Abstract
The use of plant water extracts to control weeds is gaining attention in environmentally-friendly agriculture, but the study of the effect that such extracts may exert on the yield of durum wheat is still unexplored. In 2014 and 2016, the herbicidal potential of several plant water extracts was field tested on durum wheat (cv Valbelice). In 2014, extracts obtained from Artemisia arborescens, Rhus coriaria, Lantana camara, Thymus vulgaris, and Euphorbia characias were used, whereas in 2016 only A. arborescens and R. coriaria were tested as “donor” plants. In both years, weed incidence was evaluated, together with the major yield parameters of wheat. None of the treatments (including chemicals) could eradicate weeds from the field. In 2014, dicots were in general prevailing in plots treated with extracts of E. characias, while monocots prevailed after treatments with L. camara and R. coriaria. In 2016, lower weed biomass and diversity level were found, and only Avena and Phalaris were detected at harvest time. Treatment with plant water extracts affected grain yields, but it seems likely that those effects are not due to the diverse incidence of weeds in treated and untreated plots, rather to some direct action exerted by allelopathic substances.
Highlights
The use of environmentally-friendly methods for weed control is gaining attention in agricultural practice
The widespread use of synthetically-derived herbicides has caused a number of adverse effects, such as the high persistence of herbicides in the environment and in the food chain, and the development of highly resistant weed populations
Many methods have been suggested in time, with contrasting results according to the chosen method, the weed population, and the expected results [2,3,4]
Summary
The use of environmentally-friendly methods for weed control is gaining attention in agricultural practice. There are some special cropping systems, such as those addressed to organic production, where the use of synthetic chemicals is banned. In this general frame, an increased number of farmers are seeking alternative technical choices for weed management [1]. Many methods have been suggested in time, with contrasting results according to the chosen method, the weed population, and the expected results [2,3,4]. Among these new techniques, allelopathy plays an increasingly important role [5,6]
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