Enhanced Species Diversity Unlocked by Habitat Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes: New Perspectives on Ecological Weed Management and Sustainable Intensification—Species Diversity and Habitat Conservation

The impulse to remain profitable by increasing agricultural production levels in view of the greater demand for food, provided impetus to production intensification. The aim of this review is to summarise current literature, reporting specifically on the impact of production intensification on habitats and yield constraints caused by weeds. Secondly, in alleviating these effects over the short term, ecological measures that enhance species diversity in conserved habitats and promote semi-natural habitats in the agricultural landscape, are discussed. In large-scale intensive agriculture, weed control is predominantly rooted in agrochemical applications in the form of herbicides. Long lasting intensive agricultural practices show discord both with the promotion of the biodiversity of microbes belowground and aboveground and with organisms involved in the breaking down of plant material. The presence of native species in the surroundings, in combination with hedgerows and field margins, with a comparatively intricate and balanced variety of plants in a sheltered environment, are essential for settlement of benign insects, particularly in the face of intensive agricultural production. The promising tactic of advantageous seed predators enables decreased herbicide applications. Crop mosaics arranged to advance compatibility at the landscape scale are important to bolster pollination services and insect management, while ecological variety in the surroundings acts as a safety net for habitat diversity. Weed control in combination with different tactics of vegetation use, comprising cover cropping, hedgerows and field margins, sets up safe havens in the landscape, and improves the diffusion of complementary life forms. Field margins perform a meaningful natural function as point of provision for forage, safe havens and distribution passageways for pollinators and insect predators. Production practices that promote more heterogeneity and combine high density semi-natural safe havens and habitat conservation in agro ecosystems are beneficial to species diversity across trophic levels and contribute to agricultural production stability and food safety.

Prospects and limitations of soil amendment and irrigation techniques for the water-saving public urban greenery and ephemeral weed management in the sandy soils of the United Arab Emirates

Public urban greenery greatly contributes to the residential and tourist value of cities in the Gulf Region,but due to the hyper-arid climatic conditions,the cost of irrigation and plant maintenance is very high.Existing strategies to reduce the monetary and ecological costs involve the cultivation of native xerophytic plantations,and/or the use of soil improvers to increase water-and nutrient-holding capacity of the sandy soils.Various soil improvers based on mineral,organic,or synthetic materials have entered the United Arab Emirates(UAE)market in recent years,but there is considerable uncertainty about how they should best be used in combination with ornamental plant stands involving xerophytic native plants.The present study investigated the effect of soil amendment and deep pipe irrigation on perennial ornamental plant stands involving native plants(Tephrosia appolinea(Gel.)Link in combination with Aerva javanica(Burm.f.)Juss.ex Schult.)and native-exotic plants(T.appolinea in combination with Ruelia simplex C.Wright)either or not topsoil and subsoil amendment with bentonite and hydrophobic sand under the irrigation water supply of less than 50%of reference evapotranspiration(ET0).After one year of cultivation,T.appolinea and A.javanica(native vs.native)produced high biomass and exhibited high water use efficiency(WUE)as compared with T.appolinea and R.simplex(native vs.exotic)combination given that no significant differences were found under the soil amendment treatments.All stands thrived under irrigation water supply far below what is usually supplied to exotic ornamental stands in public parks of the Al Ain City,the UAE.However,subsoil amendment in combination with deep pipe irrigation reduced the occurrence of weeds and increased the overall plant rooting depth.Our results suggest that subsoil amendment and irrigation up to 60-80 cm depth can potentially control ephemeral weed infestation,which is a great challenge in various plant production systems of the Gulf Region.The results of the present study suggest that the impact of soil amendment on the WUE of exotic plants is marginal and might not be economically justified.Replacing exotic with native ornamental plant species seems to have a far greater water-saving potential than the amendment of the soil,while weeds can be suppressed in the absence of topsoil moisture.

