Does weed suppression by high crop density depend on crop spatial pattern and soil water availability?

Size-asymmetric competition, in which larger plants obtain a disproportionally larger share of contested resources, can be applied in agriculture to suppress weeds by increasing crop density and spatial uniformity, as these practices enhance the initial size-asymmetric competitive advantages of crop seedlings over weed seedlings early in the growing season. We do not yet know how agronomic factors influence weed suppression at high crop density. We performed a field experiment to ask how crop density, spatial pattern and irrigation interact to influence weed suppression and grain yield in semi-arid croplands. The experimental was a factorial design with 4 factors: wheat cultivar (Ningchun4, Xihan2), irrigation level (control, irrigated), sowing density (low, 196 seeds m⁻²; moderate, 400 seeds m^-2; high, 625 seeds m⁻²), and spatial sowing pattern (rows, uniform). Weed growth was effectively suppressed by increased crop density and spatial uniformity. Effects of crop density on weed suppression and grain yield were more pronounced in the uniform pattern than in crop rows. Weed biomass was 55.7% lower and grain yield increased 29.7% higher in the high density uniform pattern compared to the low density and row pattern. Crop density interacted with cultivar in determining both weed biomass and grain yield, potentially reflecting different traits regulating crop competitive ability. Irrigation and crop density had additive effects on weed biomass but interacted to influence grain yield. Our findings support the idea that increased crop density and spatial uniformity can make a valuable and environmentally friendly contribution to weed control in wheat, reducing the need for chemical or mechanical weed control. We need a better understanding of the interactions among climate, agricultural management and crop genotype to improve our ability to effectively suppress weeds with high crop density and spatial uniformity.     

不同种植方式对花生田间小气候效应和产量的影响

在大田高产条件下,研究了同一密度下不同种植方式对花生田间小气候效应及产量的影响.结果表明:增大行距和采用大小行种植方式有利于增加田间透光率,提高冠层空气温度与地表温度,降低田间相对湿度,提高田间CO2浓度,提高群体光合速率,进而增加荚果产量.但是行距过大,导致各种环境资源的浪费.采用大行距55cm小行距35cm的大小行种植方式是比较合理的种植方式.     

Narrow rows reduce biomass and seed production of weeds and increase maize yield

Smallholder farmers in southern African countries rely primarily on cultural control and hoe weeding to combat weeds, but often times, they are unable to keep up with the weeding requirements of the crop because of its laboriousness, causing them to incur major yield losses. Optimisation of crop planting pattern could help to increase yield and suppress weeds and to reduce the critical period of weed control and the weeding requirements to attain maximum yield. Experiments were carried out in Zimbabwe during two growing seasons to assess the effect of maize density and spatial arrangement on crop yield, growth and seed production of weeds and to determine the critical period for weeding. Planting maize at 60 cm row distance achieved higher yields and better weed suppression than planting at 75 or 90 cm row distance. Increasing crop densities beyond the customary three to four plants m⁻² gave modest reductions in weed biomass but also diminished crop yields, probably because of increased competition for water and nutrient resources. Maize planted in narrow rows (60 cm) intercepted more radiation and suffered less yield reduction from delaying hoe weeding than those planted in wider rows (75 or 90 cm), and the duration of the weed-free period required to attain maximum grain yield was 3 weeks shorter in the narrow spacing than that in the 75- and 90-cm row spacings. Weeding was more effective in curtailing weed seed production in the narrow row spatial arrangements than in the wide row planting. The results of these studies show that narrow row spacings may reduce weeding requirements and increase yields.     

Interactions between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar, row spacing and density and the effect on weed suppression and crop yield

In 1995/1996 weed suppression ability of two wheat cultivars (Spark and Tonic) was investigated in conjunction with two row spacings (15 cm and 9 cm) and three sowing densities (125, 250 and 350 plants m^-2). Weed biomass was influenced initially by crop density, and following stem extension by both cultivar and density, although these factors did not interact. Tillering capacity was a poor predictor of weed suppression ability and Spark, the more profusely tillering cultivar, contained greater weed biomass than Tonic. The earlier stem extension of Tonic increased shading at 0–20 cm above ground level compared to Spark and this was believed to be the reason for reduced weed biomass. Row spacing did not influence weed suppression, but grain yield was reduced in 15 cm rows at a density of 350 plants m^-12 compared to 250 plants m^-12. This may be of importance to growers contemplating the use of wider row spacings for mechanical weeding.     

窄行匀播对晚播冬小麦群体环境、个体性状和物质生产的影响

为了明确行距和行内种子分布形式对华北平原晚播冬小麦群体生长的影响,以济麦22为试验材料,在晚播条件下设置3种行距(10、15、20 cm)和2种行内种子分布形式[随机分布(R)和均匀分布(A)]处理,考察了不同处理冬小麦的冠层结构与环境特征、个体性状、生物量累积及产量性能。结果表明:在相同播种量下较小行距比较大行距、种子均匀分布比非均匀分布群体叶面积较大,冠层下部漏光较少,温度较低且相对湿度较高;缩小行距或增加行内种子分布均匀度使群体内个体间植株性状差异缩小,穗层分布趋向均匀,花后物质积累量增加,穗粒重增加,最终产量提高。10 cm行距的产量高于15 cm行距、显著高于20 cm行距;在15 cm和20 cm行距下植株均匀分布处理产量显著高于非均匀分布处理的产量。综合研究认为,窄行匀播是华北平原干旱缺水地区提高晚播小麦群体产量的有效措施。     

不同群体结构夏玉米灌浆期光合特征和产量变化

大田试验以夏玉米为试料,采用裂裂区试验设计,密度设计包含75000、90000\,105000株/hm² 3个密度作为主区,每个密度处理包括: ①等行距60 cm×单株留苗,②等行距60 cm×双株三角留苗,③宽窄行距(宽行70 cm + 窄行距50 cm)×单株留苗和 ④宽窄行距×双株三角留苗共12种方式进行处理,测定光合及叶绿素荧光参数。研究不同群体结构对夏玉米灌浆期群体光合特性的影响。结果表明,在吐丝期,随着种植密度的增加,群体光合速率提高;蜡熟期以90000株/hm²最高,种植方式上表现为宽窄行大于等行距种植,双株留苗种植方式大于单株种植方式,差异均达到显著水平;随着种植密度的提高,群体内3个层次叶片最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)逐渐降低,种植方式基本表现为宽窄行大于等行距,留苗方式表现为双株大于单株。试验条件下,以90000株/hm²,宽窄行,双株三角留苗产量最高。     

Genetic control of weediness traits and the maintenance of sympatric crop-weed polymorphism in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a diploid outcrossing crop widely grown in semiarid tropics, provides a unique extant material for the study of crop-weed interactive evolution. Co-occurrence of a weedy, shattering type of pearl millet with the cultivated one is the rule in the traditional agro-ecosystem in the Sahel zone of Africa. Selfed progeny of weed-type plants invariably segregated into distinct weed and crop types in an approximately 3:1 ratio. Genetic analysis using a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker strongly suggested that a series of differences between the crop and the weed types are determined by a single putative supergene that has two allelic types, C and W. The crop-type plants are CC homozygotes, and the weed-type plants are CW heterozygotes. WW homozygotes are sterile and rare in the field. Thus, the CW weed plants recurrently arise from crosses between the crop and the weed, as well as from crosses among the weed-type plants. The weed type appears to have a sufficiently high fitness to maintain the W allele in the pearl millet population, resulting in the perpetuation of this unique crop-weed polymorphism.     

