Interações competitivas de triticale (Triticum turgidosecale) e nabiça (Raphanus raphanistrum) em função da população e proporção de plantas

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de quantificar as interações competitivas e os índices de competitividade entre plantas de triticale e nabiça. A metodologia utilizada foi a de um experimento em monocultura, que variou de 25 a 500 plantas m-2 para determinar o valor a partir do qual a produção se torna independente do aumento da densidade para cada espécie, e um experimento substitutivo, com população total de 300 plantas m-2 e sete proporções de nabiça: triticale (0:300, 50:250, 100:200, 150:150, 200:100, 250:50 e 300:0), sendo conduzidos em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Os resultados foram analisados pelo método convencional de análise de experimentos substitutivos e pelo método da produção recíproca total e por planta. Os índices calculados, a partir da massa seca das plantas, indicaram o triticale como competidor superior à nabiça.

Viabilidade da nabiça (Raphanus raphanistrum L.) como planta de cobertura para a cultura do milho em diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Crescimento de Brachiaria plantaginea e Raphanus raphanistrum em convivência com híbridos de milho submetidos a períodos de controle das plantas daninhas

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of corn hybrid cultivation and weed control periods on the population and growth of the weeds B. plantaginea and R. raphanistrum. The trial was set at Universidade Estadual the São Paulo (UNESP), Botucatu Campus, São Paulo - Brazil. A completely randomized block design with four replications was used. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme with four corn hybrids (C701, DINA170, XL678, and C125) and four manual weed control periods [a. 15 days after emergence (DAE); b. 15 and 30 DAE; c. 15, 30 and 45 DAE, and d. weedy]. The hybrids DINA170 and C125 significantly decreased the density of B. plantaginea. The hybrids C701, DINA170 and XL678 affected the growth of the plants, but they did not affect the emergence of new plants of R. raphanistrum. Hand-hoeing at 15 DAE decreased the dry matter weight of the weeds B. lantaginea and R. raphanistrum by 93.1%, 95.4% and 89.2%, respectively, at harvest of the four hybrids.

Vectors and alternative hosts of tobacco yellow dwarf virus in southeastern Australia

Factors that determine the epidemiology of Tobacco yellow dwarf virus (TbYDV), including alternative host plants and insect vector(s), were assessed over three consecutive growing seasons at four field sites in Northeastern Victoria in commercial tobacco growing properties. In addition, these factors were assessed for one growing season at three bean growing properties. Overall, 23 leafhopper species were identified at the 7 sites, with Orosius orientalis as the predominant leafhopper. Of the leafhoppers collected, only O. orientalis and Anzygina zealandica tested positive for TbYDV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The population dynamics of O. orientalis was assessed using sweep net sampling over three growing seasons and a trimodal distribution was observed. Despite large numbers of O. orientalis occurring early in the growing season (September–October), TbYDV was only detected in these leafhoppers between late November and end of January. The peaks in the detection of TbYDV in O. orientalis correlated with the observation of disease symptoms in tobacco and bean and were associated with warmer temperatures and lower rainfall. Spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation at selected sites was determined using quadrat sampling. Of the 40 plant species identified, TbYDV was detected only in four dicotyledonous species, Amaranthus retroflexus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Nicotiana tabacum and Raphanus raphanistrum. The proportion of host and non-host availability for leafhoppers was associated with climatic conditions.

Characterisation of the tritrophic interactions between tobacco yellow dwarf virus, its vector and host-plants

