Robin R. Bellinder

Effects of canopy shade on the morphology, phenology, and seed characteristics of Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii)

Abstract Characterizing the response of weeds to canopy shade is important for improved understanding of crop–weed competition and weed population dynamics. In 2000 and 2001, field studies were conducted in central New York state to examine the influence of three neighbor types (none, broccoli, or broccoli plus winter rye) and two locations (between or within rows of broccoli) on the morphology, phenology, and seed germination characteristics of Powell amaranth. Reductions in light availability and in the ratio of red-to-far red light were associated with increases in (1) partitioning of dry weight to stem tissue, (2) stem elongation, and (3) specific leaf area. Canopy shade also resulted in fewer main leaves at flowering and a reduced rate of leaf appearance but had no effect on the number of days to flowering. The relationship between Powell amaranth fecundity and aboveground dry weight was allometric, with both parameters declining significantly under competition. The weight of seeds produced did not vary significantly according to the competitive environment experienced by the maternal parent. However, the germination percentage of viable seeds was 40 to 50% lower for seeds maturing on plants grown under competition than without competition. Reductions in the number of main leaves at flowering and increased seed dormancy may be adaptive responses to canopy shade. Both mechanistic crop–weed competition models and population dynamic models would benefit from incorporation of data on the phenotypic plasticity of morphology, phenology, and seed germination characteristics of weeds. Nomenclature: Powell amaranth = green pigweed, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO; broccoli, Brassica oleracea L. var. italica PLENCK ‘Marathon’; winter rye, Secale cereale L.

Weed suppression in a broccoli–winter rye intercropping system

Abstract Interseeded cover crops have the potential to maintain and improve soil quality, reduce the incidence of insect pests, and suppress weeds in vegetable production systems. However, the successful use of interseeded cover crops has been limited by their tendency to either inadequately suppress weeds or suppress both weeds and the crop. We hypothesized that in irrigated broccoli production, winter rye could suppress annual weeds through rapid emergence and shading, without adversely affecting the taller transplanted broccoli crop. In field experiments conducted in New York from 1999–2001, broccoli was cultivated at 0, 10, or 10 and 20 d after broccoli transplanting (DAT), with or without rye at the final cultivation. Rye interseeded at 0 DAT suppressed weeds and improved yields relative to unweeded controls but resulted in broccoli yield losses relative to weed-free controls in 2 of 3 years. Rye seeded at either 10 or 20 DAT did not reduce broccoli yields but had little effect on weeds for a given level of cultivation and resulted in Powell amaranth seed production of up to 28,000 seeds m−2. Rye interseeded at 0 DAT reduced light availability to weeds in 2000 but not in 2001 when Powell amaranth avoided shading from rye through rapid emergence and vertical growth. In greenhouse pot experiments, low temperatures for 7 d after seeding delayed the emergence of Powell amaranth by 3 d relative to rye and increased the suppression of Powell amaranth by rye from 61 to 85%. Our results suggest that winter rye may be more successfully integrated into broccoli production (1) when sown at higher densities, (2) in locations or seasons (e.g., spring) with lower initial temperatures, and (3) in combination with other weed management tools. Nomenclature: Powell amaranth = green pigweed, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO; broccoli, Brassica oleracea L. var. italica PLENCK ‘marathon’; winter rye, Secale cereale L.

WEED SEEDBANK COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO CROP ROTATION SCHEMES

Abstract Improved weed management strategies may be possible through rotational schemes which alter the weed seedbank community. This study investigated the effects of 2-year crop rotations with alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), rye ( Secale cereale L.), or sweet corn ( Zea mays L. var. rugosa Bonaf.) on weed seedbank density and diversity at three sites in New York. Weed seedbank density and diversity increased under all rotational schemes over the 2 years, but increases were generally lowest after sweet corn, in which tillage and herbicides were used. By the end of the second year, seed densities of individual weed species had changed to different extents in response to rotational crop. Most of the instances in which seed densities increased significantly were associated with rye. Although pre- and post-emergence herbicides plus tillage were used with sweet corn, weed seedbank densities were similar compared with the alfalfa and clover rotations, in which no herbicides nor tillage were used. Our results indicate that legumes could be a component in the sustainable management of weeds through manipulation of the seedbank. A rye cover crop did not appear to deter seed return nor recruitment to the seedbank as much as the legumes did.

