Wild Oat Densities Research Articles

Modelling Wild-Oat Density in Terms of Soil Factors: A Machine Learning Approach

In crop fields, weed density varies spatially in non-random patterns. Initial knowledge of weed distribution would greatly improve weed management for Precision Agriculture operations. Site properties could be correlated to weed distribution, since the former vary among crop fields and also certain factors such as soil texture or nitrogen may condition the weed growth. This paper presents a method, based on artificial intelligence techniques, for inducing a model that appropriately predicts the heterogeneous distribution of wild-oat (Avena sterilis L.) in terms of some environmental variables. From several experiments, distinct rule sets have been found by applying a genetic algorithm to carry out the automatic learning process. The best rule set extracted was able to explain about 88% of weed variability.

Spring wheat seed size and seeding rate effects on yield loss due to wild oat (Avena fatua) interference

The development of competitive cropping systems could minimize the negative effects of wild oat competition on cereal grain yield, and in the process, help augment herbicide use. A 3-yr field experiment was conducted at Kalispell, MT, to investigate the effects of spring wheat seed size and seeding rate on wheat spike production, biomass, and grain yield under a range of wild oat densities. Wheat plant density, spikes, biomass, and yield all increased as seed size and seeding rates increased. Averaged across all other factors, the use of higher seeding rates and larger seed sizes improved yields by 12 and 18%, respectively. Accordingly, grain yield was more highly correlated with seed size than with seeding rate effects. However, the combined use of both tactics resulted in a more competitive cropping system, improving grain yields by 30%. Seeding rate effects were related to spike production, whereas seed size effects were related to biomass production. As such, plants derived from large seed appear to have greater vigor and are able to acquire a larger share of plant growth factors relative to plants derived from small seed.

Early-Harvest Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Silage Reduces Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Densities Under Zero Tillage1

Effective, long-term wild oat management requires an integrated approach that uses management techniques beyond simple herbicide application. A 5-yr (1996 to 2000) zero tillage study was conducted to assess the influence of barley harvest timing on wild oat densities in subsequent years at Lacombe, AB, Canada and Melfort, SK, Canada. Harvest timings included barley harvested 1 wk after heading (early), approximately 14 to 16 d later at the soft dough stage (normal), and at maturity (grain). In the absence of herbicides, wild oat densities decreased in silage plots harvested early and increased in grain plots. Reductions were more distinct at Lacombe where barley phenological differences and whole plant moisture contents between early and normal silage harvests were greater than at Melfort. Half rates of wild oat herbicides (ICIA 0604 and imazamethabenz) did not augment reductions in wild oat densities after early silage harvest, but did improve wild oat management after normal silage harvest, and in grain production. At Lacombe, early silage harvest reduced wild oat densities more than did herbicides in grain production. Similar trends were apparent at Melfort but were not statistically significant. Early barley silage harvests may be an effective integrated weed management tool for wild oat.Nomenclature: ICIA 0604 (proposed common name: tralkoxydim), 2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxy-5-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)cyclohex-2-enone; imazamethabenz; wild oat, Avena fatua L. #3 AVEFA; barley, Hordeum vulgare L. (‘AC Lacombe’).Additional index words: Cultural control, green forage, integrated weed management, seed rain, timing.

Modeling competition between wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and yellow mustard or canola

Wild oat, a troublesome weed in cereals, infests about 11 million hectares of cropland in the United States. Diversifying cereal production with alternative crops, such as yellow mustard and canola, can provide flexibility in cropping systems, decrease production risks, and allow for effective weed suppression. The objective of the study was to quantify the competitive ability of yellow mustard and canola relative to wild oat in addition series field experiments, which were conducted in 1999 and 2000 near Genesee, ID. Biomass and seed production of wild oat were reduced 67 and 80%, respectively, in mixtures with yellow mustard, which was three to four times greater than the reduction in corresponding mixtures with canola. In addition, yellow mustard reduced the biomass and seed production of wild oat equally regardless of wild oat density. In contrast, the competitive effect of canola on wild oat biomass decreased 5 to 10 times when wild oat density increased from 100 to 200 plants m−2. Yellow mustard at all densities and at both biomass harvests suppressed wild oat biomass and seed production similarly. But suppression of wild oat by canola increased as canola density increased, and canola plants were more competitive at the flowering stage than at the rosette stage. Wild oat had little or no effect on yellow mustard seed yield but reduced canola seed yield 37%, when averaged over canola densities. Additionally, the oil content of canola seed was reduced 0.4% for every 1% of wild oat seed in the harvested seed. Models developed in this study accurately predicted plant populations of yellow mustard and canola that provided optimal weed suppression and crop yield for different wild oat populations.

