Non-chemical Weed Management Research Articles

Non-chemical weed management in maize: An innovative way of weed management

Non-chemical weed management in maize: An innovative way of weed management

Effect of non-chemical weed management practices on growth and yield of tomato

Effect of non-chemical weed management practices on growth and yield of tomato

Different Floor Management Systems Affect Soil Properties and Initial Development of Apple Tree (Malus × domestica Borkh.) in an Orchard

In order to achieve sustainable food production, non-chemical weed management practices need to be developed for fruit growing. Tailor-made floor management systems enable efficient weed regulation, but they also affect the soil quality in an orchard. In this article, the effects of various floor management systems in a ‘Red Jonaprince’ apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard on the soil properties and the trees’ nutritional status and initial development during the first two years after the orchard’s establishment were assessed. The experiment was set up in the spring of 2017 in the Experimental Orchard of WULS. ‘Red Jonaprince’ cv. trees grafted on M.9 rootstock were planted with 3.5 × 1 m spacing between them. Different floor management systems were applied to the rows, including the selected organic mulches: Miscanthus × giganteus straw (MG1 and MG2), spent mushroom substrates (SMS1 and SMS2), herbicide strip (HS), clear mechanical soil cultivation (MC), and synthetic black mulch (BC). The organic mulches affected the soil properties significantly. Spent mushroom substrates (SMS1, SMS2) increased the P and K contents in the soil, increased the salinity 10-fold, and retarded the growth in terms of the trunk cross-section area (TCSA) and its increment compared with other systems. Miscanthus × giganteus straw mulch (MG1, MG2) was associated with a more vigorous shoot growth compared with other combinations in the first year of the study as it provided a better tree nitrogen nutritional status. The floor management system affected the generative development of the trees. Mulching with a spent mushroom substrate boosted the flower bud formation intensity, but it did not affect the yielding quantity. Moreover, due to the poor fruit set, the trees mulched with a spent mushroom substrate (SMS2) gave a low initial bearing. High crop loads were noted for the trees treated with black synthetic mulch (BC) and the trees mulched with Miscanthus × giganteus straw (MG1). This was an effect of the tree size rather than the blooming intensity, while there were no differences in the cropping efficiency index (CEI) parameter.

Effect of Non-Chemical Weed Management Approaches on Yield and Nutrient Uptake in High Density Planting of Cotton in Vertisol of Northern Karnataka

In order to investigate the impact of non-chemical eco-friendly weed management strategies on the yield, nutrient uptake, and soil balance of high density planting cotton in deep vertisols, a field experiment was carried out in 2017 and 2018 at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, UAS, Raichur. Three replications were used in the experiment's Randomized Completely Block Design layout. There were 14 different interventions used, including polythene mulch, paddy straw mulch, cotton stalk mulch, intercropping with green manures at a 1:1 ratio (sunnhemp and cowpea), four different botanical extracts at 20% as PE (Eucalyptus sp., Prosopis juliflora extract, Cassia tora, and Parthenium hysterophorus), mechanical, cultural, and their combination, in comparison to weed-free check. Three replicated randomised complete block design was used to conduct the experiment. The two years pooled data showed that, compared to the other treatments, weed free check had a significantly higher seed cotton production (1,722 kg /ha). It was then followed by Cotton + Sunnhemp (1:1) in-situ mulching at 45 DAS (1299 kg /ha), pendimethalin 38.7 CS @ 680 g a.i./ha as PE fb pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC 75 g a.i./ha + quizolofop ethyl 37.5 g a.i./ha at 25 DAS as PoE (1274 kg /ha), The environmentally friendly treatments, such as cotton + sunnhemp (1:1) and in-situ mulching at 45 DAS, mulching with black polythene sheet, cotton + cowpea (1:1) and in-situ mulching at 45 DAS, and others, were on par with weed free check and may be suggested since they were the best options.

