Chemical Management of Senecio madagascariensis (Fireweed)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The theme of the manuscript is appropriate and original. It fits into the theme of the journal Plants.
The article is of high scientific value due to the experiment conducted, while the knowledge of the research results should be disseminated in agricultural practice. The results of the conducted experiment can also be used for further research, as mentioned by the authors of the manuscript in the conclusion.
Please change the design of the paper in accordance with the editorial requirements of the journal.
Abstract:
Abstract seems to be well prepared. I suggest supplementing it with information on what year and where the experiment was conducted.
Introduction:
The introduction contains the purpose of the paper and presents the knowledge of the topic undertaken. However, it is too long; part of the introduction can be used to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods
The choice of methods correct, however, there is no information on at what developmental stage of weeds the herbicides were administered. Please supplement this. The Shannon-Weiner Index formula should be placed before the statistical methods. The statistical methods are not objectionable and are properly selected. There is an incorrect numbering of ,,Table 2'' line 126, it should be ,,Table 1''
Results and Discussion
The results do not raise major objections. The results are complete, correctly described. However, Discussion based on little literature in addition old studies. Please supplement this.
Conclusions
Conclusions correct.
References
References well selected however there are few items from current studies. Please supplement with more recent literature items. The literature notation in almost all items does not comply with the editorial requirements of the journal. Please correct this.

The work requires linguistic correction.

The paper, after taking into account the additions, can be published in the journal Plants.

Author Response

Thank you very much for the comments. Please see the attached responses for the comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Author,

The work sent for review, entitled: “Chemical management of Senecio madagascariensis (Fireweed)”, presents an economically important aspect and will also explain the mechanism of action of herbicides. There were 3 research objectives: 1) to evaluate the effect of several herbicides, which were previously considered effective against eyebright but have different modes of action, on the density of eyebright, 2) to compare a single dose with a repeated one, and 3) to determine their ability to quickly deplete the eyebright seeds while maintaining species diversity of pasture communities. The results of the work illustrate the research topic well; however, some errors and shortcomings have been noticed, which should be corrected before submitting the work to print.

Detailed notes

1)     The abstract should be structured in accordance with the requirements of the journal.

2)     The introduction sufficiently introduces the issue raised in the paper, but one of the objectives of the study should be the effect of multiple herbicide treatments on the residues of active substances in pasture feed.

3)     Material and methods are generally well covered with the exception of the lack of assessment of pasture feed for pesticide residues.

4)     Test results are discussed in detail using statistical methods. Only the effect of herbicide residues on crop quality is missing.

5)     The issue of herbicide residues in feed should be addressed in the discussion.

6)     Conclusions should be generalizing and summarizing, and at least one should be forward-looking.

Author Response

Thank you very much for the comments. Please see the attached responses for the comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx