In the transition zone, turfgrass managers generally utilize the dormancy period of warm-season turfgrass to apply herbicides for managing winter annual weeds. Although this weed control strategy is common in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], it has been less adopted in zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) due to variable turfgrass injury during post-dormancy transition. Previous research reported that air temperature could affect weed control and crop safety from herbicides. Growth-chamber studies were conducted to evaluate zoysiagrass response to glyphosate and glufosinate as influenced by three different temperature regimes during and after treatment. A field research study was conducted at four site-years to assess the influence of variable heat-unit accumulation on zoysiagrass response to seven herbicides. In the growth-chamber study, glufosinate injured zoysiagrass more than glyphosate and reduced time to reach 50% green cover reduction, regardless of the rate, when incubated for 7 d under different temperature levels. When green zoysiagrass sprigs were incubated for 7 d at 10 C, the rate of green cover reduction was slowed for both herbicides; however, green cover was rapidly reduced under 27 C. After treated zoysiagrass plugs having 5% green cover were incubated at 10 C for 14 d, glyphosate-treated plugs reached 50% green cover in 22 d, similar to nontreated plugs but less than the 70 d required for glufosinate-treated plugs. Zoysiagrass response to glyphosate was temperature dependent, but glufosinate injured zoysiagrass unacceptably regardless of temperature regime. Diquat, flumioxazin, glufosinate, and metsulfuron + rimsulfuron injured zoysiagrass at 200 or 300 growing-degree days at base 5 C (GDD5C) application timings, but foramsulfuron and oxadiazon did not injure zoysiagrass regardless of GDD5C. The relationship of leaf density to green turf cover is dependent on zoysiagrass mowing height, and both metrics are reduced by injurious herbicides. Research indicates that glufosinate injures zoysiagrass more than glyphosate, and the speed and magnitude of herbicide injury generally increase with temperature.

The extent to which weed species vary in their ability to acquire and use different forms of nitrogen (N) (inorganic and organic) has not been investigated but could have important implications for weed survival and weed–crop competition in agroecosystems. We conducted a controlled environment experiment using stable isotopes to determine the uptake and partitioning of organic and inorganic N (amino acids, ammonium, and nitrate) by seven common weed and non-weed species. All species took up inorganic and organic N, including as intact amino acids. Concentrations of 15N derived from both ammonium and amino acids in shoot tissues were higher in large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] and barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv] than in common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum bicolor (L.) ssp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet & Harlan]. In contrast, the concentration of 15N derived from nitrate was higher in wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) shoots than in wild oat (Avena fatua L.) shoots. Root concentration of 15N derived from ammonium was lower in sorghum-sudangrass compared with other species, except for A. retroflexus and A. fatua, while root concentration of 15N derived from nitrate was lower in A. retroflexus compared with other species, except for C. album and S. arvensis. Discriminant analysis classified species based on their uptake and partitioning of all three labeled N forms. These results suggest that common agricultural weeds can access and use organic N and differentially take up inorganic N forms. Additional research is needed to determine whether species-specific differences in organic and inorganic N uptake influence the intensity of competition for soil N.

Cover crops (CCs) have shown great potential for suppressing annual weeds within agronomic cropping systems across the United States. However, the weed suppressive potential of CCs may be moderated by environmental and management factors that are specific to certain geographic areas and their associated characteristics. This may be particularly true within the U.S. Southeast, where higher mean annual temperature and precipitation generate favorable conditions for both CC and weed growth. To understand the effects of this regional context on CCs and weeds, a meta-analysis examining paired comparisons of weed biomass and/or weed density under CC and bare ground conditions from studies conducted within the Southeast was conducted. Data were identified and extracted from 28 journal articles in which weed biomass and/or weed density were measured along with cash crop yield data, if they were provided. Fourteen studies provided 142 comparisons for weed biomass; 23 studies provided 139 comparisons for weed density; and 22 studies, pooled over both weed response variables, provided 144 comparisons for cash crop yield. CCs had a negative effect on weed density (P = 0.0016) but no effect on either weed biomass (P = 0.16) or cash crop yield (P = 0.88). The mean relative reduction in weed density under CCs was 44%. Subsequent analyses indicated that CC biomass was the key factor associated with this reduction. Weed density suppression was linearly related to CC biomass; a 50% decrease in weed density was associated with 6,600 kg ha−1 of CC biomass. Edaphic, geographic, and other management factors had no bearing on this suppressive effect. This highlights the importance of generating adequate CC biomass if weed suppression is the primary objective of CC use and the potential for CCs to reduce weed density over diverse soil, climate, and farm management conditions.

