Strategies for Sustainable Weed Control: Embracing Multi-tactic Solutions

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Weed Science and Weed Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 4365

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Plant and Soil Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Interests: weed control; weed physiology; herbicide-resistant weed
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Plant and Soil Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Interests: weed biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The upcoming Special Issue, "Strategies for Sustainable Weed Control: Embracing Multi-tactic Solutions", promises to offer a comprehensive exploration of innovative strategies in weed management, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. This collection, curated by esteemed experts, delves into diverse approaches to address the challenges posed by weeds in agriculture, minimizing reliance on synthetic chemicals. Encompassing chemical, biological, and cultural methods, the issue highlights individual and synergistic tactics to achieve sustainable weed suppression. Featuring contributions from leading researchers, the Special Issue aims to provide nuanced insights into integrated weed management systems. From novel herbicides with minimal ecological impact to biocontrol agents and sustainable farming practices, this compilation contributes valuable knowledge to the discourse on sustainable agriculture and weed control. Emphasizing holistic approaches that prioritize soil conservation, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural sustainability, the research within this Special Issue appeals to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in the dynamic realm of weed science and agriculture.

Dr. Te-Ming Tseng
Dr. Swati Shreatha
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • weed management
  • sustainable agriculture
  • regenerative practices
  • integrated weed control
  • agroecology
  • herbicide alternatives
  • biodiversity conservation
  • multi-tactic solutions

