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Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 23343

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nicholas Emmanuel Korres

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Guest Editor

ORISE Research Scientist/United States Department of Agriculture | Agricultural Research Service
Interests: weed biology; weed ecology; weed physiology; weed demographics; population dynamics; cropping systems; weed–crop interactions; integrated weed management; herbicide resistance; system dynamics; modeling; abiotic stress; climate change.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Thomas K. Gitsopoulos

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Guest Editor

HAO-DEMETER, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources
Interests: herbicides; herbicide resistance; crop–weed competition; allelopathy; weed biology and ecology; integrated weed management.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The existence of superweeds (i.e., weeds difficult to control because of their fast growth rate, large biomass production, high fecundity, adaptability to a wide range of environments, and capacity to easily develop herbicide resistance) and the consequences that follow their presence are undoubtedly among the biggest challenges that farmers are currently facing. Superweeds have spread across the globe and cause significant economic damage through yield losses and the increase of production costs. The development of resistance to herbicides, one of the main causes of the spread of superweeds, was accelerated due to the use of monocultures, the overdependence on a single herbicide mode of action, and the neglect of other weed-control measures. The wide adoption of herbicide-resistant genetically modified crops in many food-production systems has encouraged producers to abandon practices for integrated weed-management approaches. In light of public concern about sustainable food production, the necessity for human and environmental protection, along with the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, the review of current weed-control practices is required. Furthermore, in order to achieve effective weed control, it is necessary to understand the biology, ecophysiology, and population dynamics of these species within agroecosystems. This Special Issue aims to include work related to the biology and (eco)physiology of superweeds. Work related with the ecology and traits that enhance the invasiveness of these species would be an asset to this Special Issue. Articles on crop–weed relationships and consequences related with economic or environmental costs due to the presence of superweeds are also welcome. Finally, ecology-based weed tactics or integrated weed-management approaches that secure the long-term control of superweeds will also be considered for publication.

Prof. Dr. Nicholas Emmanuel Korres
Dr. Thomas K. Gitsopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

abiotic stress
competitive ability
crop–weed interactions
cropping systems
ecophysiology
ecology
herbicide resistance
fecundity
growth analysis
integrated weed control
phenology
physiology
population dynamics
stress tolerance
weed biology.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Phenotypic Plasticity of the Invasive Weed Trianthema portulacastrum L.

by Marwa A. Fakhr, Yasser S. A. Mazrou, Faten Y. Ellmouni, AlBaraa ElSaied, Mohamed Elhady, Amr Elkelish and Iman H. Nour

Plants 2022, 11(1), 77; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11010077 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2912

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is frequently highlighted as a key factor in plant invasiveness, as it enables invasive species to adapt to diverse, complicated habitats. Trianthema portulacastrum is one of the most common aggressive species that threaten different crops around the world. Phenotypic plasticity in T. portulacastrum was investigated by comparing variation in germination, vegetative macromorphology, photosynthetic pigments, stomatal complexes, and seed micromorphological traits of 35 samples collected from 35 different localities. One-way cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to classify samples into homogeneous groups based on the measured traits. Pairwise statistical comparisons were conducted between the three resulting groups. The phenotypic plasticity index (PI) was calculated and compared among different groups of characters. Results showed that photosynthetic pigments and macromorphological characteristics had the highest PI, followed by seed micromorphology, and then stomatal complex traits, while germination parameters showed the lowest PI. We propose that soil moisture, salinity, and temperature are the most determinative and explanative variables of the variation between the three classified groups. We strongly believe that the phenotypic plasticity of T. portulacastrum will support species abundance and spread even under expected changes in climatic conditions, in contrast to the vulnerable traditional crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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11 pages, 12178 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Response of Iranian Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Accessions to 2,4-D Drift

by Rouzbeh Zangoueinejad, Behnaz Sirooeinejad, Mohammad Taghi Alebrahim and Ali Ahsan Bajwa

