Common Lambsquarters Emergence Research Articles

Emergence of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) is influenced by the landscape position in which seeds developed

AbstractIn a 2‐yr field study, we evaluated the emergence and early growth of Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters) seedlings as affected by the landscape position in which the seeds (i) developed, (ii) overwintered, and (iii) were planted. Results indicated that a higher proportion of seeds originating from lower slope positions emerged compared with seeds originating from the backslope or upper slope. The timing of emergence was the same for all seed source locations. There was no influence of overwintering location on weed emergence. Regardless of the seed source, we observed faster emergence and growth of C. album planted in the lower slope, where soil conditions were more conducive to growth. These experiments will support the development of new strategies and decision aids to improve weed management.

Length of residual activity of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p in soybean (Glycine max)

Soltani, N., Robinson, D. E, Miller, R. T. and Sikkema, P. H. 2015. Length of residual activity of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p in soybean (Glycine max). Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 727–733. A total of six field studies were conducted over a 2-yr period (2009, 2010) at three Ontario locations to determine the length of residual activity of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied preemergence (PRE) for the control of annual weeds in soybean. As the rate of saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p increased from 0 to 980 g a.i. ha−1the maximum cumulative emergence percentage for common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed and common ragweed decreased. Additionally, as the saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p rate increased from 0 to 980 g a.i. ha−1, the cumulative emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed and common ragweed slowed down over time. Times to 10% emergence were 1.0, 1.0, 2.1, 3.2, 3.9, 6.6 and >12 wk for common lambsquarters, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.6, 4.3, >12 and >12 wk for redroot pigweed and 0.8, 1.0, 2.2, 2.7, 3, >12 and >12 wk for common ragweed with saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied at 0, 30.625, 61.25, 122.5, 245, 490 and 980 g a.i. ha−1, respectively. Based on these results, saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p applied PRE at the labelled use rate of 245 g a.i. ha−1can provide as much as 3.9, 4.3 and 3wk of effective control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed and common ragweed, respectively in soybean.

Timing Potato Cultivation Using The Weedcast Model

A weed emergence prediction model, WeedCast, was used as a decision aid to schedule potato cultivation with and without herbicides at Wooster, OH, USA; Charlottetown, PE, Canada; and Fargo, ND, USA, from 2001 to 2003. Studies were laid out in a split-plot design with herbicides (±) forming the main plots and cultivation timing as subplots. Cultivation was done at 15, 30, or 60% of predicted weed emergence. Subplots were either left unsprayed or treated with metolachlor + metribuzin at 1.68 + 0.5 kg ai ha−1and only cultivated at predetermined timing. Cultivation timing was based on predicted emergence of common lambsquarters at Wooster and Charlottetown, whereas eastern black nightshade was the indicator weed at Fargo. Weed control for the different cultivation timings varied among sites and years and was consistently better in plots where herbicides were followed by cultivation. Cultivation alone resulted in poor weed control and significantly reduced potato tuber yield compared with those in plots where weed control also included herbicides. Use of herbicides followed by cultivation and hilling increased tuber yield by 4.6, 4.3, and 8.7 t ha−1, when cultivations were done at 15, 30, and 60% of predicted weed emergence, respectively, and 12.2 t ha−1for hilled-only plots. The average potato yield increase at Charlottetown was 9.7, 5.9, 6.9, and 7.4 t ha−1for hilled-only plots and for hilled after cultivations at 15, 30, and 60% of predicted weed emergence with herbicides, respectively. There was no apparent pattern for treatment effects at Fargo, and the potato tuber yields were greatly reduced mainly because of excessive precipitation during potato establishment. Use of WeedCast as a decision-aid tool could be an asset in determining when to do the first and subsequent cultivations. It may work best for growers who use cultivations in potato to remove weeds that were not controlled by herbicides.

Effect of Fertilizer Nitrogen on Weed Emergence and Growth

The timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application may influence germination, emergence, and competitiveness of weeds. Research was conducted to determine the influence of total inorganic soil N (Nit) on the germination, emergence, and growth of five weed species. In a greenhouse experiment, seed of five weed species were exposed to four levels of N, and seed germination was measured. In the field, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN 28%) was applied at multiple rates at three spring timings, and Nit, weed emergence, and growth were measured for 21 to 35 d after application (DAA). Germination of the four dicotyledonous and single grass species was not stimulated by 450 ppmw of N compared with the untreated control. In the field, Nitof 112 or 168 kg N ha−1, measured at 7 and 21 DAA, was always greater than Nitin the untreated control. The duration of the available N pulse in the upper 8 cm of soil was dependent on N application rate and timing. At 8 to 16 cm of soil depth, Nitwas greater when 168 kg N ha−1was applied compared with no N at 21 and 35 DAA in 2004. Emergence of common lambsquarters increased as N application rate increased for each application date in 2003, but not in 2004. Emergence of ladysthumb increased with N application rate for the April 15, 2003, date; emergence of giant foxtail increased with N application rate for the April 6, 2004, date. Weed biomass was always greater when 168 kg N ha−1was applied compared with no N, and at four of six N application dates, when 112 kg N ha−1was applied. This research shows that spring N fertilizer applications increase Nitand weed growth, but the influence of N on weed emergence is dependent on the weed species, seed source, and environmental conditions.

Evaluation of Different Empirical Models of Crop/Weed Competition to Estimate Yield and LAI Losses from Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Usefulness and validity of different empirical yield loss models at describing the effect of common lambsquarters competition in maize were evaluated in a two year experiment in Karaj during 2001 and 2002 growing seasons. Experimental factors were density (1st year: 2, 5, 10 and 15 plants m(-2); 2nd year: 6.6, 13.3 and 20 plants m(-2)) and the relative emergence time (1st year: simultaneous to, at 2-3 and 4-5 leaf stages of maize; 2nd year: simultaneous to, at 2-3 and 5-6 leaf stages of maize) of common lambsquarters. Results indicated that the highest maize yield and LAI losses were observed at simultaneous emergence of weed and maize resulted in 85 and 92% yield loss and 73 and 53% LAI loss in the first and second years of experiments, respectively. Also, delaying common lambsquarters emergence reduced its competitive ability against maize. Comparison of different empirical models revealed that the empirical yield loss models based on density and the relative time of weed emergence and the weed relative leaf area, also the rectangular hyperbolic yield loss model based on weed density were more reliable at predicting maize yield and LAI losses according to their high coefficient of determination (R2). Also, results indicated that the negative effect of the relative time of common lambsquarters emergence on maize yield loss was more than weed density, so that the rectangular hyperbolic yield loss model based on weed density was more capable at predicting yield loss at each of weed emergence time.

Effect of Soil Disturbance on Annual Weed Emergence in the Northeastern United States

A 2-yr experiment evaluated the effect of spring soil disturbance on the periodicity of weed emergence. At four locations across the northeastern United States, emerged weeds, by species, were monitored every 2 wk in both undisturbed plots and plots tilled in the spring with a rotary cultivator. Eight weed species including large crabgrass, giant and yellow foxtail, common lambsquarters, smooth pigweed, eastern black nightshade, common ragweed, and velvetleaf occurred at three or more site-years. Spring soil disturbance either had no effect or reduced total seedling emergence compared with undisturbed soils. Total seedling emergence for large crabgrass, giant foxtail, smooth pigweed, and common ragweed were on average, 1.4 to 2.6 times less with spring soil disturbance, whereas eastern black nightshade and velvetleaf were mostly unaffected by the soil disturbance. The influence of soil disturbance on yellow foxtail and common lambsquarters emergence varied between seasons and locations. Although the total number of emerged seedlings was often affected by the soil disturbance, with the exception of yellow foxtail and common ragweed, the periodicity of emergence was similar across disturbed and undisturbed treatments.

The Weed Control Potential of Oat Cultivars

Winter-killed oats (Avena sativa) may have potential for use to suppress weeds in early seeded crops such as pea (Pisum sativum). Residue biomass and surface coverage are generally correlated with weed suppression. Oat residues also contain allelochemicals. Our objective was to determine if oat cultivars vary in residue production and allelopathy. Differences between oat cultivars were observed in residue production, and for effects on emergence of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) in the greenhouse, and germination of pea and common lambsquarters in an infusion assay. Two of the oat cultivars producing the greatest biomass, `Blaze' (in the field) and `Classic' (in the greenhouse), interfered minimally with pea germination and were among the best cultivars in inhibiting common lambsquarters and shepherd's-purse. `Blaze' also greatly inhibited common lambsquarters germination in the infusion assay that measured allelopathy. Thus, `Blaze' and `Classic' possess suitable characteristics for use as a cover crop preceding peas.

Calibration and validation of a common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) seedling emergence model

Studies were conducted to calibrate and validate a mathematical model previously developed to predict common lambsquarters seedling emergence at different corn seedbed preparation times. The model was calibrated for different types of soil by adjusting the base temperature of common lambsquarters seedling emergence to the soil texture. A relationship was established with the sand mineral fraction of the soil and was integrated into the model. The calibrated model provided a good fit of the field data and was accurate in predicting cumulative weed emergence in different soil types. The validation was done using data collected independently at a site located 80 km from the original experimental area. There were no differences between observed and predicted values. The accuracy of the model is very satisfactory because the emergence of common lambsquarters populations was accurately predicted at the 95% probability level. This model is one of the first to take into consideration seedbed preparation time and soil texture. This common lambsquarters emergence model could be adapted to model other weed species whose emergence is limited by low spring temperature.

Empirical corn yield loss estimation from common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) in mixed communities

Corn yield loss associated with common lambsquarters and giant foxtail in mixed-weed species communities was estimated from empirical equations based on early-season weed density, weed relative leaf area, or weed relative shoot volume in 1998 and 1999. The estimated maximum corn yield loss ranged up to 20% in 1998 but was 50% or more in 1999. Competition coefficients estimated from weed density (I values) or weed relative shoot volume (qV values) indicated that the weed species were equally competitive in 1998 but that common lambsquarters was more competitive than giant foxtail in 1999. In contrast, the relative leaf area–based competition coefficients (qL values) indicated that common lambsquarters and giant foxtail were equally competitive in both years. Weed species emerged at the same time as corn in 1998, whereas in 1999, common lambsquarters emerged 3 d earlier than corn and 1 d earlier than did giant foxtail. Earlier emergence of common lambsquarters was associated with greater cumulative intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) per plant compared with that of giant foxtail. Competition coefficients estimated from weed relative leaf area were similar between years for common lambsquarters but differed for giant foxtail. Similarly, the relationship between cumulative estimated IPAR and early-season relative leaf area was stable between years for common lambsquarters but not for giant foxtail. Consequently, competition coefficients were more consistent for common lambsquarters than for giant foxtail in mixed communities. The results suggest that the competitive ability of common lambsquarters and giant foxtail may not differ greatly in corn, but variability in corn yield loss between years was not adequately explained by these empirical models.

Effect of Steam Application on Cropland Weeds1

Plot-scale field studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of steam for the control of cropland weeds in comparison with common herbicides. Weed densities, biomass, or emergence after treatment were measured. Steam (3,200 kg/ha, energy dosage equivalent to 890 kJ/m2, speed of 0.8 m/s) and glyphosate (560 g ai/ha) gave similar control (> 90%) of seedling common lambsquarters and seedling redroot pigweed. Applied at heading, steam was comparable to glyphosate in reducing green foxtail biomass at heading 2 wk after application. Steam applied at a rate of 3,200 kg/ha significantly reduced weed biomass (mixed stand, treated at seedling stage) 9 wk after application compared with the control, whereas steam applied at a rate of 1,600 kg/ha (1.6 m/s) did not. Biomass of downy brome treated with steam was reduced more at anthesis than at the seedling growth stage. Emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and black nightshade was not affected by steam application. Amount of steam applied, weed species, and growth stage are key factors in determining control effectiveness.Nomenclature: Glyphosate; black nightshade, Solanum nigrum L. #3 SOLNI; downy brome, Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. # CHEAL; green foxtail, Setaria viridis L. # SETVI; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE.Additional index words: Kochia scoparia L. Schrad., KOCSC, paraquat, pelargonic acid, SALIB, Salsola iberica Sennen & Pau.

