We investigated changes in plant morphology, anatomy and physiology in a commonly occurring weed, Euphorbia helioscopia L. due to exposure to post‐emergence herbicides. Weed plants were sprayed with one of the following herbicides: pyrimidinyl sulphonylharnstoffe (PS), tribenuron‐methyl (TM), fluroxypyr‐methyl tribenuron‐methyl (FMTM) and bromoxynil (Br). The PS treatment significantly decreased plant

Broomrapes are important parasitic weeds in many vegetable crops in dry and warm regions of the world. The study of weed parasite physiology will increase knowledge of broomrape‐host interactions that may be applied to the development of improved parasitic plant control programmes. In this study, developmental patterns of activities of essential enzymes (sucrose synthase [SUS], mannose 6‐phosphate

Seeds of weed species require light to terminate dormancy and give way to germination. It is documented that sensitivity to light in Polygonum aviculare seeds increases during dormancy release. However, it is not known whether this sensitivity is lost during dormancy induction. The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify the changes in dormancy level of P. aviculare seeds during secondary

Galinsoga quadriradiata and Galinsoga parviflora are very troublesome weeds in many organic vegetable crops in Europe. A very straightforward method to keep Galinsoga infestations under control is by targeting the Galinsoga seedbank. To identify cropping systems able to reduce the seedbank size in vegetable‐based cropping systems, the relationships between the seedbank size of Galinsoga species and

Endozoochory is known as an important mechanism for the spread of weeds. We carried out experiments to assess the fate of seeds of several weed species (Convolvulus arvensis, Cuscuta campestris, Rumex crispus, Hordeum spontaneum and Sorghum halepense) after passing through the gut of sheep and goat. Eighteen animals of both sheep and goat received diet mixed with seeds of the weed species or control

Reproductive interference occurs when closely related species interact reproductively, affecting the fitness of either or both species. Understanding the mechanisms by which reproductive interference reduces fitness can be crucial for effective management and the interpretation of the functional significance of traits. Invasive apomictic dandelions reproductively interfere with the seed production

Precision farming technologies were implemented into a commercial harrow to increase selectivity of weed harrowing in spring cereals. Digital cameras were mounted before and after the harrow measuring crop cover. Crop soil cover (CSC) was computed out of these two images. Eight field experiments were carried out in spring cereals. Mode of harrowing intensity was changed in four experiments by speed

To investigate the effects of agronomic practices and farmer demographics on levels of weed infestation in chickpea fields, a survey was conducted during 2015 in Sanjabi district, Kermanshah, Iran. Two sets of data were collected: (a) weed sampling from the selected chickpea fields, and (b) questionnaire recording of farmer demographics and agronomic management. The farmers were asked about their residence

Vulpia myuros is an annual grass species of Mediterranean origin, which has achieved a global distribution. It is a fast‐growing species, with high colonisation and competitive abilities. This species is considered an invasive weed in most countries where it has been introduced, with highly negative economic impact where it now dominates. It is increasingly found to be a problematic weed in winter

Rainfed lowland rice fields in northern Togo are increasingly infested by the facultative hemiparasitic weed Rhamphicarpa fistulosa that is widely reported throughout sub‐Saharan Africa to be one of the most damaging weeds in rice fields. In this geographical area, some studies have shown that soil characteristics may influence the presence and/or the level of infestation of some parasitic weeds, but

Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) is a highly invasive perennial C3 weed from South America. It grows in most soil conditions, can resist fire and frost, and is unpalatable to grazing animals. Each plant can produce up to 140,000 seeds annually, and together, these characteristics make it a damaging landscape weed. It has diminished the agricultural carrying capacity of pastures in south‐eastern

The status (weed or beneficial shrub) of Chromolaena odorata in West Africa has been a major subject of debate since its introduction in the 1930s. Its negative impacts on agriculture and biodiversity are clear. However, indigenous people have harnessed several benefits of the plant, making management strategies less straightforward. Using indigenous voices in Ghana, the current perceptions of C. odorata

Development of integrated weed management strategies is dependent on a thorough knowledge of the demography of individual species. The current research established eight winter or summer weed species in a winter annual wheat cropping system at Wongan Hills, Western Australia, and investigated emergence of the first cohort of each species, survivorship, plant size, seed production and seed shedding

The Cittadella di Alessandria (Italy) is a military fortification that was built in the 18th century. The site has recently been abandoned and is now colonised by weeds, including the invasive Ailanthus altissima. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of different herbicides (glyphosate, a mixture of aminopyralid + fluroxypyr and triclopyr + fluroxypyr) applied to cut stumps or to the basal

