow for enrichment of cold-adapted denitrifying bacterial populations with potential use for bioaugmentation. Woodchip material was sampled from an operating WBR during spring, fall, and winter and used for enrichments of denitrifiers that were characterized by studies of metagenomics and temperature dependence of NO3− depletion. The successful enrichment of psychrotolerant denitrifiers was supported by the differences in temperature response, with the apparent domination of the phylum Proteobacteria and the genus Pseudomonas. The enrichments were found to have different microbiomes’ composition and they mainly differed with native woodchip microbiomes by a lower abundance of the genus Flavobacterium. Overall, the performance and composition of the enriched denitrifying population from the WBR microbiome indicated a potential for efficient NO3− removal at cold temperatures that could be stimulated by the addition of selected cold-adapted denitrifying bacteria.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C.R. Dias ◽  
S.J.P. Carvalho ◽  
L.W. Marcolini ◽  
M.S.C. Melo ◽  
P.J. Christoffoleti

Weeds compete with field crops mainly for water, light and nutrients, and the degree of competition is affected by the weed density and the intrinsic competitive ability of each plant species in coexistence. The objective of this research was to compare the competitiveness of alexandergrass (Brachiaria plantaginea) or Bengal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) in coexistence with soybean, cv. M-Soy 8045. A factorial experiment (2 x 5) with two weed species and five competition proportions was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Proportions were based on a replacement series competition design, always maintaining the total density of four plants per 10 L plastic pots, which corresponded to 60 plants m ². The weed-crop proportions were: 0:4; 1:3; 2:2; 3:1; 4:0; that corresponded to the proportion of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 0% of soybean plants and the opposite for weeds, B. plantaginea or C. benghalensis plants. Leaf area, shoot dry mass of the weeds and soybean and number of soybean trifoliate leaves were evaluated when the soybean reached the phenologic stage of full flowering. B. plantaginea was a better competitor than soybean plants. Otherwise, C. benghalensis revealed a similar competitive ability that of the soybean. In both cases, there were evidences that intraspecific competition was more important.


2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 444-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jursík ◽  
J. Holec ◽  
J. Soukup ◽  
V. Venclová

This study aimed to describe emergence cycles of selected weed species under Central European conditions in relation to cumulative soil temperatures from the start of the vegetation season. Emergence of Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Galinsoga ciliata, and Abutilon theophrasti was observed from March to October during the period 2001&ndash;2006 at two locations. The beginning of main field emergence was determined as the day when the sum of effective hour temperatures was achieved, and was detected from the second decade of April to early May for C. album, in the second decade of May for E. crus-galli, from late April to the beginning of May for G. ciliata, and from the end of April to mid-May for A. theophrasti. The relationship between cumulative soil surface layer temperature and weed mass field emergence at the beginning of the growing season is very direct (differences &plusmn;7 days) &ndash; but only when soil moisture is sufficient. In a drier spring, the beginning of mass field emergence occurs with 1&ndash;4 weeks of delay and field emergence is usually slower and protracted.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joonas Merikanto ◽  
Kalle Nordling ◽  
Petri Räisänen ◽  
Jouni Räisänen ◽  
Declan O'Donnell ◽  
...  

Abstract. South and East Asian anthropogenic aerosols mostly reside in an air mass extending from the Indian Ocean to the North Pacific. Yet the surface temperature effects of Asian aerosols spread across the whole globe. Here, we remove Asian anthropogenic aerosols from two independent climate models (ECHAM6.1 and NorESM1) using the same representation of aerosols via MACv2-SP (a simple plume implementation of the 2nd version of the Max Planck Institute Aerosol Climatology). We then robustly decompose the global distribution of surface temperature responses into contributions from atmospheric energy flux changes. We find that the horizontal atmospheric energy transport strongly moderates the surface temperature response over the regions where Asian aerosols reside. Atmospheric energy transport and changes in clear-sky longwave radiation redistribute the temperature effects efficiently across the Northern hemisphere, and to a lesser extent also over the Southern hemisphere. The model-mean global surface temperature response to Asian anthropogenic aerosol removal is 0.26 ± 0.04 °C (0.22 ± 0.03 for ECHAM6.1 and 0.30 ± 0.03 °C for NorESM1) of warming. Model-to-model differences in global surface temperature response mainly arise from differences in longwave cloud (0.01 ± 0.01 for ECHAM6.1 and 0.05 ± 0.01 °C for NorESM1) and shortwave cloud (0.03 ± 0.03 for ECHAM6.1 and 0.07 ± 0.02 °C for NorESM1) responses. The differences in cloud responses between the models also dominate the differences in regional temperature responses. In both models, the Northern hemispheric surface warming amplifies towards the Arctic, where the total temperature response is highly seasonal and weakest during the Arctic summer. We estimate that under a strong Asian aerosol mitigation policy tied with strong climate mitigation (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 1-1.9) the Asian aerosol reductions can add around 8 years' worth of current day global warming during the next few decades.


