Hibiscus Trionum Research Articles

Hibiscus bullseyes reveal mechanisms controlling petal pattern proportions that influence plant-pollinator interactions.

Colorful flower patterns are key signals to attract pollinators. To produce such motifs, plants specify boundaries dividing petals into subdomains where cells develop distinctive pigmentations, shapes, and textures. While some transcription factors and biosynthetic pathways behind these characteristics are well studied, the upstream processes restricting their activities to specific petal regions remain enigmatic. Here, we unveil that the petal surface of Hibiscus trionum, an emerging model featuring a bullseye on its corolla, is prepatterned as the bullseye boundary position is specified long before it becomes visible. Using a computational model, we explore how pattern proportions are maintained while petals experience a 100-fold size increase. Exploiting transgenic lines and natural variants, we show that plants can regulate boundary position during the prepatterning phase or modulate growth on either side of this boundary later in development to vary bullseye proportions. Such modifications are functionally relevant, as buff-tailed bumblebees can reliably identify food sources based on bullseye size and prefer certain pattern proportions.

Dissecting molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of β-glucuronidase by alkaloids from Hibiscus trionum: Integrating in vitro and in silico perspectives

β-Glucuronidase, a crucial enzyme in drug metabolism and detoxification, represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention due to its potential to modulate drug pharmacokinetics and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we assessed the inhibitory potential of phytochemicals from Hibiscus trionum against β-glucuronidase. Grossamide and grossamide K emerged as the most potent β-glucuronidase inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.73 ± 0.03 and 1.24 ± 0.03 μM, respectively. The investigated alkaloids effectively inhibited β-glucuronidase-catalyzed PNPG hydrolysis through a noncompetitive inhibition mode, whereas steppogenin displayed a mixed inhibition mechanism. Molecular docking analyses highlighted grossamide and grossamide K as inhibitors with the lowest binding free energy, all compounds successfully docked into the same main binding site occupied by the reference drug Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We explored the interaction dynamics of isolated compounds with β-glucuronidase through a 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Analysis of various MD parameters revealed that grossamide and grossamide K maintained stable trajectories and demonstrated significant energy stabilization upon binding to β-glucuronidase. Additionally, these compounds exhibited the lowest average interaction energies with the target enzyme. The MM/PBSA calculations further supported these findings, showing the lowest binding free energies for grossamide and grossamide K. These computational results are consistent with experimental data, suggesting that grossamide and grossamide K could be potent inhibitors of β-glucuronidase.

Bridging in silico and in vitro perspectives to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of β-glucuronidase by coumarins from Hibiscus trionum

Unraveling the intricacies of β-glucuronidase inhibition is pivotal for developing effective strategies in applications specific to gastrointestinal health and drug metabolism. Our study investigated the efficacy of some Hibiscus trionum phytochemicals as β-glucuronidase inhibitors. The results showed that cleomiscosin A and mansonone H emerged as the most potent inhibitors, with IC50 values of 3.97 ± 0.35 μM and 10.32 ± 1.85 μM, respectively. Mechanistic analysis of β-glucuronidase inhibition indicated that cleomiscosin A and the reference drug EGCG displayed a mixed inhibition mode against β-glucuronidase, while mansonone H exhibited noncompetitive inhibition against β-glucuronidase. Docking studies revealed that cleomiscosin A and mansonone H exhibited the lowest binding affinities, occupying the same site as EGCG, and engaged significant key residues in their binding mechanisms. Using a 30 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we explored the interaction dynamics of isolated compounds with β-glucuronidase. Analysis of various MD parameters showed that cleomiscosin A and mansonone H exhibited consistent trajectories and significant energy stabilization with β-glucuronidase. These computational insights complemented experimental findings, underscoring the potential of cleomiscosin A and mansonone H as β-glucuronidase inhibitors.

Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2022-2023)

The most important records of vascular plant species made in Luxembourg in 2022 and 2023 are presented. In total, 122 taxa are mentioned. Adiantum aleuticum, Amaranthus blitoides, Bidens radiata, Centranthus calcitrapae, Chiastophyllum oppositifolium, Dipsacus laciniatus, Hibiscus trionum, Lagurus ovatus, Lepidium didymum, Rumex patientia and Sedum hispanicum, as well as the potentially invasive species Erigeron bonariensis, Erigeron karvinskianus, Erigeron sumatrensis and Lysichiton americanus are newly listed species found in Luxembourg. The discoveries of new or confirmed locations for Atriplex nitens, Callitriche obtusangula, Carex brizoides, Dysphania botrys, Filago arvensis, Fumaria parviflora, Hylotelephium telephium subsp. fabaria, Leersia oryzoides, Orchis simia, Panicum barbipulvinatum, Serratula tinctoria and Stachys annua are remarkable. The invasive species Ailanthus altissima, Cochlearia danica, Crassula helmsii, Prunus laurocerasus and Senecio inaequidens are spreading further. The implementation of national action plans for threatened species and habitats, as well as systematic fieldwork carried out over the last years, have resulted in the discoveries of new locations of endangered and/or protected species; other, previously known sites, were confirmed.

Therapeutic potentials of Hibiscus trionum: Antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidative, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective effects in type 1 diabetic rats

Recent advances in diabetes treatment have primarily focused on insulin and hypoglycemic agents; however, there is growing interest in exploring herbal and synthetic alternatives. Numerous studies have highlighted the preventive effectiveness of regular plant consumption in managing chronic conditions, particularly diabetes. Hibiscus, a medicinal plant recognized in various cultures, is known for its diverse health benefits. This study investigated the impact of Hibiscus trionum on glycemic control and assessed its influence on glucose and insulin levels in diabetes-induced rats. The concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were scrutinized across multiple body tissues (plasma, heart, muscle, liver, and kidney). The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was examined in both plasma and tissue samples. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were evaluated. Diabetic Group (D) exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, increased fluid and food consumption, elevated blood glucose levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, the diabetic group also showed increased levels of MDA, TC, TG, AST, and ALT, along with reduced insulin levels, compared to the control group. A substantial improvement in all parameters impaired by diabetes was observed following the application of Hibiscus trionum (HTT) in the Diabetes+HTT group. The antioxidative stress-reducing, lipid peroxidation-improving, and hepatoprotective potential of Hibiscus trionum in mitigating diabetes-induced oxidative stress is noteworthy. These findings indicate that HTT supplementation has valuable beneficial effects in protecting against the harmful impacts of diabetes.

Genome and transcriptome analyses reveal genes involved in the formation of fine ridges on petal epidermal cells in Hibiscus trionum.

Hibiscus trionum, commonly known as the 'Flower of an Hour', is an easily cultivated plant in the Malvaceae family that is widespread in tropical and temperate regions, including drylands. The purple base part of its petal exhibits structural colour due to the fine ridges on the epidermal cell surface, and the molecular mechanism of ridge formation has been actively investigated. We performed genome sequencing of H. trionum using a long-read sequencing technology with transcriptome and pathway analyses to identify candidate genes for fine structure formation. The ortholog of AtSHINE1, which is involved in the biosynthesis of cuticular wax in Arabidopsis thaliana, was significantly overexpressed in the iridescent tissue. In addition, orthologs of AtCUS2 and AtCYP77A, which contribute to cutin synthesis, were also overexpressed. Our results provide important insights into the formation of fine ridges on epidermal cells in plants using H. trionum as a model.

The Niche Mechanism of Weeds in Cotton Field Under Drip-Irrigated in North Xinjiang, China