Influence of cohorts onChenopodium albumdemography

Peak germination and emergence of common lambsquarters usually occur in early to mid-spring, but both processes can occur during summer and fall. Seeds produced by different common lambsquarters cohorts (seedlings that emerge at nearly the same time) may vary in dormancy status, response to environmental conditions, and response to management factors. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine the influence of different cohorts on common lambsquarters demography. Field experiments determined plant density, biomass, and seed production of different common lambsquarters cohorts within a crop-free community of annual weed species that included redroot pigweed, giant foxtail, and velvetleaf. Common lambsquarters plant density and aboveground biomass were greater for a mid-May cohort than for early June, late June, mid-July, or early August cohorts, but seed production of the mid-May and early June cohorts did not differ (about 192,000 seeds m−2) and was greater than that of other cohorts (111,500 seeds m−2or less). In the laboratory, percent germination prior to stratification (exposure of seeds to low temperatures) was less for seeds harvested from early May and late May cohorts (≥ 9%) than those of mid-June or early July cohorts (≤ 75%). After stratification in the field, percent emergence (seedlings per number of planted seeds) and mean emergence time were similar among early May, late May, mid-June, and early July cohort seed sources, and were not influenced by shallow burial in soil. These results suggest that recruitment from seeds produced by different common lambsquarters cohorts is similar, but proportional to the number of seeds produced by each cohort.

Increased weed emergence and seed bank depletion by soil disturbance in a no-tillage system

The influence of secondary soil disturbance on the emergence pattern and seed bank depletion of an annual weed community in a long-term, no-tillage corn cropping system was determined in 1992 and 1993. As a component of this research, the seed bank was characterized prior to implementation of soil disturbance treatments. The seed bank was initially composed of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and giant foxtail, with approximately 55, 36, and 8% of the total viable seeds, respectively. The remaining 1% was comprised of five other species in 1992 and eight in 1993. The spatial distribution of viable seeds of each species, except common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed, was described by a negative binomial distribution. Three dispersion indices indicated that seeds of individual and total weed species were aggregated and that the level of aggregation of viable seeds of a species was associated with seed density; at lower seed densities, the level of aggregation was greater. Soil disturbance increased common lambsquarters emergence 6-fold in 1992 relative to nondisturbed soil, but did not influence emergence in 1993. Rainfall was about 50% less in 1993. In contrast, soil disturbance increased giant foxtail and redroot pigweed emergence approximately 6- and 3-fold in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Seedling emergence associated with soil disturbance, relative to nondisturbed soil, increased seed bank depletion of common lambsquarters 16-fold in 1992, and giant foxtail and redroot pigweed and average of 6- and 3-fold in 1992 and 1993, respectively. These results indicated that soil disturbance increased seedling emergence and seed bank depletion of the predominant species in the weed community of a long-term, no-tillage system, but that this response was dependent on rainfall for common lambsquarters.

Seed bank characterization and emergence of a weed community in a moldboard plow system

Field experiments were conducted in 1992 and 1993 to characterize the weed seed bank, to determine the influence of moldboard plowing and secondary soil disturbance on the emergence pattern of weeds, and to measure weed seed bank depletion by emergence in a long-term moldboard plow corn cropping system. Viable seeds of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and each of 10 other species accounted for about 85, about 9, and less than 1%, respectively, of the total weed species in the seed bank. A negative binomial distribution described the spatial distribution of viable seeds of 10 species, but not of common lambsquarters or of redroot pigweed. Decreased density of seeds among species was associated with increased aggregation. Secondary soil disturbance increased the rate and magnitude of common lambs quarters emergence in 1992 but did not influence emergence in 1993. Secondary soil disturbance did not influence the magnitude and rate of emergence of redroot pigweed or velvetleaf. Whereas cumulative growing degree days from April through July were similar between years, the amount of rainfall was about 50% less in 1992 than in 1993. Secondary soil disturbance may have increased common lambsquarters emergence by increasing the availability of soil moisture and improving conditions for seed germination during the dry year. Even though seed bank depletion by seedling emergence was relatively low for all species, secondary soil disturbance in creased seed bank depletion of common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed about 7- and 3-fold, respectively, in 1992. Seasonal variation in the amount of rainfall may have influenced the effect of soil disturbance on emergence and seed bank depletion of common lambsquarters, which is the most abundant species in the weed community.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) in No-Till Soybean (Glycine max)

The nonuniform spatial distribution of weeds complicates sampling, modeling, and management of weed populations. Principles of a rational approach to analysis of weed spatial distribution, combining classical and spatial statistics, are presented using data for cumulative emergence of common lambsquarters in no-tillage soybean fields in 1990 and 1993. Classical statistics, dispersion indices, mean/variance relationships, and frequency histograms confirmed that raw and loge-transformed data were not normally distributed, that populations were aggregated, and that large-scale trends in population means violated assumptions of spatial statistics. Detrending was accomplished by median polishing loge-transformed data and confirmed by evaluation of standardized residuals and frequency histograms. Detrended residuals were used to construct omni-directional and uni-directional semivariograms to describe the spatial structure of the populations. A spherical model fit to the data was verified by cross validation. Semivariograms showed that common lambsquarters density was spatially autocorrelated at distances to 16 m, with more than 30% of the variance in density due to distance between field locations. Comparisons of kriged estimates and their standard deviations with and without detrending indicated that estimates using detrended data were more appropriate and more precise. Kriged estimates of common lambsquarters density were used to draw contour maps of the populations.

Effect of Cover Crop Mulches on Weed Emergence, Weed Biomass, and Soybean (Glycine max) Development

Field studies were conducted in 1988/89 and 1989/90 at two locations to determine the effect of rye, wheat, and triticale cover crop mulches on weed emergence patterns, weed biomass, and soybean development. Redroot pigweed and common lambsquarters emergence patterns were not altered by mulches. Early in the season, mulches reduced weed biomass; however, the results were inconsistent between locations and years. Under weed-free conditions, the cover crop mulches had no detrimental effects on soybean development and yields were not different from bare soil controls.

Time of Emergence of Eight Weed Species

Under irrigated field conditions at Prosser, WA, Russian thistle [Salsola kali(L.) var.tenuifoliaTausch. ♯3SASKR] began to emerge by mid-March each year and usually had completed its emergence by May 1. Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium albumL. ♯ CHEAL) was the next to appear, usually during the third or fourth week of March. Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv. ♯ ECHCG], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL. ♯ AMARE), hairy nightshade (Solarium sarrachoidesSendt. ♯ SOLSA), black nightshade (5.nigrumL. ♯ SOLNI), eastern black nightshade (S. ptycanthumDun.), and cutleaf nightshade (S. triflorumNutt. ♯ SOLTR) generally began to emerge during the first 2 weeks of April and emergence generally peaked mid-April to mid-May. Russian thistle and cutleaf nightshade had the most restricted emergence patterns, whereas seedlings of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, hairy nightshade, and black nightshade emerged each month from April through September. Shallow tillage at monthly intervals increased the overall emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, black nightshade, and eastern black nightshade; decreased the emergence of barnyardgrass; and had no effect on the emergence of Russian thistle, cutleaf nightshade, or hairy nightshade.