Efficiency of Methodologies Used in the Evaluation of the Weed Seed Bank under Mediterranean Conditions

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of two methodologies, seed germination (SG) and seed physical extraction SPE), to assess the weed community from two locations with different soil and climatic conditions: M, with dry and low soil fertility, and S with high soil humidity and fertility. Over three years of study, the analysis of both methodologies confirmed differences in seed bank composition. In M, fewer seeds were recorded by SG than SPE (13.5% and 86.5% respectively), while in S, the difference between percentages was less (31.58% by SG and 68.41% by SPE). Our findings confirmed that Portulaca oleracea L., Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson and Chenopodium album L. were abundantly found in M. Anacyclus clavatus (Def.) Res. seeds were also found, mainly detected by SG. In S, Stellaria media (L.) Vill. was widely found. All species found in S were similarly detected by SG and SPE. The results confirmed that climatic and soil conditions influenced the efficiency of the methodology used to assess the seed bank. M conditions led to an increased seed reservoir, and both methodologies were necessary to obtain the seed bank composition. In S conditions, the seed bank was continuously renewed, and either one of methodologies defined the seed bank composition equally well.

Quasi Emulsion Solvent Diffusion Modification of Underutilized Chenopodium album Starch and its Characterization

The present study was designed to investigate the changes occur on Chenopodium album starch (CAS) after modification through quasi emulsion solvent diffusion (QESD) method. Modification of starch was carried out by HCl (0.1, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1M) followed by precipitation. The QESD modification significantly reduced the amylose content, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, solubility as well as swelling power of treated starch. Gelatinization behaviour of modified starch showed an increase in pasting temperature. The SEM images showed the formation of regular and spherical shaped larger starch particles. There was an improvement in crystallinity from 20.01 to 29.86% after modification as shown in X-ray analysis. Overall, it indicates that QESD treatment results into formation of spherical crystalline agglomerates.

Nutraceutical Properties of Important Weeds in India

The group of plants, apart from the forest trees, agricultural, horticultural crop and medicinal plants, certain weed plants also play important role to formulate the qualitative and quantitative food and health supplements. These plants may be very specific in producing certain compound to heal the specific ailment chronically or serve as a good nutritive food supplement. There are numbers of crop species have been fortified with multi-nutrients or with the particular nutrient supplements e.g. Rice, Wheat, Maize, Sweet Potato. Instead, weeds remained underutilized and un-exploited and also treated as unwanted species. The nutritive compounds available in these plants such as polyphenols and vitamins can be the extraction from different plant portion to formulate the fortified food or curing medicine. The weed species prevailing in the nature are one of the major sources of dietary and health supplements for humans and animals since past i.e. Amaranthus lividus, Chenopodium album and many more weed species. There is still much to explore the Indian ecologic components present in wild form of flora. Hence, this chapter will majorly contribute to highlight nutritive nutaceurtical and edible weeds prevailing in Indian ecosystems.

Skuteczność chwastobójcza wybranych herbicydów stosowanych w jęczmieniu jarym

Celem prowadzonych badań była ocena skuteczności chwastobójczej wybranych herbicydów stosowanych w jęczmieniu jarym, odmiana Poldek. Doświadczenie przeprowadzono w latach 2012–2014. W doświadczeniu stosowano następujące kombinacje herbicydowe: kontrola (bez odchwaszczania), Pike 20 WG (metsulfuron metylu), Aurora 40 WG (karfentrazon etylu), Tayson 464 SL + Pike 20 WG (2,4-D + dikamba + metsulfuron metylu), Pike 20 WG + Aurora 40 WG (metsulfuron metylu + karfentrazon etylu), Galmet 20 SG + Galaper 200 EC (metsulfuron metylu + fluroksypyr), Granstar Ultra SX 50 WG (tifensulfuron metylu + tribenuron metylu). Ocenę skuteczności zwalczania najliczniej występujących gatunków chwastów przeprowadzono 30 dni po zastosowaniu preparatów metodą szacunkową. Dodatkowo dwa tygodnie przed zbiorem jęczmienia oceniono wtórne zachwaszczenie łanu metodą botaniczno-wagową, określając skład florystyczny, liczebność poszczególnych gatunków oraz powietrznie suchą masę chwastów. Gatunkami dominującymi w uprawie jęczmienia były: Galinsoga parviflora, Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. lapathifolium, Galium aparine, Matricaria maritima subsp. inodora, Chenopodium album i Stellaria media. Najbardziej skuteczne w zwalczaniu dominujących w jęczmieniu gatunków chwastów były kombinacje herbicydowe Tayson 464 SL + Pike 20 WG oraz Pike 20 WG + Aurora 40 WG, Galmet 20 SG + Galaper 200 EC. Po aplikacji tych kombinacji herbicydowych uzyskano również najwyższy plon ziarna jęczmienia.

