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Protection of Oats against Puccinia and Drechslera Fungi in Various Meteorological Conditions
Due to their multi-purpose use and, in many cases, lower requirements and financial outlays for cultivation, oats are an interesting crop. However, fungal diseases may contribute to significant declines in grain yields and quality. The aspects that may potentially influence this matter of fact include weather conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the severity of diseases caused by fungi in oat cultivation during the vegetation season. The next goal was to assess the efficacy of the selected active ingredients (a.i.) of fungicides from the chemical groups of triazoles and strobilurins in selected diseases’ control under various meteorological conditions. All of the fungicides were applied in the form of a spray treatment to reduce the severity of the diseases in the cultivation of different oat varieties. Husked and naked oat varieties were used. The health status of the oat plants was determined on the basis of a macroscopic evaluation of plants performed in accordance with the proper methodology. Field experiments were carried out under different weather conditions, which varied over the years during which the trials were conducted. Statistically significant differences were found in the reduction in infection for F and F1 leaves with D. avenae and P. coronata in comparison to the control treatment, regardless of the a.i. used. The use of a.i. tebuconazole (250 g/L), a.i. epoxiconazole (125 g/L), a.i. azoxystrobin (250 g/L) and a.i. picoxystrobin (250 g/L) enabled a reduction in the severity of oat helmintosporiosis in all years of the study for all the varieties analyzed. The efficacy was 72.4%, 74.2%, 71.5%, and 73.1%, respectively. Higher efficacy in reducing P. coronata was found in comparison with D. avenae. The obtained research results confirm the satisfactory efficacy of the above-mentioned active substances in reducing the fungi D. avenae and P. coronata.
The Evaluation of Sweetcorn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.) Infestation of Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Depending on Weather Conditions and Crop Rotation
This paper focuses on the weed species Echinochloa crus-galli, commonly known as barnyardgrass, which is a persistent threat to crop yield and quality, especially in maize (Zea mays) cultivation. It is one of the most problematic weeds in agricultural fields due to its aggressive growth, adaptability to different environmental conditions and prolific seed production. The incidence of Echinochloa crus-galli in maize fields has increased in recent years. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and behavior of Echinochloa crus-galli, and to suggest effective measures to control it. This research on sweetcorn was conducted from 1992 to 2019 at the Research and Education Center Gorzyń, Złotniki branch, which belongs to the Poznań University of Life Sciences. The evaluation of weed infestation was carried out in experiments focusing on chemical weed control in maize. The experiments were designed as a one-factor randomised block design with four field replications. The condition and the degree of weed infestation (number of weeds and fresh weight of weeds) in the control plots was assessed on an annual basis at the end of June and in July. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dynamic changes in the status and extent of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) infestation in maize grown after various other crops in the Wielkopolska region, with a focus on the weather conditions. The study found that barnyardgrass was most likely to occur when maize was sown after winter wheat in a dry and warm year, and least likely when maize was grown in rotation after winter wheat in a cold year with average rainfall. The proportion of barnyardgrass weed mass in the total weed mass was significantly lower after winter rye than after winter wheat, winter oilseed rape and winter triticale. Further research into the biology and ecology of barnyardgrass is key to effectively controlling this weed and safeguarding sweetcorn yields.
Wpływ wybranych form miedzi na rozwój Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea i Rhizoctonia cerealis w warunkach in vitro
Influence of Application Timings, Rates, and Adjuvants on Tiencarbazone-Methyl Plus Isoxaflutole and Mesotrione with Nicosulfuron and Rimsulfuron on Weed Control and Yield of Maize
Weed control in maize is usually limited to a single herbicide treatment, but the application of two or more herbicides is associated with many benefits, e.g., increasing the spectrum of control weeds, reducing the risk of damage to crops by using reduced rates of herbicides, limiting their residues in the soil or crop, etc. This field experiment was conducted in the years 2016–2018 to determine whether the split application of soil-applied thiencarbazone-methyl + isoxaflutole and foliar-applied mesotrione + nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron, in reduced rates with adjuvants, can contribute to enhancing herbicide effectiveness and increasing maize yield. Weed control in maize in a split-dose system with a mixture of thiencarbazone-methyl + isoxaflutole at strongly reduced rates with the addition of UAN and the adjuvant Atpolan SoilMaxx or Grounded, and then mesotrione + nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron at strongly reduced rates with UAN and Atpolan SoilMaxx or Actirob 842 EC allowed for great control of weeds. The total amount of substances was slightly higher than in single treatments with adjuvants, but lower than for individual active substances, leading to a reduction in the amount of active substances reaching the environment, while maintaining very high herbicide efficacy.
