Weed seed predation by invertebrates and its availability for weed management

Weed Seed Predation in Agricultural Fields

Weed communities in agronomic fields are dominated by annual species. Summer annuals initiate growth each spring from seeds found in the upper soil profile (Figure 1). In most fields, a small percentage of the emerging plants survive and contribute new seeds to the soil seedbank. Historically, most research of the annual weed life cycle has focused on seed dormancy and emergence (A), effect of ...

Weed seed loss due to predation in Michigan maize fields

The influence of weed seed predation by invertebrates and vertebrates was examined in relation to distance from hedgerows in maize fields of southwestern Michigan. Experiments were conducted in spring and winter and included five common weed species, i.e., velvet-leaf (Abutilon theophrasti), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), common lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album), fall panicum (Pani...

National Evaluation of Weed & Seed

Discussed in this Brief: The National Evaluation of Operation Weed and Seed, a strategy to control violent crime, drug trafficking, and drug-related crime in targeted areas and to provide a safe environment for residents to live, work, and raise their families. From the initial three grant sites in 1991, Weed and Seed has grown to include 200 sites nationwide. The Weed and Seed programs in eigh...

Weed Science and Management

Software Tools for Weed Seed Germination Modeling

The next generation of weed seed germination models will need to account for variable soil microclimate conditions. To predict this microclimate environment we have developed a suite of individual tools (models) that can be used in conjunction with the next generation of weed seed germination models. The three tools that will be outlined here are GlobalTempSIM, GlobalRainSIM, and the soil tempe...