The aim of this study was to investigate the niche mechanism and diversity of weeds in drip-irrigated and machine-harvested cotton fields in north Xinjiang, China. The dominant classes of weeds in 25 cotton fields under drip-irrigated and machine-harvested in 5 regions of north Xinjiang were investigated by seven-grade visual method, and converted to important value data, the 20 main weeds niche breadth and niche overlap were caculated on the basis of the data above. The ecological similiarity revealed by DCA sorting and minimum spanning tree of graph theory cluster analysis is drawed on the basis of the niche overlap value. The results show that Convolvulus arvensis L., Chenopodium album L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Solanum nigrum L., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Setria viridis (L.) Beauv., Abutilon theophrasti Medicus., Hibiscus trionum L., Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv., nine species of weeds, which are the dominant species (malignant weeds) in drip-irrigated and machine-harvested cotton fields in North Xinjiang, have wide niche. The niche overlap values of S. nigrum L. and C. album L., A. theophrasti Medicus. and A. retroflexus L., H. trionum L. and E. crusgall (L.) Beauv., A. retroflexus L. and E. crusgalli (L.) Beauv. are higher. The minimal spanning tree method based on niche overlap value to reflect similar degree of the ecological needs of the weeds, 20 main weeds will be divided into 4 groups. DCA ordination of 20 main weeds comprehensive ecological needs of 25 sampling sites: the vicious weeds all gathered at the central sorting chart, the distinction is obvious with the general weed and the corresponding of DCA ordination chart with minimal spanning tree is better. The minimal spanning tree by its focus on the results of which show that weeds are the most similar to the ecological requirements, but not be used for the no adjacent species, and no clear that the ecological relationship between them, the DCA sorting can reflect the ecology similar relations between all weeds wholely, though this method will lose a small amount of ecological information through the data conversion. Therefore, the two methods will be combined, complementary advantages, the superiority is obvious. Along with drip irrigation age years increase, S. nigrum L., C. arvensis L., C. album L. and so on, between dominant value of nine species of malignant weeds and the drip irrigation age years has the remarkable regression relations.

Morphoelastic modelling of pattern development in the petal epidermal cell cuticle.

We use the model system Hibiscus trionum as a vehicle to study the origin and propagation of surface nano-ridges in plant petal epidermal cells by tracking the development of the cell shape and the cuticle. In this system, the cuticle develops two distinct sub-layers, (i) an uppermost layer which increases in thickness and in-plane extension and (ii) a substrate, composed of cuticular and cell wall material. We quantify the pattern formation and geometrical changes and then postulate a mechanical model assuming that the cuticle behaves as a growing bi-layer. The model is a quasi-static morphoelastic system and it is numerically investigated in two- and three-dimensional settings, using different laws of film and substrate expansion and boundary conditions. We recreate several features of the observed developmental trajectories in petals. We establish the respective roles of the layers' stiffness mismatch, the underlying cell-wall curvature, the cell in-plane expansion and the thickness growth rates of the layers in determining the observed pattern features, such as the variance observed in the amplitude and wavelength of the cuticular striations. Our observations provide evidence which justifies the growing bi-layer description, and provide valuable insights into why some systems develop surface patterns and others do not.

Pollenkitt is associated with the collectability of Malvoideae pollen for corbiculate bees

Pollen grains of Malvoideae (Malvaceae) which corbiculate bees cannot collect constitute a floral filter that excludes pollen-collecting bumble bees and honey bees from exploiting pollen resources. Although large, spiny pollen grains are in fact harder to compact for collection by corbiculate bees, pollen morphology (e.g., grain diameter, spine length) is not by itself a reliable indicator of pollen collectability. In this study, we discovered that two Malvoideae species, Anoda cristata and Malope trifida, possess large, spiny pollen grains that can be groomed and collected by corbiculate bees. To gain insight into the underlying cause of collectability of Malvoideae pollen, we tested pollen adhesion to bumble bee setae and found that significantly less of the collectable pollen grains of A. cristata and M. trifida adhere to bees’ setae compared to uncollectable pollen grains of Hibiscus trionum. As the primary mediator of pollen adhesion is pollenkitt, a viscous lipid-rich substance covering pollen of zoophilous plants, we examined the surface of uncollectable and collectable Malvoideae pollen using cryo-SEM. Fresh pollen grains were abundantly covered with pollenkitt that also coated the long spines and formed liquid bridges between the grains. Washing pollen with hexane removed all pollenkitt, whereas washing pollen with water only removed pollenkitt on the collectable pollen grains of M. trifida, but not the uncollectable pollen grains of Hibiscus syriacus. We hypothesise that pollenkitt composition differs between Malvoideae species with uncollectable and collectable pollen. Specific pollenkitt properties might elicit excessive viscidity which affects adhesion to insect visitors but prevents pollen collection by corbiculate bees.