The Effect of Sustainable Tillage Systems on Faba Bean Yield in a Long-Term Experiment in Poland
In recent times, there has been a trend towards sustainable agriculture in the world, which is aimed at protecting the production potential of the soil and ensuring stable agricultural production. Conservation agriculture is one way to ensure sustainable production. The main principles of conservation agriculture are crop diversification, minimizing tillage, and maintaining soil cover with plant residues. An important role in crop diversification is assigned to legumes. The research was conducted in 2016–2019 based on a long-term experiment established in 1999 (Brody/Poznań). The experiment with faba bean included four variants of tillage: 1—conventional tillage (CT), 2—reduced tillage (RT), 3—strip-tillage (ST), and 4—no-tillage (NT). The research took place in two extremely different weather conditions. Two very favorable years and two with catastrophic drought. Weather conditions had a greater effect on faba bean yields than the tillage systems. The highest faba bean seed yield was obtained in 2017. The seed yield ranged from 6.73 t ha−1 in NT to 7.64 t ha−1 after ST. A high seed yield (4.94–5.97 t ha−1) was also in 2016. In years characterized by low rainfall (2018 and 2019), the average seed yield was 1.89 and 1.74 t ha−1, respectively. Considering the sustainability of the assessed tillage systems in faba bean, both in terms of environment and production, RT and ST should be indicated as the most sustainable. They limit the intensity of tillage and can be classified as conservation tillage, as opposed to conventional tillage. NT provides the best soil protection and conservation, but in favorable weather conditions, it limits the yield level of faba beans. The yields obtained in RT and ST technologies were high, both in favorable and extremely unfavorable years. Given the increasing climatic instability and unpredictable weather, yield stability in various conditions is as important as ensuring conservation tillage.
Multifunctional Adjuvants Affect Sulfonylureas with Synthetic Auxin Mixture in Weed and Maize Grain Yield
A field study in the years 2017–2019 was carried out to evaluate the impact of novel adjuvant formulations on the efficacy of sulfonylurea and synthetic auxin herbicides. Treatments included nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron + dicamba (N+R+D) at full and reduced rates with three multicomponent (TEST-1, TEST-2, TEST-3) as well as standard (MSO, S) adjuvants. In this greenhouse study, Echinochloa crus-galli seeds were planted and treated with N+R+D at 2–3 leaf stages. The water with the desired pH (4, 7, and 9) for the preparation of the spray liquid was prepared by incorporating citric acid or K3PO4 to either lower or raise the pH of the water. Adjuvant TEST-1 added to the spray liquid at pH 4 increased the effectiveness to 68%, TEST-2 to 81%, and TEST-3 to 80%, compared to 73% and 66% with the MSO and S. The efficacy of N+R+D at pH 7 with TEST-1 increased to 83%, TEST-2 to 82%, and TEST-3 to 77%, but with MSO, it increased to 81%, and 71% with S. Adjuvants TEST-1, TEST-2, and TEST-3 in the liquid at pH 9 increased efficacy to 76 and 80%, compared to 79 and 63% with MSO or S adjuvants. N+R+D applied with TEST-1, TEST-2, and TEST-3 provided greater weed control than herbicides with surfactant (S) and similar or even better than with standard methylated seed oil (MSO) adjuvants. Maize grain yield after herbicide-with-tested-adjuvant application was higher than from an untreated check, and comparable to yield from herbicide-with-MSO treatment, but higher than from S treatment.
Autumn Application of Synthetic Auxin Herbicide for Weed Control in Cereals in Poland and Germany
The biological efficacy of herbicides MCPA+tribenuron-methyl (code name: MT-565 SG) and diflufenican+chlorotoluron (Legato Pro 425 SC) was estimated in eighteen field experiments on winter cereals in Poland and Germany to control broadleaf weeds. Postemergence application of tribenuron-methyl in combination with MCPA, applied at the 3-leaf stage to 3 tillers detectable in autumn in winter cereals, resulted in the majority of weed species occurring in autumn being effectively eliminated with MCPA+tribenuron-methyl applied at 1.0 kg∙ha–1. It also provided an acceptable (82.4–94.1%) and comparable level of control to commonly occurring weeds Brassica napus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Centaurea cyanus, Lamium purpureum, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Stellaria media, and Thlaspi arvense. A satisfactory level of control of 66.3 to 88.3% was confirmed for Veronica persica, Viola arvensis, and Galium aparine. According to these results, the formulation of tribenuron-methyl combined with MCPA can be recommended for application in winter cereals in the autumn as an alternative to commonly available herbicides.
Effect of Zinc Sulfate and Adjuvants on the Physicochemical Properties and Efficacy of Bromoxynil with Terbythylazine and Nicosulfuron Mixtures Against Echinochloa crus-galli L.
