Ditch Banks Research Articles

Remote sensing reveals the importance of seminatural habitat and irrigation on aphid biocontrol in arid agroecosystems

Abstract Remote sensing and spatial analyses are increasingly used to understand the role of seminatural habitats in biocontrol, but knowing how to best leverage these tools is a persistent challenge. In arid agroecosystems, irrigation often exaggerates the differences between crop fields and their interspaces. Weeds adjacent to irrigated fields are thus often some of the only persistent vegetation. Remote sensing may be essential to capture the effect of this fine‐scale variation on pest biocontrol. We examined the role of land‐cover in determining the degree of aphid pest pressure and biocontrol in irrigated alfalfa fields in the Great Basin Desert (Nevada, USA). We experimentally manipulated predator densities to determine true agents of aphid biocontrol in this system. We then assessed land‐cover and spatial scale using alternative methods to determine the approaches that best defined the combined direct and indirect effects of seminatural habitat on aphid pest suppression. A remote‐sensing approach revealed the importance of land‐cover to aphid biocontrol more clearly than conventional vegetation surveys. In particular, remote sensing revealed that weedy patches within alfalfa fields reduced aphid densities, whereas flood irrigation increased aphid densities. Our experiments confirmed that coccinellid beetles are important aphid biocontrol agents. Coccinellids were positively associated with weedy land‐cover that was spatially close to alfalfa fields, particularly in the spring. Other predator taxa were also associated with distinct landscape features, though these associations varied between spring and fall. Solution: Weedy seminatural habitat near alfalfa fields, occurring along field margins and the banks of irrigation ditches, was positively associated with the density of coccinellid beetles and associated aphid pest suppression. Remote sensing excelled at identifying these areas and their effects, highlighting its utility as a management tool. Preserving these weedy areas can enhance aphid biocontrol, but farmers must consider potential trade‐offs between the control of insect‐pests and weeds.

Examining the impact of agricultural drainage ditch management on in-stream bacterial communities involved in nitrogen cycling: insights from the Environmental Change One Health Observatory (ECO2)

IntroductionAgricultural drainage ditches are essential for maintaining flow efficiency and are often managed by brushing (i.e., vegetation clearing along ditch banks) and dredging. These maintenance practices not only impact flow but also the ditches’ capacity to process and assimilate agricultural chemicals. However, the influence of ditch management on microbial activities, essential in processing and transforming these contaminants, remains underexplored.MethodsWe conducted a four-year surface water sampling campaign in two long-established (over 40 years) agricultural drainage ditches situated in eastern Ontario, Canada. One drainage ditch underwent intensive bank brushing and channel dredging, while the other remained unmanaged. We assessed the impact of these contrasting ditch management practices on the diversity and compositional structure of surface water microbiome communities, with a particular focus on the distribution of genes associated with nitrogen (N) cycling, using shotgun metagenomics sequencing and an assembly-based metagenome approach.Results and discussionFrom 117 surface water samples, we reconstructed 157 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), predominantly from the Patescibacteria superphylum. Brushing alone, conducted about 10 months prior to dredging, had an insignificant impact on the aquatic microbial community. However, dredging led to a significant reduction in community diversity and abundance of genes affiliated with denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia, and complete nitrification through comammox. Ditch management resulted in noticeable shifts in the microbial community, evidenced by the enrichment of taxa in Polaromonas, Emticicia, Flectobacillus, and Patescibacteria in the water of the managed ditch sites. The metagenomes of these taxa harbor genes involved in various nitrogen biotransformation pathways. Interestingly, following dredging, the levels of ammonia and ammonium, nitrite, and total Kjeldahl N in the managed ditch did not increase, but significantly decreased; likely due to ditch substrate removal and potentially increased flow efficiency and dilution. Being one of the few studies conducted to date, this study provided unique insights into the consequences of drainage ditch management on freshwater microbiomes involved in N cycling.