Evolution of flooding tolerance in weedy rice has occurred in several rice‐growing regions, but the genes related to this process and the environmental effects are unknown. The objective of this study was to analyse the expression of genes related to flooding tolerance in response to temperature and flooding during the initial establishment of weedy rice. The experiments were carried out with rice

The potential of oilseed rape to suppress weed growth while maintaining optimal yield and quality is not well understood under field conditions in Australia. This study, conducted in Condobolin and Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (NSW), during 2015 and 2016, examined a diverse range of commercial oilseed rape cultivars for their inherent ability to suppress weeds and maintain yields when in competition

In Northern Europe, inter‐row hoeing has become a popular tactic for controlling weeds in organic cereals. Hoeing is highly effective and can be implemented from crop emergence until stem elongation to maintain a nearly weed‐free inter‐row zone. However, hoeing has a lesser effect on weeds growing in the intra‐row zone, where crop–weed proximity results in heightened competition. In the hoed cereal

The annual plant Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam) is the most widespread invasive non‐native weed in the British Isles. Manual control is widely used, but is costly and laborious. Recently, biological control using the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae has been trialled. We designed an experiment to assess the impact of these control methods on invertebrate communities in relation

Lolium rigidum Gaud., a grass weed species infesting winter field crops, has evolved resistance to the largest number of herbicide modes of action. In this study, 140 field populations of L. rigidum were screened with 14 herbicide treatments. Herbicide resistance at the recommended label dosage of pre‐emergence (PRE), post‐emergence (POST) and binary herbicide mixtures was considered present when plant

Weeds and weed control are major production costs in global agriculture, with increasing challenges associated with herbicide‐based management because of concerns with chemical residue and herbicide resistance. Non‐chemical weed management may address these challenges but requires the ability to differentiate weeds from crops. Harvest is an ideal opportunity for the differentiation of weeds that grow

An experiment to investigate why glufosinate ammonium control of Lolium spp. is more effective at cooler temperatures than warmer temperatures was conducted at Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch University. Wild Lolium spp. was grown at 10/15, 15/20, 20/25 and 25/30°C (night and day) temperature regimes and treated with glufosinate ammonium at 0, 300, 600, 900 and 1,200 g a.i./ha, 6 weeks

The correct application of a new herbicide depends on knowledge concerning its behaviour within the cultivation system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sorption–desorption process of aminocyclopyrachlor in soils with the addition of three aged organic materials from sugar cane and their transport via leaching. Sugar cane straw (12 t/ha), filter cake (90 t/ha) and vinasse (200 m3/ha)

Weed management using synthetic herbicides is undergoing a global decline, necessitating a re‐evaluation of existing control measures and the development of novel weed management tools. ‘Mini‐ridging’ is a non‐discriminatory, physical weeding method that functions by burying weeds in the intrarow with a laterally shifted ridge of soil. In glasshouse trials using potted plants, we found that plant recovery

Understanding drivers of weed density and diversity is essential for the development of weed management strategies. Here, we compared temporal changes in weed density and diversity under no‐till (NT) and conventional (CONV) tillage systems in cotton–maize rotations on loam, clay loam and sandy loam soils immediately after transition to NT in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. The effect of tillage system on weed density

The parasitic weed genus Striga causes huge losses to crop production in sub‐Saharan Africa, estimated to be in excess of $7 billion per year. There is a paucity of reliable distribution data for Striga; however, such data are urgently needed to understand current drivers, better target control efforts, as well as to predict future risks. To address this, we developed a methodology to enable rapid

We assessed the seed production and shedding pattern of 10 common weed species in two oat fields in Denmark. The aim was to evaluate the possibility of harvesting retained seeds on weeds at crop harvest by a combine harvester based on estimation of weed seed retention. Before flowering, ten plants of each weed species were selected and surrounded by a seed trap comprising of a porous net. When the

The globally invasive weed, mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.) is an annual, bushy, ill‐scented herb, originating in Eurasia. It is aggressively weedy in croplands, field‐side ditches, wet areas and along roadsides, especially in slightly acidic, nitrogen‐rich, clay‐loam soils. In addition to interfering with crop growth, the weed causes dermatitis and eye irritation in humans, skin rashes and

Chloris virgata is a problematic weed around the world. Prediction of weed germination rates could be a useful strategy to optimise timing of weed control actions. We studied the germination and emergence of C. virgata collected seeds under different after‐ripening treatments and different exhumation dates after seed dispersal, to estimate seed dormancy level and predict weed emergence dynamics under