Crop yields and wild oat control in northern Alberta cropping systems

A study was conducted on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Farm, Beaverlodge, Alberta, to compare nine cropping systems in relation to productivity and wild oat (Avena fatua L.) control. The nine cropping systems consisted of three crop rotations and three levels of banded N fertilizer. Each cropping system had its own regime of tillage and weed control. One of the rotations consisted of mechanical fallow, along with canola ( Brassica rapa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), while the other two rotations consisted of the same annual crops, but with either flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) or red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) plowdown with partial fallow substituted for mechanical fallow. The three rates of banded N fertilizer were 0, 75 and 150% of recommended, based on soil tests and provincial recommendations. From 1991 to 1994, cropping systems with mechanical fallow and fall tillage after annual crops produced 24% higher total seed yields than cropping systems with no fall tillage after annual crops and either continuous annual crops or red clover plowdown. Increasing the rate of banded N fertilizer from 0 to 75% of recommended increased total crop seed yields but a further increase from 75 to 150% had no significant effect. Although cropping systems with mechanical fallow had an advantage over other cropping systems, the effect of crop sequencing and yearly weather conditions on total crop seed yields was greater than the effect of cropping systems. Wild oat populations varied greatly with year, but the ease of management was greater in cropping systems with the mechanical fallow than in other cropping systems. Wild oat density increased when diclofop or difenzoquat performed inadequately or when poor red clover establishment allowed populations to increase. Reductions in wild oat populations appeared to be largely due to the consistent effectiveness of sethoxydim. Key words: Crop rotation, mechanical fallow, N fertilizer, fall tillage, herbicides

Spring wheat seed size and seeding rate affect wild oat demographics

Wild oat continues to reduce spring wheat yields and profits despite the wide spread use of herbicides. Further reductions in the occurrence of wild oat could be achieved with the development of competitive cropping systems. Field studies were conducted to investigate the effects of wheat seed size and seeding rate on wild oat demographic processes under a range of wild oat densities. Spring wheat competitiveness increased as seed size and seeding rate increased, significantly reducing wild oat biomass and seed production. Averaged across all other factors, spring wheat plants derived from large seed reduced wild oat panicle numbers 15% and biomass and seed production 25% compared with small seed. Increasing spring wheat seeding rate from 175 to 280 plants m−2 reduced the number of panicles 10% and wild oat biomass and seed production 20%. The combined effect of large seed plus increased seeding rate reduced wild oat biomass and seed production 45%. Results demonstrate that the use of large seed size and increased seeding rates can improve wheat competitiveness and provide an effective means to reduce wild oat biomass and seed production.

Accuracy and cost effectiveness of GPS-assisted wild oat mapping in spring cereal crops

Abstract Managing weed infestations in a spatially precise manner requires accurate and cost-effective weed identification techniques. The goal of our research was to quantify the accuracy of continuous weed presence–absence maps and assess how management based on those maps may affect producer net returns. Each continuous sampled map covered the entire field and contained vector polygons labeled as either wild oat presence or wild oat absence. The accuracy of the continuous wild oat maps at each sampling time was determined from georeferenced quadrats of wild oat densities. The accuracy of the continuous wild oat seedling maps ranged from 48.3 to 87.1% among the six site-years. The accuracy of the wild oat seedling maps improved by at least 8% when a 10-m buffer was included around areas mapped as wild oat presence. The accuracy of continuous wild oat panicle maps from the combine at harvest ranged from 65.8 to 90.9% among the six site-years. The variation in accuracy for the wild oat seedling maps among...

Production potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by varying popula- tion densities of wild oat (Avena ludoviciana)

A field experiment was conducted during 200708 and 200809 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to study the effect of varying population densities of wild oat ( Avena ludoviciana) (0250 plants/m2) on the production potential of wheat

Changes in fallow weed species in continuous wheat in northern New South Wales 1981-1990

Four experiments in northern New South Wales comparing fallow management treatments of no-tillage, cultivated with the stubble retained, and cultivated with the stubble burned, from 1981 to 1990, were sampled for weeds between wheat harvest and seeding on a number of occasions during this period. Eighty weed species were identified, 23 of which were found at all 4 sites but only 13 were recorded in the samples taken. These were dwarf amaranth, wild turnip, spear thistle, Australian bindweed, fleabane, bladder ketmia, prickly lettuce, turnip weed, variegated thistle, common sowthistle, dandelion, wild oats and native millet. The density of weeds during the fallow period decreased by 97% from 1981 to 1990 with some species eliminated, probably because of the herbicides used, particularly glyphosate and chlorsulfuron. These included Boggabri and redroot amaranth, button grass, caustic weed, dense crassula, fat hen, legumes, common peppercress, hedge mustard, London rocket, shepherd’s purse, wild mustard, sorghum-almum, paradoxa grass, wild zinnia, and wireweed. Twenty-four weed species were classified as a problem or a potential problem in the future at 1 or more sites. Seventeen weed species, including perennial grasses, often were tolerant to glyphosate at the rates used. The densities of common sowthistle and wild oat were reduced after 10 years, but still remained at all 4 sites. Plant density of species with wind-blown seeds was greater in no-tillage plots than stubble-retained or stubble-burned plots. Weeds whose seeds are dispersed by wind and weeds tolerant to glyphosate were the most troublesome. The perennial grass native millet increased at all 4 sites.

Effect of barley plant density on wild oat interference, shoot biomass and seed yield under zero tillage

There has been little research aimed at developing regression models to describe the effects of barley and wild oat plant density on barley yield loss, or wild oat biomass and seed yield. Such models are an important component of integrated weed management systems, and can help determine when weed control with herbicides is economical. Field experiments were conducted over 4 yr at Vegreville, Alberta, to determine the interactive effects of wild oat and barley plant density on barley and wild oat variables in a zero tillage system. A nonlinear regression model in most cases provided good descriptions of barley yield loss, wild oat shoot dry weight, and wild oat seed yield as functions of wild oat and barley plant densities. The interactive effect of wild oat and barley plant density on percentage barley yield loss did not differ significantly (P = 0.05) among years. A pooled regression model describing barley yield loss accounted for 57% of the variation, and provides a means of estimating yield loss due to wild oat in barley grown under zero tillage. Barley yield loss increased as wild oat density increased but the magnitude of the yield loss diminished with increasing barley plant density. Wild oat economic threshold densities varied among years, and were strongly influenced by barley price and expected wild oat-free yield. Economic thresholds were greater at higher barley plant densities. Barley seed weight decreased with increasing barley plant density, and to a lesser extent with increasing wild oat density. The interactive effect of wild oat and barley plant density on wild oat seed yield varied significantly with year, and appeared to be influenced by climatic conditions. The cooler, wetter spring of 1996 favored wild oat seed production (by several orders of magnitude) compared with the relatively warmer and drier spring of 1995. Each year wild oat seed yield and shoot dry weight decreased as barley plant density increased. The results suggest that seeding barley at relatively high rates may reduce the need for wild oat control with herbicides in zero tillage systems. Key words: Zero tillage, wild oat interference, barley seeding rate, nonlinear regression

Wild oat (Avena fatua) seed production in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) is affected by the interaction of wild oat density and herbicide rate

The efficacy of current wild oat herbicides and their high cost have resulted in use rates that are less than those recommended. While acceptable weed control may be attained at less cost, this practice does not consider the potential for increased wild oat seed production. The objective of this experiment was to determine the interaction of wild oat density and reduced imazamethabenz rates on wild oat seed production in spring barley. As wild oat densities increased from 8 to 1,100 plants m−2, wild oat seed production increased from 180 to 9,950 seed m−2without herbicide, and from 0 to 2,810 seed m−2using 0.53 kg ai ha−1imazamethabenz. This general pattern was modeled using a cumulative logistic function. Estimates from this model indicated that < 1 wild oat seed m−2was produced at population densities of ≤ 20 plants at any imazamethabenz rate. Imazamethabenz rates of 0.26 kg ha−1or greater at wild oat densities of less than approximately 190 plants m−2did not result in wild oat seed production above the initial population density. As wild oat density increased, however, imazamethabenz rates below 0.40 kg ha−1resulted in substantially greater wild oat seed production compared to the recommended rate.