Maize photosynthesis and microclimate within the canopies at grain-filling stage in response to narrow-wide row planting patterns

In China, narrow-wide row planting pattern has been advocated for maize (Zea mays L.) production. However, no previous study has clearly elucidated the complexity of factors affecting maize canopy such as the microclimatic factors, and the effect of photosynthesis in narrow-wide row planting pattern. The current study was undertaken to identify the planting patterns that influence microclimatic conditions and photosynthesis of two maize cultivars (Beiyu288 and Xianyu335) grown in three planting patterns: narrow-wide rows of (1) 30 cm + 170 cm (P1, 6.4 plants m^?2), and (2) 40 cm + 90 cm (P2, 6.4 plants m^?2), and (3) uniform row of 65 cm (CK, conventional row as control, 6.4 plants m^?2). Light interception, temperature, relative humidity (RH), CO² concentration, and leaf photosynthesis within the canopy were measured in each planting treatment at the grain-filling stage. The net photosynthetic rate (P _N), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and temperature of the narrow-wide row exceeded that of the conventional row. The CO₂ concentration and RH of the narrow-wide row were lower than CK by 50 cm strata. The narrow-wide row had a more uniform light intercepted at the whole canopy profile. The results of the current study suggest that narrow-wide row-planting pattern has a positive effect on canopy microclimate factors and promotes photosynthesis.     

Agro-ecology of onion couch (Arrhenathemm elatius var. bulbosum (Willd.)).

This study investigates the performance of vegetative propagules of onion couch (Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum) of varying sizes during the crop growth cycle; especially trends in tiller and bulb production and crop yield loss. The results suggest that the earlier the crop canopy closes the more suppression it will exert on the bulb formation stage of onion couch and hence its future reproductive potential. The closed canopy provided by a dense crop cut short the bulb formation phase and forced onion couch to invest more in aerial tillers in order to compete and coexist with the taller tillers of the crop. An additive experimental design used here to predict the crop losses indicated that natural infestation of onion couch caused greater crop yield loss compared to artificially planted plots. It was found that, although the regrowth from large aggregates with densely packed bulb chains is reduced by correlative dominance and density dependent mortality, presence of such large aggregates can affect crop yield by interfering with the establishment of crop. The competitiveness and development pattern of onion couch suggests that the recent spread of the weed and the reported variable results of control measures is due to the recent shift in agricultural practices.     

开放式空气CO2浓度增高条件下C3作物(水稻)与C4杂草(稗草)的竞争关系

通过田间试验,研究了FACE（开放式空气CO2浓度升高）条件下C3作物水稻（Oryza sativa）和C4杂草稗草（Echinochloa crusgalli）的生长和竞争关系,结果表明,FACE条件下C3植物水稻生物量和产量增加,吉片数增加,分蘖数增加,叶面积系数（LAI）增大;而C4植物稗草相反,FACE条件下水稻和稗草中面积均减少,而净同化率（NAR）均增加;FACE条件下水稻-稗草比例为1：1时,水稻与稗草的生物量比率、产量比率、LAI比率、茎蘖比率和NAR比率均增加,水稻-稗草的竞争关系发生变化,水稻（C3植物）竞争能力增加,稗草（C4植物）竞争能力下降。     

开放式空气CO2浓度增高条件下C3作物(水稻)与C4杂草(稗草)的竞争关系

通过田间试验,研究了FACE(开放式空气CO₂浓度升高)条件下C₃作物水稻(Oryza sativa)和C₄杂草稗草(Echinochloa crusgalli)的生长和竞争关系.结果表明,FACE条件下C₃植物水稻生物量和产量增加,叶片数增加,分蘖数增加,叶面积系数(LAI)增大;而C₄植物稗草相反.FACE条件下水稻和稗草叶面积均减少,而净同化率(NAR)均增加.FACE条件下水稻稗草比例为1:1时,水稻与稗草的生物量比率、产量比率、LAI比率、茎蘖比率和NAR比率均增加,水稻稗草的竞争关系发生变化,水稻(C₃植物)竞争能力增加,稗草(C₄植物)竞争能力下降.     