Two-stage channels can enhance local biodiversity in agricultural landscapes

Field drainage causes habitat loss, alters natural flow regimes, and impairs water quality. Still, drainage ditches often are last remnants of aquatic and wetland habitats in agricultural landscapes and as such, can be important for local biodiversity. Two-stage channels are considered as a greener choice for conventional ditches, as they are constructed to mimic the structure of natural lowland streams providing a channel for drainage water and mechanisms to decrease diffuse loading. Two-stage channels could also benefit local biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but existing information on their ecological benefits is scarce and incomplete. We collected environmental and biological data from six agricultural stream systems in Finland each with consequent sections of a conventional ditch and a two-stage channel to study the potential of two-stage channels to enhance aquatic and riparian biodiversity and ecological functions. Biological data included samples of stream invertebrates, diatoms and plants and riparian beetles and plants. Overall, both section types were highly dominated by few core taxa for most of the studied organism groups. Riparian plant and invertebrate communities seemed to benefit from the two-stage channel structure with adjacent floodplains and drier ditch banks. In addition, two-stage channel sections had higher aquatic plant diversity, algal productivity, and decomposition rate, but lower stream invertebrate and diatom diversity. Two-stage channel construction did not diversify the structure of stream channels which is likely one explanation for the lack of positive effects on benthic diversity. However, both section types harbored unique taxa found only in one of the two types in all studied organism groups resulting in higher local gamma diversity. Thus, two-stage channels enhanced local biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Improvements especially in aquatic biodiversity might be achieved by increasing the heterogeneity of in-stream habitat structure and with further efforts to decrease nutrient and sediment loads.

Influence of landscape position and climatic seasonality on soil water and gas conductivity properties in agricultural soils

Agricultural landscape management and climate seasonality can influence soil structure, hydraulic conductivity, and air permeability within the context of soil water and soil gas mobility. To investigate this, in situ and laboratory-based data were collected from three agricultural landscape positions within a watershed in eastern Ontario, Canada during a growing season. Macropore classification, water infiltration tests, and air permeability measurements were conducted in situ and standard soil characterizations were carried out on soil samples. Hydraulic conductivity of the soil matrix, based on grain size data, indicated that the highest values were consistently measured in the B horizon at each landscape setting. Macropores were found to be more abundant within uncultivated drainage ditch bank soils, compared to the adjacent cropped fields. Macropores in the ditch bank soils were exclusively consisted of circular biopores, while both circular and linear macropores were observed in the cultivated field soils. Air permeability, vertical hydraulic conductivity, and horizontal hydraulic conductivity were also greater in the uncultivated soils, relative to the cultivated soils. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity measurements offered evidence of anisotropy, likely due to the vertical nature of the macropore features. Macropore disposition and extent varied over the growing season, especially in the cultivated field soils where tillage and field trafficking are physically disruptive. Seasonality of macropore development will influence temporal changes in advection-based mass exchange of gas and water in the vadose zone. Modeling of mass exchange in agricultural soils should consider time variability in macroporosity to more realistically characterize infiltration and soil gas emissions.

Effect of rigid, bank vegetation on velocity distribution and water surface profile in open channel

Abstract The effects of rigid ditch bank vegetation on velocity distribution and water surface profile in trapezoidal open channels were investigated. Forty-eight tests were used to study the impacts of different vegetation densities. Tests were run for three vegetation densities (1,600, 400, and 178 stems/m2) along a fixed, 4.00 m reach, against four different discharges, each with three different depths. The measured water levels and velocities were analyzed and it was found that increasing the vegetation density increased the water depth upstream of the vegetated reach. while lowering it within it, when compared to the unvegetated case. The water's velocity profile as a ratio to the unvegetated case (V/u) is sigmoid, i.e., the maximum velocity (V/u) max occurs in the lower half of the water column, increasing shear stress near the bed, and, in turn, the likelihood of bed erosion along the vegetated channel's centerline. V/u increased with increasing vegetation density and Fro. A multiple regression analysis was done to assess the impact of ditch bank vegetation density on flow parameters.

Farming carbon: The link between saltwater intrusion and carbon storage in coastal agricultural fields

As sea levels continue to rise, coastal agroecosystems have become more vulnerable to saltwater intrusion (SWI). Saltwater intrusion is the landward movement of sea salts, which can alter carbon (C) storage. Transitioning agricultural fields have the potential to become C sinks as SWI advances inland and turns farms to marshes. The objectives of our study were to (1) quantify the size of C pools along a salinity transect; (2) determine how soil C is occluded through levels of physical protection in soil aggregates; (3) examine relationships between indicators of SWI and soil C measures in coastal farm fields. We collected soils (to a depth of ~140 cm) along a transect from the edge of a salt-damaged field (high salinity and frequently inundated) to the center (low salinity and drier). We measured bulk soil C pools and the amount of C stored in large macroaggregates, small macroaggregates, microaggregates, and silt+clay size classes. Soil C pools were largest in the edge of field and ditch bank soils compared to the center of the field (P = 0.01). In ditch bank soils, most of the C was stored in large macroaggregates; however, in the center of the field, most C was stored in silt+clays. We suggest that frequent wetting events may lead to increased C storage along the edges of farm fields both as a result of suppressed decomposition rates and increased clay flocculation leading to macroaggregate formation. Further, a vegetation shift from annual, shallow-rooted crops to perennial, deeply rooted marsh grasses along field edges likely contributed to higher soil C levels as well as increased aggregation. An improved understanding of soil C dynamics can help inform management strategies that support farm and environmental wellbeing as our coastlines change.