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2771 KiB  
Article
Inductive Effect of Exogenous Abscisic Acid on the Weed-Suppressive Activity of Allelopathic and Non-Allelopathic Rice Accessions at the Root Level
by Jiayu Li, Ting Wang, Yuhui Fan, Shuyu Chen, Xinyi Ye, Yanping Wang and Chen Cheng
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2297; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102297 - 6 Oct 2024
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Rice allelopathy is a natural method of weed control that is regarded as an eco-friendly practice in agroecology. The root growth of allelopathic rice at the seedling stage plays an important role in its weed control. Our study characterizes a plant hormone that [...] Read more.
Rice allelopathy is a natural method of weed control that is regarded as an eco-friendly practice in agroecology. The root growth of allelopathic rice at the seedling stage plays an important role in its weed control. Our study characterizes a plant hormone that promotes root growth, abscisic acid (ABA), to explore its role in the induction of rice allelopathy. Increasing the root morphology traits (root length, root tip number, and root biomass) in rice using different concentrations of exogenous ABA resulted in increased inhibitory ratios against barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli), both in a hydroponic experiment and pot test. In particular, the relative proportion of induced allelopathy to total allelopathy in non-allelopathic rice Lemont (Le) was higher than that in allelopathic rice PI31277 (PI). The total content of phenolic acid, which is an important allelochemical in rice, as previously reported, was significantly elevated in the root exudates of both PI and LE. The gene expression levels of OsPAL, OsC4H, and OsCOL related to phenolic acid synthesis were also up-regulated, with a higher regulatory fold in PI. ABA also increased the expression of OsKSL4 and CYP75B4 involved in the biosynthesis of momilactone B and tricin. Moreover, low concentrations of exogenous ABA mainly positively regulate the expression of OsIAA11, an AUX/IAA transcription factor gene, in the root of PI and Le. These findings suggest that the application of ABA could significantly enhance the weed-suppressive activity of both rice cultivars through regulating root growth and the synthesis of allelochemicals secreted by rice roots, providing an option for the improvement of rice allelopathy through chemical induction. Full article
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15 pages, 3850 KiB  
Article
Effect of Elevated Temperature on Growth Parameters and Seed Set of Setaria pumila (Yellow Foxtail) and Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) in Southern USA
by Amarnadh Oleti, Amna Dar, Sanju Shrestha, Grishma Ojha, Te-Ming Tseng and Swati Shrestha
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2025; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092025 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 510
Abstract
The steady increase in temperature due to global warming can significantly impact weed growth. This study investigates the response of the yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.) grass weed and the Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) broadleaf weed [...] Read more.
The steady increase in temperature due to global warming can significantly impact weed growth. This study investigates the response of the yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.) grass weed and the Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) broadleaf weed to increasing temperature conditions, simulating future climate conditions. Temperature treatments included growing these weeds in three temperature-controlled growth chambers: control or ambient conditions (15.5/12.8 °C day/night), moderately elevated temperatures (17.2/14.4 °C), and elevated temperatures (18.8/16.1 °C). Monthly adjustments in the growth chambers simulated the natural temperature rise observed from April to June in the Southern USA, aligning with the respective treatments. Different plant parameters recorded included days to emergence, number of tillers/leaves, chlorophyll content, days to first inflorescence, biomass, and seed set. One-way ANOVA indicated a significant temperature impact on all the parameters assessed (p < 0.05), except for biomass (for both weeds) and days to first inflorescence and yield (for Palmer amaranth (p > 0.05)). The average days to emergence were the lowest under elevated temperatures (8 days for yellow foxtail and 11 days for Palmer amaranth) when compared to that for the control (10 days for yellow foxtail and 19 days for Palmer amaranth). By week 5, yellow foxtail exhibited notably greater tiller numbers under elevated temperatures compared to that of the control; a similar trend was noticed regarding the number of Palmer amaranth leaves. The average chlorophyll content was the highest under elevated temperature conditions up to week 6 and began decreasing after that for both weeds. The average yield of yellow foxtail under elevated, moderately elevated, and control temperatures was 7.55, 2.69, and 0.88 g, respectively. Even though not significant, the yield of Palmer amaranth was higher under elevated temperature conditions as compared to that under the ambient condition. The biomass of both yellow foxtail and Palmer amaranth were not significantly impacted by temperature (p > 0.05). Our research shows that as temperatures rise, weeds exhibit more vigorous growth and show higher photosynthetic efficiency, which has important implications for how we manage weeds in agriculture. These findings suggest that under warmer conditions, weeds could display more vigorous vegetative growth, thus significantly impacting crop yields. As we face ongoing global warming, it is crucial to consider how temperatures influences weed growth when designing strategies to manage weeds effectively. Full article
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11 pages, 716 KiB  
Article
Performance of ACCase-Resistant and ACCase-Susceptible Phenotypes of Sterile Oat Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman under Drought Conditions in the Greenhouse
by Ruhollah Naderi, Farzad Bijani, Bhagirath S. Chauhan and Heinz Mueller-Schaerer
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061268 - 12 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Climate change might benefit water-stress-adapted weeds, further impairing their management. To evaluate the impact of soil moisture regimes on the growth and reproductive behaviour of ACCase-resistant and ACCase-susceptible phenotypes of sterile oat (Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman), a greenhouse experiment was carried [...] Read more.
Climate change might benefit water-stress-adapted weeds, further impairing their management. To evaluate the impact of soil moisture regimes on the growth and reproductive behaviour of ACCase-resistant and ACCase-susceptible phenotypes of sterile oat (Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman), a greenhouse experiment was carried out in 2020 and 2021. The factors were soil moisture regimes (100% field capacity (FC) as well-watered, 75% FC, 50% FC, and 25% FC) and ACCase-resistant and ACCase-susceptible phenotypes of sterile oat. Increased drought stress conditions reduced the number of tillers per plant by 34, 55, and 83% and the number of seeds per plant by 36, 61, and 89% in the 75% FC, 50% FC, and 25% FC conditions, respectively, compared to the well-watered treatment. Notably, both phenotypes reacted similarly to water stress, with no interactions between the two factors. Regardless of water stress, the resistant phenotypes produced fewer seeds per plant, indicating fitness costs. However, due to their high plasticity, both phenotypes will still produce seeds even when facing severe water stress conditions. Thus, sterile oat is expected to continue infesting crop fields in the near future, but with ACCase-resistant phenotypes being less successful than susceptible ones in the absence of herbicide application. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 1497 KiB  
Review
Laser Weeding Technology in Cropping Systems: A Comprehensive Review
by Muhammad Usama Yaseen and John M. Long
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2253; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102253 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1675
Abstract
Weed infestations pose significant challenges to global crop production, demanding effective and sustainable weed control methods. Traditional approaches, such as chemical herbicides, mechanical tillage, and plastic mulches, are not only associated with environmental concerns but also face challenges like herbicide resistance, soil health, [...] Read more.
Weed infestations pose significant challenges to global crop production, demanding effective and sustainable weed control methods. Traditional approaches, such as chemical herbicides, mechanical tillage, and plastic mulches, are not only associated with environmental concerns but also face challenges like herbicide resistance, soil health, erosion, moisture content, and organic matter depletion. Thermal methods like flaming, streaming, and hot foam distribution are emerging weed control technologies along with directed energy systems of electrical and laser weeding. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of laser weeding technology, comparing it with conventional methods and highlighting its potential environmental benefits. Laser weeding, known for its precision and targeted energy delivery, emerges as a promising alternative to conventional control methods. This review explores various laser weeding platforms, discussing their features, applications, and limitations, with a focus on critical areas for improvement, including dwell time reduction, automated navigation, energy efficiency, affordability, and safety standards. Comparative analyses underscore the advantages of laser weeding, such as reduced environmental impact, minimized soil disturbance, and the potential for sustainable agriculture. This paper concludes by outlining key areas for future research and development to enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and affordability of laser weeding technology. In summary, laser weeding presents a transformative solution for weed control, aligning with the principles of sustainable and environmentally conscious agriculture, and addressing the limitations of traditional methods. Full article
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