Artificial Intelligence for Maximizing Agricultural Input Use Efficiency: Exploring Nutrient, Water and Weed Management Strategies

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy,and there is an increasing global emphasis on automating agri-cultural processes.With the tremendous increase in population,the demand for food and employment has also increased significantly.Agricultural methods traditionally used to meet these requirements are no longer ade-quate,requiring solutions to issues such as excessive herbicide use and the use of chemical fertilizers.Integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things,wireless communication,machine learning,artificial intelligence(AI),and deep learning shows promise in addressing these challenges.However,there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the application and potential of AI in improving agricultural input efficiency.To address this gap,a desk research approach was used by utilizing peer-reviewed electronic databases like PubMed,Scopus,Goo-gle Scholar,Web of Science,and Science Direct for relevant articles.Out of 327 initially identified articles,180 were deemed pertinent,focusing primarily on AI’s potential in enhancing yield through better management of nutrients,water,and weeds.Taking into account researchfindings worldwide,we found that AI technologies could assist farmers by providing recommendations on the optimal nutrients to enhance soil quality and deter-mine the best time for irrigation or herbicide application.The present status of AI-driven automation in agricul-ture holds significant promise for optimizing agricultural input utilization and reducing resource waste,particularly in the context of three pillars of crop management,i.e.,nutrient,irrigation,and weed management.

Influence of Adjuvants on the Efficacy of Tolpyralate plus Atrazine for the Control of Annual Grass and Broadleaf Weeds in Corn with and without Roundup WeatherMAX^®

Tolpyralate is a new HPPD-inhibiting herbicide that is efficacious on annual grass and broadleaf weed species in corn. For maximum herbicide performance of tolpyralate, it is recommended that atrazine is tank mixed with tolpyralate along with the adjuvants methylated seed oil concentrate (MSO) plus urea ammonia nitrate (UAN). A common use pattern of tolpyralate plus atrazine will be in a tank mix with Roundup WeatherMAX®due to the high proportion of corn acres that are seeded to Roundup Ready®hybrids in Eastern Canada. There is no information in the peer-reviewed literature if the adjuvant system in Roundup WeatherMAX®is adequate for optimal herbicide performance of tolpyralate plus atrazine, or if MSO and UAN are still required. Six field trials were conducted over two years near Ridgetown and Exeter, ON, Canada to determine if adjuvants are still required when tolpyralate plus atrazine is tank mixed with Roundup WeatherMAX®in corn. Tolpyralate plus atrazine plus MSO and Roundup WeatherMAX®plus tolpyralate plus atrazine provided excellent control of velvetleaf, pigweed spp, common ragweed, lambsquarters, ladysthumb, wild mustard, flower-of-an-hour, barnyardgrass and green foxtail in this study. Results of this study show that in the absence of Roundup WeatherMAX®, weed control with tolpyralate plus atrazine was improved substantially with the addition of MSO;however, there was little to no increase in weed control with the addition of UAN. When tolpyralate plus atrazine was co-applied with Roundup WeatherMAX®, there was no improvement in weed control with the addition of MSO and/or UAN.

Development and Fabrication of Manually Push-Pull Type Conical Weeder for Bangladesh Condition

In Bangladesh, the use of machinery in agriculture production is fast rising. Researchers are developing technology to replace traditional hand weeding to manage weeds in rice fields. The present study has been taken to increase weeding efficiency and reduce the drudgery in weeding and mulching. A line-to-line distance of 20 cm, the operation is push-pull, and field operating condition at 2 - 4 cm standing water (for softening the field) was the designed hypothesis. The weeder consists of a skid/float, float holder, float adjuster, main body frame, rotor, axel, bush, rotor holder, rotor holder adjuster, handle, handle griper, handle holder, handle height adjuster, nut, bolt, etc. The designed weeder was fabricated using MS sheet, MS pipe, MS flat bar, MS nut-bolt, etc. When the rotors perform back and forth, the weeder’s two conical rotors with six plain blades and six serrated blades work together to uproot and bury the weeds. It also contains a 2 mm thick float assembly with a precise angle of 22 degrees. Weeds are uprooted by the weeder’s blades and buried in the muddy soil. It causes topsoil disturbance and enhances aeration. The weeding efficiency and capacity of the conical weeder were 81.92% and 0.0203 ha/h respectively. With a push-pull operation, the weeder can uproot and bury the weeds in a single row at a time. The pushing force and weight of weeder were 43.42 N and 5.6 kg respectively. Farmers can use this weeder to increase their comfort and reduce the drudgery associated with weeding and mulching in their fields.

Effects of Film Mulching on the Growth of Silage Maize and Weed

[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific reference for the production of silage maize in correlated regions of Tibet.[Method] Effects of film mulching on the growth period,growth traits and yield of silage maize and weed were analyzed.[Result] Under the treatment of film mulching,the growth period of silage maize could be advanced for 7-16 d; the plant length,stem diameter and leaf area were increased; and the grain output was increased by 75.9%.According to the market price of silage maize in 2008,22 500 Yuan/hm^2 was increased.There were 13 kinds of weeds in silage maize field,which belonged to 13 genera,8 families.Among them,6 kinds of weeds belonged to Gramineae,among which Echinochloa crusgalli and Setaria viridis were dominated in the weed communities.Plantago depressa,Eragrostis pilosa and Malva verticillata var.chinensis could be totally controlled by the film mulching; meanwhile the others could be also controlled in a certain degree except Echinochloa crusgalli.[Conclusion] The plastic mulching planting is worth popularizing for the developing of animal husbandry and the incoming of the local farmers in Tibet.