Hepatotoxicity in Cattle Associated with Salvia reflexa Diterpenes, including 7-Hydroxyrhyacophiline, a New Seco-Clerodane Diterpene.

A case of baled alfalfa hay contaminated with multiple weeds induced hepatotoxicity and death in cattle. The hepatotoxic compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation using a mouse model and identified as salviarin, salvianduline D, rhyacophiline, and 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline. The structure of 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline has not been previously reported. All compounds were found to induce severe acute hepatic necrosis within 24-48 h after a single oral dosage (260-280 mg/kg). The identified diterpenes are known to be found among different Salvia species which led to finding dried plant parts of Salvia reflexa within bales of weedy hay and subsequently a population of S. reflexa was found along the field edges and irrigation ditch banks of the alfalfa hay field. It was thus determined that S. reflexa was responsible for the hepatotoxicity observed in cattle fed the contaminated hay.

Effect of Vegetation Removal on Soil Erosion and Bank Stability in Agricultural Drainage Ditches

Maintenance of agricultural drainage ditches can be difficult to optimize if farmers have no guidelines on where to target their maintenance efforts. A main concern is whether ditch banks will experience soil erosion or mass movement (failure). In order to help identify sites that are more likely to experience soil erosion and/or mass movement, soil susceptibility to detachment was assessed in this study using a cohesive strength meter (CSM) and measurements of shear strength in unsaturated direct shear tests. The results showed that soil roots play an important role in stabilizing ditch banks against mass movement and in reducing the rate of soil detachment. A positive stabilizing effect was detected by CSM and confirmed by shear strength measurements. The conclusion is that native vegetation should be maintained on ditch banks, instead of being removed during maintenance work as is currently the case.

MONITORING OF FOOTHILL AND MOUNTAIN PASTURE PLANTS OF KASHKADARYA BASIN

This article reveals the data about the level of pasture degradation in Kashkadarya basin foothills and mountains, so weak, moderate and strong degradation processes of pastures and average natural vegetation cover in all seasons are described. Mesophytes are mainly plant species that are more adapted to moderate humidity and average temperature, most of which are ephemeral and ephemeroides. They are mainly widespread on the hills and ones are the main fodder base in the spring. The most spread of these are: Carex pachystilis, Poa bulbosae, Vulpia heredity, Bromus oxydon, Taeniaterum critinum, Cryptospora falcate, Strigosella scorpioides, Romeria refracta and others. Some of the ecological groups are wide distributed on the banks of rivers, streams and ditches, and continue to grow in spring, summer and autumn such as Trifolium repens, Equisetum arvense, E. ramosissimum, Poa pratensis and others. Many of them are typical of the boreal flora, they are grown in all regions of the country and do not occupy a wide area. Hygromesophytes are moderately ecomorphic and ones are a complex of hygrophytes and mesophytes. This group is also more grown in humid areas, such as Phragmites australis, Carex stenophulloides, Cyperus rotundus and others. Halophytes grow in saline soils, and salinization is rare in the adyr and mountain height stages. Salsola scleranta, Girgensohnia oppositiflora, Halocharis hispida and others are found in saline soil communities in adyr pastures. Besides the description and distribution of plants, preparation and quality of raw sources; chemical composition, indicators of application of the medicinal plants in the pharmaceutical industry have been analyzed.

The relative importance of green infrastructure as refuge habitat for pollinators increases with local land‐use intensity