Tobacco yellow dwarf virus (TbYDV, family Geminiviridae, genus Mastrevirus) is an economically important pathogen causing summer death and yellow dwarf disease in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), respectively. Prior to the commencement of this project, little was known about the epidemiology of TbYDV, its vector and host-plant range. As a result, disease control strategies have been restricted to regular poorly timed insecticide applications which are largely ineffective, environmentally hazardous and expensive. In an effort to address this problem, this PhD project was carried out in order to better understand the epidemiology of TbYDV, to identify its host-plant and vectors as well as to characterise the population dynamics and feeding physiology of the main insect vector and other possible vectors. The host-plants and possible leafhopper vectors of TbYDV were assessed over three consecutive growing seasons at seven field sites in the Ovens Valley, Northeastern Victoria, in commercial tobacco and bean growing properties. Leafhoppers and plants were collected and tested for the presence of TbYDV by PCR. Using sweep nets, twenty-three leafhopper species were identified at the seven sites with Orosius orientalis the predominant leafhopper. Of the 23 leafhopper species screened for TbYDV, only Orosius orientalis and Anzygina zealandica tested positive. Forty-two different plant species were also identified at the seven sites and tested. Of these, TbYDV was only detected in four dicotyledonous species, Amaranthus retroflexus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Nicotiana tabacum and Raphanus raphanistrum. Using a quadrat survey, the temporal distribution and diversity of vegetation at four of the field sites was monitored in order to assess the presence of, and changes in, potential host-plants for the leafhopper vector(s) and the virus. These surveys showed that plant composition and the climatic conditions at each site were the major influences on vector numbers, virus presence and the subsequent occurrence of tobacco yellow dwarf and bean summer death diseases. Forty-two plant species were identified from all sites and it was found that sites with the lowest incidence of disease had the highest proportion of monocotyledonous plants that are non hosts for both vector and the virus. In contrast, the sites with the highest disease incidence had more host-plant species for both vector and virus, and experienced higher temperatures and less rainfall. It is likely that these climatic conditions forced the leafhopper to move into the irrigated commercial tobacco and bean crop resulting in disease. In an attempt to understand leafhopper species diversity and abundance, in and around the field borders of commercially grown tobacco crops, leafhoppers were collected from four field sites using three different sampling techniques, namely pan trap, sticky trap and sweep net. Over 51000 leafhopper samples were collected, which comprised 57 species from 11 subfamilies and 19 tribes. Twentythree leafhopper species were recorded for the first time in Victoria in addition to several economically important pest species of crops other than tobacco and bean. The highest number and greatest diversity of leafhoppers were collected in yellow pan traps follow by sticky trap and sweep nets. Orosius orientalis was found to be the most abundant leafhopper collected from all sites with greatest numbers of this leafhopper also caught using the yellow pan trap. Using the three sampling methods mentioned above, the seasonal distribution and population dynamics of O. orientalis was studied at four field sites over three successive growing seasons. The population dynamics of the leafhopper was characterised by trimodal peaks of activity, occurring in the spring and summer months. Although O. orientalis was present in large numbers early in the growing season (September-October), TbYDV was only detected in these leafhoppers between late November and the end of January. The peak in the detection of TbYDV in O. orientalis correlated with the observation of disease symptoms in tobacco and bean and was also associated with warmer temperatures and lower rainfall. To understand the feeding requirements of Orosius orientalis and to enable screening of potential control agents, a chemically-defined artificial diet (designated PT-07) and feeding system was developed. This novel diet formulation allowed survival for O. orientalis for up to 46 days including complete development from first instar through to adulthood. The effect of three selected plant derived proteins, cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTi), Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), on leafhopper survival and development was assessed. Both GNA and WGA were shown to reduce leafhopper survival and development significantly when incorporated at a 0.1% (w/v) concentration. In contrast, CpTi at the same concentration did not exhibit significant antimetabolic properties. Based on these results, GNA and WGA are potentially useful antimetabolic agents for expression in genetically modified crops to improve the management of O. orientalis, TbYDV and the other pathogens it vectors. Finally, an electrical penetration graph (EPG) was used to study the feeding behaviour of O. orientalis to provide insights into TbYDV acquisition and transmission. Waveforms representing different feeding activity were acquired by EPG from adult O. orientalis feeding on two plant species, Phaseolus vulgaris and Nicotiana tabacum and a simple sucrose-based artificial diet. Five waveforms (designated O1-O5) were observed when O. orientalis fed on P. vulgaris, while only four (O1-O4) and three (O1-O3) waveforms were observed during feeding on N. tabacum and the artificial diet, respectively. The mean duration of each waveform and the waveform type differed markedly depending on the food source. This is the first detailed study on the tritrophic interactions between TbYDV, its leafhopper vector, O. orientalis, and host-plants. The results of this research have provided important fundamental information which can be used to develop more effective control strategies not only for O. orientalis, but also for TbYDV and other pathogens vectored by the leafhopper.