Field experiments were conducted over 2 yr (2019 to 2020) at two locations in Iowa to evaluate multi-tactic strategies for managing multiple herbicide–resistant (MHR) waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] in a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation. The effect of three herbicide programs on A. tuberculatus control was tested in corn (2019). The effects of the prior year’s corn weed control, a cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop, and soybean row spacing (38-cm vs. 76-cm wide) on A. tuberculatus density, biomass, and seed production were tested in soybean (2020). A herbicide program used in corn with two sites of action provided only 35% control of MHR A. tuberculatus compared with ≥97% control by a herbicide program with three sites of action. In soybean, adequate control of A. tuberculatus (≥90%) in the prior year’s corn crop and use of a cover crop or narrow rows reduced A. tuberculatus density by more than 60% at 3 and 9 wk after planting (WAP) compared with inadequate control (30%) in the prior year’s corn and no cover crop. Cover crop and narrow-row soybean reduced A. tuberculatus density by 44% at 3 WAP compared with no cover crop and wide-row soybean. Inclusion of a single control tactic, adequate control (≥90%) with multiple herbicides in the prior year’s corn, use of a cover crop, or narrow-row soybean reduced A. tuberculatus biomass and seed production at soybean harvest by at least 24% compared with inadequate control (30%) in the prior year’s corn, no cover crop, and wide-row soybean. The combination of all three control tactics reduced A. tuberculatus biomass and seed production at soybean harvest by at least 80%. In conclusion, diverse control tactics targeting A. tuberculatus at multiple life-cycle stages can make substantial contributions to the management of MHR populations.

Competition between genotypes within a plant population can result in the displacement of the least competitive by more competitive genotypes. Although evolutionary processes in plants may occur over thousands and millions of years, it has been suggested that changes in key fitness traits could occur in as little as decades, with herbicide resistance being a common example. However, the rapid evolution of complex traits has not been proven in weeds. We hypothesized that changes in weed growth and competitive ability can occur in just a few years because of selection in agroecosystems. Seed of multiple generations of a single natural population of the grassy weed giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) were collected during 34 yr (i.e., 1983 to 2017). Using a “resurrection” approach, we characterized life-history traits of the different year-lines under noncompetitive and competitive conditions. Replacement-series experiments comparing the growth of the oldest year-line (1983) versus newer year-lines (1991, 1996, 1998, 2009, and 2017) showed that plant competitive ability decreased and then increased progressively in accordance with oscillating selection. The adaptations in competitive ability were reflected in dynamic changes in leaf area and biomass when plants were in competition. The onset of increased competitive ability coincided with the introduction of herbicide-resistant crops in the landscape in 1996. We also conducted a genome-wide association study and identified four loci that were associated with increased competitive ability over time, confirming that this trait changed in response to directional selection. Putative transcription factors and cell wall–associated enzymes were linked to those loci. This is the first study providing direct in situ evidence of rapid directional evolution of competitive ability in a plant species. The results suggest that agricultural systems can exert enough pressure to cause evolutionary adaptations of complex life-history traits, potentially increasing weediness and invasiveness.

