Articles tagged with Weeds
The USDA has released a new biocontrol, Megamelus scutellaris, to help control the invasive water hyacinth. The planthopper is highly host-specific and does not pose a threat to native or economically important species.
Atrazine is the single most widely used herbicide in sweet corn, accounting for only 9% of total weed management costs. The study found that phasing out atrazine would burden growers with particularly weedy fields and early season crop production.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found Sudangrass to be an effective solution for controlling Canada thistle, with a 95% control rate in test plots. The smother crop can be mowed and left as a surface mulch or grazed, making it suitable for both organic and conventional farmers.
A weed calculator developed by ARS scientist Matt Rinella predicts that eliminating leafy spurge and spotted knapweed could raise up to 200,000 cows a year in the western US. The calculator allows ranchers to estimate weeds' economic impact and make informed management decisions.
A three-year data analysis of 175 fields in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota revealed the most troublesome weeds and their relationships with sweet corn yield. The study identified factors such as interrow cultivation, planting dates, and water supply as key determinants of crop success.
A two-year study found that pine needle mulch outperforms compost mulches in controlling weeds in highbush blueberry crops. The research team recommends continuing to topdress pine needles or similar mulches annually to maintain effectiveness.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present the 2009 fellows at a special ceremony in Pittsburgh. The fellows were chosen for their professional achievements and meritorious service, with only 0.3% of members selected.
Researchers found that mulched maple and oak leaves significantly reduced common dandelion populations by up to 80% with two applications. The study also showed increased spring green-up rates, indicating a potential for improved lawn health.
American mayapple, a common weed in US, contains high podophyllotoxin levels, offering potential for commercial production of anti-cancer compound. Researchers identify eastern US colonies with high podophyllotoxin content, paving the way for development of high-value crop.
Researchers analyzed three methods of organic apple orchard floor maintenance: alfalfa hay mulch treatment, flame burning technique, and Swiss sandwich system. The Swiss sandwich system emerged as the most suitable combination, particularly with the M.9 RN 29 rootstock, for increasing production under organic protocols.
Flowering plants adapted anatomically to succeed, perfecting conducting systems with design flexibility and rapid adaptation capabilities. They retained juvenile tendencies, inventing new forms and wood patterns, giving them a competitive advantage over conifers.
Researchers have generated the first partial genomic sequence of waterhemp, a Midwestern weed resistant to herbicides. The data will help identify resistance mechanisms and inform strategies to combat it.
A Purdue University study found that rotating herbicides with glyphosate can significantly reduce resistant marestail weeds, leading to a 95% decrease in viable seeds. This diversification strategy also increases crop yield potential by reducing weed populations.
A new study reveals that farmers' overreliance on Roundup Ready crops and glyphosate-based herbicides is leading to the development of resistant weeds. Rotating crops and using different herbicides can slow down this process, extending the life of the technology.
The March 2009 issue of BioScience explores new tools for weed science, the role of field stations in cultivating biologists, and quantifying ecosystem services. Researchers argue that changes in connectivity drive desertification and highlight the importance of nonindigenous species affecting salmon populations.
Researchers found biodegradable mulch films to be effective in controlling weeds and diseases in tomato crops, outperforming traditional plastic mulch in some aspects. However, more research is needed to fully break down the material and reduce costs.
Researchers found alternative fumigants to be effective in controlling weeds in California strawberry nurseries. The study tested various treatments, including MB-alternatives, and found that hand-weeding times were reduced in all fields that had been fumigated, with varying material costs.
A Princeton study finds that climate change may reduce the competitiveness of some invasive plants, creating restoration opportunities in areas dominated by 'intractable' weeds. The study mapped invasion risk across millions of acres in the US West.
Researchers found that using two layers of cattail or rice straw mulch resulted in a 94-100% control of weeds and increased fruit yield. Natural mulches also reduced the need for synthetic herbicides, improving environmental benefits.
Researchers found that mustard seed meal (MSM) effectively controls common weeds in container-grown ornamentals, reducing weed populations by up to 98%. MSM also provides essential nutrients to crops, making it a promising alternative to traditional herbicides.
Research finds that dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) can reduce the need for hand-weeding by suppressing weeds in container-grown ornamentals. When applied to the soil surface, DDGS was found to be effective in controlling common chickweed and annual bluegrass without causing injury to plants.
A new study reveals that longer, more complex crop rotations increase organic corn yields by 30%, while also improving soybean yields. The results show that diverse crop systems can help address production challenges in organic grain crop production.
Researchers found that diversified, low-external-input farming systems can achieve high crop yields and profitability while reducing synthetic fertilizer and herbicide use. The study's results suggest that large reductions in agrichemical use are compatible with high crop yields and profits.
Scientists evaluated eight chemical alternatives to methyl bromide, finding some controlled weeds as consistently as the banned pesticide but at lower yields. Environmental factors also affected results, highlighting the need for further research and management strategies.
Scientists found that rabbit fish are efficient herbivores capable of controlling weedy growth on coral reefs. The fish concentrate their efforts on the reef crest, but less effectively on slopes and flats, highlighting the need for a diverse 'guild' of species to maintain reef resilience.
A new baseline of invasive plants has been established in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, with 261 introduced species recorded, 39 growing wild. The study highlights the impact of invasive plants on native flora and fauna, with five species identified as potentially serious weeds that should be eradicated.
A new molecular tool, eco-tilling, helps detect early signs of herbicide resistance in weeds, reducing the need for chemical use. This technique uses reverse genetics to identify mutations at a fraction of the cost of alternative methods.
A widely studied plant species has revised its understanding of sex evolution and genetic heritage, with self-pollination emerging at least a million years ago. This finding contradicts previous estimates and suggests that sex may be more trouble than it's worth in plant evolution.