Abstract Agricultural expansion and intensification have resulted in strong declines in farmland biodiversity across Europe. In many intensively farmed landscapes, linear landscape elements such as field boundaries, road verges and ditch banks are the main remaining green infrastructures providing refuge for biodiversity, and as such play a pivotal role in agri‐environmental policies aiming at mitigating biodiversity loss. Yet, while we have a fairly good understanding of how agricultural intensification influences biodiversity on farmland, little is known about whether and how local land‐use intensity affects biodiversity in nearby linear landscape elements and how this affects their role as biodiversity refuge. Focussing on pollinating insects, we examined the effects of local land‐use intensity on biodiversity in agricultural fields and adjacent green infrastructures. In an intensively farmed area in south‐western France, we selected 23 agricultural grasslands and nearby field boundaries along a gradient in grassland cutting frequency which acted as a proxy for land‐use intensity. We analysed how grassland cutting frequency affects species richness, abundance and community composition of wild bees and hoverflies in the grasslands and neighbouring field boundaries, and whether these effects differ across habitat types and species groups. Grassland cutting frequency negatively affected pollinator species richness and abundance in the grasslands, whereas pollinators in the neighbouring field boundaries were unaffected. These responses reflected the effects of cutting frequency on floral resources, with flower cover and richness decreasing in grasslands but not in field boundaries. As a result, the proportion of the local pollinator community supported by field boundaries increased with the increasing cutting frequency of the adjacent grassland. Common and rare pollinator species generally showed similar responses. Furthermore, communities of plants and pollinators in field boundaries next to intensively farmed grasslands were fairly similar to those next to extensively farmed ones. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that, as nearby land use intensifies, flower‐rich field boundaries become increasingly important as pollinator refuge habitats. Conserving field boundaries and other green infrastructures, and maintaining or enhancing their quality, therefore constitute important tools to conserve and promote pollinators in intensively farmed landscapes.

Lead transfer into the vegetation layer growing naturally in a Pb-contaminated site.

The lead was one of the main elements in the glazes used to colour ceramic tiles. Due to its presence, ceramic sludge has been a source of environmental pollution since this dangerous waste has been often spread into the soil without any measures of pollution control. These contaminated sites are often located close to industrial sites in the peri-urban areas, thus representing a considerable hazard to the human and ecosystem health. In this study, we investigated the lead transfer into the vegetation layer (Phragmites australis, Salix alba and Sambucus nigra) growing naturally along a Pb-contaminated ditch bank. The analysis showed a different lead accumulation among the species and their plant tissues. Salix trees were not affected by the Pb contamination, possibly because their roots mainly develop below the contaminated deposit. Differently, Sambucus accumulated high concentrations of lead in all plant tissues and fruits, representing a potential source of biomagnification. Phragmites accumulated large amounts of lead in the rhizomes and, considering its homogeneous distribution on the site, was used to map the contamination. Analysing the Pb concentration within plant tissues, we got at the same time information about the spread, the history of the contamination and the relative risks. Finally, we discussed the role of natural recolonizing plants for the soil pollution mitigation and their capacity on decreasing soil erosion and water run-off.

Herbicide Application Techniques for Woody Plant Control

The progression of trees and other woody plants into pastures, fencerows, ditch banks, rights-of-way and other areas is a common occurrence. These woody species can be particularly troublesome and require control since they will compromise fence intregrity, impede canal drainage, interfere with transmission of electricity, and some species (such as cherry trees) are highly poisonous to livestock. The aim of this publication is to detail the techniques for the removal of woody plants. This document is SS-AGR-260, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2006. Reviewed November 2006. SS-AGR-260/AG245: Herbicide Application Techniques for Woody Plant Control (ufl.edu)

Napiergrass: Biology and Control in Sugarcane

Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumacher) is an enormous, weedy, cane-like grass (Figure 1) commonly seen growing along canals and roadsides in the sugarcane production area of south Florida. Napiergrass, also known as elephantgrass, has been documented in almost 30 counties throughout Florida. It is of African origin, but has been introduced to all tropical areas of the world because of its ability to quickly produce large amounts of biomass. Currently, napiergrass is widely used in Central America, South America, and Africa as a forage crop. Napiergrass was introduced to South Florida and Texas for use as a forage crop, but it is no longer widely used for this purpose and has become a major weed problem. Napiergrass is now established throughout southern Florida, especially along canal and ditch banks and in disturbed or cultivated areas. Because of the weedy characteristics of napiergrass, it is considered to be one of the world's worst weeds and has been listed as an invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Although it can be found in central and northern Florida, it is less common due to cooler temperatures. This document is SS-AGR-242, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date: July 2005. Reviewed October 2008. 
 SS-AGR-242/SC071: Napiergrass: Biology and Control in Sugarcane (ufl.edu)

Blackberry and Dewberry: Biology and Control

There are numerous Rubus (blackberry and dewberry) species in the Southeastern U.S., many of which are found in Florida. Blackberry is commonly found in fence rows, ditch banks, and pastures and can be overlooked for extended periods of time. However, lack of management can give rise to thickets that are difficult to control. This document is SS-AGR-240, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date July 2005. 
 SS-AGR-240/AG238: Blackberry and Dewberry: Biology and Control (ufl.edu)