Investigation of Types and Hazard of Weeds in Coffea arabica Orchads in Nujiang River Basin

[Objective] Through the investigation of weeds in Coffea arabica orchads in NuJiang River basin, this study aimed to provide scientific guidance for the weed control and improving the ecological and economic benefits of the plantation of Cof- fea arabica. [Method] The types of weeds and the characteristics of weed occur- rence in Coffea arabica orchads in Nujiang River basin were investigated from July to August in 2012. [Result] The results showed that there were 69 types of weeds belonging to 21 families in Coffea arabica orchads. The predominant harmful types were shown as follows： Commelina nudiflora L. ＋ Leptochloa chinensis, Cyperus ro- tundus L. ＋ Bidens pilosa L. ＋ Eleusine indica, Imperata cylindrical ＋ Ageratum conyzoides L. ＋ Eupatorium odoratum L., Ageratum conyzoides L. ＋ Digitaria san- guinalis （L.） Scop. The preponderant weeds consisted mainly of 10 species, namely, Cyperus rotundus L., Commelina nudiflora L., Leptochloa chinensis, Digitaria san- guinalis （L.） Scop, Imperata cylindrical, Bidens pilosa L., Ageratum conyzoides L, E- upatorium odoratum L., Eleusine indica and Chenopodium serotinum L. [Conclusion] The result from this study is of great significance for the plantation of Coffea arabica in Nujiang River basin, as well as the control of weeds.

Chemical Control of Herbicide Monosulfuron Plus Propazine 44% WP against Weeds in Millet Fields and Study on Factors Influencing Yield of Millet

[Objective] The paper was to resolve the poor efficacy or phytotoxicity problems in promotion of herbicide monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP. [Method] Using orthogonal test and Duncan＇s new multiple range statistical analysis with four factors four levels and three factors two levels, the effects of factors such as herbi- cide dose, irrigation water volume, quality of soil preparation and soil moisture content on chemical control of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds and millet yield were compared in the test. [Result] Seven factors all had great impact on control effect of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds, of which her- bicide dose, irrigation water volume, quality of soil preparation and soil moisture content were the most important factors affecting millet yield. According to millet yield and economic benefit, the optimal scheme to ensure safe, efficient and economic control of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds was as follows： the dose of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP was 1 800 g/hm2, the soil was treat- ed after sowing and before seedling emergence; the soil should be smooth and sol- id; the soil moisture should reach 15%; the fields should not be irrigated after herbi- cide application, and the damage of weeds in millet fields could be effectively con- trolled within 45 d during high efficacy duration, especially the damage of dicotyledonous weeds. [Conclusion] The study provided useful information for comprehensive technology of weeds control and ensuring high yield and good harvest of millet.

Effects of Pb Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Weed Species Seeds

Objective] The aim was to investigate the effects of Pb stress on seed germination and seedling growth of Chenopodium glaucum and Chenopodium serot-inum L. [Method] With C. glaucum and C. serotinum as the study objects, the ef-fects of different concentrations of Pb on their seed germination and seedling growth, as wel as on the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity were studied primarily. [Result] The germination potential of both the two kinds of weed seeds increased first and then decreased with the increase of Pb concentration. The germination po-tential of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds reached the peak at Pb concentration of 25 and 50 mg/L, respectively. With the increase of Pb treatment concentration, the germination rate, germination index and vigor index of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds decreased, and their bud length and root length also reduced gradu-al y. ln overal , the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum_ seedlings increased first and then decreased with the increased treatment concentration of Pb. The leaf SOD and POD activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum seedlings reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 200 and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the leaf CAT activity reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 100 mg/L. [Conclusion] The two Chenopodium species had strong tolerance to Pb stress, and they could be used as alternative accumulator plants of soil Pb contami-nation.