Suppression of Powell Amaranth (Amaranthus powellii) by Buckwheat Residues: Role of Allelopathy

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that emergence and growth of Powell amaranth is inhibited in soils where buckwheat has been grown and incorporated. The primary objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate the possible role of allelopathy in explaining that suppression; (2) distinguish between suppression caused by incorporation of fresh buckwheat residues from suppression caused by changes in soil during buckwheat growth; and (3) quantify the relative importance of buckwheat root vs. shoot tissues in suppression. When all buckwheat plant parts were removed from soil in which buckwheat was grown, Powell amaranth emergence was not suppressed, but growth was reduced 70% compared to bare soil. Addition of buckwheat shoots, but not roots to these soils reduced emergence by 80%, and contributed to additional reduction in growth. Addition of chemically activated carbon did not increase emergence or growth in buckwheat-amended soil. However, thermally activated carbon resulted in greater adsorption of phenolics than chemically activated carbon and alleviated suppression of Powell amaranth in buckwheat-amended, high organic-matter soils. However, suppression was not overcome on mineral soils. In addition to adsorbing phenolics, activated carbon changed the nitrogen (N) content and electrical conductivity of soil extracts. Aqueous shoot extracts of buckwheat stimulated Powell amaranth germination slightly, but inhibited radicle growth. Aqueous soil extracts from buckwheat-amended soil inhibited germination of Powell amaranth compared with extracts from unamended soil. Results suggest that emergence suppression of Powell amaranth by buckwheat residues might be due to allelopathic compounds concentrated in the shoot tissues. However, these inhibitory effects appear to depend on interactions of buckwheat residues with soils. In contrast, suppression of growth of Powell amaranth appears to be associated primarily with lower N availability in buckwheat-grown soils. Nomenclature: Powell amaranth (= green pigweed), Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench

Suppression of Powell Amaranth (Amaranthus Powellii), Shepherd's-purse (Capsella Bursa-pastoris), and Corn Chamomile (Anthemis Arvensis) by Buckwheat Residues: Role of Nitrogen and Fungal Pathogens

Abstract Buckwheat residues can suppress both emergence and growth of weeds, but the mechanisms of this suppression are not well understood. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the possible role of (1) low initial nitrogen (N) availability and (2) fungal pathogens in this suppression for three sensitive weed species: Powell amaranth, shepherds-purse, and corn chamomile. Growth chamber experiments were conducted comparing weed emergence and growth in bare soil or soil with freshly incorporated buckwheat residue at multiple rates of N fertilization with or without fungicide seed treatment. In the absence of N or fungicide addition, emergence of all weed species was reduced 40 to 70%, and dry weight was reduced 85% in buckwheat residue compared with bare soil. For all three weed species, suppression of growth by buckwheat residue was completely overcome with the addition of N. For shepherds-purse and corn chamomile (2005 only), suppression of emergence was also overcome with the addition of N. In 2006, treatment of corn chamomile seeds with fungicide resulted in a higher emergence in buckwheat residue than in bare soil. In contrast, suppression of Powell amaranth emergence was not overcome with N fertilization or fungicide treatment. The results suggest that buckwheat-mediated changes in N dynamics account entirely for suppression of weed growth but that the mechanisms responsible for suppression of emergence by buckwheat residue vary by species. Fungal and N effects account for suppression of emergence of corn chamomile and shepherds-purse, but the mechanism of suppression for Powell amaranth remains obscure. Nomenclature: Corn chamomile, Anthemis arvensis L. ANTAR; Powell amaranth  =  green pigweed, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO; shepherds-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus CAPBP; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench

Grass–Legume Mixtures and Soil Fertility Affect Cover Crop Performance and Weed Seed Production