Phase sensitivity of some broad-leaved weed species to the herbicide Flex

The effect of herbicide Flex, AS (active ingredient fomesafen 250 g/l) on annual weed species common in soybean crops was studied. The studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions in 2019-2021. The sensitivity of ragweedAmbrosia artemisiifoliaL., Asian copper leafAcalypha australisL., common lamb's quartersChenopodium albumL., common dayflowerCommelina communisL., China juteAbutilon theophrastiMedik, trailing hollyhockHibiscus trionumL., St.-Paul’swortSigesbeckia pubescensMakino, green amaranthAmaranthus retroflexusL., elsholtziaElsholtzia pseudocristataLevl. et Vaniot, and Siberian cockleburXanthium sibiricumPatrin ex Widd was determined. Weed treatment with Flex at rates of 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 l/ha was carried out three times a season at different stages of plant growth and development. The level of sensitivity of weed species to herbicide was judged by the decrease in height and weight of the aboveground organs of the experimental plants compared to the control. It was found that Flex herbicide completely destroys plants of all tested species in the early stages of growth and development (1-4 true leaves). When treating weeds that have formed 3-10 leaves, ragweed, green amaranth, Asian copper leaf, trailing hollyhock and Siberian cocklebur remain highly sensitive to the drug action (reduction of the aboveground weight up to 94-100%). Application of Flex on overgrown plants leads to a significant decrease in its activity against all studied weed species. When used in the third term, the herbicide is effective only on the green amaranth, suppressing the mass of the plants by 76-86%.

Cuticle chemistry drives the development of diffraction gratings on the surface of Hibiscus trionum petals

Plants combine both chemical and structural means to appear colorful. We now have an extensive understanding of the metabolic pathways used by flowering plants to synthesize pigments, but the mechanisms remain obscure whereby cells produce microscopic structures sufficiently regular to interfere with light and create an optical effect. Here, we combine transgenic approaches in a novel model system, Hibiscus trionum, with chemical analyses of the cuticle, both in transgenic lines and in different species of Hibiscus, to investigate the formation of a semi-ordered diffraction grating on the petal surface. We show that regulating both cuticle production and epidermal cell growth is insufficient to determine the type of cuticular pattern produced. Instead, the chemical composition of the cuticle plays a crucial role in restricting the formation of diffraction gratings to the pigmented region of the petal. This suggests that buckling, driven by spatiotemporal regulation of cuticle chemistry, could pattern the petal surface at the nanoscale.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Hibiscus trionum Linnaeus 1753 (Malvaceae)

Hibiscus trionum L. is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. It is native to Central Africa, however, is now naturalized in Europe and Asia including Korea. Here, we report the complete chloroplast genome assembly of H. trionum. The complete chloroplast genome comprises 160,530 bp and is divided into four typical regions: a large single-copy region of 89,272 bp, a pair of inverse repeats of 26,152 bp each, and a small single-copy region of 18,954 bp. A total of 131 genes were identified in this chloroplast, of which 86 were protein-coding, 37 were tRNA, and 8 were rRNA genes. The results of this study will serve as a key reference for further research on Hibiscus speciation.

Effectiveness of Some Herbicides and Herbicide Combinations Applied to Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Culture