The Effect of the Timing of Manure Application in Combination with Mineral Fertilizers and Planting Density on the Weediness of Potato Plantings

Potatoes are one of the most responsive crops for grooming techniques since in the period from seedlings before closing rows are easily suppressed by weeds that take away nutrients, water, light from it. The factor that causes high harm to potatoes is weed. By absorbing a large number of nutrients and moisture from the soil, weeds inhibit the growth and development of plants, reducing their potential productivity. The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of the timing of the introduction of bedding manure in conjunction with mineral fertilizers and planting density on the weediness of potato plantings. Studies were provided to identify the impact of the timing of bedding manure together with mineral fertilizers and planting density for weed planting potatoes. Experiments were laid by the systematic method with a tiered arrangement of variants in the experiment with a 3-fold repetition. We used cattle manure on straw bedding for autumn-winter harvesting. The following types of fertilizers were used: ammonium nitrate, double superphosphate, potassium chloride. Determination of the amount and biomass of weeds in potato plantings was carried out in the flowering phase and before harvesting. The application of manure was accompanied by an increase in the number and weight of weeds. Annual weeds predominated in potato plantings: Amaranthus retroflexus L., 1753 and Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson, 1877, Chenopodium album L. Chenopodium album L., 1753, Setaria P. Beauv, 1812 and Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv, 1812, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) BEAUV., 1812 and others, perennials included Cirsium arvense (L.) SCOP. 1772 and Sonchus arvensis L., 1753, (Elytrigia repens (L.) DESV. ex NEVSKI, 1933 and others. Planting density also has a definite effect on the development of weeds. When manure was applied in autumn under the plow, the number of weeds increased in comparison with other options, where only mineral fertilizers were applied. The application of manure over frozen plow and in winter over snow leads to a slight decrease (2.3-2.5 pcs/m2) of weeds. The greatest number of weeds is observed during the spring application of manure for plowing the fall plow. Nevertheless, studies aimed at clarifying the composition and structure of weediness, the number and weight of weeds in potato plantings are of great practical importance for local agricultural producers. These data should contribute to the development of an effective weed control system and high yields of potatoes in the region

Taxonomic diversity of weed flora in pulse crops growing field at south-western part of Bangladesh

Pulses are important field crops in Bangladesh and weed infestation in pulses field is a great concern now a days. So, a rigorous field survey was conducted throughout the pulses growing season at pulses grower farmers’ field of south-western part of Bangladesh to know the present status of weed infestation in pulses field. During the survey, fresh samples were collected along with other related information e.g., habitat, location, collection date, flowering time, crop/plant association. Fresh samples were dried well for making herbarium specimens. A sum of 13 weed species under 12 genera and 08 families were collected and documented their uses in various ailments. Among the families, Amaranthaceae is the highest-represented family with 03 species. Among the genera, the largest genera Amaranthus represented by 2 species. Cyperous rotundus, Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus spinosus, Croton bonplandianum, Coccinia grandis are the common and major weed species in pulse crop growing field in south-western part of Bangladesh. The knowledge generated from the present research would be helpful for the management practices of pulse crop associated weeds as well as for getting high economic benefits from beneficial species.

Phytotoxic effects of essential oils from Nepeta glocephalata Rech.f. and N. ispahanica Boiss. on se-lected weed species

<p class="042abstractstekst">In the present study the bioherbicidal activity of essential oils hydrodistilled from <em>Nepeta glocephalata </em>Rech.f and <em>N</em>. <em>ispahanica</em> Boiss were investigated on four weed species (barnyard grass (<em>Echinochloa crus-galli</em> (L.) Beauv), redroot pigweed (<em>Amaranthus retroflexus </em>L.), lambsquarters (<em>Chenopodium album </em>L.) and canary grass (<em>Phalaris canariensis </em>L.)). A total of 37 components were identified from the essential oils of <em>N. glocephalata and N. ispahanica</em> constituting approximately 98.61 % and 96.1 % of the oils, respectively. In laboratory bioassay different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μl ml^-1) of two <em>Nepeta </em>essential oils on germination, root and shoot length were studied. Results showed by increasing the concentration of oils, all studied traits of the weeds were decreased compared with control. In a glass house bioassay post-emergence application of <em>Nepeta</em> essential oils (1.25 %, 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, v/v) on 3-week-old weed plants caused visible injury (7-days after spray) ranging from chlorosis to necrosis of plant weeds. In foliar application under glasshouse conditions, both<em> Nepeta</em> essential oils reduced the seedling dry mass and concentrations of chlorophyll a chlorophyll b. The study concludes that <em>Nepeta</em> essential oils have phytotoxic effects and could be used as bioherbicides but the selectivity of these compounds should be considered also.</p>

Weed Control in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with Soil-applied Herbicides Affected by a Prolonged and Limited rainfall

The field trials were carried out in the Bitola and Titov Veles regions during two sunflower growing seasons (2018 and 2019) to estimate a weed control in sunflower with the soil‒applied herbicides, influenced by a prolonged and limited rainfall. Polygonum aviculare L., Solanum nigrum L., Chenopodium album L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Portulaca oleracea L., and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. were the most dominant weeds in both regions. The efficacy of PRE-em herbicides varied among the weed species, treatments, periods of efficacy estimation, regions, and years. The overall performances of the PRE-em herbicides were correlated with weather and soil conditions. The inconsistent weather patterns between the two years of the study likely influenced the weed control. All weeds in 2018 in the Bitola region were poorly controlled (<77% and <62%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively) due to a higher amount of rainfall (57 mm) during the 10 days of the 1st decade after herbicide application. The herbicide efficacy has only produced a marginal control of weeds in 2019 in the Titov Veles region as well (<68% and <59%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively), due to the drought conditions observed in this region in early spring and in mid-spring. A PREem application followed by a heavy rainfall resulted in a sunflower injury in the Bitola region in 2018, ranging from 9 to 28% across the PRE-em treatments seven days after emergence. The injuries by oxyfluorfen and dimethenamid-P were more serious (24 and 28%, respectively). The sunflower achene yields for each treatment in both regions generally reflected an overall weed control and crop injury.