A 2‐year field study was conducted to determine the effects of different nutrition systems and Salsola kali subsp. tragus densities on industrial hemp yield and its components. Experiments were conducted as a split plot in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. Factors were fertilisation (poultry manure, vermicompost and nitrogen fertiliser) as the main plot and weed density (0,

Good weed management relies on the proper timing of weed control practices in relation to weed emergence dynamics. Therefore, the development of models that predict the timing of emergence may help provide growers with tools to make better weed management decisions. The aim of this study was to validate and compare two previously published predictive empirical thermal time models of the emergence of

Euphorbia heterophylla populations endued with resistance to both imazethapyr (an acetolactate synthase inhibitor) and fomesafen (a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor) were first detected in Brazil in 2004. The objectives of this study were to determine the number and dominance of genes conferring imazethapyr and fomesafen resistance in E. heterophylla and to establish the types of inheritance of

The widespread use and increasing reliance on herbicides for weed control has resulted in a global epidemic of evolved herbicide resistance in weed populations. In response, there has been a great deal of research effort to document resistance cases, understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms of resistance and use models and model organisms to explore resistance management strategies. Here

In Argentina, Eleusine tristachya has been recently reported as a problematic weed that can occur at high densities in spring and summer in fallows and in maize and soyabean. The reason for the increase in E. tristachya populations is that once the weed is established, it is difficult to eliminate because it produces a high number of seeds and plant regrowth occurs after herbicide treatments. The aim

Characteristic arable weed species of dryland cereal fields have undergone significant declines, due to agricultural intensification, to the point that some of them are considered rare. Crop edges host higher abundances of arable weed species, therefore they may act as a refuge for the conservation of these rare arable species. Using mesocosms, we experimentally tested how conditions at field edges

Legislated pesticide‐use restrictions or bans in a growing number of countries worldwide are forcing growers and land managers to reactively plan, develop or implement alternative pest management practices and even entire farming systems. While the rapidly rising incidence of multiple resistance in weed populations had already begun this transition in many agroregions, the future pace of change will

Research and development activities on non‐chemical weed control methods to date have mainly focused on mechanical and thermal applications. Selectivity in mechanical weed control is obtained using dynamically actuated harrows. Selectivity in thermal weed control is obtained through a certain heat tolerance of the crop. In conservation agriculture (CA), weed emergence is partially suppressed by constant

Weed seeds are introduced to agronomic systems naturally or through human‐mediated seed dispersal, and introduced seeds have a high chance of being resistant to selective, in‐crop herbicides. However, colonisation (invasion) rates for a weed species are usually much lower than rates of seed dispersal. The current research investigated colonisation of a winter annual wheat cropping system in Western

Developing invasive plant management strategies is an important task in modern ecology, conservation biology and land management. Solidago gigantea is considered a problematic invader in Europe and Asia, where it forms dominant stands that can decrease species diversity. There is, therefore, an urgent need for effective management to reduce S. gigantea infestations and their negative impacts. We examined

Information on seed germination and emergence ecology of Aegilops tauschii is scant, despite it being a widespread invasive weed in China. We conducted this study to determine the effects of various factors on seed germination and seedling emergence in three A. tauschii populations. Seeds germinated across a wide range of temperatures (5–35°C), with germination of over 90% at 15–20°C. Germination was

Hordeum spp. (barley grass) and Bromus spp. (brome grass) are annual weed species that achieve long‐distance seed dispersal via attachment to sheep, but also lead to sheep carcass damage due to the penetration of seeds into animal tissues. Range expansion of invasive weed populations predicted as a consequence of climate change may be associated with an increase in seed contamination incidence globally

Agrochemicals and plastics represent a burden on natural ecosystems and there is an urgent need to introduce alternative plant protection measures that have fewer negative impacts on the environment. Replacement of plastic mulches and synthetic pesticides with their biodegradable alternatives offers a way to decrease chemical residues. Pyrolysis liquids (PL) have been suggested as easily degradable

One side effect of human activity and global climatic change is more airborne dust. This not only has undesirable effects on human health and the environment, but may also adversely affect many agricultural processes, including herbicide efficacy. This is particularly relevant in parts of the world where dust storms are common and limited rainfall means dust persists on plants for protracted periods

Five fodder crop systems of different intensity (ranging from a double annual crop of Italian ryegrass + silage maize to a permanent meadow) were adopted for 30 years in the lowlands of Northern Italy under two input levels, differing mainly in their provision of organic fertiliser (manure). Herbicides were used in the maize crops included in all systems, except the meadow. After 30 years, the weed

Schinus terebinthifolia is a dioecious tree native to South America that has become an invasive weed in Florida, southern California, southern Arizona, Texas and Hawaii and has been naturalised in over 20 countries. Biological control is considered a viable long‐term control option for S. terebinthifolia because release from natural enemies appears to be at least partly responsible for its success

Eight experiments were carried out in Denmark to determine the yield loss of spring barley due to Cirsium arvense in farmers' fields and to suggest and evaluate a novel approach for quantifying C. arvense infestation in large plots. Literature about the competitive ability of C. arvense is old, scattered and inconclusive, and existing models for estimating crop yield loss are based on data from North

Broad‐leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) is a troublesome weed that predominantly grows in pastures and grassland. We hypothesised that frequent defoliation of Rumex will, over time, result in a reduction in root weight and leaf area, to the point where the impact on grass production is negligible. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we conducted three experiments. The objective of the first

In 2014, the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae, native to the foothills of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Western Nepal, became the first fungal agent to be released into Europe for the classical biological control of a non‐native weed. The target, Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam, is a prolific invader of riparian habitats in Europe and North America. During the period 2015–2018

Impatiens glandulifera is a globally successful invader that primarily spreads along riparian habitats; however, during the last ~20 years, it has started to colonise forests, but little has been published on impacts of this recent spread. Several factors may have contributed to this phenomenon: (i) high propagule pressure from large and widespread riparian populations, (ii) extensive anthropogenic

Weeds have a great economic impact on agricultural production because they compete with crops for resources and are alternative hosts for pests, microbial pathogens and plant‐parasitic nematodes. This study aimed to investigate the susceptibility of weeds to the root‐knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita and assess the effect of aqueous weed extracts on M. javanica egg hatching

The rust fungus, Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae, has been introduced into the UK for biological control of the invasive weed, Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam). However, establishment of the pathogen has differed across the country, which may be partly explained by variation in plant genotype. The aim of this study was to examine whether there is a further layer of phenotypic resistance

The perennial weed, Cirsium arvense (creeping, Canada or Californian thistle), is notorious for its ability to tolerate defoliation by mowing, herbivores or herbicides. The tolerance of 36 genotypes of C. arvense was examined by establishing pairs of clonal replicates that were assigned to a clipped or unclipped treatment. Three clippings were applied from spring to early summer to simulate repeated

Soil loss from riparian areas supporting the annual invasive weed, Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam), was measured and compared with equivalent values recorded at nearby, topographically similar areas supporting perennial vegetation over a cumulative seven‐year period, along sections of two separate river systems; one in Switzerland, and one in the UK. Soil loss from colonised locations was

Clonal species may benefit from human disturbance because their vegetative fragments may be distributed via soil. Solidago canadensis is an invasive rhizomatous perennial frequently found in ruderal environments. When creating new infrastructure, digging and cutting are two main factors that may influence the spread of S. canadensis into new areas. To have a better understanding of the invasive potential

Phenotypic plasticity, which confers a fitness advantage under heterogeneous and novel environments, has been commonly suggested to contribute to the success of invasive plants in their introduced range. For example, plasticity in response to changes in light availability could facilitate invasiveness by allowing plants to both rapidly establish in unshaded, disturbed habitats, and tolerate shaded

The use of bioherbicides containing fungal active ingredients or natural fungal molecules is one of the possible solutions to reduce the use of chemical products. This paper focuses on studies of bioherbicides, including both living fungi and natural fungal molecules, published in the last 45 years, and their associated weed targets; current problems in the development of bioherbicides are also discussed

Digitaria sanguinalis is a troublesome annual weed that causes important yield losses in different crops. Despite this, there is scarce information about different aspects of its biology under field conditions. New knowledge about the establishment process of this species will be of paramount importance in order to maximise the effectiveness of weed management. The aims of this paper were to evaluate

There is a drive to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems including the biodiversity component. Cultivar mixtures offer yield benefits from the same land area, but the mechanisms behind this overyielding have not been completely worked out. One potential mechanism is improved competition with weeds. We use an experimental approach of varying barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypic and phenotypic

This paper presents an overview of introduced alien plant species inhabiting natural thermal waters of Serbia. We recorded the presence of six naturalised aquatic plant species, also recognised as weeds in several regions of the world. This was the first time that Heteranthera zosterifolia (Pontederiaceae), Lemna minuta (Araceae) and Rotala rotundifolia (Lythraceae) were recorded in the aquatic ecosystems

Functional diversity of cover crop mixtures is thought to improve biomass production and weed suppression, two key agroecosystem services in organic systems. To test this hypothesis, we selected eight cover crop species belonging to four functional groups: (i) vining growing large‐seeded legumes (field pea, common vetch), (ii) erect growing small‐seeded legumes (crimson clover, squarrosum clover),