Weed Research Articles

Impact of 240 g/L glyphosate IPA on weed control and upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and yield in a no-tillage system

Glyphosate IPA 240 g/L herbicide is known as one of the effective chemical solutions in weed control, especially in no-tillage systems. No-tillage systems offer advantages in upland rice cultivation by reducing soil damage and production costs. However, the main challenge in the application of no-tillage systems is the presence of pre-planting weeds that can compete with plants in the absorption of growth factors such as nutrients, light, and water. This experiment aims to test herbicide doses that effectively suppress weed growth and optimize the growth and yield of upland rice with the no-tillage system. The experiment was conducted from December 2023 to April 2024 at Ciparanje Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor District, Sumedang Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia. The experiment used Randomized Block Design (RBD), consisting of 7 treatments, each repeated four times. The treatments consisted of 5 doses of glyphosate IPA 240 g/L herbicide 2.00, 3.00; 4.00, 5.00; 6.00 L/ha with no-tillage system; manual weeding; and control with perfect tillage system. Experimental results showed that glyphosate IPA 240 g/L herbicide at a dose of 3.00 - 6.00 L/ha with the no-tillage system can be used to replace the perfect tillage system because it can suppress the growth of broadleaf weeds, namely Ageratum conyzoides, Cleome rutidosperma, Mollugo pentaphylla and Synedrela nodiflora, and grass Digitaria ciliaris. No phytotoxicity symptoms were found, and had a favorable effect on rice plant growth regarding population size and tillers. The yield of rice plants with the highest milled dry grain yield was 4.45 t/ha.

Effects of Mulching and Flaming on Weed Control and Almond Growth in a Newly Established Almond Orchard

This study was conducted in a newly established (2-year-old) almond orchard to investigate the effects of five different mulching materials (woven and nonwoven fabric, black and white polyethylene, almond shell) and flame treatments applied at two different frequencies (FL20 and FL30) on weed control and almond growth compared with those of conventional herbicide (glyphosate) application and weedy control. Thus, this study included nine different treatments. The impacts of these treatments on weed density and coverage were periodically monitored. Additionally, the biomass of the weeds was measured at the end of the season to evaluate the effects of the treatments. Because the almond orchard was not yet in the economic fruit-bearing stage, the effects of the treatments were examined in terms of parameters that characterize almond growth, such as plant height, trunk diameter, shoot length, and shoot thickness. The chlorophyll content and water potential values of the trees were also determined. The results of this two-season study indicated that synthetic mulches provided the best outcomes in terms of weed control and almond growth. No weed emergence was observed throughout the season in any of the synthetic mulch treatments. Although almond shells used as organic mulch were highly effective for blocking sunlight, they failed to prevent the growth of some vigorously growing perennials such as Cynodon dactylon and Sorghum halepense that emerged from gaps. Flame treatments demonstrated rapid and effective results; however, they were less successful against the aforementioned monocot perennial weeds and required frequent repetition because of the lack of residual effects. Glyphosate, an herbicide that is commonly used in conventional orcharding, was applied five times throughout the experiment and proved effective weed management compared with that of the weedy control. However, considering the increasing herbicide resistance, environmental and health issues, and growing interest in organic almond cultivation, synthetic mulch applications have emerged as good options. Despite the initially higher establishment costs, synthetic mulches effectively controlled weeds and reduced water stress, thereby promoting almond tree growth.

Pre-emergence herbicide selection for successful cultivation of black seed (Nigella sativa L.), psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Weed control in black seed, psyllium, and quinoa is of huge importance for successfully cultivating and adapting these medicinal and nutritious crops. The recent study was designed to evaluate the pre-emergence herbicides (S-metolachlor and pendimethalin) for their possible application in these crops. The study consisted of three experiments on each crop for two years (2020-21, 2021-22). In each experiment, herbicides and their incremental doses (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of recommended label dose) were applied under a randomized complete block design under the factorial arrangement. Data on weed dynamics, crop agronomic, and yield attributes were collected. Results revealed that the weed control efficiency of both herbicides ranged from ~60 to 80%. Crops, on the other hand, varied in their tolerance to both herbicides. Pendimethalin proved to be more detrimental for all the crops. Dose-response curves showed the crop tolerance to pendimethalin and can be ranked as black seed>psyllium and quinoa. Contrastingly, all the crops showed tolerance to the incremental dose of S-metolachlor. Crops tolerance to S-metolachlor can be ranked as black seed>quinoa>psyllium as per their respective Ed50 values. The study concluded that pendimethalin use in these crops should be avoided. However, S-metolachlor can be employed as a pre-emergence herbicide in the cultivation of black seed, psyllium, and quinoa at the recommended label dose.