The purpose of this work is to establish the effectiveness of herbicides or combinations of herbicides under the influence of different climatic conditions in the study years (2019-2021). In this regard, ARDS Teleorman has established an experiment with the application of herbicides and combinations of herbicides, applied in different doses, in different application periods, placed according to the method of randomized blocks in three repetitions, on a chernozem cambic soil with clay content over 42%. The Burnas variety, a chickpea variety created by ARDS Teleorman, was used. Based on the frequency, the following specific problems were identified: Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria spp., Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, Hibiscus trionum, Polygonum convolvulus, Sinapis arvensis, Stellaria media, Veronica spp., Xitalicum Cirsium arvense, Convolvulus arvensis, Sonchus arvensis. On average, over the three years of experimentation, the combination of herbicides applied to the V8 variant [312.5 g/l S-metolaclor; 87.5 g/l terbutilazin applied in a dose of 4.0 l/ha in pre-emergence + isoxaflutol 240 g/l Ciprosulfamida (safener): 240 g/l applied in a dose of 0.3 l/ha in pre-emergence] 98%, variant V5 [960 g/l S-metolaclor isoxaflutol 240 g/l applied in a dose of 1.2 l/ha in pre-emergence + isoxaflutol 240 g/l Ciprosulfamida (safener): 240 g/l in a dose of 0.2 l/ha in pre-emergence] 96.4% and in variant V3 [50g/l quizalofop-p-ethyl at a dose of 1.2 l/ha post-emergence + isoxaflutol 240 g/l Ciprosulfamida (safener): 240 g/l at a dose of 0.15 l/ ha post-emergence] 96%. Of all the tested variants, the variant with the application of 312.5 g/l S-metolaclo; 187.5 g/l terbutilazin herbicides (4.0 l/ha) + isoxaflutol 240 g/l; Ciprosulfamida (safener): 240 g/l (0.3 l/ha) in pre-emergence, with a high level of production, which does not allow its recommendation in weed control in chickpeas.

On novel findings of a weed species, Hibiscus trionum, in the Voronezh region

On novel findings of a weed species, Hibiscus trionum, in the Voronezh region

Mechanical buckling can pattern the light-diffracting cuticle of Hibiscus trionum.

Many species have cuticular striations that play a range of roles, from pollinator attraction to surface wettability. In Hibiscus trionum, the striations span multiple cells at the base of the petal to form a pattern that produces a type of iridescence. It is postulated, using theoretical models, that the pattern of striations could result from mechanical instabilities. By combining the application of mechanical stress with high-resolution imaging, we demonstrate that the cuticle buckles to create a striated pattern. Through mechanical modeling and cryo-SEM fractures, we show that the cuticle behaves like a bilayer system with a stiff film on a compliant substrate. The pattern of buckling aligns with the direction of the stress to create a larger-scale pattern. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the formation of tissue-wide patterns in living organisms.

The main weeds in the fields of the North-Eastern Ukraine

Goal. most of the herbologists rarely classify their weeds. Some types of weeds are sometimes given only epithets. But it is necessary to divide the weeds into larger groups, and the most important thing is to determine them by their quantitative indicators and not the qualitative epithets.
 Methods. Field, analytical.
 Results. For 45 years the experience of crops inspection was mainly carried out in the Kharkiv region. In these years of herbological monitoring perfect methods were carried out. Previously the following prevalence groups were established: very wide, wide, moderate, small, and very small. Later another “moderately broad” group was added. In the conditions of North-Eastern Ukraine the main survey of the arable land, which lasted for several decades, has established 270 species. The weeds grouped the floral list into six parts. The analyses of the group respectively: very wide, wide, moderately wide, moderately small and very small found that the number of species was 1.9, 1.9, 4.4, 6.7, 17.3 and 67.8 percent. With the expansion of the weed list, in the group of very small weeds the percentage of species grew. In recent years some adventitious weeds have appeared. These are: four types of Abutilon theophrast Ved., Hibiscus trionum L., Diqitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Muehl) and Phytolacca americana (L.).
 Conclusions. On which territory it is necessary to determine the types of weeds and their criterion of prevalence and dominance. In the list weeds it is necessary to distinguish six groups: very wide, wide, moderately wide, moderate, small, very small. A significant part of the weeds on the list are included in the of the very small ones. In North-Eastern Ukraine, where there are 270 species observed, 67.8% of weeds belong to the last group.

Weed Management in Azuki Bean with Postemergence Herbicides

A limited number of postemergence (POST) herbicides are available for weed management in azuki bean production in Ontario. A total of three field trials were conducted during 2017 to 2019 at the Huron Research Station, University of Guelph, Exeter, Ontario, Canada to evaluate the efficacy of various postemergence (POST) herbicides for weed control in azuki bean. Fomesafen, acifluorfen and acifluorfen + Assist® caused up to 6% crop injury and weed interference reduced azuki bean yield up to 42%. Bentazon, bentazon Forte, bentazon/acifluorfen, bentazon + fomesafen + Assist®, bentazon + fomesafen + Turbocharge® and bentazon Forte + fomesafen caused up to 16% injury and weed interference reduced azuki bean yield up to 53%. Fomesafen, acifluorfen, acifluorfen + Assist®, bentazon, bentazon Forte, bentazon/acifluorfen, bentazon + fomesafen + Assist®, bentazon + fomesafen + Turbocharge® and bentazon Forte + fomesafen provided 36% to 88% control of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemesiifolia L.), and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.). Fomesafen, acifluorfen + Assist® and acifluorfen provided 59% to 83% control of flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum L.), but bentazon, bentazon Forte, bentazon/acifluorfen, bentazon + fomesafen + Assist®, bentazon + fomesafen + Turbocharge® and bentazon Forte + fomesafen provided 78% to 99% control of H. trionum. All POST herbicides evaluated provide 99% to 100% control of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) in azuki bean. Based on these results, none of the POST herbicide evaluated that included bentazon can be used safely for the control of annual broadleaved weeds in azuki bean under Ontario environmental conditions.

<p><strong>Can morphology and chromosome number contribute to species delimitation? A case in the <em>Hibiscus trionum</em> complex (Tribe Hibisceae, Malvaceae)</strong></p>

A taxonomic revision of Hibiscus trionum from Egypt was undertaken using morphological and cytological studies of field collections and herbarium specimens. The data indicate that all specimens so far collected in Egypt belong to H. tridactylites, rather than H. trionum. This paper includes a comprehensive description of H. tridactylites, its occurrence, a comparison with other species in the H. trionum complex, and comments on habitat, along with images for easy identification. In addition, chromosome counts for this species from Egypt have been determined for the first time, which add to existing information on chromosome counts for the species from different regions of the world.

PRIMER REGISTRO DE HIBISCUS TRIONUM (MALVACEAE) PARA ARGENTINA, EN EL ALTO VALLE DE RÍO NEGRO

The naturalization of Hibiscus trionum (Malvaceae), a crop weed widely distributed worldwide, is reported for the first time for Argentina. The species is described on the material collected for this study. In addition, its uses, distribution and habitat, common names and a key to differentiate the species of Hibiscus cited for the Flora of Argentina are included. Two figures with photographs that complement the description of the species are presented.

When herbicides don't really matter: Weed species composition of oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) fields in Hungary

Oil pumpkin is a major emerging alternative crop with several unresolved weed management questions in central-eastern Europe, one of the focal regions of oil pumpkin production worldwide. This study aims to assess the importance of three groups of factors: environment, non-chemical management (all management excluding herbicides), and chemical weed management, in determining the weed species composition of oil pumpkin crops in Hungary. We surveyed the weed flora of 180 oil pumpkin fields across the country, along with 32 background variables. Applying a minimal adequate model consisting of 18 terms with significant net effects, 30.8% of the total variation in weed species data could be explained. Most variation in species composition was determined by environmental factors, with climatic conditions (precipitation and temperature) being most influential. The net effects of seven non-chemical management variables (preceding crop, N and P fertilisers, seeding rate, crop cover, cultivating tillage, and manual weed control), and two herbicides (S-metolachlor and linuron) were also significant. Variation partitioning demonstrated the dominance of environmental factors, and it also showed that non-chemical management practices accounted for five times more variance than herbicides. Within non-chemical management, the relative impact of cultural variables was nearly five times larger than that of mechanical weed management. Among the abundant weeds, Chenopodium polyspermum and Ambrosia artemisiifolia were positively associated with precipitation, Datura stramonium and Hibiscus trionum correlated with higher temperature, and Chenopodium album favoured larger potassium content of the soil. High seeding rate and crop cover suppressed Amaranthus retroflexus, cultivating tillage reduced Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Setaria pumila, while conspicuous tall weeds like Abutilon theophrasti and Chenopodium album were most vulnerable to manual weed control. Although the short stature of pumpkin with its poor weed-suppressive ability could unfavourably influence the results of some cultural practices, our findings suggest that the weed vegetation of oil pumpkin fields can be efficiently managed also with environmentally benign methods.