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2442; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10112442 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1994

Abstract

One of the most widely used auxinic herbicides in southern Iran’s cereal crop fields is 2,4-D; however, the concurrent growing season of off-season melons in this region potentially leads to herbicide drift from cereal fields to the melon fields. To study the response of some Iranian wild melon accessions to three simulated drift rates of 2,4-D, including 112.1, 11.2, and 3.7 g ae ha⁻¹, a field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. It was found that by increasing the herbicide rate from 3.7 to 112.1 g ae ha⁻¹, the level of visual injury increased in all accessions. However, significant variation in herbicide tolerance was observed among different melon accessions. The MEL-R1 was the most tolerant accession with only 20% injury, while MEL-D8 displayed very high injury rate (ca. 90%) as assessed at 6 weeks after treatment during 2019. The accession MEL-S3 was the most tolerant to 2,4-D drift rates (20% injury) at 6 weeks after treatment during 2020. There was no significant difference between the accessions MEL-R1 and MEL-S3 in terms of their response to 2,4-D treatment during both years of the study, as these accessions fully recovered from injury over 6 weeks after herbicide treatment. In addition, only these two accessions were able to produce yield after the application of 2,4-D at the highest rate tested (112.1 g ae ha⁻¹). Therefore, the melon accessions MEL-R1 and MEL-S3 could be recommended for cultivation and even for breeding programs in order to develop 2,4-D-tolerant commercial cultivars in regions where this herbicide is commonly used in cereal crop production adjacent to the melon fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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11 pages, 568 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Preemergent Herbicides for Chloris virgata Control in Mungbean

by Gulshan Mahajan and Bhagirath S. Chauhan

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1632; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10081632 - 09 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1964

Abstract

Chloris virgata is a problematic weed in mungbean crops due to its high seed production, resistance to glyphosate and high dispersal ability. Pot and field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 to evaluate a range of preemergent (PRE) herbicides for C. virgata control in mungbean. In the field and pot studies, isoxaflutole 75 g ai ha⁻¹ caused crop injury, and in the field experiment, it reduced mungbean yield by 61% compared with the best treatment (pyroxasulfone 100 g ai ha⁻¹). In the field and pot experiments, dimethenamid-P 720 g ai ha⁻¹, pyroxasulfone 100 g ai ha⁻¹ and S-metolachlor 1400 g ai ha⁻¹ provided >88% control of C. virgata (for reduced biomass) and in the field experiment, these herbicides resulted in improved yield by 230%, 270% and 170%, respectively, compared with nontreated control (250 kg ha⁻¹). Similarly, pendimethalin 1000 g ai ha⁻¹ and trifluralin 600 g ai ha⁻¹ provided >89% control (biomass) of C. virgata, and in the field experiment, these resulted in improved yields of 230% and 160%, respectively, compared with the nontreated control. PRE herbicides such as diuron 750 g ai ha⁻¹, linuron 1100 g ai ha⁻¹, metribuzin 360 g ha⁻¹, terbuthylazine 750 g ai ha⁻¹, imazapic 48 g ai ha⁻¹ and imazethapyr 70 g ha⁻¹ although did not cause crop injury; however, these herbicides did not control C. virgata. Flumioxazin 90 g ai ha⁻¹ caused reduced biomass of C. virgata by 80% compared with the nontreated control, and in the field experiment, it resulted in improved yield by 140% compared with the nontreated control. This study suggests the potential use of herbicides, such as dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone and S-metolachlor in addition to pendimethalin and trifluralin, for C. virgata control in mungbean. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of dimethenamid-P, S-metolachlor and pyroxasulfone for controlling other troublesome weeds in mungbean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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17 pages, 3669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Invasion Pattern of the Alien Plant Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Silverleaf Nightshade): Environmental and Human-Induced Drivers

by Nikos Krigas, Maria A. Tsiafouli, Georgios Katsoulis, Nefta-Eleftheria Votsi and Mark van Kleunen