Vineyard cover crop management strategies and their effect on soil properties across Europe

AbstractVineyard soils are often of inherently poor quality with low organic carbon content. Management can improve soil properties and thus soil fertility. In European wine‐growing regions, a broad range of inter‐row management strategies evolved based on specific local site conditions and the varying effects of management intensities on soil, water balance, yield and grape quality. Accordingly, there is a need to investigate the effects of locally common cover crop management strategies and tillage intensity on soil organic carbon content and soil physical parameters. In this study, we investigated the impact of the most common inter‐row management practices in Austria, France, Romania and Spain. In all countries, we compared paired sites. Each site with cover crops and inter‐row management of low intensity was compared with one site with (temporarily) bare soil and high management intensity. All studied sites with cover crops and low management intensity, except those in Spain, had higher organic carbon contents than the paired more intensively managed vineyards. However, the highly water‐limited Spanish vineyards with temporary cover crops had lower organic carbon contents than the paired sites with bare soil. Sites with more organic carbon had better results for bulk density, percolation stability (PS), hydraulic conductivity and available soil water, with soil hydraulic parameters being less pronounced than others. Country comparison of inter‐row weed control systems showed that PS was particularly low in sampled vineyards in Romania and Spain, where weed control is based on intensive mechanical tillage. Alternating management systems with tillage every second inter‐row showed a decrease in soil structure compared with permanent green cover. Thus, inter‐row management with cover crops and reduced tillage increases soil organic carbon content and improves soil structure compared with bare soil management. If local constraints, such as water scarcity, do not allow year‐round planting, alternating inter‐row management with several years of alternating periods may be an option to mitigate those adverse effects. However, negative impact on the soil structure occurs with the very first tillage operation, whereas negative effects on the carbon balance only appear after long‐term use of tillage.

High species richness of sheep-grazed sand pastures is driven by disturbance-tolerant and weedy short-lived species.

We selected 15 sheep-grazed sand pastures along a gradient of increasing grazing intensity to study the fine-scale patterns of main biomass fractions (green biomass, litter) and that of plant species and functional groups (life forms and social behaviour types). We classified them into five grazing intensity levels based on stocking density, proximity to drinking and resting places and the number of faeces. We aimed to answer the following questions: (i) How does increasing intensity of sheep grazing affect the amount of green biomass, the species richness and their relationship in sand pastures? (ii) How does increasing intensity of sheep grazing affect the biomass of perennial and short-lived graminoids and forbs? (iii) How does the disturbance value-expressed in the biomass ratio of disturbance-tolerant and ruderal species-change along the gradient of grazing intensity? A unimodal relationship between green biomass and species richness was detected; however, the ordination (canonical correspondence analysis, CCA) showed no clustering of pastures subjected to the same levels of grazing intensity. Along the grazing intensity gradient we found an increasing trend in species richness and significant differences in green biomass (decreasing trend), litter (decreasing trend), graminoids (decreasing trend) and short-lived forbs (increasing trend). We found an increasing amount of disturbance-tolerant and ruderal species with increasing grazing intensity. We suggest that we might need to use multiple scales for sampling and a fine-scale assessment of grazing intensity. Our findings might be instructive for pastures in densely populated regions, which are prone to the encroachment of disturbance-tolerant and ruderal species.

Dormancy-break and germination of buried milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) seeds

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a medicinal/oil crop plant that produces dormant seeds at maturity. Seeds are released before harvest into the soil seed bank and hence can cause weed control problems in agricultural ecosystems. So far, information on dynamic changes of dormancy state, viability and persistence of milk thistle seeds in the soil seed bank is lacking. Accordingly, in this study the effects of ex-situ (dry in laboratory) and in-situ (buried in soil) storage conditions on dormancy-break and germination were investigated. Freshly harvested (FH) seeds were tested for germination at constant temperature ranging from 5 to 35 °C under both light/dark and dark conditions with or without GA3. Also, FH seeds were buried in June 2019 at depths of 5, 10, and 20 cm in a field and exhumed after 2–12 months of burial and assessed for germination. FH seeds did not germinate at any test conditions, but GA3 and after-ripening in dry storage increased germination, indicating that seeds have non-deep physiological dormancy (PD). With increased dry after-ripening, the ceiling temperature for germination (30 °C) did not change but the base temperature for germination decreased to 5 °C, i.e, seeds exhibited type 2 non-deep PD. Increased seed burial depth increased the length of the in situ after ripening period necessary for complete dormancy alleviation. Furthermore, persistence of seeds in the soil was affected by burial depth. Seeds buried at 5 cm had a transient seed bank and those at 10 and 20 cm a persistent seed bank.