株行距配置对高产夏玉米冠层结构及籽粒灌浆特性的影响

在75000株·hm^-2种植密度下,选用郑单958和先玉335为试验材料,设置2种行距配置(等行距、宽窄行)和3种留苗方式(每穴1株、每穴2株、每穴3株),研究了6种种植方式对黄淮海地区高产夏玉米产量构成、吐丝后冠层结构及光合性能的调控作用,并以Richards模型拟合籽粒灌浆过程.结果表明： 产量、干物质积累量、作物生长率、灌浆速率、冠层光合能力等均表现为宽窄行处理高于等行距处理,留苗方式以每穴2株最高.各种植方式中以宽窄行每穴2株种植产量最高,达13.12（郑单958）和13.72（先玉335） t·hm^-2.宽窄行每穴2株种植改善了冠层内部光照状况,净光合速率和叶面积指数均有所提高,同时缓解了植株个体与群体间的矛盾,籽粒灌浆能力增强,干物质积累量提高.因此,宽窄行每穴2株种植是黄淮海夏玉米高产条件下产量提高的有效栽培方式.     

Interference between Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.): Growth Analysis

Redroot pigweed is one of the injurious agricultural weeds on a worldwide basis. Understanding of its interference impact in crop field will provide useful information for weed control programs. The effects of redroot pigweed on cotton at densities of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 plants m^-1 of row were evaluated in field experiments conducted in 2013 and 2014 at Institute of Cotton Research, CAAS in China. Redroot pigweed remained taller and thicker than cotton and heavily shaded cotton throughout the growing season. Both cotton height and stem diameter reduced with increasing redroot pigweed density. Moreover, the interference of redroot pigweed resulted in a delay in cotton maturity especially at the densities of 1 to 8 weed plants m^-1 of row, and cotton boll weight and seed numbers per boll were reduced. The relationship between redroot pigweed density and seed cotton yield was described by the hyperbolic decay regression model, which estimated that a density of 0.20–0.33 weed plant m^-1 of row would result in a 50% seed cotton yield loss from the maximum yield. Redroot pigweed seed production per plant or per square meter was indicated by logarithmic response. At a density of 1 plant m^-1 of cotton row, redroot pigweed produced about 626,000 seeds m^-2. Intraspecific competition resulted in density-dependent effects on weed biomass per plant, a range of 430–2,250 g dry weight by harvest. Redroot pigweed biomass ha^-1 tended to increase with increasing weed density as indicated by a logarithmic response. Fiber quality was not significantly influenced by weed density when analyzed over two years; however, the fiber length uniformity and micronaire were adversely affected at density of 1 weed plant m^-1 of row in 2014. The adverse impact of redroot pigweed on cotton growth and development identified in this study has indicated the need of effective redroot pigweed management.     

Effects of Cutting Phenology (Non-dormant Versus Dormant) on Early Growth Performance of Three Willow Clones Grown Under Different Weed Treatments and Planting Dates

To assess the effects of cutting phenology on early growth performance of three willow clones grown under different weed treatments and planting dates, freshly harvested (non-dormant) and cold-stored (dormant) cuttings from willow clone Tora, Jorr, and Olof were planted in bucket experiment outdoors in central Sweden on five planting dates (May–June 2013) with or without a model weed (spring barley). Non-dormant cuttings sprouted faster than dormant cuttings when planted early in the season. For cuttings planted later in the season, bud sprouting was affected only by willow clone. Aboveground biomass production was affected by cutting phenology, planting date, clone, and weed treatment. When planted on May 3 and May 10, biomass produced from non-dormant and dormant cuttings did not differ, while willows grown from dormant cuttings produced 59% more aboveground biomass than willows grown from non-dormant cuttings when planted on May 24–June 16. Tora produced on average 12% more biomass than Jorr and Olof, and weed competition reduced aboveground biomass production on average with 36%. The ability of willow to suppress weeds (WSA) was 26 (non-dormant cuttings) and 12% (dormant cuttings) higher for willows planted on May 3 compared with WSA of willows grown from cuttings planted later in the season. The ability to tolerate competition from weeds (WT) was 51 and 52% lower for willows grown from non-dormant and dormant cuttings planted late in the season compared with WT of willows planted earlier in the season. We conclude that planting with long-term cold storage of willow cuttings can be replaced with planting freshly harvested cuttings when planting is performed in early season, and that weed competition strongly reduces biomass production. Weed control during the establishment phase is crucial in order to maximize willow biomass production.     