Author(s):  
J. Antonio Guzmán Q. ◽  
G. Arturo Sánchez-Azofeifa ◽  
Benoit Rivard

Leaf temperature (Tleaf) influences photosynthesis and respiration. Currently, there is a growing interest on including lianas in productivity models due to their increasing abundance, and their detrimental effects on net primary productivity in tropical environments. Therefore, understanding the differences of Tleaf between lianas and trees is important for future of forest on whole ecosystem productivity. Here we determined the displayed leaf temperature (Td= Tleaf &ndash; ambient temperature) of several species of lianas and their host trees during ENSO and non-ENSO years to evaluate if the presence of lianas affects the Td of their host trees, and if leaves of lianas and their host trees exhibit differences in Td. Our results suggest that close to midday, the presence of lianas does not affect the Td of their host trees; however, lianas tend to have higher values of Td than their hosts across seasons, in both ENSO and non-ENSO years. Although lianas and trees tend to have similar physiological-temperature responses, differences in Td could lead to significant differences in rates of photosynthesis and respiration based temperature response curves. Future models should thus consider differences in leaf temperature between these life forms to achieve robust predictions of productivity.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e018137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Shafer

ObjectivesThirty states have smoke-free air laws that ban smoking in restaurants and bars, covering nearly two-thirds of the US population. It is well established that these laws generally have a null or positive economic impact on restaurants and bars. However, all establishments in a geographic area are usually treated as a homogeneous group without considering the potential for differential effects by establishment characteristics. This study uses variation in smoke-free air laws over time to estimate their impact on employment in restaurants and bars with a focus on potential differences by employer size (number of employees). A two-pronged approach with a national-level and state-level analysis is used to take advantage of more granular data availability for a single state (North Carolina).DesignObservational study using panel data.Setting1) US, 2) North CarolinaInterventionsSmoke-free air laws.Outcome measuresState-level accommodation and food services employment for all 50 states and District of Columbia from 1990 through 2014 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages); county-level restaurant and bar employment in North Carolina from 2001 through 2014 (North Carolina Department of Commerce).ResultsThere is no evidence of a redistributive effect of smoke-free air laws on restaurant and bar employment by employer size.ConclusionThe lack of a redistributive effect is an important finding for policy-makers considering implementation or expansion of a smoke-free air law to protect employees and patrons from the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J Harvey ◽  
Stefan W Grab

Abstract Although global and Northern Hemisphere (NH) temperature responses to volcanic forcing have been extensively investigated, knowledge of such responses over Southern Hemisphere (SH) continental regions is still limited. Here we use an ensemble of CMIP5 models to explore SH temperature responses to four major volcanic eruptions: Krakatau (1883), Santa Maria (1902), Agung (1963) and Pinatubo (1991). Focus is on near-surface temperature responses over southern continental landmasses including southern South America (SSA), southern Africa (SAF) and Australia and their seasonal differences. Findings indicate that for all continents, temperature responses were strongest and lasted longest following the Krakatau eruption. Responses in Australia had the shortest lag time, strongest maximum seasonal response, as well as the most significant monthly anomalies. In contrast, SSA records the longest lag time, weakest maximum seasonal temperature response, and lowest number of monthly negative anomalies following these eruptions. In most cases, the strongest single-season response occurred in austral autumn or winter, and the weakest in summer or spring. We tentatively propose that cooler temperature responses are likely caused, at least in part, by the intensification of the westerlies and associated mid-latitude cyclones and anti-cyclones.


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