A successful bioeradication program in Lake Victoria reduced fish populations, improved hydroelectric power generation, and decreased malaria and schistosomiasis cases. The program used natural enemies of the invasive water hyacinth to control its spread, eliminating the need for pesticides.
A rare species of batfish has emerged as a potential savior for coral reefs, consuming large amounts of seaweed that were choking the reef. By removing a cage, scientists observed the batfish cleaning up most of the weed in just five days and completely clearing it in eight weeks.
A plant evolutionary biologist is conducting genetic studies on red rice to understand molecular differences with cultivated rice, which could lead to eradication of the weed. Researchers are testing hypotheses that red rice may have originated from feral or hybridized wild species, and will use this knowledge to develop control methods.
Researchers found that 27 of 29 weed species can harbor Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium causing Pierce's disease in grapes. Environmental conditions significantly impact bacterial growth, highlighting the need for targeted weed control measures to prevent disease spread.
Researchers found nearly half of ancient grains were rice, contradicting earlier theories. The discovery also suggests a rice-wheat complex developed before writing emerged in the region.
Researchers found that tumbleweeds and other native plants in arid regions can effectively absorb depleted uranium from contaminated soils. The study, led by geologist Dana Ulmer-Scholle, suggests using these plants as a low-cost method for cleaning up DU-contaminated areas.
A five-year study will monitor weed growth and make recommendations for maintaining fragile biodiversity, which is already impacted by development. The research aims to determine the threshold at which nitrogen affects different vegetation types and model future vegetation based on N emissions and urban development scenarios.
Researchers at UGA identified morning glory families tolerant to glyphosate, a noxious herbicide. The study suggests developing regional strategies for managing tolerance is crucial. Increased tolerance of morning glories to glyphosate could leave farmers without effective control, highlighting the need for new management strategies.
Researchers explore new natural pesticides derived from plants and microorganisms to combat parasitic weeds that destroy large areas of crops. Scientists are developing broad-spectrum herbicides with targeted resistance to useful crops.
Scientists have engineered a tobacco plant to produce a toxin derived from the defense system of the flesh fly, which has shown promise in repelling parasitic weeds. The toxin, sarcotoxin IA, is produced only where the parasite attacks the host and accumulates more on the parasite than on the host.
Research found that inter-seeding winter cereal rye with organic soybeans reduces weed growth and increases yield, but requires specific termination methods for effective management. The study suggests a new approach to organic weed control that prioritizes soil health and sustainability.
Researchers found that introduced plants from different guilds struggled to establish themselves in plots with high species richness. The presence of warm-season grasses had a strong inhibitory effect on invaders from all four guilds, suggesting they offer stiff competition for resources.
Scientists investigate rice genome for clues on seed dormancy, a key trait to fight preharvest sprouting. They develop populations segregating for dormancy and identify genetic attributes associated with heritability.
Researchers found that improved roads convert natural habitats to roadside areas, allowing non-native weeds to spread into adjacent ecosystems. In contrast, native plants thrive closer to roads with typical grassland soils.
A study found that road improvement leads to significant increases in non-native plant cover, favoring invasive species. Cheatgrass and other weeds spread more along paved roads than primitive roads, converting natural habitat to roadside habitats.
Researchers studied DNA sequences to understand co-evolutionary system between ants, garden fungi and parasitic fungal weeds. They found that the system has been locked in an evolutionary 'arms race' for millions of years.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that genetically engineered sunflowers can transfer their insect-killing gene to wild sunflower relatives, increasing seed production and fitness. The study suggests that this could be a concern for the spread of transgenes in natural environments.
A new herbicide-resistant maize technology has been developed to combat Striga hermonthica, or witchweed, which infests approximately 20-40 million hectares of farmland in sub-Saharan Africa. The method, tested for over ten crop seasons, shows promising results, increasing yields up to four-fold in fields highly infested with witchweed.
Researchers found that diverse plant communities are more effective at excluding invasive weeds due to complete utilization of space and limited resources. This implies that biodiversity can also provide local resistance to invasions.
Researchers found mostly beneficial gene substitutions in fruit fly Drosophila, but mostly detrimental substitutions in mustard weed Arabidopsis. The study attributes this difference to the Arabidopsis mating system of partial self-fertilization, which reduces effective population size and increases deleterious mutations.
A study found that genetic traits from crops can persist in weeds for generations, potentially leading to hardy and hard-to-kill weeds. This raises concerns about the long-term impact of transgenic crops on weed populations.
Researchers found that newly restored wetlands often struggle with invasive weeds, which can outcompete native species for resources. The cost of wetland restoration is also a significant barrier, with some projects costing up to $200,000 per hectare.
A comprehensive study on organic weed control in vineyards will be conducted to produce valuable information on controlling weeds without using chemicals. The project aims to provide alternatives for Australian wine producers to maintain their clean reputation and avoid contamination scares.
Scientists found that genetically-engineered oilseed rape produces hybrid, transgenic weeds resistant to herbicides, which reproduce as prolifically as unaltered weeds. These weeds may carry beneficial traits from the crop parent and still exhibit weed-like characteristics.
Researchers successfully wiped out 20 square kilometers of water hyacinth in the Sepik River, reducing infestations from 27 square kilometers to just seven over five years. The use of biological control agents like weevils was a key factor in this achievement.
Archaeologists found that prehistoric Indian villagers in southeastern Iowa consumed knotweed and little barley seeds, which were rich in carbohydrates. The discovery sheds light on the diet and agriculture practices of the Oneota Culture, a Native American tribe that lived from 1580 to 1640.