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] is one of the most problematic grassy weeds in the world. It is considered to be an important weed in summer fallows and crops grown in the eastern region of Australia. To examine the seed germination ecology of two populations (Gatton and Ingham) of E. indica and their response to postemergence herbicides in Australian conditions, experiments were carried out in the laboratory and screenhouse. Seedling survival, spike production, and plant biomass of both E. indica populations declined markedly with the application of postemergence herbicides such as butroxydim, clethodim, glufosinate, haloxyfop, and propaquizafop, whereas the application of paraquat failed to control the Ingham population. A dose–response study verified the presence of paraquat resistance in the Ingham population. In this regard, it was observed that the paraquat doses required to achieve a 50% reduction in survival and plant biomass were 27 and 21 times greater in the Ingham population compared to the Gatton population, respectively. Higher alternating temperatures (35/25 and 30/20 C) resulted in greater germination of both populations than lower alternating temperatures (20/10 and 25/15 C). At 20/10 C, the Ingham population failed to germinate; however, about 15% germination in the Gatton population was observed. At the lowest alternate temperature range (15/5 C), neither population germinated. The germination of both populations of E. indica was severely reduced under completely dark conditions compared with the alternating light/dark period. Germination was more tolerant of salt and water stress in the Ingham population compared with the Gatton population. Eleusine indica seedling emergence was comparable among populations, and the greatest emergence (83%) was observed for seeds buried at a depth of 2 cm but then declined dramatically, and no seedlings emerged from an 8-cm burial depth. The information acquired from this study could be used in developing effective management strategies for E. indica.

No-till planting organic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] into roller-crimped cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) can have several advantages over traditional tillage-based organic production. However, suboptimal cereal rye growth in fields with large populations of weeds may result in reduced weed suppression, weed–crop competition, and soybean yield loss. Ecological weed management theory suggests that integrating multiple management practices that may be weakly effective on their own can collectively provide high levels of weed suppression. In 2021 and 2022, a field experiment was conducted in central New York to evaluate the performance of three weed management tactics implemented alone and in combination in organic no-till soybean planted into both cereal rye mulch and no mulch: (1) increasing crop seeding rate, (2) interrow mowing, and (3) weed electrocution. A nontreated control treatment that did not receive any weed management and a weed-free control treatment were also included. Cereal rye was absent from two of the five fields where the experiment was repeated; however, the presence of cereal rye did not differentially affect results, and thus data were pooled across fields. All treatments that included interrow mowing reduced weed biomass by at least 60% and increased soybean yield by 14% compared with the nontreated control. The use of a high seeding rate or weed electrocution, alone or in combination, did not improve weed suppression or soybean yield relative to the nontreated control. Soybean yield across all treatments was at least 22% lower than in the weed-free control plot. Future research should explore the effects of the tactics tested on weed population and community dynamics over an extended period. Indirect effects from interrow mowing and weed electrocution should also be studied, such as the potential for improved harvestability, decreased weed seed production and viability, and the impacts on soil organisms and agroecosystem biodiversity.

Weeds contribute to biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystem functions. It is crucial to map different weed species and analyze their physiological activities. Remote sensing techniques for plant identification, especially hyperspectral imaging, are being developed using spectral response patterns to vegetation for detection and species identification. A library of hyperspectral images of 40 urban weed species in northeast China was established in this study. A terrestrial hyperspectral camera was used to acquire 435 hyperspectral images. The hyperspectral information for each weed species was extracted and analyzed. The spectral characteristics and vegetation indices of different weeds revealed the differences between weed species in the cities of northeast China and indirectly characterized the growth and physiological activity levels of different species, but could not effectively distinguish different species. Five methods—first derivative spectrum (FDS), second derivative spectrum (SDS), standard normal variate (SNV), moving averages (MA), and Savitzky-Golay (SG) smoothing—were used to pretreat the spectral curves to maximize the retention of spectral characteristics while removing the influence of noise. We investigated the application of a convolutional neural network (CNN) with terrestrial hyperspectral remote sensing to identify urban weeds in northeast China. A CNN classification model was established to distinguish weeds from the hyperspectral images and demonstrated a test accuracy of 95.32% to 98.15%. The accuracy of the original spectrum was 97.45%; SNV had the best accuracy (98.15%) and SG was the least accurate (95.32%). This provides a baseline for understanding the hyperspectral characteristics of urban weed species and monitoring their growth. It also contributes to the development of a hyperspectral imaging database with global applicability.

