Invertebrate Seed Predators Reduce Weed Emergence Following Seed Rain

Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen K. Blubaugh ◽  
Ian Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Propagule Pressure ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Seed Predator ◽  
Common Lambsquarters ◽  
Seed Predators

Weeds are selected to produce overwhelming propagule pressure, and while vertebrate and invertebrate seed predators destroy a large percentage of seeds, their ecosystem services may not be sufficient to overcome germination site limitations. Cover crops are suggested to facilitate seed predation, but it is difficult to disentangle reductions in weed recruitment attributable to granivores from those due to plant competition. Using common lambsquarters as a focal weed species, we used experimental seed subsidies and differential seed predator exclusion to evaluate the utility of vertebrate and invertebrate seed predators in fallow, killed cover crop, and living mulch systems. Over two growing seasons, we found that seed predators were responsible for a 38% reduction in seedling emergence and 81% reduction in weed biomass in fallow plots following simulated seed rain, suggesting that granivory indeed overcomes safe-site limitation and suppresses weeds. However, the common lambsquarters densities in ambient seedbanks across fallow and cover crop treatments were high, and seed predators did not impact their abundance. Across the study, we found either neutral or negative effects of vertebrate seed predators on seed predation, suggesting that invertebrate seed predators contribute most to common lamnsquarters regulation in our system. These results imply that weed seed biocontrol by invertebrates can reduce propagule pressure initially following senescence, but other tools must be leveraged for long-term seedbank management.

scholarly journals (156) Improved Cover Crop Establishment and Growth Is Related to Planting Date in Organic Concord Grape Production

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080D-1080
Author(s):  
Kyle E. Bair ◽  
Robert G. Stevens ◽  
Joan R. Davenport
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Sweet Clover ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Commercial Vineyard ◽  
Concord Grape

Concord grape (Vitis labrusca L.) accounts for a majority of juice grapes produced in Washington State. Because synthetic nutrients are not permissible in USDA organically-certified production systems, legume cover crops are used to supply nitrogen (N) to the crop. In order to supply a sufficient amount of N, the cover crop must successfully establish and produce large quantities of biomass. This study evaluates how the planting date influences emergence and biomass production of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa subsp. villosa L.) and yellow sweet clover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.] when used as legume green manures. The research was conducted on a commercial vineyard and a research vineyard from 2003–05. Treatments for the study consisted of yellow sweet clover and hairy vetch planted in both the spring and fall. Plots receiving soluble N sources were planted with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or rye (Secale cereale L.). Because of the large relative seed sizes of rye, wheat, and hairy vetch compared to yellow sweet clover, these treatments established faster with good stands in 2004. In 2005, clover plots had high emergence and biomass production because of water management modifications. Biomass data from the commercial vineyard in May 2005 indicates that fall-planted vetch produced more biomass than spring-planted vetch. Fall-planted hairy vetch and yellow sweet clover in the research vineyard showed higher biomass production than spring- and fall-planted hairy vetch and yellow sweet clover. When hairy vetch and yellow sweet clover are planted in the fall, they generally have better seedling emergence and biomass production due to the heightened aggressiveness exhibited by competing weed species during late spring and summer.

scholarly journals Influence of Short-term Maize–Green Manure Cover Crop Rotations on Germinable Weed Seed Bank under Conservation Agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-155
Author(s):  
Rugare Joyful Tatenda ◽  
Pieterse Petrus Jacobus ◽  
Mabasa Stanford
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Bidens Pilosa

The effects of one- and two-year maize-cover crop rotations on weed seed bank density and species composition were evaluated in fields at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT, Harare) between 2014 and 2017. Nine cover crops were rotated, and maize and weed seed bank analyses were done using the seedling emergence method. Maize was used as the control. The results indicated that weed seed density was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by cover crop mulch type across the seasons. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decline in weed density in the second maize phase of the rotation in UZ Field A. Bidens pilosa, Galinsoga parviflora, Amaranthus hybridus and Eleusine indica were the dominant weeds. B. pilosa density significantly decreased in the second season in UZ Field A but did not vary significantly among cover crops. Significant changes in weed species richness, evenness, and diversity were observed only in the second phase of the rotation in UZ Field A. The results suggest that maize-cover crop rotations could be effective in reducing seed bank size in the short term but have no short-term effect on weed species community composition.

scholarly journals Weed Suppression, Nitrogen Availability, and Cabbage Production Following Sunn Hemp or Sorghum-sudangrass

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Thierry E. Besançon ◽  
Maggie H. Wasacz ◽  
Joseph R. Heckman
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Common Lambsquarters ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Sunn Hemp ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass ◽  
Smooth Pigweed

Cover crops included in a crop rotation can help increase nitrogen (N) availability to subsequent crops, raise soil organic matter, and suppress emergence and growth of various weed species. However, weed suppression by cover crops has mostly been investigated shortly after cover crop termination and not over a longer period spanning into the next cropping season. The effects of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum ×drummondi) planted the previous year on N availability before transplanting of late summer cabbage (Brassica oleracea), weed germination and growth, and cabbage yield was examined in field studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Pittstown, NJ. Results established that there was little evidence for a functional difference in soil N availability for fall cabbage production because of previous cover crop type. Heavy rainfall events both years may have caused major losses of available N that might otherwise be expected to come from N mineralization of residues of legume cover crop like sunn hemp. During the cover crop season, smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) dry biomass was 77% and 82% lower, respectively, in sorghum-sudangrass compared with sunn hemp plots. The subsequent season following sorghum-sudangrass cover crop, dry biomass of broadleaf weeds was lower by 74% and 56% in June and July, respectively, compared with preceding sunn hemp. Smooth pigweed, common lambsquarters, and hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga quadriradiata) were the weed species most consistently affected by preceding sorghum-sudangrass cover crop with biomass decreased by up to 80%, 78%, and 64%, respectively. Thus, it appears that sorghum-sudangrass can provide suppression of some broadleaf species over a relatively long period and is indicative of sorghum-sudangrass allelopathic activity. On the contrary, density and biomass of grassy weeds as well as commercial yield of transplanted cabbage were unaffected by the preceding cover crop. These results suggest that sorghum-sudangrass cover crop could be integrated to transplanted cole crop rotation for providing weed suppression benefits without altering crop yield in New Jersey organic vegetable cropping systems.

scholarly journals Effects of Some Cover Crops on Light Extinction and Weed Coverage in Sunflower Field

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hassannejad ◽  
A.R. Mobli
Keyword(s):  
Extinction Coefficient ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Light Extinction ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Weed Cover

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of some cover crops on extinction coefficient and weed cover percentage in sunflower, a field experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replicates at the Agricultural Research Station, Tabriz University of Iran, during growing season 2012-2013. Treatments were triticale, hairy vetch, rapeseed, triticale + hairy vetch, triticale + rapeseed, hairy vetch + rapeseed, application of trifluralin herbicide, and controls (weed infested and weed free without planting cover crop). Result indicated than once established, living mulches can rapidly occupy the open space between the rows of the main crop and use the light that would otherwise be available to weeds. In the all cover crops treatments, the light extinction coefficient was increased and weed cover percentage was reduced. Highest reduction in total weed species was observed in hairy vetch + rapeseed and triticale + rapeseed cover crop 61.92% and 61.43 %, respectively, compared to weed infested, so this treatment was better than trifluralin application. It concluded that cover crops could be considered as integrated strategies for weed sustainable management.

Allelopathic Influence of Germinating Seeds and Seedlings of Cover Crops on Weed Species

Weed Science ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda L. Hoffman ◽  
Leslie A. Weston ◽  
John C. Snyder ◽  
Emilie E. Regnier
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Allelopathic Interference ◽  
Radicle Length

Bioassays using binary mixtures that included a cover crop with known allelopathic potential and a weed species were employed to determine the importance of allelopathy compared to resource competition as interference mechanisms. Responses of weed species germinated with cover crops in a petri dish were measured. Interference between weed and cover crop seedlings was determined in a greenhouse experiment using the additive design, which included partitions to reduce above- and below-ground competition and used capillary mat subirrigation to control moisture and fertilizer availability. Germinating sorghum reduced radicle length of weeds, whereas germinating rye tended to increase weed radicle length. Methods limited above-ground competition, so likely interference mechanisms were below-ground competition and allelopathy. Germination with a cover crop had little effect on germination and shoot length of weeds. Increased density of rye but not of sorghum reduced growth of barnyardgrass seedlings. Reduced number of barnyardgrass leaves in the presence of rye was likely due to allelopathy. Suppression of barnyardgrass dry weight attributed to allelopathic interference by rye was successfully separated and compared to the combined effects of competition and allelopathy.

Influence of tillage and crop residue on postdispersal predation of weed seeds

Weed Science ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather E. Cromar ◽  
Stephen D. Murphy ◽  
Clarence J. Swanton
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Biological Weed Control ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Natural Form ◽  
Common Lambsquarters ◽  
Seed Predators ◽  
No Till ◽  
Weed Seeds

Field experiments were conducted from 1995 to 1997 in southern Ontario to determine the influence of tillage and ground cover on the quantity of postdispersal seed predation of common lambsquarters and barnyardgrass. Ground-dwelling invertebrates were the dominant seed predators and were responsible for 80 to 90% of all seeds consumed. Predation was highest in no-till and moldboard-plowed environments (averaging 32% in both) and lowest in chisel-plowed environments (averaging 24%). This indicates that the relationship between the level of disturbance and predation is nonlinear and that other factors, such as the mobility of invertebrates and food availability, may also play important roles in determining the quantity of seed predation. In no-till, the type of crop residue also influenced the quantity of predation, with highest seed predation found in plots with corn residue (averaging 31%) and lowest in those with soybean and wheat residue (24 and 21%, respectively). It is apparent that there is an optimum combination of residue quantity and quality that maximizes the quantity of seed predation. Based on the experimental design used in this study, no feeding preference by seed predators was detected between common lambsquarters and barnyardgrass. Density-dependent feeding, however, was evident for both species. Most biological control efforts have centered around predators with specific feeding habits. We contend that invertebrates with opportunistic feeding strategies that feed on weed seeds may be the most significant broad spectrum and natural form of biological weed control affecting weed population dynamics. Populations of beneficial arthropods should be conserved, and management strategies that augment the size of their natural populations should be encouraged.

A 2-Year Small Grain Interval Reduces Need for Herbicides in No-Till Soybean

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy L. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Common Lambsquarters ◽  
Weed Interference ◽  
No Till ◽  
Management Tactics

This study measured weed interference in soybean and corn as affected by residue management tactics following a sequence of oat and winter wheat. Residue management tactics compared were conventional tillage, no-till, and no-till plus cover crops. Treatments were split into weed-free and weed-infested conditions; prominent weeds were green and yellow foxtail and common lambsquarters. Grain yield of soybean did not differ between weed-free and weed-infested conditions with no-till, whereas weeds reduced yield 25% in the tilled system. Corn responded inconsistently to treatments, with more than 40% yield loss due to weed interference in 1 yr with all treatments. Cover crops did not improve weed management compared with no-till in either crop. Seedling emergence of the weed community differed between tillage and no-till; density of weed seedlings was fivefold higher with tillage, whereas seedling emergence was delayed in no-till. The initial flush of seedlings occurred 2 to 3 wk later in no-till compared with the tilled system. Designing rotations to include cool-season crops in a no-till system may eliminate the need for herbicides in soybean to manage weeds.

scholarly journals COVER CROPS IN THE OFF-SEASON IN THE WEED MANAGEMENT AT NOTILLAGE AREA

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
FERNANDO COUTO DE ARAÚJO ◽  
ADRIANO STEPHAN NASCENTE ◽  
JULIANA LOURENÇO NUNES GUIMARÃES ◽  
VINÍCIUS SILVA SOUSA ◽  
MARCO ANTÔNIO MOREIRA DE FREITAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Main Growth ◽  
Crotalaria Spectabilis

ABSTRACT Cover crops can provide suppression of weeds and together with chemical control make the proper management of weeds in agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop cultivation during the off-season on weed development in a no-tillage area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks scheme with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: fallow (control), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), millet + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajans), millet + Urochloa ruziziensis, millet + Urochloa ruziziensis + pigeon pea and millet + buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum. The evaluations were done at 30, 75 and 225 days after sowing of the cover crops (DAS). The main growth weed species in the area were Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis. Fallow treatment showed greater number of weed species with density of 184 plants m-2, 9.0 species and with 527.8 g m-2 of dry matter mass at 225 DAS. In all treatments verified reduction in the density and mass of weeds dry matter compared to the fallow, with average of 30 plants m-2, 5.8 species and 7.9 g m-2 at 225 DAS, respectively. The use of cover crops is an important strategy for weed control in agricultural areas.

scholarly journals 798 PB 074 CHANGES IN WEED SPECIES WITH DIFFERENT COVER CROPS IN TWO CALIFORNIA VINEYARDS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 547e-547
Author(s):  
Clyde L. Elmore ◽  
Scott Steinmaus ◽  
Dean Donaldson
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Perennial Weed ◽  
Annual Bluegrass ◽  
Wild Mustard ◽  
Field Bindweed ◽  
Winter Annual

Cover crops are grown in vineyards for many reasons, including erosion control, maintaining organic matter and changing pest complexes. Changing a management practice from using resident vegetation as a cover to other planted cover crops will change the vineyard floor flora. The cover crops of `Olge' oat, `Olge' oat and purple vetch, and purple vetch alone were compared to resident vegetation as winter planted cover crops. The cover was harvested in April of each year and blown under the vine row; The cover crop remains were disked into the middles after mulching. Three varieties of subterranean clover were planted in the vine rows at each location in one-half of each of the cover crops. The winter annual weed species, black and wild mustard, common chickweed and annual bluegrass decreased in the inter-row areas. The perennial weed field bindweed increased in all cover crop treatments.

scholarly journals MANAGEMENT OF COVER CROPS FOR WEED CONTROL BETWEEN PLASTIC MULCH IN PEPPERS (CAPSICUM ANNUUM)

HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 257E-257
Author(s):  
Francis X. Mangan ◽  
Mary Jane Else ◽  
Stephen J. Herbert
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Crop Species

Field research was conducted in Deerfield, Mass. to study the effects of different cover crop species seeded between plastic mulch on weed pressure and pepper yield. A complete fertilizer was applied before plastic was laid on Sept. 13, 1991. Two cover crop treatments were seeded Sept. 13, 1991: white clover (Trifolium repens) alone and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) in combination with winter rye (Secale cereale). On May 27, 1992 the vetch and rye were mow-killed with the biomass left on the soil surface. Annual rye (Lolium multiflorum) was then seeded on the same day as the third cover crop treatment. The remaining two treatments were a weedy check and a hand-weeded check. Peppers were transplanted into the plastic on May 31. Both the annual rye and clover were mowed three times over the course of the experiment with the biomass left between the plastic mulch. The white clover and annual rye were much more competitive with weed species than the dead mulch of vetch and rye. The three cover crop treatments had pepper yields that were severely depressed compared to the hand-weeded treatment. Among the three cover crop treatments, only the annual rye yielded more peppers than the weedy check.

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