Effect of plant density and herbicide application on alfalfa seed and weed yields

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Moyer ◽  
R. W. Richards ◽  
G. B. Schaalje
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Perennial Weed ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Untreated Check ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Seed Yields

Alfalfa was seeded in row spacings of 36, 72 and 108 cm and at broadcast seeding rates of 0.33, 1.0 and 3.0 kg ha−1 on irrigated land at Tilley (1983) and Lethbridge (1984), Alberta to determine the effect of plant density on weed growth and alfalfa seed yield. During the seed-producing years at each location, herbicide treatments were overlaid on seeding treatments in a split-block arrangement to assess the joint effect of herbicides and plant density on alfalfa seed yield. Hexazinone was the main herbicide used for weed control. Alfalfa seed and weeds were harvested for 5 yr following alfalfa establishment. Alfalfa seed yields tended to be maximum with 36-cm row spacings or the 3.0 kg ha−1 broadcast seeding rate, and were similar in row-seeded and broadcast-seeded alfalfa. Dry matter yields of weeds decreased as row spacings decreased or the broadcast seeding rate increased. Hexazinone controlled quackgrass, sow thistle, flixweed and kochia. In the experiment at Tilley with perennial weed infestations, mean alfalfa seed yields from 1984 to 1985 were 20% larger when herbicides were used than in the untreated check. Alfalfa plant densities slightly larger than currently recommended usually produced the largest seed yields and smallest weed infestations. Key words: Medicago sativa, quackgrass, kochia, sow thistle, flixweed, hexazinone

Seed production from three annual species of Trifolium on sandy soils in the wheat belt of Western Australia

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (36) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
RC Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Seed Yields

Seed production and persistence of subterranean, cupped, and rose clovers were examined over a period of three years in undefoliated swards, at several plant densities, in the wheat belt of Western Australia. Subterranean clover, although earlier flowering, was outyielded by the other two species in the two driest years. No major differences were found between species in relative water content of leaves during periods of soil moisture deficit. Moreover, species differences in soil moisture exploitation were small. A high proportion of inflorescences failed to set seed in subterranean clover. This reproductive defect, which is associated with restricted inflorescence burial due to dry soil conditions, was thought to be the main reason for the poorer seed yield in this species. Despite low seed yields in the establishment year, plant density after the first year did not seriously limit seed yields, even at the lowest seeding rate, in any of the three species.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Plant Density and Fruit and Seed Production in Muskmelon

2002 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haim Nerson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
High Seed Yield

Field experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to examine the effects of plant density on yield and quality of fruit and seeds of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.). Two open-pollinated cultivars, Noy Yizre'el (Ha'Ogen type) and TopMark (western U.S. shipper type), were grown at plant densities ranging from 0.5 to 16.0 plants/m2 under commercial conditions. The highest marketable fruit yields were achieved with plant densities of 2 to 4 plants/m2. In contrast, the highest seed yields were obtained at 8 to 12 plants/m2. Seed yield index [seed yield (g)/fruit yield (kg)] was used as a parameter to define seed production efficiency. High seed yield was closely related to high value of the seed yield index. High seed yield indexes resulted from high plant densities (up to 12 plants/m2), at which the crops produced many, but relatively small fruit. In all cases, the seed yield per fruit (seed number and seed size) increased with increasing fruit weight. However, the sum of the seed yield of two small fruit was always greater than the seed yield of one, double-sized fruit. There was a clear exception with extremely small fruit (<500 g), which produced both low seed yields and poor seed quality. A positive relationship was found between fruit size and seed size in both cultivars. Nevertheless, relatively small seeds (25 to 30 mg) extracted from relatively small fruit (500 to 1000 g) showed the best performance in terms of germination and emergence percentages and rates, and in the vegetative development vigor of the seedlings.

Canola seed yield and phenological responses to plant density

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gan Yantai ◽  
K. Neil Harker ◽  
H. Randy Kutcher ◽  
Robert H. Gulden ◽  
Byron Irvine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Canola Seed ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Plant Densities

Optimal plant density is required to improve plant phenological traits and maximize seed yield in field crops. In this study, we determined the effect of plant density on duration of flowering, post-flowering phase, and seed yield of canola in diverse environments. The field study was conducted at 16 site-years across the major canola growing area of western Canada from 2010 to 2012. The cultivar InVigor® 5440, a glufosinate-resistant hybrid, was grown at five plant densities (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 plants m−2) in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Canola seed yield had a linear relationship with plant density at 8 of the 16 site-years, a quadratic relationship at 4 site-years, and there was no correlation between the two variables in the remaining 4 site-years. At site-years with low to medium productivity, canola seed yield increased by 10.2 to 14.7 kg ha−1 for every additional plant per square metre. Averaged across the 16 diverse environments, canola plants spent an average of 22% of their life cycle flowering and another 27% of the time filling seed post-flowering. Canola seed yield had a negative association with duration of flowering and a positive association with the days post-flowering but was not associated with number of days to maturity. The post-flowering period was 12.7, 14.7, and 12.6 d (or 55, 68, and 58%) longer in high-yield experiments than in low-yield experiments in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. We conclude that optimization of plant density for canola seed yield varies with environment and that a longer post-flowering period is critical for increasing canola yield in western Canada.