Control Efficiency and Crop Safety of 20% Cyhalofop-butyl WP on Grass Weeds in Direct Seeded Rice Fields

The purpose was to define the control efficiency and safety of 20% cy- halofop-butyl WP on grass weeds in direct seeded rice fields, in order to provide the basis for chemical weeding. This study measured Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Nees, Echinoch/oa crusgalli （L.） Beauv and other gramineous weed control efficiency with four concentrations of 20% cyhalofop-dutyl WP and 100 g/L cyhalofop-dutyl EC in direct seeded rice fields, and analyzed the yield-increasing effect and safety of rice. The results showed that 20% cyhalofop-butyl WP had a good control efficiency on grass weeds such as Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Nees, Echinoch/oa crusgalli（L.） Beauv and other grasses. The effective dosage of 90-150 g/hm2 was over 90.7% on Lep- foch/oa chinensis（L.） Nees and the comprehensive control effect of the grass weeds was above 86.7%, which was basically consistent with 100 g/L cyhalofop-dutyl EC. Furthermore, 20% cyhalofop-dutyl WP was high security for direct seeded rice fields. The yield of rice was increased by 10.18%-11.22% after spraying herbicide. There- fore, 20% of cyhalofop-dutyl WP can be used as a special herbicide for controlling Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Beauv in direct seeded rice fields, and has a good applica- tion prospect.

Effects of Rice-duck Mutualism on Diseases Insect Pests and Weeds and Economic Benefits

[Objective] Study on the effects of rice-duck mutualism on weeds and insects pests and economic benefits of paddy field. [Method] Comparison of the incidence of weeds, sheath blight and insects pest under rice-duck mutualism, conventional cultivation and control treatment, the yield and economic benefits were analyzed under the 3 treatments. [Result] Average occurrence of weeds in rice-duck mutualism group decreased by 2.33 and 52.0g ind/m^2 compared with that in conventional cultivation and control treatment ; the control rate of mutualism was up to 75% against rice hopper, but just between 25% -60% against rice leaf roller and Chilo suppressalis. The rates of diseased plant and diseased bell against rice sheath blight were higher and disease indices were lower compared with control group. The yield of mutualism group was identical with conventional cultivation, Which was greatly higher than that of control group. The results suggested an higher economic benefits and lower cost benefit ratio for rice-duck mutualism treatment. [Conclusion] Rice-duck mutualism gives birth to a positive effect to control the diseases, insect pests and weeds, as well as to economic benefits, providing basis on extension of rice-duck mutualism system.

Weed growth, herbicide efficacy, and rice productivity in dry seeded paddy field under different wheat stubble management methods

To ascertain the influence of wheat stubble management options and chemical weed control methods on weed growth and productivity of dry direct-seeded fine rice, a two years' field study was undertaken at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2013 and 2014. Different wheat stubble management methods, viz., incorporation, burning and retention were executed during seed-bed preparation. While, herbicide treatments comprised of a weed check, weed free, pendimethalin followed by tank mixture of fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl, and bispyribac sodium followed by tank mixture of fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl. Results revealed that weed control efficacy of both herbicide treatments ranged from 84 to 94%. Herbicide treatments significantly reduced weed density(88–90%) and dry weight(86–88%), while improved the rice growth attributes compared with weed check. Application of bispyribac sodium followed by tank mixture of fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl in stubble retention recorded 226 and 273% increase in kernel yield over weedy check in 2013 and 2014, respectively. In stubble incorporation, pendimethalin followed by tank mixture of fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl was more effective in increasing(256–293%) rice yields over weedy check. Among different treatment combinations, the maximum net benefits(1 397.49^(–1) 472.22 USD ha^(–1)), net returns(636–700 USD ha^(–1)), benefit cost ratio(1.77^(–1).83) and marginal rate of return(2 187–2 330%) were recorded with the application of bispyribac sodium followed by fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl in stubble retention. In crux, application of bispyribac sodium followed by tank mixture of fenoxaprop p-ethyl+ethoxysulfuron ethyl in stubble retention is efficient approach to control weeds, and get maximum rice productivity and net economic returns under dry seeded system.

Evaluation of Population Structure, Genetic Diversity and Origin of Northeast Asia Weedy Rice Based on Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Weedy rice exerts a severe impact on rice production by competing for sunlight, water and nutrients. This study assayed the population structure, genetic diversity and origin of Northeast Asia weedy rice by using 48 simple sequence repeat markers. The results showed that weedy rice in Northeast Asia had a high genetic diversity, with Shannon＇s diversity index （I） of 0.748 and the heterozygosity （He） of 0.434. In each regional population, I value varied widely. The widest range of I （0.228-0.489） was observed in the weedy rice of Eastern China, which was larger than that of Northeast China and Korea （0.168-0.270）. The F-statistics of regional populations （Fis, Fit and Fst） also showed higher values in the weedy rice of Eastern China than those of Northeast China and Korea All weedy rice accessions were grouped into two clusters in the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster analysis dendrogram, namely Eastern China branch and Northeastern China plus Korea branch. There was significant differentiation in genetic characteristics in weedy rice of northeastern and eastern Asia, especially in Eastern China.