Seed viability of feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata Sw.) reduced by silage, digestion, and sheep rumen digestion

Weed seeds can be spread by different vectors, and seed dispersal is an important mechanism for the weed to persist. Weed seeds passaging through the digestive tract of a ruminant animal is expected to result in reduced viability. Two separate experiments were conducted to determine the germinability and viability of the mature seeds of feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata Sw.) after exposure to four treatments, that is, 3 months in silage, 48 h in the rumen of steers, silage plus digestion, and passing through the digestive tract of sheep. Our results showed that three different treatments (silage, digestion, and silage plus digestion) can inhibit 90%–100% of the seed germination of feathertop Rhodes grass. Both silage and digestion reduced seed viability by 65%–90%, depending on the population. Silage followed by digestion reduced viability by 80%–97%. The sheep feeding study showed that total viable seeds from the daily recovery of feces for 12 consecutive days after ingestion was only 0.084% and 0.022% in the 2020 and 2021 experiments, respectively. In comparison with the untreated control, the seed viability of feathertop Rhodes grass was reduced by more than 99.9% after feeding through sheep, indicating that the spreading of feathertop Rhodes grass seeds via sheep feces is minimal. These results indicate that silage, digestion, silage followed by digestion, and the ingestion of mature seeds are effective non-chemical weed management options for an integrated weed management package for feathertop Rhodes grass.

Screening of Effective Leaf Extracts for Weed Management in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. & Schult)

Field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in January 2022 by seven different leaf extracts as an allelopathical compound in order to choose the best alternative to chemical herbicides by non-chemical weed management approach in little millet owing to the great surge of organic farming in millet production nowadays. Screening trail has been conducted to observe the effect of leaf extracts (Tamarind,Casuarina,Castor,Papaya, Teak,Pine,Nerium) with 20 & 30% concentration on weed control. This experiment laid out in a randomized block design and was replicated twice with 15 different treatments. The findings of this investigation demonstrated that the pre emergence (3 DAS) application of Tamarind leaf extract (30%), Casuarina leaf extract (30%). Castor leaf extract (30%). Papaya leaf extract (30%). Teak leaf extract (30%). Pine leaf extract (30%) and Nerium leaf extract (30%) pronounced the lowest weed density and highest weed control efficiency among fifteen treatments. Based on the results of the experiment, it was concluded that pre emergence application of any different leaf extract among the fifteen treatments, Tamarind, Casuarina, Castor, Papaya, Teak, Pine, and Nerium leaf extracts with 30% concentration had found the allelopathic potential to reduce the weed density and recorded high weed control efficiency with no phytotoxicity on the little millet.

Mulch Application and Plant Spacing Influence on Growth Traits, Pests, Insects and Weeds in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties

Mulch Application and Plant Spacing Influence on Growth Traits, Pests, Insects and Weeds in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties

The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers influence the weed growth, productivity and soil fertility of monsoon rice.

Synthetic fertilizer and herbicides encompass the largest share in nutrient and weed management on food grain crops that create serious environmental issues. Integrated nutrient and non-chemical weed management approaches may help to reduce the chemical load in the environment, maintaining higher weed control efficiency and yield. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive monsoon seasons during 2015 and 2016 in farm fields to develop a profitable and sustainable rice production system through integrated nutrient and weed management practices. A varied combination of nutrients either alone or integrated with chemical and non-chemical weed management were tested on transplanted rice in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the integration of concentrated organic manures with chemical fertilizer effectively inhibited weed growth and nutrient removal. Integration of nutrient and weed management practices significantly enhanced 9% biomass growth, 10% yield of the rice crop along with 3-7% higher nutrient uptake. Brassicaceous seed meal (BSM) and neem cake also had some influence on weed suppression and economic return. Thus, the integrated nutrient and weed management practices in rice cultivation might be an effective way to achieve economic sustainability and efficient rice cultivation in eastern India. Shortages of farmyard manure and vermicompost could be supplemented by BSM and neem cake in the integrated module.

Biology and Management of Wild Oat in Australia

Wild oat (Avena spp.) is one of the most serious weeds in Australian winter season crops such as wheat, barley, chickpea, etc. Avena fatua and A. ludoviciana are the dominant species of wild oat in cropping regions of Australia. Propagation of wild oat can occur through seeds. Dissemination of wild oat occurs by agricultural machinery, use of the contaminated seeds and crop residues, etc. Seed recruitment of wild oat in the soil occurs through high seed production and the shattering ability of plants. Wild oat has evolved resistance to many herbicides and continuous use of same herbicide could increase the resistance build-up in many populations on a large scale in Australia. The use of herbicides with different modes of action can provide cost-effective and sustainable control of wild oat. Non-chemical weed management practices, such as sanitation, residue burning, tillage operation, crop rotations, and improved crop competition approaches could reduce the infestation of this weed. For sustainable control of wild oat, integrated strategies involving chemical and non-chemical tactics may prove useful. Knowledge regarding the understanding of wild oat ecology could aid in strengthening the integrated management of this weed.