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of methyl esters adjuvant, pH reducer, and zinc sulfate on the physicochemical properties (contact angle, surface tension) of a spray liquid and a bromoxynil + terbuthylazine + nicosulfuron mixture’s efficacy. Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli L.) was used as the test plant. The placement of any adjuvant in the spray liquid affected the reduction in contact angle, with zinc sulfate reducing it from 75.9 to 66.3°, methyl esters adjuvant from 61.8 to 47.1°, pH reducer from 58.3 to 47.0°, zinc sulfate + methyl esters adjuvant from 64.9 to 58.4°, and zinc sulfate + pH reducer from 57.1 to 44.6°. A decrease in contact angle was found with a reduction in herbicide doses, from 65.6 to 59.0°. The highest pH of the spray liquid with herbicides was found when the methyl esters adjuvant was added to the liquid (6.82–7.17), followed by 6.43–6.80 when zinc sulfate was added, and 6.05–6.30 for zinc sulfate with methyl esters adjuvant. The inclusion of adjuvant pH reducer very strongly reduced the liquid reaction to 3.28–3.60, and it was reduced to 2.76–2.90 in the presence of zinc sulfate. Bromoxynil + terbuthylazine + nicosulfuron mixtures applied with methyl esters adjuvant and zinc sulfate with pH reducer showed the highest efficacy (85–98% and 82–96%), and the efficacy was 64–81% when methyl esters adjuvant with zinc sulfate were used. The effect of the herbicide mixture with only zinc sulfate was noticeably weaker (40–81%), and it was very weak (13–43%) in the presence of adjuvant pH reducer only. On the basis of the ED50 values, the most favorable mixtures were those containing methyl esters adjuvant, methyl esters adjuvant + zinc sulfate and pH reducer + zinc sulfate in addition to the herbicides. Research has indicated that zinc sulfate could be used as an adjuvant, and will support not only the action of herbicides, but also the development of maize plants.
Effect of Doses, Application Dates, Adjuvants and Zinc Sulfate on Bromoxynil + Terbuthylazine + NicosulfuronWeed Control Efficacy and Maize Grain Yield in Mid-West Poland
Impact of novel herbicide based on synthetic auxins and ALS inhibitor on weed control
Abstract Delayed sowing of winter cereals or unfavorable weather conditions in autumn may make it impossible to carry out herbicide treatment in autumn. In such cases, weed control should be started in the spring. During this time, the plantation should be protected as effectively as possible because the weeds are at an advanced stage of growth. Therefore, they are less sensitive to applied herbicides. In the treatment, it is worth using a mixture of different mechanisms of action. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a band of tribenuron-methyl, and MCPA applied as soluble granules in spring control of dicotyledonous in winter cereals. The biological efficacy of herbicides was estimated in the 25 field experiments on winter cereals in Poland. Postemergence, a spring application of tribenuron-methyl + MCPA, effectively controls the majority of weed species present in spring: Anthemis arvensis, Brassica napus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Centaurea cyanus, Lamium purpureum, Matricaria chamomilla, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Stellaria media and Thlaspi arvense. Satisfactory control was confirmed for Veronica persica, Viola arvensis, and Galium aparine. Tribenuron-methyl with MCPA is recommended for application to winter cereals in spring. To prevent the development of resistance in weeds, it is advantageous to combine two active substances.
The Effect of Post-Emergence Application of Biostimulants and Soil Amendments in Maize Cultivation on the Growth and Yield of Plants
Maize is considered to be one of the most significant crops in the world. On a global scale, the appropriate yield level of food can largely affect food security. During cultivation, this plant is exposed to many adverse environmental factors, including water deficiency. Plant stress is reduced by applying appropriate biostimulants or soil amendments. This study tested the effectiveness of preparations based on Rhizophagus irregularis, humic acids, Bacillus velezensis + Bacillus licheniformis and Methylobacterium symbioticum. The aim of the project was to assess the effect of selected microorganisms and substances on the growth, yield, and physiological parameters of maize. The hypothesis assumed that the preparations selected for this study could improve the condition of the plants in various soil moisture conditions. All treatments were carried out post-emergence. The experiments were conducted in greenhouse conditions, where, in conditions of different level of soil moisture, optimal and water deficiency, the effect of the above-mentioned substances and microorganisms on the height, mass of plants, and plant chlorophyll fluorescence was determined. Chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and flavonol content were also measured. In two-year field studies, the effect of the same preparations on plant height, grain yield, thousand-grain weight, oil, protein, and starch content in the grain was determined. It was shown that appropriately selected biostimulants have a positive effect on plant growth, physiological parameters, and the yield of maize grain. The impact of preparations on the grain yield depended on the conditions that prevailed in the growing season.