Mechanical Inter- and Intra-Row Weed Control for Small-Scale Vegetable Producers

Small-scale vegetable producers often do not have modern mechanical equipment; as a result, a significant amount of inter-row and all intra-row weeding is performed manually. The development of small, affordable machines increases the competitiveness of organic vegetable production, improves sustainable land use, and reduces dependence on unwanted herbicides. In this study, a simple modular lightweight e-hoe with the capability for both inter-row (1st degree of freedom) and intra-row (2nd degree of freedom) weeding was proposed. The e-hoe uses battery-powered in-wheel drives to move the platform (3rd degree of freedom) and additional drives to operate the tools. The e-hoe was evaluated in a small greenhouse using three different tools: a traditional hoe, an adjusted rounded hoe, and an adjusted spring tine narrow hoe. The experiments were conducted at four different tool rotation speeds, using specially designed 3D-printed models for crops and weeds for evaluation. The results indicate that the efficiency of the e-hoe rates up to 95% when the right tool design and rotation speed are combined. Based on the battery capacity, the machine can be operated for approximately 3.7 h, enabling the weeding of about 3050 plants.

Impact of weed control methods and staking on the growth, yield, and weed response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Kano, Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

Cucumber growing is becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria's Sudan savanna region due to its health benefits and minimal impact on the soil. However, weed infestation is a major challenge that can significantly reduce yields, by up to 45-95%. In view of this, two trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and the net house of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture of the Bayero University Kano to examine the effects of weed control and staking on cucumbers during the 2021 dry season. The trial consisted of eight weed control treatments and two staking methods which were arranged in a split plot design with three replicates, with staking assigned to the main plot while weed control was assigned to the sub plots. The study analyzed data on growth and yield, using Genstat (17th edition) and significantly different means were separated using the Student Newman-Keuls Test (SNK) at a 5% level of probability. Results showed a higher composition of grass and broadleaf weeds in open fields compared to controlled net house environments. Weed Control Efficiency (WCE) was greater in weed-free plots, but Butachlor and metolachlor significantly outperformed other treatments, providing higher WCE. The herbicidal treated plots significantly resulted in longer days to 50% emergence than other treatments, while it also resulted in a shorter number of days to 50% flowering and fruiting than weedy check. The vine length, number of leaves, leaf area, and chlorophyll content were highly significant (p<0.01) in weed free, butachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 post emergence ( POE) and metolachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE. Similarly, yield and yield attributes followed the same pattern as obtained in growth components. Staking of vines on the other hand significantly resulted in greater growth and yield of cucumber. Based on these findings, farmers in the study area are advised to grow cucumber staked with the application of Butachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE and metolachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE for sustainable weed management.

Assessing the role of technology transfer and participatory technology development on farmers crop yield and income in Shawa village of Zalingei, Central Darfur State

This study is aiming at assessing the role of technology transfer and participatory technology development on farmers’ crop yield and income in Shawa village of Zalingei locality during 2022/2023 cropping rainy season. Clustered random sampling technique applied. Demonstration farm was established in an area of 1.5 feddan. Farmers field schools (FFSs) of 25 men and women farmers selected. Participatory Technology Development (PTD) for men and women farmers was also developed in an area of 1.5 feddan. Improved seeds will be grown versus local check. Each treatment comprising NPK fertilizer micro dose (0. 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 gram/ hole) randomly practiced. Fertilizer micro dose with percentage of 17-17-17 was added and mixed with seeds per hole at planting method. All farmers experienced to practical and theoretical farming of FFSs training in all research technical packages of land preparation, sowing date, seed preparation, seed dressing, thinning, weeding, water harvesting, soil conservation, pests and diseases control, seed production technologies, harvest and post harvest technologies. Results of partial crop budget revealed that all crops finically gave positive net returns. The highest yield kg/ha was obtained by Sorghum Wad-Ahmed 3500, Sorghum Butana with 3250, 3000 kg/ha for sorghum local and G/nut Gibaish, while the lowest yield/ha shown by sesame local (776 kg/ha). Therefore, the highest net returns was recorded by sorghum Butana (SDG 329048), sorghum wad-Ahmed (SDG 295477), sorghum local (SDG 269048) and G/nut Gibaish (SDG 108990). While the lowest net returns was computed by G/nut local with SDG 21,381. Results of marginal analysis revealed that sorghum Butana gave the highest MRR 1230. Results of Participatory Technology Development (PTD) of improved yields against local indicated that, the highest yield obtained by sorghum Wad-Ahmed and G/nut Gibaish (1100 and 950 kg/feddan), respectively. While the lowest yield obtained by sesame local (195 kg/feddan). The increased over decreased of improved versus local showed that sorghum wad-ahmed exceed local by 11%, millet Ashana 36%, sesame Promio 13% and groundnut Gibaish exceed local by 25%. The study recommended strengthening research extension farmers and enhancing farmers’ participatory technology development.

Weed smothering efficiency of mulching types on groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) productivity in the dry savanna region of Nigeria

In order to increase groundnut productivity, a field experiment was carried out in the dry season of 2020 to assess the effectiveness of various mulching materials at suppressing weeds. The experimental treatments comprised of five mulching types; Control (no mulch), transparent polythene mulch, black polythene mulch, rice straw mulch and saw dust mulch) and three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 24 and SAMNUT 26). These were factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized complete block design with three replications. Findings revealed that mulching had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on crop qualities including canopy cover, chlorophyll content, pod yield, 100 kernel weight, and groundnut kernel yield as well as weed attributes like weed cover scores, weed density, weed dry weight, and weed control efficiency in both BUK and Wasai, respectively. The weed compositions were further grouped into various families comprising Poaceae (11), Euphorbiaceae (3), Amaranthaceae (4), Asteraceae (3), Cyperaceae (2), Cucurbitaceae, and Aizoaceae, each having one species with a different level of occurrence across the two locations. On the other hand, SAMNUT 26 significantly produced higher pod (2798 & 2119) and kernel yields (1198 & 1191), although SAMNUT 23 produced a heavier 100 kernel weight (55.51 & 54.52) at BUK and Wasai, respectively. In comparison to the other mulching types, applying black polythene mulch or transparent mulch lowered weed density and dry weight by limiting the amount of sunlight that the weeds got, preventing them from growing. Therefore, for dry season production of groundnut in the Sudan savannah ecology of Nigeria, mulching with black or transparent polythene film using the SAMNUT 26 variety was found to be effective in conserving soil moisture for optimum crop growth and development, while on the other hand, weed populations were suppressed.

Effect of Pre- and Post-Emergence Herbicides on Weed Control and Yield in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Weeds are a major cause of yield and quality loss in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops. Therefore, weed control is important in sunflower production. In this context, the study was conducted in 2023 to determine the effectiveness of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides with different modes of action on weed population, dry weight of weeds and sunflower yield and yield components in sunflower. Four herbicides with different modes of action, three pre-emergence (aclonifen (A), pendimethalin (P), linuron (L) and one post-emergence (quizalofop-p-ethyl) (Q) and combinations of these herbicides were used in the study. To determine the effects of herbicides on weed populations and species, four different assessments were conducted at regular intervals. As a result of the study, a total of 10 weed species belonging to 5 families were detected in the trial area. The weed species with the highest density were Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Xanthium strumarium L., Convolvulus arvensis L. and Chenopodium album L. The study found that the effects of herbicides on weed populations and species varied. In the study, the highest rates of weed control were achieved in plots where both pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides were used together. The highest weed control rate was observed in plots P+Q (96.66%). The highest effect on weed dry weight was obtained in plot L+Q with a rate of 89.63%. The highest weed dry weight was recorded in the weedy control plots. In the study, the highest yield (287.53 kg da-1) was obtained in the weed-free (hoe) control plot. Yield increases of 18% to 45% can be achieved by controlling weeds in sunflowers. As a result, herbicide efficacy on weed population and dry weight of weeds increased when herbicides were used in combination. Some herbicides have been shown to increase yields when used alone. However, it is important to use herbicides in combination to control more weed populations and prevent a potential resistance problem.

Effectiveness of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation for Weed and Nematode Management in Organic Sweetpotato Production

Weeds and nematodes are particularly problematic in organic sweetpotato production due to a lack of effective pesticides. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) has the potential to fit into current pest management practices as an alternative to pesticide application. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center (CREC) in Charleston, SC, to investigate the impact of carbon source amendment and a no carbon source treatment, and soil type on cumulative anaerobicity, weed control, nematode population, and sweetpotato vigor. Microcosms were filled with one of three different soil types (Charleston—loamy/native; Blackville—high coarse sand content; and Clemson—high clay content) and were mixed with cottonseed meal (CSM) or no carbon amendment. The pots were then sealed with plastic totally impenetrable film (Tif) for 6 weeks, followed by the transplanting of sweetpotato (cv Bayou Belle) slips. The results suggested that the CSM-treated microcosms spent more time under anaerobic conditions than those treated with the no carbon amendment. The microcosms that experienced a longer duration of anaerobicity had a lower percent weed cover (49%), fewer nematode egg masses, and a lower gall index when compared to microcosms which experienced a shorter duration of anaerobicity. Significantly higher instances of leaf necrosis were observed in the sweetpotato slips sown in the CSM-treated microcosms. The addition of CSM as a carbon source to facilitate ASD resulted in similar above-ground biomasses of the sweetpotato plants compared to the treatments containing no carbon amendment. However, a significantly lower below-ground biomass of the sweetpotato plants was observed in the CSM-treated microcosms.

Chemical profiling and potential use of Salvia officinalis L. essential oil as biological alternative for weed control

Chemical profiling and potential use of Salvia officinalis L. essential oil as biological alternative for weed control

Assessing Herbicide-Resistance and Yield Optimization in Boro Rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) through Post-emergence Herbicides Applications

Effective weed management is crucial for achieving optimal crop performance and yield in rice cultivation. While post-emergence herbicides are commonly used to control weed population (WP), their effectiveness can vary based on the dosage and combinations applied. In this respect, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from December 2019 to May 2020 to predict herbicide-resistant weeds and assess the yield of boro (dry season irrigated) rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) in response to post-emergence herbicides. The experiment consisted of five post-emergence herbicides: Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, Triafamone, Penoxsulam, Bispyribac-sodium, and Carfentrazone-ethyl, and four doses of herbicide: control, half of the recommended dose (RD), RD, and double the RD. Weed dry weight (DW), WP, and inhibition were significantly affected by different doses of herbicides. Ten weed species (WS) belonging to four families infested the experimental plots, with the most dominant being Echinochloa crus-galli, Scirpus mucronatus, and Scirpus articulatus. The lowest WP and DW, as well as the highest weed control efficiency (WCE), were achieved with double the RD of Penoxsulam and Triafamone, showing 91.09% and 90.13% efficiency, respectively, at 30 DAT. The tallest plants, highest number of effective tillers hill-1, highest grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index were found with double the RD of Penoxsulam. In contrast double the RD of Triafamone produced the second-highest grain yield. Although double doses of herbicides increased yield, the variation was not significantly greater than the RD. Some weeds, particularly E. crus-galli, S. articulatus, Leersia hexandra, and Digitaria sanguinalis, survived even with double the RD of herbicides. This indicates a potential for herbicide-resistant weeds.

Unveiling the Opportunities of Unexplored Use of Cover Crop in Mediterranean Agriculture through Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cover crops are multifunctional, and contribute to improving soil properties and reducing environmental impact compared to no-cover crops, thus could provide multiple soil, agricultural, and environmental benefits, and they are recognized as a valid strategy for the achievement of sustainable agriculture. However, cover crops’ impacts on subsequent cash crops and soil characteristics are dependent on several factors, such as pedoclimatic conditions, cover crop species, agricultural practices, method of termination, and irrigation management. The fact that cover crops are never applied as a single practice in the real agricultural sector, but are instead combined with other factors or agricultural practices, deeply affects their performance, but the scientific literature nevertheless keeps considering the use of cover crops alone. Moreover, the potential outcomes of cover crops that encompass other factors or agricultural practices affecting soil quality, weed control, and cash crops are still unclear. Additionally, cover crops are still poorly use in the Mediterranean type of climate. Therefore, this study reviewed the scientific literature to identify the most relevant factors or agricultural practices driving cover crops’ performance, and to outline future fields of investigation looking towards promising sustainable agriculture in Mediterranean areas with a view to minimizing the competition for soil water with the cropping systems and to reduce soil degradation. Furthermore, the investigation includes multiple factors or agricultural practices that better represent the real farming system, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of their interactions with cover crops, and suggests alternative strategies for reducing yield gap while seeking to achieve agricultural sustainability.