Weed species richness, density and relative abundance on farms in the subtropical grain region of Australia

Weed management is one of the most important economic and agronomic issues facing farmers in Australia's grain regions. Weed species occurrence and abundance was monitored between 1997 and 2000 on 46 paddocks (sites) across 18 commercial farms located in the Northern Grain Region. The sites generally fell within 4 disjunct regions, from south to north: Liverpool Plains, Moree, Goondiwindi and Kingaroy. While high species richness was found (139 species or species groups), only 8 species occurred in all 4 regions and many (56 species) only occurred at 1 site or region. No species were observed at every site but 7 species (Sonchus spp., Avena spp., Conyza spp., Echinochloa spp., Convolvulus erubescens, Phalaris spp. and Lactuca serriola) were recorded on more than 70% of sites. The average number of species observed within crops after treatment and before harvest was less than 13. Species richness tended to be higher in winter pulse crops, cotton and in fallows, but overall was similar at the different sampling seasons (summer v. winter). Separate species assemblages associated with the Goondiwindi and Kingaroy regions were identified by correspondence analysis but these appeared to form no logical functional group. The species richness and density was generally low, demonstrating that farmers are managing weed populations effectively in both summer and winter cropping phases. Despite the apparent adoption of conservation tillage, an increase in opportunity cropping and the diversity of crops grown (13) there was no obvious effect of management practices on weed species richness or relative abundance. Avena spp. and Sonchus spp. were 2 of the most dominant weeds, particularly in central and southern latitudes of the region; Amaranthus spp. and Raphanus raphanistrum were the most abundant species in the northern part of the region. The ubiquity of these and other species shows that continued vigilance is required to suppress weeds as a management issue.

Sulfur-associated polioencephalomalacia in cattle grazing plants in the Family Brassicaceae

Polioencephalomalacia was diagnosed histologically in cattle from two herds on the Darling Downs, Queensland, during July-August 2007. In the first incident, 8 of 20 18-month-old Aberdeen Angus steers died while grazing pastures comprising 60% Sisymbrium irio (London rocket) and 40% Capsella bursapastoris (shepherd's purse). In the second incident, 2 of 150 mixed-breed adult cattle died, and another was successfully treated with thiamine, while grazing a pasture comprising almost 100% Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish). Affected cattle were either found dead or comatose or were seen apparently blind and head-pressing in some cases. For both incidents, plant and water assays were used to calculate the total dietary sulfur content in dry matter as 0.62% and 1.01% respectively, both exceeding the recommended 0.5% for cattle eating more than 40% forage. Blood and tissue assays for lead were negative in both cases. No access to thiaminase, concentrated sodium ion or extrinsic hydrogen sulfide sources were identified in either incident. Below-median late summer and autumn rainfall followed by above-median unseasonal winter rainfall promoted weed growth at the expense of wholesome pasture species before these incidents.

Nanostructured liquid crystalline particle assisted delivery of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to weeds, crops and model plants

Routine agricultural practices are heavily dependent on the use of surfactants, many of which are toxic to humans and detrimental to the environment. In proof of concept work we have previously shown the potential of nanostructured liquid crystalline particles (NLCP) to safely interact with plant leaf cuticular surfaces with minimal impact on epicuticular waxes. Here we demonstrate the use of NLCP to effectively deliver the auxin herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) to plant leaves in laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory, the physiological stress responses of lupin, Lupinus angustifolius (L.) (Fabaceae) towards NLCP spray applications were shown to be much reduced in comparison with application of two common surfactants. Phytotoxicity assays of 2,4-D loaded NLCP were used to validate the herbicidal effects on Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynth. (Brassicaceae) and established a similarity with that of surfactant assisted 2,4-D delivery when tested at a concentration of 0.1%. Field trials were conducted to test the efficacy of NLCP-assisted delivery of 2,4-D in comparison with commercial surfactants for the control of the invasive weed wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum (L.) (Brassicaceae), in wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.) (Poaceae) crop fields. Compared against Estercide 800, a commercially available 2,4-D formulation, NLCP assisted delivery of 2,4-D was effective at low concentrations of 0.03% and 0.06%. The crop yield remained similar for all the tested concentrations and formulations of 2,4-D loaded NLCP and Estercide 800. This is the first report to directly show that, as an alternative to conventional methods, NLCP can be used under both laboratory and field conditions to successfully delivery an agrochemical.

Interferência entre espécies de planta daninha e duas cultivares de feijoeiro em duas épocas de semeadura

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos da dessecação com glyphosate e chlorimuron-ethyl na comunidade infestante e na produtividade da soja

O efeito de dessecantes sobre o período anterior à interferência (PAI) pode auxiliar na tomada de decisão para o manejo das plantas daninhas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar se a adição de chlorimuron-ethyl ao glyphosate, para dessecação em pré-semeadura, altera a extensão do PAI na soja. O experimento foi realizado em Jaboticabal-SP, Brasil, submetendo-se o cultivar Monsoy 7908RR a oito períodos de convivência com plantas daninhas, além de testemunhas no mato e no limpo, nos quais foram aplicados dois grupos de tratamentos: glyphosate e glyphosate + chlorimuron-ethyl. em cada período, foram calculados o índice de importância relativa e os índices de diversidade e equitabilidade; por meio da análise de regressão dos dados de produtividade de grãos, determinou-se o PAI. Digitaria insularis, Acanthospermum hispidum, Raphanus raphanistrum e Commelina benghalensis apresentaram maior importância relativa. Os índices de diversidade e equitabilidade oscilaram durante os períodos, e a diferença entre as plantas daninhas fundamentou-se no acúmulo de massa seca. O PAI na soja no tratamento com glyphosate foi de 37 dias após a semeadura (DAS) e de 51 DAS naquele com glyphosate + chlorimuron-ethyl. A adição de chlorimuron-ethyl ao glyphosate permite que a cultura conviva mais tempo com as plantas daninhas sem que ocorra redução significativa na produtividade.

Eficácia de glyphosate em plantas de cobertura

Objetivou-se comparar a eficácia de três dosagens do herbicida glyphosate para a dessecação de Brachiaria decumbens, B. brizantha cv. Marandu e vegetação espontânea, visando a adoção do sistema plantio direto. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, num esquema fatorial 3 x 3, com quatro repetições. Testaram-se três tipos de cobertura vegetal e três dosagens de glyphosate (1,44, 2,16 e 2,88 kg ha-1). Aos 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a aplicação (DAA), foram feitas avaliações visuais da porcentagem de controle das coberturas vegetais e, aos 45 DAA, avaliações visuais da porcentagem de reinfestação da área. Conclui-se que, para as espécies que compunham a vegetação espontânea, o uso de 1,44 kg ha-1 proporcionou bom controle, sem no entanto evitar rebrotes de Digitaria insularis. Para as braquiárias, a mesma taxa de controle foi observada a partir de 2,16 kg ha-1. A camada de palha das braquiárias sobre o solo não foi capaz de suprimir a emergência de Cyperus rotundus, Alternanthera tenella, Raphanus raphanistrum, Bidens pilosa e Euphorbia heterophylla.

Períodos de interferência das plantas daninhas na cultura do arroz de terras altas: I - Cultivar IAC 202