Increasing Biomass Production on Limited Land Area Through an Optimal Planting Arrangement

Planting density is a primary consideration in silviculture; however, planting arrangement is often ignored. Most, if not all, forest plantations are arranged in rectangular or square lattices (i.e., grids). Using a simple mathematical model, we investigate the potential influence of planting arrangement on planting density, biomass yield, and rotation period by assuming that efficiently arranging trees is similar to packing congruent circles on a plane. The hexagonal lattice achieves the densest circle packing on a plane; therefore, a hexagonal or triangular lattice arrangement of stems provides the highest planting density for a given spacing. Using packing density to quantify arrangement efficiency, tree crowns in a hexagonal lattice fill approximately 90.7% of available area at initial canopy contact, while tree crowns in a square lattice fill approximately 78.5% of available area at initial canopy contact. The hexagonal lattice permits about a 15% higher density than the square lattice, which allows canopy closure to occur earlier without any change in individual tree growth. Short rotation woody crop (SRWC) systems are excellent candidates under the model’s assumptions of level stand with even-age monoculture. If belowground resources are non-limiting, a hexagonal lattice arrangement shortens rotation period and thus optimizes the biomass yield per land area over time. Higher productivity over time is central to sustainable and efficient use of limited area for bioenergy and biomass products.     

Weed community responses in a corn-soybean intercrop

Abstract. Weed community responses were examined in a corn-soybean intercrop in southwestern Michigan, USA, with and without nitrogen fertilization. Weed suppression was observed when intercropping was additive, but the depression in above-ground weed biomass was not due to a synergistic effect of crop diversity, but rather to the effects of crop density and identity. Intercropping did not have a greater suppressive effect than monocrops on weed biomass in a replacement intercrop when crop densities were similar to those in monocultures. Similarly, intercropping per se did not alter the diversity, species richness or composition of the weed community. The presence and density of corn was more important in affecting the weed community than was the density of soybeans or than intercropping itself. Fertilization and the interaction between fertilization and crop type had few effects on the weed community.     

Weed vegetation (wild flora) of long established organic versus conventional cereal fields in Denmark

The vegetation of weeds was sampled in matched pairs of long established organic and contemporary conventional cereal fields in summer 1987, and in spring and summer 1988, with an extended Raunkiaer circle at distances up to 50 m from the field boundary. In spring 1988, the number of plants were also counted. Species density, plant density, a proxy measure of plant density (accumulated Frequency Sum), crop and weed biomass, and occurrence of plants assigned to functional groups, are compared between farming systems. The plants were assigned to functional groups according to: (i) herbivore associations to broad-leaved taxa and (ii) flower location in the canopy, i.e. visibility and availability to flying insects. Furthermore, crop margin and mid-field were compared concerning species density and accumulated Frequency Sum. All variables that differed among the two farming systems had highest values - often several times higher - in the organic system with four exceptions: total biomass, biomass of crop, proportion of a single broad-leaved taxon and of grasses. The differences between the two systems were largest mid-field due to a pronounced pre-herbicide spraying gradient in species and plant density from crop margin to mid-field in conventional fields. A similar gradient was not found in the organic fields.     

温室甜椒叶面积指数形成模拟模型

叶面积指数是光合作用驱动的作物生长模型以及冠层蒸腾模型所需的重要作物参数,温度和辐射是影响叶片生长的重要环境因子.通过不同定植期、不同品种、不同地点的试 验,定量分析了温室甜椒出叶数、叶片长度和叶面积指数与温度和辐射的关系,构建了温室 甜椒叶面积模型,并利用独立的试验资料对模型进行了检验.结果表明：甜椒出叶数与出苗 后累积辐热积呈指数函数关系;叶片长度与出叶后累积辐热积呈负指数函数关系;甜椒出叶 数、叶片长度和叶面积指数的模拟结果与实测值之间的决定系数R²分别为0.94、0.89、0.93,其回归估计标准误RMSE分别为3.4、2.15 cm、0.15.该模型能够利用气温、辐射、 种植密度和出苗日期准确地预测温室甜椒叶面积指数动态,且模型参数少、实用性强,可以为温室甜椒生长模型和蒸腾模型提供必需的叶面积指数动态信息.     