Preemergence herbicides associated with cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (hereafter “cereal rye”) can be an effective waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer.] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) management strategy in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production. Delaying cereal rye termination until soybean planting (planting green) optimizes biomass production and weed suppression but might further impact the fate of preemergence herbicides. Limited research is available on the fate of preemergence herbicides applied over living cereal rye in the planting green system. Field experiments were conducted in Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to evaluate the fate of flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone and Amaranthus spp. residual control under different cover crop management practices in soybean in 2021 and 2022 (8 site-years). A flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone herbicide premix was applied preemergence at soybean planting under no-till without cereal rye, cereal rye early terminated before soybean planting, and cereal rye terminated at soybean planting. Flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone concentrations in the soil were quantified at 0, 7, and 21 d after treatment (DAT), and Amaranthus spp. density was determined at postemergence herbicide application. The presence of cereal rye biomass intercepted flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone at preemergence application and reduced concentration in the soil when compared with no-till, mainly at 0 DAT. Main differences in herbicide concentration were observed between no-till and cereal rye treatments rather than cereal rye termination times. Despite reducing herbicide concentration in the soil, the presence of the cereal rye biomass did not affect early-season residual Amaranthus spp. control. The adoption of effective preemergence herbicides associated with a properly managed cereal rye cover crop is an effective option for integrated Amaranthus spp. management programs in soybean production systems.

North African knapweed (Centaurea diluta Aiton), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), corn marigold [Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourr.], rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), and corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) are weeds of economic importance in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly due to limited herbicide options for effective control. For this reason, information about their seedling emergence has become critical to develop effective integrated management strategies and better time control actions. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of seed burial depth and soil disturbance on the emergence of these weed species. Two pot experiments were carried out to (1) quantify seedling emergence at three burial depths (2, 5, and 9 cm) and (2) characterize seedling emergence in response to different frequencies and timings of soil disturbance. Burial depth limited the emergence of G. segetum and P. rhoeas at 5 and 9 cm, respectively; while seedling emergence of C. diluta, C. cyanus, and L. rigidum were reduced by 92%, 90%, and 67% at 9 cm compared with 2 cm, respectively. Two or more sequential soil disturbance events increased total seedling emergence of C. diluta, P. rhoeas, and G. segetum compared with single events, while L. rigidum did not respond to repeated soil disturbance. These results suggest that turning the soil to bury weed seeds down to 5 cm or deeper would be a very effective method to control G. segetum and P. rhoeas and moderately effective to control C. cyanus. Also, the use of a stale seedbed would have some efficacy to reduce P. rhoeas and C. diluta weed pressure within the crop. This study illustrates how differences among species in seedling emergence in response to soil depth and disturbance can determine distinct emergence patterns ultimately influencing the selection of weed control tools and timing.

Cover cropping is a suggested soil conservation practice widely investigated in cropping systems. Cover crops suppress weeds and often are part of an integrated weed management plan that could lead to reduced herbicide use and possibly reduce the weed seedbank. Winter brassica cover crops are popular in the eastern Washington potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production region, but in western Washington, the production of brassica seed crops presents disease issues along with the risk of cross-pollination, which limits the use of brassica cover crops. Research for this article was conducted in two trials from 2018 to 2020 and 2019 to 2021in Mount Vernon, Washington, to identify winter cover crops compatible with regional restrictions and climatic challenges in western Washington cropping systems. Treatments including a no-cover control, eight single species (including brassicas, grasses, and legumes), and a grass–legume mixture were investigated. Cover crop and weed biomass production were measured, and percent ground cover for cover crops and weeds by species was estimated. Cover crop biomass and weed suppression varied by year due to variable environments, but annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and the mixture were most consistent in producing large amounts of biomass and reducing weed biomass and cover in all years. The variability of percent weed cover response to environment was ameliorated when weed cover was normalized within each year’s control.

Field studies were conducted in 2021 in Kibler and Augusta, AR, to determine the effect of winter cover crops and cultivar selection on weed suppression and sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] yield. The split-split-plot studies evaluated three cover crops [cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) + crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.)], [winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) + crimson clover], and fallow; weeding (with or without); and four sweetpotato cultivars (‘Heartogold’, ‘Bayou-Belle-6’, ‘Beauregard-14’, and ‘Orleans’). Heartogold had the tallest canopy, while Beauregard-14 and Bayou Belle-6 had the longest vines at 5 and 8 wk after sweetpotato transplanting. Sweetpotato canopy was about 20% taller in weedy plots compared with the hand-weeded treatment, and vines were shorter under weed interference. Canopy height and vine length of sweetpotato cultivars were not related to weed biomass suppression. However, vine length was positively correlated to all yield grades (r > 0.5). Weed biomass decreased 1-fold in plots with cover crops compared with bare soil at Augusta. Cover crop biomass was positively correlated with jumbo (r = 0.29), no. 1 (r = 0.33), and total sweetpotato yield (r = 0.34). Jumbo yield was affected the most by weed pressure. On average, sweetpotato total yield was reduced by 80% and 60% with weed interference in Augusta and Kibler, respectively. Bayou Belle-6 was the high-yielding cultivar without weed interference in both locations. Bayou Belle-6 and Heartogold were less affected by weed interference than Beauregard-14 and Orleans.

California is the top producer of almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] worldwide, generating more than $6 billion in revenue in 2020; the European Union (EU) is the primary importer of California almonds. Weed control in almond orchards is an important part of the preharvest process, because weeds can interfere with harvest equipment and host diseases. Glyphosate and glufosinate are broad-spectrum herbicides commonly used for preharvest weed control. Global differences in maximum residue limits (MRLs) and regulated compounds can pose a challenge for growers who rely on broad-spectrum herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate for preharvest weed control. The EU MRL for glyphosate and total glufosinate is currently 0.1 mg kg−1. The U.S. MRL for total glyphosate is 1 mg kg−1, and total glufosinate is 0.5 mg kg−1. An 8-wk field experiment, from spray to harvest, was conducted in an 8-ha commercial orchard to evaluate the potential contribution of the preharvest herbicide treatment to low levels of herbicide residue in almonds. Then, the same batch of almonds was followed through a commercial processing facility to evaluate the potential movement of herbicide residues from soil, debris, and hulls to almond kernels during processing. Glyphosate was not detected in any almond kernel samples at the end of processing. A glufosinate metabolite, 3-(methylphosphinico)propionic acid (MPP), was detected in kernels at the end of processing at about 0.1 mg kg−1, which is above the EU MRL for total glufosinate. Almonds sampled directly from the tree, without any contact with soil, were found to have elevated MPP residues. This indicates glufosinate or MPP translocation may be a factor in low-level glufosinate residues detected in almonds in some EU exports.

Thailand’s northeast (NE) region is an area of high-quality cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. However, an outbreak of weedy rice has recently spread throughout the region. Weedy rice is phenotypically and morphologically similar to cultivated rice, making identification difficult. The prospective management of weedy rice in the future will involve the study of its genetic diversity and population structure in this region. This study assesses the genetic diversity and population structure of 380 weedy rice samples in the northeast of Thailand through simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Thirty-one SSR markers generated 213 alleles with an average of 6.87 per locus and an overall genetic diversity of 0.723. Based on its geographic origin, weedy rice in the Southern NE are showed greater genetic diversity than that in the Central NE and Northern NE areas. The outcrossing rate in all regions was relatively high, with the highest being in the Southern NE at 9.769%. According to genetic distance analysis, the clustering of weedy rice samples in northeast Thailand was not associated with the geographic region. Neighbor-joining and principal coordinate analysis revealed that the 380 weedy rice samples fell into two major clusters. Cluster I contained three weedy rice samples and four wild. In Cluster II, 377 weedy rice samples were closely related to the four cultivated rice cultivars as well as brownbeard rice (Oryza rufipogon Griffiths) wild species. The results suggest that weedy rice in northeast Thailand may have originated as a cross between cultivated and wild rice, as seen in the closely related species, O. rufipogon. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate the high genetic diversity of weedy rice in this region. Notably, some samples adapted, performing more like cultivated rice, which may be problematic for the future production of high-quality rice in this region. The prevention of weedy rice should, therefore, be given greater consideration in future studies.