EVALUATION OF Vigna subterranea (L.) VERDC. DEVELOPMENT UNDER DIFFERENT MOUNDING PERIODS IN VIÇOSA, MG, BRAZIL

The bambara bean (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is native to the African continent, being considered rustic, tolerant to water stress, high temperatures, and soils with low fertility. In view of climate change, it's a strategic crop having a short cycle and a fast economic return. The practice of mounding is considered essential for crops that have parts of economic interest below the soil surface promoting better plant development, protection against solar radiation and weed control. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phytotechnical aspects of bambara bean under different periods of mounding. The methodology used was a randomized block design with three treatments and six repetitions submitted to the Tukey test at 5% probability. The treatments were no mounding (SA), mounding 60 days after planting (A60AP), and mounding 90 days after planting (A90AP). The parameters analyzed were mass of 100 seeds (M100S), number of seeds per plot (NSP), productivity in kg/ha (PR), and number of seeds per kilo (NSQ). The results pointed out that mounding brings positive results for M100S and PR for A60AP. A90AP and SA had reductions in M100S and increase in NSQ when compared to A60AP. The variable NSP was not influenced by any of the treatments. Thereby, A60AP lead to a greater increase in productivity and quality for bambara groundnut in region of MG, Brazil.

Evaluation of mulch types on weed management, soil moisture conservation and crop performance in Gladiolus hybridus cv. Punjab Glance

This study evaluated the effects of various mulch types on weed management, soil moisture conservation, and crop performance in Gladiolus hybridus cv. Punjab Glance at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The experiment tested different coloured polythene mulches—black (25µ), silver on black (25µ), transparent (25µ), and white (50µ)—as well as paddy straw mulch at the rate of 10, 15, and 20 tonnes/ha, and pendimethalin (0.5 kg/ha). Results demonstrated that transparent and white polythene mulches promoted earlier sprouting, bud initiation, and flowering. Black polythene mulch yielded the tallest plants (90.30 cm) and longest spikes (75.31 cm), while white polythene (50µ) mulch produced the most florets per spike (12.39) and extended the flowering duration (15.60 days). Hand-weeding achieved the highest weed control efficiency (100%), closely followed by black polythene mulch (99.87%). Paddy straw mulch (1 t/ha) was the most effective for soil moisture conservation, with polythene mulches also performing well. Transparent (25µ) and white (50µ) polythene mulches recorded the highest average soil temperatures during the study.

Effect of Weed Management Practices on Weed Control Efficiency and Productivity of Rapeseed-mustard: A Review

Effect of Weed Management Practices on Weed Control Efficiency and Productivity of Rapeseed-mustard: A Review

Determination of The Critical Period of Sweet Corn Plants (Zea Mays Saccharata Sturt) Against Weed

The critical period is a time when cultivated plants are very sensitive to the presence of weeds so that the disturbance caused by them can reduce the final yield. So, no the entire growing period of plants is affected by weeds. This critical period relates to the time of proper control so that the presence of weeds does not always require control measures. This research aims to determine the critical period for sweet corn (Zea Mays Saccharata Surt) against weeds and the effect of weeds on the growth and yield of sweet corn plants. This research was carried out at Gampong Mesjid, Kaway XVI, West Aceh Regency, Soil Science Laboratory and Pest and Disease Laboratory, Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Malikussaleh University, North Aceh from February to April 2024. This research used an experimental method of randomized block design (RAK), the single factor that consists of 10 treatments with 3 repetitions. P1: 0-15 DAP with weeds, P2: 0-30 DAP with weeds, P3: 0-45 DAP with weeds, P4: 0-60 DAP with weeds, P5: 0-Weedy harvest, P6: 0-15 DAP weeds free, P7: 0-30 DAP weeds free, P8: 0-45 DAP weeds free, P9: 0-60 DAP weeds free, P10: 0-DAP harvest free from weeds. The observation data were analyzed using analysis of variance, the treatment average was obtained through Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DRMT) a the 0.05 level. The research results show that the critical period for sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) for weeds is determined at the age of 16-30 days after planting. Weed control carried out between 16-30 days of plant age will not inhibit the growth and yield of sweet corn plants.

Evaluating tiafenacil and tolpyralate for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops

Evaluating tiafenacil and tolpyralate for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops