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Special Issue "Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems"

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 22659

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Roberto Mancinelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: agro-ecology; fertilizer management; greenhouse gas emissions; carbon cycle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Emanuele Radicetti

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences (DOCPAS), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Interests: sustainable food production; sustainable cultivation; environmental-friendly agricultural practices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At present, agricultural production is essential for ensuring food security worldwide. Weeds are an important constraint to crop yield, and their management is crucial to avoid losses. The actual control means are not suitable for the concept of modern agriculture due to labor shortage, the environmental persistence of chemical means, health hazards, and herbicide-resistant weeds. Several means could be adopted for controlling weeds, such as improving tillage regimes, weed seed harvest, thermal means, biotechnological means, and precision farming. Unfortunately, no single strategy is completely efficient, and therefore an integrated approach could represent the key to success in weed management under sustainable agriculture. Indeed, the incorporation of a combination of weed management measures helps to sustain weed control systems over time and maintain farms’ ability to provide productive harvests while protecting the environment.

The main objective of the Special Issue is to publish original research, modeling approaches, and review papers addressing how weed management could be implemented in sustainable cropping systems across different environments, soils, and geographic locations.

To achieve this goal, Sustainability is encouraging researchers to submit relevant articles to this Special Issue. Therefore, manuscripts evaluating how innovative weed management strategies could support sustainable agriculture and improve crop productivity, nutrient dynamics, soil physical and biochemical properties, as well as biodiversity, weed dynamics, and weed species composition are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Mancinelli
Dr. Emanuele Radicetti
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable agriculture
integrated weed management
weed species composition
weed community dynamics
crop–weed competition
ecological intensification of cropping systems
weed seedbank
herbicide-resistant weeds

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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Open AccessEditorial

Sustainable Weed Control in the Agro-Ecosystems

Emanuele Radicetti

and

Roberto Mancinelli

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8639; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158639 - 03 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

Worldwide weeds are the cause of the highest potential crop losses (representing on average −34%), even if they are frequently underestimated since more attention is generally paid to dangerous insects (representing on average 18% of yield loss) or pathogens (representing on average 16% [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

Research

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Open AccessArticle

Performance of 45 Non-Linear Models for Determining Critical Period of Weed Control and Acceptable Yield Loss in Soybean Agroforestry Systems

Eka Tarwaca Susila Putra

Dody Kastono

Dyah Weny Respatie

Muhammad Habib Widyawan

Nurmansyah

Andrianto Ansari

and

Taryono

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7636; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137636 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 945

Abstract

A family of Sigmoidal non-linear models is commonly used to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) and acceptable yield loss (AYL) in annual crops. We tried to prove another non-linear model to determine CPWC and AYL in a soybean agroforestry system with kayu putih. The three-year experiment (from 2019–2021) was conducted using a randomised complete block design factorial with five blocks as replications. The treatments comprised weedy and weed-free periods. Non-linear models comprised 45 functions. The results show that the Sigmoidal and Dose-Response Curve (DRC) families were the most suitable for estimating CPWC and AYL. The best fitted non-linear model for weedy and weed-free periods in the dry season used the Sigmoidal family consisting of the Weibull and Richards models, while in the wet season the best fit was obtained using the DRC and Sigmoidal families consisting of the DR-Hill and Richards models, respectively. The CPWC of soybean in the dry season for AYL was 5, 10, and 15%, beginning at 20, 22, and 24 days after emergence (DAE) and ended at 56, 54, and 52 DAE. The AYL in the wet season started at 20, 23, and 26 DAE and ended at 59, 53, and 49 DAE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

Weed Communities in Winter Wheat: Responses to Cropping Systems under Different Climatic Conditions

and

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6880; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116880 - 05 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1097

Abstract

Understanding the impact of biological and environmental stressors on cropping systems is essential to secure the long-term sustainability of agricultural production in the face of unprecedented climatic conditions. This study evaluated the effect of increased soil temperature and reduced moisture across three contrasting cropping systems: a no-till chemically managed system, a tilled organic system, and an organic system that used grazing to reduce tillage intensity. Results showed that while cropping system characteristics represent a major driver in structuring weed communities, the short-term impact of changes in temperature and moisture conditions appear to be more subtle. Weed community responses to temperature and moisture manipulations differed across variables: while biomass, species richness, and Simpson’s diversity estimates were not affected by temperature and moisture conditions, we observed a minor but significant shift in weed community composition. Higher weed biomass was recorded in the grazed/reduced-till organic system compared with the tilled-organic and no-till chemically managed systems. Weed communities in the two organic systems were more diverse than in the no-till conventional system, but an increased abundance in perennial species such as Cirsium arvense and Taraxacum officinale in the grazed/reduced-till organic system could hinder the adoption of integrated crop-livestock production tactics. Species composition of the no-till conventional weed communities showed low species richness and diversity, and was encompassed in the grazed/reduced-till organic communities. The weed communities of the no-till conventional and grazed/reduced-till organic systems were distinct from the tilled organic community, underscoring the effect that tillage has on the assembly of weed communities. Results highlight the importance of understanding the ecological mechanisms structuring weed communities, and integrating multiple tactics to reduce off-farm inputs while managing weeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

Efficacy, Energy Budgeting, and Carbon Footprints of Weed Management in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Gurdeep Singh Malhi

M. C. Rana

Suresh Kumar

Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani

Abeer Hashem

and

Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13239; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313239 - 29 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1833

Abstract

Weed management in blackgram is one of the most efficient ways to improve its yield, as uncontrolled weed growth causes a significant decrease in crop yield. A field experiment was performed at Berthin, Himachal Pradesh, India, to investigate the efficacy, energy use efficiency (EUE), and carbon footprints of weed management tactics. Twelve weed control treatments were tested applied alone or in combination at pre and post emergence stages. The most prominent weeds were Cyperus iria, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, and Echinochloa colona, which caused a 68.1% loss in unweeded conditions. The application of weed control treatments reduced the weed count at 60 DAS from around 50% to 90%. The most efficient weed control treatment was pre-emergence (PRE) use of ready mix imazethapyr 35% + imazamox 35% WG @ 80 g ha⁻¹, which resulted in a minimum weed infestation (i.e., weed count and weed biomass) and consequently highest yield. Its efficacy in weed control treatment was on par with PRE use of ready mix imazethapyr (35%) + imazamox (35% WG @ 70 g ha⁻¹. Maximum energy use efficiency was also obtained upon PRE use of imazethapyr (35%) + imazamox (35% WG) @ 80 g ha⁻¹ (8.27), trailed by PRE use of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 70 g ha⁻¹ (7.84), mainly because of the higher yield obtained in these treatments which shows their efficiency in energy conversion. The carbon footprints were observed to be the lowest in ready mix combination of imazethapyr (35%) + imazamox (35% WG) applied at 80 g ha⁻¹ (0.11 kg CE kg⁻¹ yield), followed by imazethapyr (35%) + imazamox (35% WG) applied at 70 g ha⁻¹ (0.12 kg CE kg⁻¹ yield), as it resulted in the lowest emission per unit output production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

Weeding Frequency Effects on Growth and Yield of Dry Bean Intercropped with Sweet Sorghum and Cowpea under a Dryland Area

Conrad Baker

Albert Thembinkosi Modi

and

Adornis D. Nciizah

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12328; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112328 - 08 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1534

Abstract

A better understanding of the dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growth and yield response to weed competition under the intercropping system is critical for improving sustainable weed management strategies. A two-year trial was conducted with three types of crop arrangement (sole cropping, inter-row, and intra-row intercropping) combined with weeding frequency (no weeding, weeding over the first 50 days of crop growth, and weed-free). Effects of the treatments were tested on dry bean agronomic indicators in terms of the following: 100-grain weight, dry biomass, grain yield, grains per pod, pods per plant, plant height, number of leaves per plant, and chlorophyll content. The intercropping pattern significantly affected dry bean pods per plant, height, and chlorophyll content, while weeding frequency significantly affected all measured agronomic indicators for dry bean, except for chlorophyll content, during the 2017/18 growing season. The results showed that the significant measured agronomic indicators were the lowest under no weed control; however, they increased as weeding frequency increased. The 2018/19 growing season followed a similar trend; however, the interaction effect significantly affected dry bean 100-grain weight, dry biomass, and number of leaves per plant at 40 days after emergence. The dry bean/sweet sorghum or cowpea intra-row intercropping and intermediate weeding frequency displayed optimum productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

Weed Spectrum in Durum Wheat under Different Soil Tillage and Fertilizer Application in Mediterranean Environment

Verdiana Petroselli

Emanuele Radicetti

Alireza Safahani Langeroodi

Mohamed Allam

and

Roberto Mancinelli

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137307 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1385

Abstract

Agricultural intensification may cause significant changes in weed density due to high weed competitiveness. Therefore, sustainable practices are to be designed to get maximum benefits of plant biodiversity in the agro-ecosystems. Field experiments were conducted in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 to evaluate the impact of fertilizer source and soil tillage on weed spectrum in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Treatments in this study were: (i) two fertilizer sources (mineral fertilizer (MIN) and municipal organic waste (MOW)), and (ii) three tillage regimes (plowing (Plo), subsoiling (Sub) and spading (SM)). A randomized complete block design with three replications was adopted. Data on weed density and biomass were collected at the wheat tillering stage. Weed density was higher in MOW than MIN (53.8 vs. 44.0 plants·m⁻²), especially in 2014/2015, while S was the highest among tillage regimes (58.2 plants·m⁻²). Annual and monocots species were always the highest in subsoiling (43.5 and 10.1 plants·m⁻²). The density of perennial and dicots species was higher in MOW compared with MIN plots, regardless of soil tillage management. Weed community, in terms of weed species composition, varied between the two fertilizer sources, while among soil tillage regimes, it only differed between plowing and subsoiling. Based on the analysis of weed community composition, annual dicot species were mainly associated with plowing, while monocots tended to be associated with MIN fertilizer. Spading tillage may be a useful strategy for managing weed diversity under organic fertilization, where mineral soil nitrogen availability was limited. Conversely, the spading machine produced lower grain yields than plowing with mineral fertilizer application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

Can Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Contribute to Sustainable Agriculture?

Sheldon Krimsky

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2337; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042337 - 21 Feb 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4824

Abstract

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have become the leading agricultural herbicides used globally since the development of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops. This paper investigates whether GBHs are consistent with or supportive of sustainable agriculture. Agricultural sustainability is defined by generally agreed upon goals: (1) promoting agroecology; (2) protecting soils and the Earth’s natural resources; (3) protecting biodiversity; and (4) enhancing the quality of life and health of farmers, farm workers, and society. Through an in-depth examination of the scholarly literature, the paper explores whether the scientific studies of GBHs are consistent with their sustainable applications in agriculture in the areas of human health, non-tillage agriculture, soil quality, aquatic ecosystems and beneficial, non-target species. Based on the four generally agreed upon goals listed above for agricultural sustainability, the paper finds that GBHs are not consistent with sustainability goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Informal Seed Traders: The Backbone of Seed Business and African Smallholder Seed Supply

and

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7074; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177074 - 30 Aug 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3788

Abstract

To work well and be sustainable, seed systems have to offer a range of crops and varieties of good quality seed and these products have to reach farmers, no matter how remote or poor they may be. Formal seed sector interventions alone are not delivering the crop portfolio or achieving the social and geographic breadth needed, and the paper argues for focus on informal seed channels and particularly on traders who move ‘potential seed’ (informal or local seed) even to high stress areas. This paper provides the first in-depth analysis on potential seed trader types and actions, drawing on data collected on 287 traders working in 10 African countries. The research delves into four themes: the types and hierarchies of traders; the technical ways traders manage seed using 11 core practices; the price differential of +50% of potential (local) seed over grain, and the pivotal roles which traders play in remote and crisis contexts. Traders are the backbone of smallholder seed security and need to be engaged, not ignored, in development and relief efforts. An action framework for leveraging seed trader skills is presented, with the paper addressing possible legal and donor constraints for engaging such market actors more fully. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Open AccessArticle

How Do Intensification Practices Affect Weed Management and Yield in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) Crop?

Ali reza Safahani Langeroodi

Roberto Mancinelli

and

Emanuele Radicetti

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 6103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156103 - 29 Jul 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1368

Abstract

Quinoa cultivation is well-adapted to sustainable cropping systems, even if seed yield could be severely limited due to several constraints, such as weeds. Field trials were performed in Gorgan (Iran) to quantify the effects of agro-ecological service crops (rye, CC_r; winter vetch, CC_w; and no cover, CC₀), tillage regimes (conventional tillage, CT; and no-tillage, ZT), and herbicide rates (100% rate, H¹⁰⁰; 75% rate, H⁷⁵; and without herbicide, H⁰). Weed characteristics and quinoa yield were measured. Quinoa seed yield was the highest in CC_w-ZT-H¹⁰⁰. Seed yield in H¹⁰⁰ and H⁷⁵ were higher compared with H⁰ (2.30 vs. 1.58 t ha⁻¹, respectively). Under conventional tillage, 46% of weed seeds were observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer and 54% in 10–20 cm soil layers, respectively, while, under no-tillage, about 63% of weed seeds were located up to 10 cm of soil. Amaranthus retroflexus L. was the most abundant species. The total weed density was the lowest in CC_r-ZT-H¹⁰⁰ and tended to be higher in CC₀ (30.9 plant m⁻²) and under CT (29.0 plant m⁻²). These findings indicate that cover crops have potential for managing weeds in quinoa; however, their inclusion should be supported by chemical means to maintain high seed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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Review

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Barriers and Levers to Developing Wheat–Pea Intercropping in Europe: A Review

Fateh Mamine

and

M’hand Farès

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176962 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2771

Abstract

Beyond the ecosystem benefits of diversification through wheat–pea intercropping, this review analyzes the barriers and levers to its adoption and diffusion. The present review shows that structuring the value chain around the products of this innovative cropping system faces a set of technical (i.e., varietal selection, phytosanitary issue control, crop management sequence, collection management, and storage), economic (i.e., cost, price, market opportunities, and contracting), and public policy (i.e., subsidies for ecosystem services provided by intercropping) obstacles that contribute to its slow adoption and dissemination in Europe. However, the value chain resulting from the wheat–pea intercropping system has levers to be exploited at all levels, particularly in terms of its competitive advantages, ecosystem benefits, and superior product quality. The results of this review help to identify priorities that actors of the value chain can address to better focus their efforts on significant problems and solutions that can accelerate the adoption and dissemination of this agroecological system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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