Damage to non–dicamba resistant (non-DR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has been frequent in geographies where dicamba-resistant (DR) soybean and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have been grown and sprayed with the herbicide in recent years. Off-target movement field trials were conducted in northwest Arkansas to determine the relationship between dicamba concentration in the air and the extent of symptomology on non-DR soybean. Additionally, the frequency and concentration of dicamba in air samples at two locations in eastern Arkansas and environmental conditions that impacted the detection of the herbicide in air samples were evaluated. Treatment applications included dicamba at 560 g ae ha−1 (1X rate), glyphosate at 860 g ae ha−1, and particle drift retardant at 1% v/v applied to 0.37-ha fields with varying degrees of vegetation. The relationship between dicamba concentration in air samples and non-DR soybean response to the herbicide was more predictive with visible injury (generalized R 2 = 0.82) than height reduction (generalized R 2 = 0.43). The predicted dicamba air concentration resulting in 10% injury to soybean was 1.60 ng m−3 d−1 for a single exposure. The predicted concentration from a single exposure to dicamba resulting in a 10% height reduction was 3.78 ng m−3 d−1. Dicamba was frequently detected in eastern Arkansas, and daily detections above 1.60 ng m−3 occurred 17 times in the period sampled. The maximum concentration of dicamba recorded was 7.96 ng m−3 d−1, while dicamba concentrations at Marianna and Keiser, AR, were ≥1 ng m−3 d−1 in six samples collected in 2020 and 22 samples in 2021. Dicamba was detected consistently in air samples collected, indicating high usage in the region and the potential for soybean damage over an extended period. More research is needed to quantify the plant absorption rate of volatile dicamba and to evaluate the impact of multiple exposures of gaseous dicamba on non-targeted plant species.

The herbicide 2,4-D is commonly used for sucker control in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). However, the use of 2,4-D for sucker control has been implicated in delaying natural abscission in hazelnut. Hazelnuts naturally abscise and are collected from the orchard floor. Delays in abscission may reduce nut quality due to the onset of the rainy season, increasing mold and mud in the nuts. The effect of basal-directed applications of 2,4-D on hazelnut abscission, yield, and quality was assessed. In the first study, four basal-directed applications of 2,4-D (1.06 kg ae ha−1) did not affect hazelnut abscission, yield, or quality compared with glufosinate (1.1 kg ai ha−1) or manual pruning. In a second 3-yr study, a single yearly simulated drift of 2,4-D to the tree canopy at 0.06 and 0.6 mg L−1 increased the growing degree-day requirement from 50 to 141 to reach 50% hazelnut abscission, compared with the nontreated control. This is the equivalent of 5 to 15 calendar days. No effect was observed in the third year of the study when the simulated drift was not performed. No differences in abscission were observed with basal-directed applications of 2,4-D at rates up to 4.4 kg ha−1 when applied four times each season during all 3 yr of the study. Simulated drift reduced hazelnut yield by up to 37% and reduced the percentage of marketable nuts during 1 yr of the study. No effect on average kernel weight was observed. However, 2,4-D drift did delay hazelnut abscission, highlighting the importance of drift control measures.