SPOUTING BEHAVIOUR OF WEEDS THROUGH MULCH MATERIALS AND THEIR NON-CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT IN CHILI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.)

With an aim to develop non-chemical weed management practices for green chili, an experiment was conducted at Jorhat, Assam, during 2017-19 and multi-location trials during 2020-21. Altogether seven non-chemical treatments were tested with the recommended herbicide and control. The results revealed that weeds successfully sprouted through mulch materials. Weed Control Efficiency and Weed Control Index were above 80% under Biodegradable Plastic Film (BPF) mulching and stale-seedbed treatments. The yield loss caused by the competitive weeds varied from 53.74% to 84.66%. Use of (i) rice straw mulching followed by one hand weeding at 75 DAP and (ii) BPF mulching emerged as superior non-chemical techniques of weed management resulting in better crop growth and yield. Rice-straw mulching followed by one Hand Weeding yielded as much as 6.45% more green chili than BPF mulching, 17.43% more than mechanical weeding thrice and 23.83% more than the application of herbicide.

Application of Reduced Doses of Trifluralin and Non-Chemical Weed Management Options in Weed Management of Dill (Anethum Graveolens L.)

Application of Reduced Doses of Trifluralin and Non-Chemical Weed Management Options in Weed Management of Dill (Anethum Graveolens L.)

Weed dynamics, grain yield and quality of basmati rice (Oryza sativa) under organic agriculture system

There is a growing demand for organically produced food including basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) worldwide and organic farming is continuously gaining importance. The objectives of study were to manage weeds in organically grown basmati rice with non-chemical weed management approaches including tillage, plant density and green manuring. The two year experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during summer (kharif) of 2017 and 2018. The combinations of conventional tillage (CT) or deep tillage (DT) with green manure levels at 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha plus 25% higher plant density and one hand pulling including one weedy check and weed-free treatment were studied for weed control in basmati rice. The lowest weed density and biomass was observed in plots with green manuring at 100 kg/ha. Weed density was statistically similar in weed control treatments including CT or DT with green manuring at 50-100 kg/ha plus 25% higher plant density along with one hand pulling and it was significantly lower than weedy check. Crop growth, yield attributes and grain yield was found statistically similar in non-chemical weed management treatments and conventional agriculture treatment. Different quality parameters such as physical and milling properties of paddy and eating and cooking parameters of milled rice grains were statistically similar in differential tillage, green manuring and plant density treatments. Thus, weeds in organically grown-basmati rice may be controlled by using green manuring and higher plant density.

Optimizing duck (Anas platyrhynchos) release for weed and insect pest control under integrated rice (Oryza sativa) based farming system

Rearing of ducks in rice-based farming system has multiple advantages which is not exploited due to misconception that ducks damage rice crop. This study was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2021 to evaluate duck release as an alternative for non-chemical weed and pest management in rice. Ducks were released in pairs of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 in an area of 10 m2 for 3 hours of stable time and were evaluated for weed density, insect counts and for reduction in beneficial insect in paddy fields. Results highlighted a definite decrease in weed and insect counts over control with weed control efficiency as high as 85.5% and insect pest control efficiency of 74.50% over control while decreased the beneficiary insect population by two-fold. Based on the results, it could be concluded that, ducks released @ 8 nos. for 10 m2 for a duration of 3 h were sufficient to effectively control the weed and insect pest population during 30–40 days after transplanting in rice. Further examination is required in quantifying the optimum duck release per hectare and in situ feed available under rice + duck combination to ensure sustainable and profitable farming system.