Economic thresholds for wild radish, wild oat, hemp-nettle and corn spurry in spring barley

The yield response of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'Morrison') to a range of densities of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), hemp-nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit L.), and corn spurry (Spergula arvensis L.) was investigated in field experiments on Prince Edward Island from 1991 through 1994. Barley yield was modelled as a function of both barley and weed density. In the absence of weed competition, barley seed yield, number of main shoots, number of heads, and thousand-kernel weight varied significantly during the 4 yr of the study. Increasing densities of wild radish and wild oat reduced the number of barley heads primarily by interfering with tillering, but wild oat also reduced barley thousand-kernel weight. Hemp-nettle and corn-spurry at densities up to 200 plants m−2 had little effect on barley yield, except in a year of low barley yield potential. Estimated economic thresholds for wild radish, wild oat, hemp-nettle and corn spurry at a barley population of 250 plants m−2 were 37, 45, 122 and 297 plants m−2, respectively, assuming a weed-free yield of 4 t ha−1, a crop price of $100 t−1, and weed control costs of $30 ha−1. Key words: Avena fatua, Galeopsis tetrahit, Hordeum vulgare, Raphanus raphanistrum, Spergula arvensis, yield loss, weed interference, economic threshold

A survey of ACCase inhibitor resistant wild oat in a high risk township in Manitoba

A survey was conducted in a township near Treherne, Manitoba to determine the frequency of Group 1 resistant wild oat in 30 randomly selected cereal fields. On average, 61% of the 30 fields were sprayed annually with ACCase inhibitor (Group 1) herbicides from 1983 to 1993. Wild oat were sampled at 80-m intervals on a predefined grid pattern across whole fields. Wild oat densities were recorded and seeds were collected from 0.25 m−2 quadrats. Seeds were also collected from conspicuous wild oat patches occurring outside the spaced quadrats. Plants were determined to be susceptible or resistant to fenoxaprop-P and/or sethoxydim using a seed bioassay procedure. Results from the structured survey indicated that resistant wild oat occurred in nine fields. Densities in quadrats containing resistant wild oat were generally higher than in quadrats with susceptible wild oat. By combining the results of the structured survey with the patch collection, resistance was detected in 20 out of the 30 fields. While resistant weeds generally occurred in small patches, in two of the fields, resistant plants occurred over much larger areas. The evidence suggests that as many as two fields in three may harbour Group 1 resistant wild oat in high risk townships in Manitoba. Key words: Weed survey, resistance assessment, wild oat, ACCase inhibitors

Wild Mustard (Brassica kaber) and Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Interference in Sugarbeets (Beta vulgarisL.)

Two furrow irrigated field experiments were conducted for two years at the Research and Extension Center, Powell, WY to determine the influence of various mixed densities and durations of wild oat and wild mustard interference in sugarbeet. Sugarbeet root yields were reduced by competition from all examined densities of wild oat and wild mustard, alone and in combination. Root yield reduction was less than additive with mixed densities of wild oat and wild mustard. Root yields decreased as the duration of interference after sugarbeet emergence from a mixed density of wild oat and wild mustard increased. Sucrose content of sugarbeet was not altered by competition. Based on regression analysis, the minimum time that a mixed density of 0.8 wild mustard and 1 wild oat/m of row can interfere with sugarbeet before causing an economic root yield loss was approximately 1.6 weeks after sugarbeet emergence.

Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Growth and Yield as Influenced by Duration of Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Competition

The effect of duration of wild oat competition on spring wheat yield and growth was determined in time-of-removal experiments conducted over a three year study period in Saskatchewan, Canada. Failure to remove wild oat reduced wheat yield 28 and 39% at wild oat populations of 64 and 188 plants per m2, respectively. Wheat yield was not reduced by wild oat densities of 64 or 118 plants per m2until the six- and seven-leaf stage of wild oat, respectively. Removing wild oat at 64 plants per m2before the seven-leaf stage and 118 plants per m2before the five-leaf stage did not increase wheat culm or fresh weight production.