Soils in transition: saltwater intrusion alters soil chemistry in agricultural fields

As global sea-levels rise, low-lying coastal lands are subject to shallow coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion, affecting the productivity of farmlands worldwide. Soil biogeochemistry can be dramatically altered as saltwater intrudes agricultural fields. We selected three farm fields in Somerset Co., Maryland affected by saltwater intrusion and established transects from the ditch bank to the center of the cropped field and collected soils (to ~ 140 cm) at five points along this transect. The three fields in this study have different soil types, are located along different tributaries in the county, and receive different fertilizer rates, yet they all showed similar biogeochemical responses to saltwater intrusion. We found an increase in electrical conductivity and concentrations of chloride, sulfate, and forms of phosphorus (P) from the center of the field (low) to the ditch banks (high). As inundation increased, the structure of iron (Fe) changed from crystalline to non-crystalline forms, possibly due to dissolution under saturated conditions. Near the edges of the fields, the formation of organometallic complexes was positively associated with increases in soil carbon and organic soil P concentrations. Compared to areas of the fields where crops were actively growing, soil P concentrations are 2–3 higher on field edges, suggesting that saltwater intrusion may be transporting P to the edges of agricultural fields. These field edges are frequently saturated, thus reduction of Fe could lead to P release into solution potentially harming water quality. As climate change pushes saltwater further inland, it is important to understand the biogeochemical consequences for ecosystems up- and downstream. Understanding the how fractions of P move and change across fields affected by saltwater intrusion will be crucial for planning current and future management of coastal agricultural lands.

Secondary habitats are important in biodiversity conservation: a case study on orthopterans along ditch banks

espanolSe ha demostrado que la biota autoctona puede sobrevivir en habitats secundarios como cunetas, diques y setos. La finalidad de este estudio es evaluar el valor de las orillas de acequias para la conservacion de los ortopteros en un paisaje agricola en Hungria, a partir del analisis de los datos relativos a la riqueza y la abundancia de especies utilizando modelos mixtos. No encontramos ninguna diferencia en cuanto a la riqueza de especies entre las orillas de acequias aisladas, semiaisladas y en praderas de control. Sin embargo, el grado de aislamiento tuvo un efecto negativo significativo en la abundancia de especies sedentarias. Constatamos que la densidad de vegetacion lenosa junto a las orillas de las acequias tenia un efecto negativo en la abundancia total y la abundancia de especies moviles. Se observo la existencia de una relacion positiva entre la anchura de las orillas de acequias que estaba cubierta por vegetacion y la abundancia de especies del suborden Caelifera y de especies moviles, xerofilas y mesofilas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la densidad de ortopteros puede ser una medida mas sensible de la calidad del habitat que la riqueza de especies. Concluimos que las orillas de las acequias son un habitat adecuado para la mayoria de ortopteros, incluidas las especies raras o en peligro de extincion, lo que pone de relieve que deberia prestarse mas atencion a estos y otros habitats lineales parecidos y que se les deberia dar mas importancia en la conservacion de invertebrados. EnglishIt has been shown that native biota can survive in secondary habitats such as road verges, dikes and hedges. We aimed to assess the conservation value of ditch banks for orthopterans in an agricultural landscape in Hungary, based on the analyses of species richness and abundance data using mixed–models. We did not find any differences in the species richness between isolated ditch banks, semi–isolated ditch banks and control meadows. The extent of isolation had a significantly negative effect, however, on the abundance of sedentary species. We found that the density of woody vegetation along ditch banks had a negative effect on the total abundance and the abundance of mobile species. Positive relationships were found between the width of ditch bank vegetation and the abundance of Caelifera, mobile, xerophilous and mesophilous species. Our results suggest that the density of orthopterans may be a more sensitive measure for habitat quality than their species richness. We concluded that ditch banks are a suitable habitat for the majority of orthopterans, including rare and endangered species, emphasizing that ditch banks and similar linear habitats should receive more attention and should be given a more prominent role in invertebrate conservation.