Abstract Summer leguminous cover crops can improve soil health and reduce the economic and environmental costs associated with N fertilizers. However, adoption is often constrained by poor weed suppression compared to nonlegume cover crops. In field experiments conducted in organic vegetable cropping systems in north-central New York, two primary hypotheses were tested: (1) mixtures of legume cover crops (cowpea and soybean) with grasses (sorghum–sudangrass and Japanese millet) reduce weed seed production and increase cover crop productivity relative to legume monocultures and (2) higher soil fertility shifts the competitive outcome in favor of weeds and nonlegume cover crops. Cover crops were grown either alone or in grass–legume combinations with or without composted chicken manure. Under hot, dry conditions in 2005, cowpea and soybean cover crops were severely suppressed by weeds in monoculture and by sorghum–sudangrass in mixtures, resulting in low legume biomass, poor nodulation, and high levels of Powell amaranth seed production (> 25,000 seeds m−2). Under more typical temperature and rainfall conditions in 2006, cowpea mixtures with Japanese millet stimulated cowpea biomass production and nodulation compared to monoculture, but soybeans were suppressed in mixtures with both grasses. Composted chicken manure shifted competition in favor of weeds at the expense of cowpea (2005), stimulated weed and grass biomass production (2006), and suppressed nodulation of soybean (2006). In a complementary on-farm trial, cowpea mixtures with sorghum–sudangrass suppressed weed biomass by 99%; however, both common purslane and hairy galinsoga produced sufficient seeds (600 seeds m−2) to replenish the existing weed seedbank. Results suggest that (1) mixtures of cowpeas with grasses can improve nodulation, lower seed costs, and reduce the risk of weed seed production; (2) soybean is not compatible with grasses in mixture; and (3) future costs of weed seed production must be considered when determining optimal cover crop choices. Nomenclature: Common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L.; hairy galinsoga, Galinsoga ciliata (Ref.) Blake; Powell amaranth, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats; cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers. ‘Red Ripper’; Japanese millet, Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link; sorghum–sudangrass, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanese (P.) Stapf, ‘Sweetleaf II’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum (L.) Moench.

Effect of weed growth stage and adjuvant on the efficacy of fomesafen and bentazon

Abstract The efficacies of bentazon and fomesafen in controlling annual weeds in dry and edible pod beans in New York State were investigated in greenhouse and field experiments. Dose responses to bentazon and fomesafen were studied for four weed species (ragweed, velvetleaf, eastern black nightshade, and hairy nightshade) under greenhouse conditions. Herbicides were applied at cotyledon to two-, two- to four-, and four- to six–true leaf stages, both with and without a crop oil concentrate (bentazon) or a nonionic surfactant (fomesafen). Field studies were conducted for 2 yr for all weed species except eastern black nightshade, for which no adequate field populations were found. Field studies confirmed greenhouse results, indicating that weed control could be improved by the use of an adjuvant, but there were exceptions. In general, adjuvant usage improved the efficacy of fomesafen more than it did with bentazon. The minimum rates of herbicide required for effective and consistent control was dependent on the particular combination of weed species, herbicide and its rate of application, growth stage at which the application was made, and adjuvant usage. Nomenclature: Bentazon; fomesafen; common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. AMBEL; eastern black nightshade, Solanum ptycanthum Dun. SOLPT; hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides Sendt. SOLSA; velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ABUTH; dry and snap bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Cultivation and interseeding for weed control in transplanted cabbage

Multiple means of overcoming interspecific competition between transplanted cabbage and interseeded cover crops were studied in field trials conducted from 1995 to 2001. Cover crop species and time of seeding (1995 and 1996), use of supplemental nitrogen (1997 and 1998), and herbicide regulation (1999 and 2001) were evaluated with the objective of integrating soil-improving cover crops into cabbage production while facilitating weed suppression with minimal use of herbicides. Cabbage was cultivated at 10, 10 + 20, or 10 + 20 + 30 d after transplanting (DAT) with or without cover crops (hairy vetch, lana vetch, or oats) sown at the time of the last cultivation. Early interseeding (10 DAT) of all species significantly reduced cabbage yields. Both vetches could be sown 20 or 30 DAT without a yield penalty. However, weed suppression was not consistently greater than cultivation without cover crops. Spring oats were unacceptably competitive, even when sown 30 DAT in some years. With additional nitrogen, cabbage yields were consistently increased, but the increases were not directly related to decreased competition from either weeds or cover crops. The potential for herbicide regulation of cover crops to prevent cabbage yield losses could not be evaluated because cabbage yields were not reduced by cover crops in 1999 and 2001. Although interseeded crops did not generally provide significant in-season weed suppression compared with cultivation alone, the lack of yield penalty and the potential soil-improving qualities of legumes may justify interseeding hairy vetch at 20 DAT in an integrated system. Nomenclature: Cabbage, Brassica oleracea L.; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa L.; lana vetch, Vicia dasycarpa L.; oats, Avena sativa L. Additional index words: Cover crops, cultivation, interseeding, interspecific competition, living mulches, smother crops. Abbreviation: DAT, days after transplanting.

Reduced Tillage, Rye Residues, and Herbicides Influence Weed Suppression and Yield of Pumpkins

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of various tillage and mulching practices on fruit maturity and weed suppression in pumpkins. Conventional tillage (CT), disking, no tillage with rye removed (RR), no tillage with standing rye (SR), and strip tillage (ST) were evaluated with and without ethalfluralin plus halosulfuron (1.5 plus 0.036 kg ai/ha, respectively) applied preemergence. In 2001, when heavy rain after herbicide application caused significant crop injury, the herbicides delayed maturity and significantly reduced yields of mature pumpkins within each herbicide treatment, total yields did not differ with tillage. In 2002, weed populations were significantly greater than those in 2001, and in 2002, regardless of herbicides, yields of mature fruit were greater in tillage treatments with higher rye residues (SR, ST). Although weed populations were less in one year than the other, herbicides provided effective control in both seasons, and RR, ST, and SR effectively suppressed weeds compared with CT. Averaged over treatments, greater yield losses were attributable to weed competition (42%) in 2002 than to herbicide injury (32%) in 2001. Nomenclature: Ethalfluralin; halosulfuron; pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L. var. ‘Howden’; winter rye, Secale cereale L. Additional index words: Conservation tillage, cover crop, disk, no till, strip till. Abbreviations: CT, conventional tillage; D, disking; OM, organic matter; RR, no tillage with rye removed; SR, no tillage with standing rye; ST, strip tillage; WAP, weeks after planting.

Herbicidal Effects of Vinegar and a Clove Oil Product on Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Abstract Weed management can be difficult and expensive in organic agricultural systems. Because of the potentially high cost of the natural product herbicides vinegar and clove oil, their efficacy with regard to weed species growth stages needs to be determined. A further objective was to identify anatomical and morphological features of redroot pigweed and velvetleaf that influence the effectiveness of vinegar and clove oil. Research was conducted on greenhouse-grown cotyledon, two-leaf, and four-leaf redroot pigweed and velvetleaf. Dose–response treatments for vinegar included 150-, 200-, 250-, and 300-grain vinegar at 318 L/ha and at 636 L/ha. Clove oil treatments included 1.7, 3.4, 5.1, and 6.8% (v/v) dilutions of a clove oil product in water (318 L/ha), and a 1.7% (v/v) dilution in 200-grain vinegar (318 L/ha). An untreated control was included. Separate plantings of velvetleaf and pigweed were treated with vinegar or clove oil and were used to study anatomical and morphological differences between the two species. Redroot pigweed was easier to control with both products than velvetleaf. Whereas 200-grain vinegar applied at 636 L/ha provided 100% control (6 d after treatment [DAT]) and mortality (9 DAT) of two-leaf redroot pigweed, this same treatment on two-leaf velvetleaf provided only 73% control and 18% mortality. The obtuse leaf blade angle in velvetleaf moved product away from the shoot tip, whereas in pigweed, the acute leaf blade angle, deep central leaf vein, and groove on the upper side of the leaf petiole facilitated product movement toward the stem axis and shoot tip. For both species, and at all application timings, 150-grain vinegar at 636 L/ha provided control equal to that of 300-grain vinegar at 318 L/ha. As growth stage advanced, control and biomass reduction decreased and survival increased. Application timing will be critical to maximizing weed control with vinegar and clove oil. Nomenclature: Vinegar, acetic acid; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L.; velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medic.