Plants 2021, 10(4), 805; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10040805 - 20 Apr 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3580

Abstract

Invasive alien plant species have impacts on nature conservation, ecosystem services and agricultural production. To identify environmental and human-related drivers of the invasion of Solanum elaeagnifolium (Solanaceae)—one of the worst alien invasive plants worldwide—we conducted an extensive drive-by survey across the Greek territory (presence/absence data; all national major multilane highways; 12–25% of the remaining road network; driven 3–5 times during 2000–2020). These data were linked in GIS with (i) physical environmental attributes (elevation, climate, soil properties) and (ii) type and intensity of human-related activities (land uses, settlements and road type). Compared to previous records, our survey showed that the range of S. elaeagnifolium increased by 1750% during the last decades, doubling its main distribution centers and reaching higher elevations. Our study revealed that the presence of S. elaeagnifolium is associated with (i) higher maximum temperatures and precipitation in summer and low precipitation in winter, as well as with (ii) soil disturbance related to agricultural activities, settlements and road networks, thus facilitating its spread mainly at low altitudes. Our study elucidates the current invasion pattern of S. elaeagnifolium and highlights the urgent need for its widespread monitoring, at least in the noninvaded areas in Greece that have been surveyed in this study. Preventative measures and integrative initiatives should be implemented quickly, and urgently incorporated into current agricultural, road network and conservation-management regimes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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15 pages, 1034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibitory Effects of Brassicaceae Cover Crop on Ambrosia artemisiifolia Germination and Early Growth

by Maja Šćepanović, Marija Sarić-Krsmanović, Valentina Šoštarčić, Ema Brijačak, Josip Lakić, Bojana Špirović Trifunović, Jelena Gajić Umiljendić and Ljiljana Radivojević

Plants 2021, 10(4), 794; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10040794 - 17 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1939

Abstract

Several cover crops (CCs) exert allelopathic effects that suppress weed growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts containing different concentrations [0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% (w/v)] of Brassicaceae CCs (Sinapis alba, Raphanus sativus, Camellina sativa) and of the CCs Fagopyrum esculentum and Guizotia abyssinica on germination and early growth of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. The allelopathic effects were species and concentration-dependent. C. sativa, for example, caused the greatest potential to inhibit germination, shoot, radicle length and fresh seedling weight, whereas S. alba and R. sativus inhibited germination and early growth of A. artemisiifolia only at concentrations ≥7.5%. In contrast, no inhibition was observed when aqueous extracts of F. escultneum and G. abyssinica were added at any of tested concentration. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry detected 15 phenolic compounds in Brassicaceae CCs with the highest content (µg/g) of vanillin (48.8), chlorogenic acid (1057), vanilic acid (79), caffeic acid (102.5) and syringic acid (27.3) in C. sativa. Our results suggest that C. sativa is the most allelopathic CCs and that the fruits of C. sativa are the plant organs richest in allelochemicals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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9 pages, 1030 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Growth Stage of Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. Determines the Efficacy of Pinoxaden

by Ana Pintar, Zlatko Svečnjak, Valentina Šoštarčić, Josip Lakić, Klara Barić, Dragojka Brzoja and Maja Šćepanović

Plants 2021, 10(4), 732; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10040732 - 09 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1883