Connectivity drives the functional diversity of plant dispersal traits in agricultural landscapes: the example of ditch metacommunities

Studying communities using a trait-based approach has contributed to major advances in the understanding of community assembly mechanisms, but research has primarily focused on the effect of local biotic and abiotic processes on plant assemblages. At the landscape level, we expect that the diversity of trait values (i.e. functional diversity) in plant assemblages is not random because there might be strong environmental constraints occurring as a filter of plant species at this level. We expect that fragmentation, through connectivity loss, may reduce functional diversity by filtering plant dispersal traits within the global pool of species toward those that present the trait values that are the most adapted. We tested this hypothesis at the metacommunity level and focused on ditch plant dispersal traits. We characterised the functional diversity of 27 ditch bank metacommunities for three seed traits encompassing the whole dispersal process: production, buoyancy and mass. We computed four connectivity variables based on the ditch networks surrounding each metacommunity. Null models were designed to quantify functional convergence (i.e. convergence of the trait values around a mean) or divergence for each trait (i.e. dissimilarity in plant trait values). At the metacommunity level, we demonstrate that (1) connectivity loss reduces the functional diversity of dispersal traits (seed production and seed buoyancy), leading to the convergence of trait values, whereas more connected landscapes promote randomness, or even divergence (seed mass) in trait values; (2) these changes are due to the modification in the number of occurrence of plant species over the nine local communities sampled, rather than in species identity. Our results indicated that, at the metacommunity level, reduced connectivity acts as a filter on the dispersal traits of plant species, promoting the broad distribution of species with efficient dispersal abilities in such landscapes. Thus, functional diversity helps us to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of fragmentation on biodiversity.

Application of Wool Geotextiles for the Protection of Steep Slopes

Wool geotextiles in a form of meandrically arranged thick ropes were used for the protection of a drainage ditch bank and the steep slope in a gravel pit. Right after installation, the geotextiles provided immediate protection against water erosion and land sliding. Then, during the exploitation on the slopes the geotextiles gradually degraded. The biodegradation caused the reduction of the mechanical parameters and led to biological damage of the geotextiles. In the second vegetation season, the compounds released through the wool biodegradation supported the rapid growth of protective vegetation. The vegetation gradually took over the protective function of the geotextiles.

GENETIC ASSOCIATION AMONG MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF LEPIDIUM DRABA

Lepidium draba is a weed plant usually grown where the conditions are moist like road side, ditch banks, rang lands and pastures. It is a fast growing weed plant that competes with crop plants for water, mineral nutrients, light and plays as a hiding place for insects. The prescribed study was carried out to evaluate morphological traits of Lepidium draba under four different locations. It was found from results that plant fresh weight and moisture contents were relatively higher for under studied locations. There was a strong and significant correlation among fresh weight, dry weight, moisture contents and plant height. From regression analysis it was predicted that plant dry weight and moisture contents played an important role in improving fresh plant weight. GGE biplot showed location 4 as best environmental area for propagation of Lepidium draba. It was suggested from current study that the plant population of Lepidium draba to minimize yield losses in crop plants and reducing competition between Lepidium draba and crop plants.

ФИННО-ПЕРМСКИЕ ФИТОНИМИЧЕСКИЕ ПОРТРЕТЫ ЗВЕЗДЧАТКА СРЕДНЯЯ (МОКРИЦА) STELLARIA MEDIA

The paper provides a phytonymic portrait of common chickweed (Stellaria media L.) in the Finno-Permic languages that form a branch of the Finno-Ugric language family, the other being that of the Ugric languages. Chickweed usually grows in damp shady places in gardens or parks, close to human habitation - in fields, along roads, on banks of ponds, ditches and lakes. The plant is widely considered a malignant weed. The study covers all the known common names of chickweed in the mentioned group of languages (numbering about fifty). Their origin as well as issues of the plant’s nomination have been studied. Most of the names of chickweed under consideration are found in the Baltic Finnic languages. Chickweed is a most severe weed but it is also used for medicinal purposes as well as for feeding cattle and poultry. Additionally, chickweed is used in folk medicine. All this is reflected in the names of the plant. Some names of chickweed are based on its other properties: its favorite place of growth (in damp shady places in gardens, parks and near human habitations - in fields, along roads, along shores of ponds, ditches and wastelands), the form of the whole plant and especially its flower, outward similarity of Stellaria media with other plants. Models according to which names of chickweed were created are often quite original and almost never repeat themselves even within separate languages. With some minor exceptions, names of chickweed can be easily etymologized. Many composite names of chickweed are results of this plant’s nomination based on two signs. A good amount of the collected phytonyms in the Finno-Ugric languages allows for a comprehensive research including etymological and structural semantic studies. The author of this article hopes to explore and describe the most common names of plants in the Finno-Ugric languages in his further works.