Herbicide diagnostics reveal multiple patterns of synthetic auxin resistance in kochia (Bassia scoparia)

AbstractHerbicide-resistant (HR) kochia is a growing problem in the Great Plains region of Canada and the United States. Resistance to up to four herbicide sites of action, including photosystem II inhibitors, acetolactate synthase inhibitors, synthetic auxins, and the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase inhibitor glyphosate have been reported in many areas of this region. Despite being present in the United States since 1993/1994, auxinic-HR kochia is a recent and growing phenomenon in Canada. This study was designed to characterize 1) the level of resistance and 2) patterns of cross-resistance to dicamba and fluroxypyr in 12 putative auxinic-HR kochia populations from western Canada. The incidence of dicamba-resistant individuals ranged among populations from 0% to 85%, while fluroxypyr-resistant individuals ranged from 0% to 45%. In whole-plant dose-response bioassays, the populations exhibited up to 6.5-fold resistance to dicamba and up to 51.5-fold resistance to fluroxypyr based on visible injury 28 d after application. Based on plant survival estimates, the populations exhibited up to 3.7-fold resistance to dicamba and up to 72.5-fold resistance to fluroxypyr. Multiple patterns of synthetic auxin resistance were observed, in which one population from Cypress County, Alberta, was resistant to dicamba but not fluroxypyr, whereas another from Rocky View County, Alberta, was resistant to fluroxypyr but not dicamba based on single-dose population screening and dose-response bioassays. These results suggest that multiple mechanisms may confer resistance to dicamba and/or fluroxypyr in Canadian kochia populations. Further research is warranted to determine these mechanisms. Farmers are urged to adopt proactive nonchemical weed management practices in an effort to preserve efficacy of the remaining herbicide options available for control of HR kochia.

Sustainability, Efficiency, and Circularity of Weedy Rice Management Strategies

Weeds have always been a serious problem for farmers and especially nowadays given the current challenges related to food security and agriculture sustainability. During the last three decades, the increasing scarcity of labor, energy, and water has led to a switch of the rice establishment method from traditional hand transplanting to direct seeding. While the latter presents some advantages, it also fosters weeds among which weedy rice is considered the worst because it has a strong competitive ability, and as a congeneric of cultivated rice is very difficult to control. There are currently three main weed management strategies in rice: synthetic herbicides, herbicide-resistant rice varieties, and integrated weed management (IWM). However, all these strategies have low effectiveness and sustainability. Even though IWM is strongly recommended, its adoption remains very low owing to its complexity and the additional cost it induces. The use of crop rotation and cover crops is sustainable and consistent with the circularity principles, but this strategy presents the same drawbacks than those associated with IWM. We stress that other strategies used to control or suppress weedy rice are more efficient, sustainable, and consistent with the bioeconomy principles. They encompass the control of the pathways to weediness by ferality as well as the improvement of rice cultivars’ fitness based on allelopathic effects. Other non-chemical weed management strategies, such as the use of bioherbicides, are promising given the current transition towards bioeconomy and circular economy.

A REVIEW ON NON-CHEMICAL WEED MANAGEMENT IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

Weed is omnipresent species that compete with major crops for light, nutrients, space, and water for their growth and development and ultimately deteriorate the ideal environment for crops growth. In the present context, herbicide application is the easiest and seemingly economical approach for weed control in south-Asian countries. In contrary, the side effects of herbicide on health and environment impose to adopt for the non-chemical method of weed management. This paper reviewed the menace of herbicide, crop weed association, the critical period of crop-weed competition, and different methods of organic weed control implemented especially for maize. The main objective of this review is to maneuver a weed control strategy for maize other than the chemical application. The findings of different research suggested that a critical period of crop-weed competition in maize lies between 2 to 8 weeks after crop sowing. Many mechanical methods for weed control in maize proved efficient but seemed labour intensive and biological methods provided maximum security against specific weed species. The cultural method in combination with other methods effectively reduced the weed population in the maize field. It was found that, if various components of non-chemical weed management are implemented systematically, we can control the weed population with higher economic return and achieve the goal of organic food production with sustainable solutions. Weed control in the organic system focuses on management techniques designed to prevent weed emergence, give a competitive advantage to the main crop, and act for sustainable solutions. The non-chemical integrated weed management system is recommended to reduce the use of herbicide and for sustainable production. A review of non-chemical weed management in maize could be helpful for researchers to provide useful, sustainable, and environmentally friendly solutions to farmers to solve the problem of weed infestation in the maize crop along with substantial yield improvement.

Problems and perspectives in weed management

Despite the wide use of herbicides in the past century, their use is decreasing due to rising resistance phenomena, the absence of discovery of new modes of action, and more regulatory restrictions. On the other hand, several tactics and technologies have been developed recently, providing alternatives from mechanical, cultural, robotic, and natural product use perspectives that could profitably enhance weed management within the agroecosystem and usher in a new paradigm of weed management that integrates chemical and non-chemical weed management practices. In the next future, herbicides will remain an important tool for weed management and will be increasingly complemented by other innovative tactics and tools from an integrated weed management perspective. This integrated approach would thus preserve the chemical and transgenic technology for future generations. Highlights - Herbicides availability is being reduced by the evolution of herbicide resistance. - The registration of new active ingredients got more complicated with stricter regulatory restrictions. - Innovative non-chemical tactics and tools are being developed. - Not all the alternative weed tools and tactics have the same readiness and marketability. - A new paradigm implies reducing herbicide inputs and integrating innovative tools and tactics.

Weed Management Practices to Improve Establishment of Selected Lignocellulosic Crops

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the dominant renewable energy resources suited for the production of sustainable biofuels and other energy purposes. This study was focused on weed management strategies that can improve the establishment of six lignocellulosic crops. The studied crops included: giant miscanthus, switchgrass, giant reed, cardoon, sweet sorghum, and kenaf. Delayed planting, increased planting densities, and mulching techniques can suppress weeds in giant miscanthus. Weed competition is detrimental for switchgrass establishment. Seedbed preparation and cultivar selection can determine its ability to compete with weeds. Giant reed is unlikely to get outcompeted by weeds, and any weed control operation is required only for the first growing season. Competitive cultivars and increased seeding rates maximize the competitiveness of cardoon against weeds. Several cultural practices can be used for non-chemical weed management in sweet sorghum and kenaf. For all crops, pre-emergence herbicides can be applied. The available safe post-emergence herbicides are limited. Mechanical weed control during crucial growth stages can provide solutions for sweet sorghum, kenaf, and perennial grasses. Further research is required to develop effective weed management strategies, with emphasis on cultural practices, that can improve the establishment of these prominent lignocellulosic crops.

Estimations and projections of Avena fatua dynamics under multiple management scenarios in crop fields using simplified longitudinal monitoring

Integrated weed management (IWM) is currently the most appropriate and effective method of agricultural weed control. To determine the most effective strategy, it is necessary to compare the effects of different control options and their rotation. Avena fatua (common wild oat) is one of the most common and economically threatening grass weed species of cereal crops worldwide. To examine the effects of non-chemical weed management options (farmland use, delayed sowing, and summer irrigation) on control of A. fatua, we recorded coverage levels and field conditions in 41 sites during the spring growing season of winter wheat for about 10 years. A transition matrix model was then constructed to project coverage levels of A. fatua under each management option using ordinal logistic regression. The results showed that farmland use had a remarkable effect on coverage; notably, planting of paddy rice and vegetables, which respectively eliminated the effect of coverage in the previous year and facilitated rapid convergence of coverage to 0%. Thus, although 90% of fields under continuous wheat cultivation were found to be at risk of A. fatua colonization, the risk was reduced to almost 0% with rotation of effective farmland use. As summer irrigation was also effective, more than 50% of wheat fields with the option continuously converged to no risk for A. fatua colonization. When the different management cycles were repeated, the effects were observed within 3 years, with a steady state reached in less than 10 years. Overall, these results suggest that simplified monitoring data could help decision-making on IWM, thereby helping to improve the efficiency of agricultural production.

Weed seedbank dynamics under different tillage practices and planting density in organic basmati rice production system

There is a growing demand for organically produced food, including basmati rice, worldwide and organic farming is continuously gaining importance. An experiment was conducted with an objective to study weed seedbank and its management with non-chemical weed management approaches including tillage, plant density and green manuring, in organically grown basmati rice. The two-year study was conducted at research farm of Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during (rainy) Kharif season of 2017 and 2018. Tillage has differential effect on vertical weed seed distribution as the maximum number of seeds of Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd., Echinochloa colona (L.) Link, Trianthema portulacastrum L. and Cyperus iria L. in conventional tillage (CT) was observed in upper soil layer of 0–15 cm whereas in deep tillage (DT), most of weed seeds were displaced to deeper layer (15–30 cm). The lowest weed seedbank was observed with green manuring using sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) crop raised by sowing seed of at 50 kg/ha before the transplanting of basmati rice and incorporating sunhemp plants into soil at 40 days after seeding it). Integration of differential tillage, green manuring and increased rice plant density resulted in low biomass of Echinochloa colona and Eclipta alba than weedy check. Rice growth, yield attributes and grain yield were found statistically similar in non-chemical weed management treatments and conventional agriculture treatment.