O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de determinar os períodos de interferência e de controle das plantas daninhas na cultura do arroz de terras altas. Os experimentos foram instalados nos anos agrícolas de 2003/04 e 2004/05 em área experimental da Universidade Estadual Paulista, campus de Jaboticabal/SP, situado a 21º 15' 22 de latitude sul e 48º 18' 58 de longitude oeste. O cultivar utilizado foi o IAC 202, semeado, respectivamente, em 18 de novembro de 2003 e 24 de novembro de 2004. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com os tratamentos constituídos por períodos crescentes de controle ou de convivência das plantas daninhas com a cultura. Os períodos iniciais de controle ou de convivência após a emergência da cultura foram: 0-10, 0-20, 0-30, 0-40, 0-50, 0-60, 0-70 dias e 0-colheita. As principais plantas daninhas em 2003/04 foram Cyperus rotundus, Cenchrus echinatus, Digitaria spp. Echinochloa crus-galli e Brachiaria decumbens. No ano agrícola de 2004/05, destacaram-se Digitaria spp., C. echinatus, Raphanus raphanistrum e Alternanthera tenella. Considerando 5% de tolerância na redução da produtividade do arroz nos anos agrícolas de 2003/04 e 2004/05, concluiu-se que os períodos anteriores à interferência (PAI) foram de 12 e 26 DAE, respectivamente; os períodos totais de prevenção à interferência (PTPI), de 40 e 42 DAE; e os períodos críticos de prevenção à interferência (PCPI), de 12 a 40 DAE e de 26 a 42 DAE, respectivamente.

Germination and early growth of soybean, dry bean and turnip grown under Digitaria horizontalis straw

The study aimed to evaluate the possible inhibitory effects of different concentrations of crabgrass (Digitaria horizontalis Willd.) dry mass incorporated to the soil over the germination and early growth of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril.), dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and turnip (Raphanus raphanistrum L.). The experimental design adopted was completely random, with four replications where, each one was consisted of a 2.5 L capacity pot. Dry mass of crabgrass at equivalent amounts of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 t ha(-1) were incorporated into the soil. Crops seedling emergence was checked daily, and germination, speed germination index, mean germination time, relative frequency and synchronization index of germination were computed at the final of 10 days. The height and dry mass of plants were evaluated at 35 days after sowing. The incorporation to the soil of D. horizontalis dry mass caused significant reduction of the height and dry weight of soybean, dry bean and turnip, but were not observed consistent influence over the germination of these species.

Teores de macro e micronutrientes e a relação c/n de várias espécies de plantas daninhas

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar os teores de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mn) e a relação C/N, presentes na matéria seca da parte aérea das seguintes espécies de plantas daninhas: Ageratum conyzoides L., Amaranthus lividus L., Bidens pilosa L., Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc., Senna occidentalis (L.) Link., Commelina benghalensis L., Cyperus rotundus L., Digitaria horizontalis Willd., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Indigofera truxillensis H.B.K., Ipomoea acuminata Roem. et Schult, Panicum maximum Jacq., Raphanus raphanistrum L., Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E. Hubb., Richardia brasiliensis Gomez e Sida cordifolia L. Os teores de macronutrientes obtidos da matéria seca das plantas daninhas, foram maiores em geral nas dicotiledôneas. em relação às monocotiledôneas não houve um padrão de comportamento para os micronutrientes. Entretanto, o teores de carbono foram, em média, superiores para todas as monocotiledôneas, sendo que as dicotiledôneas apresentaram relações C/N menores do que as monocotiledôneas.

Influéncia da adubação nitrogenada sobre a interferéncia de plantas daninhas em feijoeiro1

The competition between weeds and bean plants, especially because of nutrients in the environment, is extremely important to minimize potential losses of crop productivity. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of using nitrogen fertilization on the timing and extent of the period before interference (PAI), total period of interference (PTPI) and the critical period of interference control (PCPI) in bean cultivar 'Ruby'. The seeds were sown in the conventional system and the trial was conducted in two areas at the same time, in which the nitrogen fertilization was performed only in one of them. Each area received 14 treatments consisting of two groups: first, the crop was free of interference of weeds from emergence to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 days; and the second: the crop remained free of interference from sowing to the same periods described above. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. Raphanus raphanistrum showed greater relative importance in the two areas, mainly due to the accumulation of dry mass, followed by Amaranthus deflexus. There was no difference in diversity and evenness of weed populations in response to the fertilization. In the area without N PAI occurred 18 days after emergence (DAE), and up to 24 DAE PTPI, resulting in PCPI 18 to 24 DAE, this area had 58% of reduction in crop yield. In the area where with nitrogen fertilization, PAI occurred at 38 DAE and PTPI occurred at 19 DAE. In this area there was 56% of reduction in crop yield. The nitrogen fertilization increased crop productivity and favored competitiveness in relation to weeds.