Replacement series are used by researchers to understand how competition-related variables influence dynamics from the individual to the population and community levels, but this approach has been criticized because of inherent biases associated with plant size differences and density-dependent responses. The use of functional densities instead of demographic densities was proposed to minimize those biases. This work explored three models to determine reference densities for replacement series experiments based on (1) maximum biomass, (2) biomass at onset of diminishing returns (i.e., inflection point), and (3) nitrogen (N)-uptake equivalency. Replacement series experiments were conducted using redroot pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.):maize (Zea mays L.) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.):maize proportions of 1:0, 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5, 0.25:0.75, and 0:1. The monoculture density for each species was established according to the three models. Density selection criteria resulted in major differences in competitive interactions between species. The use of functional densities at which the biomass accumulation inflection point for the smaller species allowed both species to exhibit either increases or decreases in biomass production depending on competitive interactions for all interspecific mixtures. Conversely, the maximum biomass model favored the larger species, almost completely inhibiting the growth of the smaller species, which resulted in a poor characterization of competitive responses of the smaller species. The N uptake equivalency model resulted in interactions closer to the predicted neutral competition. The model based on the biomass accumulation inflection point was the most sensitive and informative across all interspecific mixtures for both species. We propose that to reduce bias associated with species size differences when determining reference densities for replacement series experiments, at least two criteria must be met: (1) the experiment sensitivity allows measuring and quantifying the competitive responses for both species in all mixtures, and (2) the balance between density and carrying capacity of the system minimizes intraspecific competition.

Intensive agricultural crop production is typically associated with low biodiversity. Low biodiversity is associated with a deficit of ecosystem services, which may limit crop yield (e.g., low pollination of insect-pollinated crops) at the individual field level or exacerbate the landscape-level impacts of intensive agriculture. To increase biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services with minimal loss of crop production area, farmers can plant desirable non-crop species near crop fields. Adoption of this practice is limited by inefficiencies in existing establishment methods. We have developed a novel seed-molding method allowing non-crop species to be planted with a conventional corn (Zea mays L.) planter, reducing labor and capital costs associated with native species establishment. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) was selected as a model native species, because Asclepias plants are the sole food source for monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) larvae. Stratified A. syriaca seeds were added to a mixture of binder (maltodextrin) and filler (diatomaceous earth and wood flour) materials in a 3D-printed mold with the dimensions of a corn seed. The resulting Multi-Seed Zea Pellets (MSZP), shaped like corn seeds, were tested against non-pelleted A. syriaca seeds in several indoor and outdoor pot experiments. Molding into MSZP did not affect percent emergence or time to emergence from a 2-cm planting depth. Intraspecific competition among seedlings that emerged from an MSZP did not differ from competition among seedlings that emerged from a cluster of non-pelleted seeds. These findings demonstrate the potential of MSZP technology as a precise and efficient method for increasing agroecosystem biodiversity.

Cowvine (Ipomoea lonchophylla J.M. Black) is a native and widely spread summer broadleaf weed in Australia. It contains glycoresins, which are toxic to livestock. However, limited information is available on seed germination ecology and growth phenology of this species. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the response of I. lonchophylla to different environmental conditions. Results showed that the primary dormancy exhibited by I. lonchophylla is due to the physical impediment of the hard seed coat. The seed germination percentage was the highest at the constant temperature of 27 C and alternating temperatures of 35/25 C. Germination of I. lonchophylla was not stimulated by light, suggesting that this species is non-photoblastic. Ipomoea lonchophylla germination was intolerant of a medium to high level of salt stress, and germination was completely inhibited at 250 mM NaCl. The emergence of I. lonchophylla was not restricted by seeding depth up to 8 cm, but only 5% emergence was recorded when seeds were planted at a 16-cm depth. The germination percentage was also drastically reduced by 90% to 100% after exposure to either 3 mo in silage, 48-h digestion in steers, or silage plus digestion treatments. The growth and reproductive phenology of I. lonchophylla was affected by emergence time. Plants that emerged in late spring (November 15) were able to produce more berries per plant than those that emerged in midsummer (January 15) in southern New South Wales. Information gained in our study concerning high soil salinity, ensiling, and digestion will help to develop more sustainable and effective integrated weed management strategies for controlling and reducing the spread of this weed.