TY - JOUR
T1 - Allelopathic Cover Crop of Rye for Integrated Weed Control in Sustainable Agroecosystems
AU - Tabaglio, Vincenzo
AU - Marocco, Adriano
AU - Schulz, Margot
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The allelopathic potential of rye (Secale cereale L.) is mainly due to
phytotoxic benzoxazinones, compounds that are produced and accumulated
in young tissues to different degrees depending on cultivar
and environmental influences. Living rye plants exude low levels of
benzoxazinones, while cover crop residues can release from 12 to 20
kg ha–1. This paper summarizes the results obtained from several
experiments performed in both controlled and field environments, in
which rye was used as a cover crop to control summer weeds in a following
maize crop. Significant differences in benzoxazinoid content
were detected between rye cultivars. In controlled environments, rye
mulches significantly reduced germination of some broadleaf weeds.
Germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus and
Portulaca oleracea were particularly affected by the application of rye
mulches, while Chenopodium album was hardly influenced and
Abutilon theophrasti was advantaged by the presence of the mulch.
With reference to the influence of agronomic factors on the production
of benzoxazinoids, nitrogen fertilization increased the content of allelochemicals,
although proportionally less than dry matter. The field
trial established on no-till maize confirmed the significant weed suppressiveness
of rye mulch, both for grass and broadleaf weeds. A significant
positive interaction between N fertilization and no-tillage
resulting in the suppression of broadleaf weeds was observed. The different
behavior of the weeds in the presence of allelochemicals was explained in terms of differential uptake and translocation capabilities.
The four summer weeds tested were able to grow in the presence
of low amounts of benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA), between 0.3 and 20
μmol g−1 fresh weight. Although there were considerable differences
in their sensitivity to higher BOA concentrations, P. oleracea, A.
retroflexus, and Ch. album represented a group of species with a consistent
absorption capability. The insensitivity of A. theophrasti to BOA
was due to reduced accumulation in seedlings. Overall, results confirm
that the use of a rye cover crop in a suitable crop rotation represents a
sustainable weed management practice permitting a reduction in the
amount of herbicides used in agroecosystems, thus limiting the environmental
risks of intensive agriculture.
AB - The allelopathic potential of rye (Secale cereale L.) is mainly due to
phytotoxic benzoxazinones, compounds that are produced and accumulated
in young tissues to different degrees depending on cultivar
and environmental influences. Living rye plants exude low levels of
benzoxazinones, while cover crop residues can release from 12 to 20
kg ha–1. This paper summarizes the results obtained from several
experiments performed in both controlled and field environments, in
which rye was used as a cover crop to control summer weeds in a following
maize crop. Significant differences in benzoxazinoid content
were detected between rye cultivars. In controlled environments, rye
mulches significantly reduced germination of some broadleaf weeds.
Germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus and
Portulaca oleracea were particularly affected by the application of rye
mulches, while Chenopodium album was hardly influenced and
Abutilon theophrasti was advantaged by the presence of the mulch.
With reference to the influence of agronomic factors on the production
of benzoxazinoids, nitrogen fertilization increased the content of allelochemicals,
although proportionally less than dry matter. The field
trial established on no-till maize confirmed the significant weed suppressiveness
of rye mulch, both for grass and broadleaf weeds. A significant
positive interaction between N fertilization and no-tillage
resulting in the suppression of broadleaf weeds was observed. The different
behavior of the weeds in the presence of allelochemicals was explained in terms of differential uptake and translocation capabilities.
The four summer weeds tested were able to grow in the presence
of low amounts of benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA), between 0.3 and 20
μmol g−1 fresh weight. Although there were considerable differences
in their sensitivity to higher BOA concentrations, P. oleracea, A.
retroflexus, and Ch. album represented a group of species with a consistent
absorption capability. The insensitivity of A. theophrasti to BOA
was due to reduced accumulation in seedlings. Overall, results confirm
that the use of a rye cover crop in a suitable crop rotation represents a
sustainable weed management practice permitting a reduction in the
amount of herbicides used in agroecosystems, thus limiting the environmental
risks of intensive agriculture.
KW - Secale cereale L.
KW - allelopathy
KW - benzoxazinoids
KW - cover crops
KW - integrated weed control
KW - sustainable agriculture
KW - Secale cereale L.
KW - allelopathy
KW - benzoxazinoids
KW - cover crops
KW - integrated weed control
KW - sustainable agriculture
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/42767
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 35
EP - 40
JO - Italian Journal of Agronomy
JF - Italian Journal of Agronomy
SN - 1125-4718
ER -