Abstract

Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. is an important pinoxaden-resistant grass weed in many countries of Europe. Recently, the low efficacy of pinoxaden was reported in winter cereals in Croatia, but a preliminary dose–response trial showed no herbicide resistance for the investigated weed population. Therefore, a two-year experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions to determine the efficacy of various pinoxaden doses (20, 40 and 80 g a.i. ha⁻¹) on weed visual injuries and biomass reduction after herbicide application at different growth stages. As expected, the maximum weed biomass reduction (97.3%) was achieved by applying the highest dose (80 g a.i. ha⁻¹) at the earliest growth stage (ZCK 12–14). A pinoxaden dose of 20 g a.i. ha⁻¹ resulted in satisfactory weed biomass reduction (88.9%) only when applied at ZCK 12–14. The recommended dose (40 g a.i. ha⁻¹) also provided sufficient weed control up to the growth stage ZCK 21–25. Slightly delayed (ZCK 31–32) application of the recommended dose brought about a low weed biomass reduction (60.1%). Double than the recommended dose also failed to provide satisfactory weed control at the advanced weed growth stages (ZCK 31–32 and ZCK 37–39). Thus, reported low efficacy of pinoxaden is most likely because of delayed herbicide application when A. myosuroides is overgrown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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20 pages, 1961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth and Phenology of Vulpia Myuros in Comparison with Apera Spica-Venti, Alopecurus Myosuroides and Lolium Multiflorum in Monoculture and in Winter Wheat

by Muhammad Javaid Akhter, Bo Melander, Solvejg Kopp Mathiassen, Rodrigo Labouriau, Svend Vendelbo Nielsen and Per Kudsk

Plants 2020, 9(11), 1495; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants9111495 - 05 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

Vulpia myuros has become an increasing weed problem in winter cereals in Northern Europe. However, the information about V. myuros and its behavior as an arable weed is limited. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2017/18 and 2018/19, at the Department of Agroecology in Flakkebjerg, Denmark to investigate the emergence, phenological development and growth characteristics of V. myuros in monoculture and in mixture with winter wheat, in comparison to Apera spica-venti, Alopecurus myosuroides and Lolium multiflorum. V. myuros emerged earlier than A. myosuroides and A. spica-venti but later than L. multiflorum. Significant differences in phenological development were recorded among the species. Overall phenology of V. myuros was more similar to that of L. multiflorum than to A. myosuroides and A. spica-venti. V. myuros started seed shedding earlier than A. spica-venti and L. multiflorum but later than A. myosuroides. V. myuros was more sensitive to winter wheat competition in terms of biomass production and fecundity than the other species. Using a target-neighborhood design, responses of V. myuros and A. spica-venti to the increasing density of winter wheat were quantified. At early growth stages “BBCH 26–29”, V. myuros was suppressed less than A. spica-venti by winter wheat, while opposite responses were seen at later growth stages “BBCH 39–47” and “BBCH 81–90”. No significant differences in fecundity characteristics were observed between the two species in response to increasing winter wheat density. The information on the behavior of V. myuros gathered by the current study can support the development of effective integrated weed management strategies for V. myuros. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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Review

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25 pages, 783 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Remarkable Journey of a Weed: Biology and Management of Annual Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Conservation Cropping Systems of Australia

by Ali Ahsan Bajwa, Sajid Latif, Catherine Borger, Nadeem Iqbal, Md Asaduzzaman, Hanwen Wu and Michael Walsh

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1505; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10081505 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4354

Abstract

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.), traditionally utilised as a pasture species, has become the most problematic and difficult-to-control weed across grain production regions in Australia. Annual ryegrass has been favoured by the adoption of conservation tillage systems due to its genetic diversity, prolific seed production, widespread dispersal, flexible germination requirements and competitive growth habit. The widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass has made its management within these systems extremely difficult. The negative impacts of this weed on grain production systems result in annual revenue losses exceeding $93 million (AUD) for Australian grain growers. No single method of management provides effective and enduring control hence the need of integrated weed management programs is widely accepted and practiced in Australian cropping. Although annual ryegrass is an extensively researched weed, a comprehensive review of the biology and management of this weed in conservation cropping systems has not been conducted. This review presents an up-to-date account of knowledge on the biology, ecology and management of annual ryegrass in an Australian context. This comprehensive account provides pragmatic information for further research and suitable management of annual ryegrass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Super-Weeds: Knowledge of Their Biology, Physiology and Ecology Will Alleviate Their Effects on Crops and Enhance Management Options for Long-Term Control)

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