Control Effects of 3 Kinds of Herbicides against Weeds in Dogbane (Apocynum venetum) Field

[ Objective] The paper was to explore the control effects of 3 kinds of herbicides against weeds in dogbane （Apocynum venetum） field. [ Method ] Using haloxyfop-R-mithyl and quizalofop-ethyl EC specifically killing monagenns gramineous weeds and chipton specifically killing dicotyledonous broad-leaf weeds, the control test against weeds in 2-year-old dogbane field was carried out. [ Result ] Haloxyfop-R-mithyl had good control effect against gramincous weeds, and its control effect against both barnyard weed （ Echinochloa crusgalli） and green bristleweed （ Setaria viridis ） was greater than 35.0% ; the control effects of quizalofop- ethyl EC against barnyard weed and green bristleweed were 14.8% and 28.6%, respectively; chipt0n had good control effect against Chenopodium album, and the control effect reached 30.8%. Moreover, 3 herbicides did not cause damage to dogbane. [ Conclusion] The study provide theoretical basis for completing cultivation technique of dogbane.

Control Effect Evaluation of Herbicides for Malignant Weed Nut Grass in Sugarcane Field

In order to screen herbicides with ideal safety characteristics to control malignant weed nut grass in sugarcane field, 20% thifensulfuron methyl WP and 65% MCPA·ametryne·diuron WP were selected for the field efficacy trial. The results showed that 20% thifensulfuron methyl WP and 65% MCPA·ametryne·diuron WP had good control effect on nut grass. The optimum dosage of 20% thifensulfuron methyl WP and 65% MCPA.ametryne-diuron WP was 1 125 g/hm^2 （effective ingredients 225 g） and 3 150 g/hm^2 （effective ingredients 2 047.5 g）, respectively. These two herbicides should be dissolved in 675 kg water per hectare and applied in the vigorous growth period of nut grass （height 10-15 cm） with oriented stem leaf spraying. The control effect after 15 days could be above 87.9%.

Response of Invasive Plant Alligatorweed to Salt Stress at Early Growth Stage

[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the early growth stage＇s response of invasive plant alligatorweed（Alternanthera philoxeroides） under salt stress.[Method] The alligatorweed was cultivated with four different NaCl concentrations 0（control）, 100, 200, 300 mmol/L diluted in 1/2 Hoagland＇s solution at early stage.During the period, we measured the number of nodes and leaves, length, fresh weight, dry weight and water content of stems to determine the effect of salt on alligatorweed growth. [Result] Compared with control, the node number, leaf number,length, fresh weight and dry weight of the stems significantly changed in NaCl solution, and the difference was positively related to NaCl concentration. We concluded that middle and high concentrations of NaCl significantly inhibited the growth of alligatorweed, by suppressing the node number, leaf number, length, fresh weight and dry weight of the stems. Among them, the stem length and fresh weight were more sensitive to NaCl stress. [Conclusion] The present result is helpful to understand the alligatorweed＇s adaptability to saline environment, and also helpful to prevent its invasion in such environment.

Invasive Weed Mapping of Lebanon

Surveying and early detection of invasive weeds are essential for strategic management and monitoring. Accordingly, a weed mapping was conducted during July 2011, against native （Orobanche ramosa, Cuscuta spp., Sorghum halepense and Xanthium strumarium） and non native （Abutilon theophrasti, Datura stramonium, Solanum elaeagnifolium and Verbesina encelioide） weeds of Lebanon. A global positioning system （Garmin 2006） was used for precise waypoint, elevation, navigation and distance. The result of interviewing and interacting with the residents in 95 villages distributed between the Beq＇aa and the North governorates of Lebanon, along with the observations made on the route, yielded the first detection of Abutilon theophrasti in both governorates. Solanum elaeagnifolium and Verbesina encelioide were not found in the agro-ecosystems of either governorates. This is the first report of the introduction ofAbutilon theophrasti in Lebanon and the establishment of a baseline data on weeds of Lebanon. The adoption of an integrated weed management program with a quarantine and control techniques and methods is needed to manage the spreading of weeds and to lessen their ability to adapt to a constantly changing system which uses several control practices.

Integrated Use of Herbicide and Crop Mulch in Suppressing Weed Growth in a Dry-Seeded Rice System

Dry-seeded rice production systems are increasing in many Asian countries because of labor and water scarcities. However, weeds are the main biological constraints in these systems. Herbicides are widely used to manage weeds but they do not provide effective weed control. The use of crop residue as mulch can suppress weed emergence and weed biomass but mulch alone does not provide effective weed control. The integrated use of herbicide and mulch, however, could provide more effective and sustainable weed control in dry-seeded rice systems. A study was conducted in two consecutive rice growing seasons to evaluate the combined effect of herbicide (treated and nontreated) and rice straw mulch (0, 2, and 4 t.ha-1) on weed growth and rice yield in a dry-seeded rice system. In the nontreated plots, weed biomass decreased with increases in mulch amounts, whereas weed biomass in the herbicide-treated plots was similar at different mulch amounts. Overall, herbicide treatments provided better weed control than the mulch treatments. In the nontreated plots, grain yield was similar at different mulch amounts, whereas grain yield in the herbicide-treated plots was greater when the field was mulched with 4 t.ha-1 of rice straw than with no mulch or mulched with only 2 t.ha-1 of rice straw. The results suggest that integrated use of mulch and herbicides can help weed control and increase crop yield in dry-seeded rice.

Fertilizer Placement Affects Weed Growth and Grain Yield in Dry-Seeded Rice(Oryza sativa L.)Systems

A study was conducted in a split-plot design to evaluate the effect of fertilizer placement method on weed growth and grain yield in a dry-seeded rice (DSR) system. Main-plot treatments were four fertilizer placement methods: between narrow rows (between 15-cm-wide rows of the pattern 25-15-25 cm), between uniform rows (between 20-cm-wide rows), within uniform rows, and surface broadcast. Subplot treatments were three weed control methods: herbicide-treated, nontreated, and weed-free. Weed biomass was greater in the nontreated plots than in the herbicide-treated plots. Herbicide application reduced weed biomass by 89% to 99% compared with the nontreated control. Fertilizer placement did not influence weed biomass in the herbicide-treated plots;however, it greatly influenced biomass in the nontreated plots. Fertilizer placement on the surface increased weed biomass (69 -71 g·m–2) compared with the placement of fertilizer below the soil surface (37 -57 g·m–2). Fertilizer placement did not influence weed density and biomass at 60 days after planting. Nontreated plots yielded 700 to 2080 kg·ha–1. Grain yield was similar between the herbicide-treated (2660-3250 kg·ha–1) and weed-free (2620-3430 kg·ha–1) plots. Grain yield was not influenced when basal fertilizer was banded within (2390-2500 kg·ha–1) or between rows (2530-2650 kg·ha–1). However, grain yield decreased when basal fertilizer was broadcast on the soil surface (2200 kg·ha–1). The results of our study demonstrated that rice yield was usually lower with surface broadcast of fertilizer than with subsurface fertilizer treatments. In conclusion, surface broadcast of basal fertilizer may result in high weed pressure in DSR systems.

Weed Management in Rainfed Upland Rice Fields under Varied Agro-Ecologies in Nigeria

The demand for rice to meet the dietary need in low-income countries is expected to witness an exponential rise as the population increases.Meeting the rice demand domestically has remained challenging due to significant yield loss caused by several biotic and abiotic factors.Among these factors,one of the most important is the high weed pressure that ravages the upland rice ecology.In Nigeria,several independent weed control techniques,such as physical,chemical and cultural methods,have been recommended and adopted for weed control across varying rice upland ecologies.However,outcomes of these approaches when used independently have not consistently led to an increase in yield.There remains an outstanding deficit between the actual yield and the potential rice yield.This review aimed to identify potential research gaps,and quest effective and sustainable weed management strategies in smallholder upland rice farming systems in Nigeria.A critical analysis of studies suggests the potential of sustainable weed management practices if adopted and adapted smartly in different upland ecologies in Nigeria.Competitiveness of upland rice against weeds can be enhanced through strategic integration of weed competitive cultivars,optimum nitrogen application timings(within weed-free periods),uniform plant spacing,and high seeding rates,with conventional herbicide/manual weed control practices.However,such management practices can only be engaged where inputs are supplied on time and the technical know-how is extended to farmers.The review equally highlights potential research gaps for further studies.