Effect of crop rotation, tillage practice, and herbicides on the population dynamics of wild oats in wheat

The effects of crop rotation, tillage practice, and herbicide use on the population dynamics of wild oats (Avena fatua and A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana) were studied in a field experiment in northern New South Wales. In the third and fourth years of a continuous wheat rotation, cultivated fallow using tines increased wild oat density and reduced grain yield compared with a no-tillage fallow. Tillage did not affect the vertical distribution of wild oat seeds in the soil, and about 80% of wild oat seeds were in the top 5 cm of soil in both tillage treatments. The seed reservoir at the end of the experiment was smaller under a no-tillage fallow regime. The half-life of wild oat seeds in the soil was about 6 months, and rotation of wheat with sorghum was the most effective means of reducing the wild oat seed reservoir. Rotational strategies for weed control are also likely to be effective in delaying or minimising the development of herbicide resistance, particularly where the average seed bank life time, as shown for wild oats in this study, is short. Annual use of either tri-allate or flamprop-methyl in 4 successive wheat crops did not prevent a massive build-up of wild oat seed. The poor performance of herbicides was partly attributed to below-average rainfall in autumn and early winter in 1985 and 1986. However, wild oats are well adapted to continuous cropping with wheat, where recruitment of 34% of the soil seed reservoir maintained the population despite the use of selective herbicides. The results of this experiment indicate that a continuous wheat rotation using herbicides to control wild oats is likely to be much less effective in reducing the wild oat seed reservoir.

Competitiveness of Canada prairie spring wheats with wild oat (Avena fatua L.)

Three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (Neepawa, a hard red spring, and HY320 and HY355 both Canada Prairie Spring wheats) were subjected to four levels of wild oat density at two locations over 4 yr to assess the effects of wild oat competition on biomass production, culm formation and yield. Wheat biomass and culm production were reduced at all wild oat density levels in each of the three cultivars. There were no significant differences among cultivars. In general, yields of all cultivars were reduced as wild oat density levels increased. Actual yield reductions at comparable wild oat densities tended to be greater at Regina than at Scott. There was a significant cultivar-by-density interaction for yield with yield reductions in HY320 > HY355 > Neepawa. Key words: Triticum aestivum, wheat (spring), wild oat density, competition, plant biomass, culms

Wild oat (Avena sterilis L.) competition with winter barley: plant density effects

Summary:The competitive interactions between Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana (Dur.) Nyman and winter barley have been studied, taking into consideration the densities of both species. As the density of A. sterilis increased, barley yield decreased exponentially. A 10% reduction in yield was found with wild oat densities ranging from 20–80 panicles m–2, and yield losses reached 50%, with densities of >300 panicles m–2, Barley grain yield was reduced by wild oats through a reduction in the number of fertile tillers. Climatic conditions during the growing seasons affected the response of barley to wild oat competition. In general, barley yields were relatively unaffected by seeding rates, with similar responses observed in the presence and in the absence of wild oat infestations. However, the highest yield losses were obtained with the lowest seeding rate (100 kg ha–1). Furthermore, low barley densities allowed the wild oat plants to produce more seeds, increasing the potential infestation during the following season.

Effect of Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Infestations on Light Interception and Growth Rate of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Wild oat reduced light penetration and growth of dwarf hard red spring wheat in field experiments performed under nonlimiting nitrogen and moisture conditions. Wild oat grew taller than wheat and had a greater portion of its canopy above 60 cm at maturity. Light penetration in a mixed canopy was similar to that in a monoculture wheat canopy when wild oat was clipped to the height of the wheat. A mathematical model was developed which accurately predicted the reduction in the growth rate of wheat from wild oat interference. The model also predicted that interference from wild oat was due to reduced leaf area of wheat at early growth stages and low wild oat densities, and reduced light penetration to wheat leaves at later growth stages and higher densities of wild oat.

Wild Oat (Avena fatua) and Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Density Affect Spring Barley Grain Yield

Addition series field experiments were conducted near Moscow, ID, in 1987 and 1988 to determine the relative aggressiveness of spring barley and wild oat and to determine the effect of barley and wild oat density and proportion on barley grain yield and wild oat seed rain. Regression analysis was used to describe the relationship of the aboveground biomass and grain yield to species density. Barley was more aggressive than wild oat. Barley biomass was affected most by intraspecific competition, while wild oat biomass was affected most by interspecific competition. Barley aggressiveness changed little throughout the growing season. Wild oat aggressiveness varied but was always less than barley aggressiveness. Increasing wild oat density had a negative, asymptotic-type effect on barley grain yield at all barley densities. However, the effect of wild oat was greatest at the lower density of barley. Increasing barley density decreased wild oat seed rain.