Evaluation of Nurse Crops for Weed Control and Plant Establishment in Prairie Restoration

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 485b-485
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Barry ◽  
Michael N. Dana

Nurse crops are often recommended in prairie restoration planting. This work investigated several alternative nurse crops to determine their utility in prairie planting. Nurse crops were composed of increasing densities (900, 1800, or 2700 seeds/m2) of partridge pea, spring oats, spring barley, Canada wild rye, or equal mixtures of partridge pea and one of the grasses. The experimental design was a randomized complete-block set in two sites with three blocks per site and 48 treatments per block. Each 3 × 3-m plot contained 1 m2 planted in Dec. 1995 or Mar. 1996 with an equal mix of seven prairie species. The nurse crops were sown over each nine square meter area in April 1996. Plots lacking nurse crops served as controls. Evaluated data consisted of weed pressure rankings and weed and prairie plant dry weight. Nurse crop treatments had a significant effect on weed pressure in both sites. Barley (1800 and 2700 seeds/m2) as well as partridge pea + barley (2700 seeds/m2) were most effective at reducing weed pressure. When weed and prairie plant biomass values were compared, a significant difference was observed for site quality and planting season. Prairie plant establishment was significantly greater in the poorly drained, less-fertile site and spring-sown plots in both sites had significantly higher prairie biomass values. Overall, after two seasons, there was no advantage in using nurse crops over the control. Among nurse crop treatments, oats were most effective in reducing weed competition and enhancing prairie plant growth.

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 65-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Miao ◽  
X.Z. Han ◽  
X.B. Liu ◽  
Y.F. Qiao

The effect of three seedling treatments: T<sub>0</sub>, normal germination; T<sub>1</sub>, cotyledons removed; T<sub>2</sub>, cotyledons removed 5 days earlier than in T<sub>1</sub>; and two phosphorus levels (P<sub>0</sub> and P<sub>30</sub>) on nodulation and nodule function in soybean [<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr.] were investigated in nutrient solution culture. The number of nodules formed at P<sub>0</sub> was in the order T<sub>2</sub> > T<sub>0</sub> > T<sub>1</sub>, but it was T<sub>0</sub> > T<sub>2</sub> > T<sub>1</sub> at P<sub>30</sub>. Nodule dry weight per plant had the same tendency as the nodule number. Nodule size (dry weight per nodule) in seedlings ranged from 0.601 to 1.089 mg in the order T<sub>0</sub> > T<sub>1</sub> > T<sub>2</sub>, regardless of P level. For example, nodule size in T<sub>0</sub> was larger by 86% and 52% than T<sub>2</sub> at P<sub>0</sub> and P<sub>30</sub>, respectively. Furthermore, regardless of P level, a specific acetylene reduction activity (ARA, &micro;M C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>/h/g nodule) increased with P content in seedlings, but no significant difference was found (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Leghemoglobin (Lb) content was not significantly affected by P level; however, seedlings (T<sub>0</sub> and T<sub>1</sub>) significantly affected the Lb content per unit plant biomass (<i>P</i> < 0.05). All these results suggest that seedling P content plays a key role in nodulation and nodule function of soybean.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Rahmawati Fitria ◽  
Supriyono Supriyono ◽  
Sudadi Sudadi

<p>This research aims to determine the arrowroot responses on piling and potassium fertilizer application on its growth and yield. This research was conducted in Experiment Field of Agriculture Faculty SebelasMaret University at Sukosari, Jumantono, Karanganyar using Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD) factorial with two factors of piling and potassium fertilization.There are 2 levels of piling, consists of without piling treatment (P0) and with in piling (P1).There are 3 levels of potassium fertilization consist of  250 kg ha-1 KCl, 300 kg ha-1 KCl, and 350 kg ha-1 KCl. Observation variable consist of plant height, leaf number, tiller number, biomass fresh weight per plant, biomass dry weight per plant, tuber numbers per plant, tuber weights per plant, tuber weights per plot, tuber diameter, and tuber length. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and if there is significant difference, continue with DMRT (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test) of 5% level. The result showed that treatment with in piling (P1) can tends to increase yield of arrowroot plant on tuber numbers per plant, tuber weights per plant, and tuber weights per plot. Potassium fertilizer treatment with  350 kg ha-1 dose KCl tends to increase at growth and yield in all variables except the tiller numbers.</p>


1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Scott ◽  
Margaret Appleyard ◽  
Gwynneth Fellowes ◽  
E. J. M. Kirby

SUMMARYGrain growth and final weight per grain were measured in 12 genotypes of spring barley, the parents and progeny of two six-row × two-row crosses. Weight of carpels or grains from node 10 on the main shoot ear was measured from shortly after meiosis until grains were at maximum dry weight. Similar measurements were made at representative node positions along the ear of Proctor and of Midas spring barley cultivars.From about 10 days after anthesis grains grew at a constant rate for about 3 weeks. Amongst genotypes growth rate of the median grain ranged from 1·4 to 2'2 mg/day and there was a very highly significant positive correlation between growth rate and final grain weight. A similar relationship was found among grain positions on the ear. For about 10 days after anthesis growth was exponential and although relative growth rate did not differ between genotypes or grain positions there was a highly significant difference between caryopsis weights during this phase. There were significant correlations between final grain weight and carpel weight at anthesis and between final grain weight and husk weight at anthesis. In the period between meiosis and anthesis growth was exponential and the relative growth rate did not differ between genotypes or node positions on the ear. There were significant differences between carpel weights during this phase. Carpel weight at anthesis and carpel linear dimensions at meiosis were correlated.These data suggest that the initial size of carpel is an important factor in determining growth rate and potential grain weight. Potential grain size in barley may be determined by physical limitations imposed by the lemma and palea or may be causally related to the size of the carpel. The relative size of the carpel is determined by the time of meiosis and potential size may also be affected by pre-anthesis conditions.


2019 ◽  

<p>The aim of the study was to determine cadmium influence on the lead phytotoxicity to spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The seedlings of H. vulgare were treated with single Pb (ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg l-1) and Pb mixture with Cd. Plant biomass production, physiological response, induction of oxidative damage and metals accumulation in roots and shoots were evaluated. Single Pb and under the presence of cadmium impaired the growth of H. vulgare, altered the content of photosynthetic pigments and induced lipid peroxidation. The addition of Cd to the Pb treatments has led to additive or synergistic effects on H. vulgare shoot and root dry weight, oxidative damage and increased bioaccumulation. The interactive effect of these metals on the content of photosynthetic pigments was concentration range dependent. Additivity was detected when H. vulgare were exposed to low concentrations of Cd and Pb and high concentrations of these metals had lower than additive effect.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
Rahim Mohammadian ◽  
Behnam Tahmasebpour ◽  
Peyvand Samimifar

A factorial experiment was conducted with a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of planting date and density on calendula herbs and peppermint. It had 3 replicates and was done in Khosroshahr research farm, Tabriz in 2006. Under studied factors were: 3 planting dates (10 May, 25 May and 10 June) in 4 densities (25, 35, 45, 55) of the plant in square meters. The results of variance a nalysis showed that there was 1% probability significant difference between the effects of planting date and bush density on the leave number, bush height and the bush dry weight. But the mutual effect of the plant date in mentioned traits density was insignificant. Regarding the traits mean comparison, the total maximum dry weight was about the 55 bush density in mm. Also, the bush high density in mm causes the bush growth and its mass reduction. When there is the density grain, the flower number will increase due to bush grain in surface unit. Overall, we can conclude that 10 June planting and 45 bush density in mm is the most suitable items and results in favored production with high essence for these crops.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 449f-450
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Barry ◽  
Michael N. Dana

Legumes are grown as nurse crops in agriculture because they increase soil microbial life and productivity. Native legumes have potential in ecological restoration to mimic the benefits found in agriculture plus they enhance the restored ecosystem. This study was initiated to compare the growth rates, nodulation characteristics, and nitrogen fixation rates of a native versus a non-native legume. The two legumes were partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata); a native, wild, annual legume and soybean (Glycine max `Century Yellow); a domesticated, agricultural, annual legume native to Asia. Plants were grown for 11 weeks in pots containing silica sand and received a nitrogen-free Hoagland's nutrient solution. Beginning at week 12, plants were harvested weekly for four consecutive weeks. Nodulated root systems were exposed to acetylene gas and the resulting ethylene amounts were measured. The two legumes exhibited significant differences in nodule size and shape and plant growth rate. In soybean, nodules were large, spherical, and clustered around the taproot while in partridge pea, nodules were small, irregularly shaped, and spread throughout the fibrous root system. Soybean plants had a significantly faster growth rate at the onset of the experiment but partridge pea maintained a constant growth rate and eventually exceeded soybean plant size. In spite of these observed differences, partridge pea and soybean plants were equally efficient at reducing acetylene to ethylene. These results indicate partridge pea has the potential to produce as much nitrogen in the field as soybean. Native legumes such as partridge pea deserve further research to explore their use as nurse crops in agricultural or restoration regimes.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Judit Barroso ◽  
Nicholas G. Genna

Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.) is a persistent post-harvest issue in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Farmers need more integrated management strategies to control it. Russian thistle emergence, mortality, plant biomass, seed production, and crop yield were evaluated in spring wheat and spring barley planted in 18- or 36-cm row spacing and seeded at 73 or 140 kg ha−1 in Pendleton and Moro, Oregon, during 2018 and 2019. Russian thistle emergence was lower and mortality was higher in spring barley than in spring wheat. However, little to no effect of row spacing or seeding rate was observed on Russian thistle emergence or mortality. Russian thistle seed production and plant biomass followed crop productivity; higher crop yield produced higher Russian thistle biomass and seed production and lower crop yield produced lower weed biomass and seed production. Crop yield with Russian thistle pressure was improved in 2018 with 18-cm rows or by seeding at 140 kg ha−1 while no effect was observed in 2019. Increasing seeding rates or planting spring crops in narrow rows may be effective at increasing yield in low rainfall years of the PNW, such as in 2018. No effect may be observed in years with higher rainfall than normal, such as in 2019.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Marina Burachevskaya ◽  
Saglara Mandzhieva ◽  
Tatiana Bauer ◽  
Tatiana Minkina ◽  
Vishnu Rajput ◽  
...  

The presence of heavy metals in the soil could impose serious problems on soil-plant systems due to the accumulation of heavy metals in plants. Even vital elements such as Cu and Zn have a toxic effect in the case of excessive intake by living organisms. The present work aimed to investigate the content of loosely bound (exchangeable, complexed, and specifically sorbed) compounds of Cu and Zn and their availability to spring barley (Hordeum sativum distichum) in contaminated Haplic Chernozem soil under the conditions of a model experiment (five approximate permissible concentrations (APC) and 10 APC of metal). Changes in the bioavailability of the metals upon application of carbon sorbents were observed. An increase in loosely bound metal compounds has been shown under conditions of soil contamination with metals (up to 57% of the total content). The increase in the availability of Cu in the soil was mainly due to the formation of complexed metal forms with organic matter (up to 17%). The availability of Zn was found to be associated with an increase in exchangeable (up to 21%) and specifically sorbed compounds (up to 27%). Granular activated carbon (GAC) and biochar have high sorption properties. A decrease in the content of loosely bound compounds of metals was established, especially in the most mobile forms such as exchangeable and complexed forms. The introduction of sorbents into the soil opened up a new venue for binding heavy metals in situ, eventually leading to a decrease in their bioavailability. The inactivation of Cu and Zn in the soil upon the application of sorbents led to a decrease in metal absorption by spring barley. The highest efficiency of biochar application was established at a dose of 2.5% and 5% in soil contaminations of 5 APC and 10 APC of Cu or Zn. The efficiency of the use of sorbents was more influenced by the dose of application than by the type of sorbent. There was no significant difference between biochar and GAC. Stabilization and inactivation of metals may improve soil fertility and plant growth.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Korkmaz ◽  
Murat Uzunlu ◽  
Ali Riza Demirkiran

Salicylic acid (SA) is a common plant-produced signal molecule that is responsible for inducing tolerance to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. An experiment was, therefore, conducted to test whether acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) application at various concentrations through seed immersion or foliar spray would protect muskmelon [Cucumis melo L. (Reticulatus Group)] seedlings subjected to chilling stress. Twenty-one-day-old plants pre-treated with ASA (0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.50 or 1.0 mM) were subjected to chilling stress for 72 h at 3 ± 0.5°C. ASA, applied either through seed immersion or foliar spray, was effective within the range of 0.1 to 1 mM in inducing tolerance to chilling stress in muskmelon seedlings; however, there was no significant difference between application methods. ASA significantly and curvilinearly affected all seedling growth and stress indicator variables tested except shoot dry weight. The best protection was obtained from seedlings pre-treated with 0.5 mM ASA. The highest ASA concentration used was slightly less effective in providing chilling stress protection. Even though both methods provided similar means of protection, due to its simplicity and practicality, immersion of muskmelon seeds prior to sowing in 0.5 mM ASA would be a more desirable method to induce tolerance to chilling stress. Key words: Cucumis melo, aspirin, chilling stress tolerance, gas exchange, electrolyte leakage


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Naji K. Al-Mefleh ◽  
Yahia A. Othman ◽  
Maher J. Tadros ◽  
Amani Al-Assaf ◽  
Samer Talozi

This study investigated the influence of treated greywater on growth and protein content of multipurpose (forage and ornamental) transplants, Prosopis juliflora L., Prosopis tamarugo L., and Albizia lebbeck L. Transplants of tested species were irrigated with treated greywater, diluted greywater (grey + distilled water, 1:1/by volume), and distilled water (control) for seven months. Water quality analysis showed that the concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals found in the greywater were within the acceptable range compared with Jordan Institution for Standard and Metrology (JISM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds for safe use of greywater. Escherichia coli found in the greywater were lower compared to JISM and WHO guidelines for the safe use of greywater. Irrigation with treated greywater increased shoot fresh weight by 24–39% and dry weight by 34–40% compared to diluted greywater and control. No significant difference in crude protein was noticed between water treatments. Prosopis species (P. juliflora Albizia lebbeck L. and P. tamarugo Albizia lebbeck L.) had higher shoot fresh (35%) and dry weight the same species had lower crude protein (44%) when compared to Albizia lebbeck Albizia lebbeck L. The reuse of treated greywater for landscaping or forage production alleviates the demand for water resources and reduces the pressure on wastewater treatment plants. However, considering the controversial findings of previous studies on greywater quality (especially, long-term reuse), the reuse of treated greywater needs to be considered with caution and periodic quality analyses and economic assessments are required.


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