Effect of pre-planting irrigation, maize planting pattern and nitrogen on weed seed bank population

Pre-planting irrigation and planting patterns are important factors in weed management that effect on seed bank. Additionally, the nitrogen is the most important factor in plant growth that affects weed-crop competition and ultimately, seed rain into the soil. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen application rates, pre-planting irrigation and maize planting patterns on weed seed bank population. Experimental factors were nitrogen rates at 4 levels (200, 300, 400 and 500 kg per hectare) as main plot; and pre-planting irrigation at 2 levels (irrigation before planting plus weeding emerged seedlings and, irrigation after sowing), and maize planting patterns (one-row and two-row planting of maize with same density per square of row length) that were assigned in a factorial arrangement to the sub plots. Soil samples were taken at the beginning of the season (before planting of maize) and at the end of the season (after harvest) at depth of 0-5 cm in the fixed quadrates (60 cm x 60 cm). The weed seeds were extracted from the soil samples and were identified using standard methods. The majority of weed seed bank populations included 6 weed species: Portulaca oleracea, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Sorghum halepense, Daturea stramonium, Xanthium strumarium. Results showed that population of weed seed bank increased significantly with increasing nitrogen rate. The increasing rate was different between one-row and two-row planting patterns. The parameters indicated that seed bank population was much higher in a one row planting pattern of maize. With two-row planting, seed bank was decreased by 34, 26, 20 and 5% at 200, 300, 400 and 500 kg N/ha, respectively. Pre-planting irrigation was also found an effective implement to reduce the weed seed bank. When pre-planting irrigation was applied, seed bank was decreased by 57, 43, 34 and 9% at 200, 300, 400 and 500 kg N/ha. Increasing nitrogen because of weed's better growth and higher seed production neutralized the decreasing effect of pre-planting irrigation and two-row planting of maize on weed seed bank population.     

An ecological approach to study the physical and chemical effects of rye cover crop residues on Amaranthus retroflexus, Echinochloa crus-galli and maize

Weeds can be suppressed in the field by cover crop residues, extracts of which have been demonstrated to exert chemical inhibition of crop and weed germination and early growth in bioassays. In this study, two complementary bioassays were developed with soil and mulch material originating from a long‐term maize–cover crop experiment to determine the relative physical and chemical effect of rye cover crop residues on weed and maize germination and early growth. This was compared with the effect exerted by residue material from the natural vegetation that developed in the crop stubble during the winter before maize sowing. Germination percentage and early growth of maize and two maize weeds, Amaranthus retroflexus and Echinochloa crus‐galli, were assessed in a seed incubator in tilled (green manured) and nontilled (surface mulched) soil, with and without N fertilisation, at various dates after cover crop destruction. Responses were compared to those of the same species in a standard soil without mulch or with an inert poplar mulch. A second bioassay was set up in a glasshouse to determine the effect of different quantities of fresh residue material and additional N fertilisation on emergence speed and percentage and on plant vigour during the first 22 days after cover crop destruction. These results were compared with no‐mulch controls and poplar mulch controls. Results of these trials were compared with weed density and biomass that developed in the maize crop sown after cover crop destruction. Soil and mulch chemical and biological properties were determined for material collected in the field at different times after cover crop destruction. Chemical properties of the mulch differed only occasionally between the treatments, but variation in cover crop biomass production led to significantly different soil chemical properties. Although soil total phenolic acid content did not always correlate to weed and maize germination and early growth inhibition, soil microbial activity did. In suboptimal conditions, as is often the case in the field, plant residue material exerted both a physical and a chemical effect on maize and weed emergence and early growth. Nitrogen fertilisation and application timing can give the maize crop a competitive advantage with respect to the weeds, but the final response and the practical consequences depended largely on the weed species involved.