MON-37500 for Weed Control and Alfalfa Seed Production

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 810-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clayton D. Myhre ◽  
Heather A. Loeppky ◽  
F. Craig Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Residual Activity ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Perennial Weed ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Alfalfa Seed

Alfalfa seed producers have a limited number of herbicide options to manage weed problems. MON-37500 (proposed name sulfosulfuron) is a sulfonylurea herbicide that controls dandelion and quackgrass, two common weeds in alfalfa fields. A study was conducted in two alfalfa fields at Valparaiso and Carrot River, Saskatchewan, Canada, from 1999 to 2001 to evaluate perennial weed control and alfalfa production responses with 0.5×, 1×, and 1.5× label-recommended rates of MON-37500 and also 2,4-DB and hexazinone. MON-37500 applied at the 1× and 1.5× rates at both locations reduced mid-May alfalfa vigor from 100% to between 80 and 90% and increased early-season control of dandelion and quackgrass by about 10 to 40 percentage units, when compared with other herbicide treatments. Improved weed control with 1× and 1.5× MON-37500 rates was sustained into mid-June only at Carrot River and was completely eliminated (100% vigor and 0% weed control), or almost so, by mid-July. MON-37500 did not control Canada thistle. Improved early-season weed control with the 1× MON-37500 rate apparently compensated for the loss of alfalfa vigor at Valparaiso, thus resulting in 27% (57 kg/ha) greater seed yield than with the other herbicide treatments. At Carrot River, hexazinone generally provided levels of weed control similar to MON-37500 but did not injure alfalfa. Consequently, alfalfa yields were highest and the proportion of dead (decaying) seed was least with this treatment. The 0.5× MON-37500 rate often resulted in inferior weed control relative to the 1× and 1.5× rates and never was among the herbicide treatments providing the greatest seed yield. Managing the residual activity of MON-37500 and its negative effect on alfalfa growth, especially at locations with soils having coarse texture and low organic matter content, represents the greatest challenge in making MON-37500 a reliable weed management tool for alfalfa seed producers.

Preharvest glyphosate in alfalfa for seed production: Effect on alfalfa seed yield and quality

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. May ◽  
H. A. Loeppky ◽  
D. C. Murrell ◽  
C. D. Myhre ◽  
J. J. Soroka
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Canada Thistle ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Seed Yields

Preharvest applications of glyphosate have been shown to be effective in controlling Canada thistle in annual crops, but may reduce alfalfa seed yield depending on time and rate of application. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of preharvest applications of glyphosate on subsequent alfalfa seed yield and quality. The effects of timing, 1, 26, 51 and 76% alfalfa seed pod maturity, and rate, 0, 440, 880, 1320, and 1760 g a.i. ha-1, of a preharvest application of glyphosate on alfalfa seed yield and quality in the year of application, and regrowth and seed yield in the following year were determined. The rate of glyphosate applied did not affect seed yield in the application year; however, in the following year, growth and seed yield were reduced as rates increased. Delaying the application of glyphosate increased seed yields in the application year, but decreased alfalfa regrowth and flowering the following year. Germination and seedling emergence were not affected by the rate or timing of the glyphosate. A preharvest application of glyphosate at 1760 g a.i. ha-1 at 76% pod maturity is a viable option in the last year of seed production. Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), glyphosate, abnormal seeds, seed quality, and seedling vigour

Estimating the economic optimal target density of hybrid canola based on data from a western Canadian meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray D. Hartman ◽  
Scott R. Jeffrey
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Optimal Density ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Optimal Target ◽  
The Relationship

Canola production in western Canada has expanded such that in many regions canola area rivals the area seeded to wheat. This change can be mainly attributed to adoption of herbicide resistant hybrid varieties, and resulting higher relative profitability. Producers responded to higher seed prices by reducing seeding rates, leading to plant densities that were often lower than industry recommendations. The study objectives were to examine canola yield response to plant density and assess economically optimal density levels relative to industry recommendations and grower practices. A meta-analysis approach was applied to yield response and plant density data with herbicide resistant hybrid canola from multiple studies. Three alternative marginal yield-density functions were estimated and used to calculate economically optimal plant density. Sensitivity of results to key parameters was assessed. Resulting optimal density levels under recent average prices, seed size and emergence were 62-73 plants m-2, consistent with industry recommendations for western Canada. Recent field surveys report lower densities than this range, suggesting that producers are seeding at less than optimal rates. However, there is significant uncertainty associated with canola production, and interaction of seeding rate with other factors. These would impact on optimal plant density, although much of the uncertainty remains until well after seeding. The empirical results represent a foundation for development of more detailed models, highlight the significance of the relationship between plant density and economically optimal yield, and suggest the need to develop decision making tools to support producers in making canola planting decisions.

Desiccation of alfalfa for seed production with diquat and glufosinate

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Moyer ◽  
S. N. Acharya ◽  
J. Fraser ◽  
K. W. Richards ◽  
N. Foroud
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Viable Seed ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Percent Germination ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Seed Yields

Recommendations for desiccation of alfalfa do not clearly define the stage at which desiccants should be applied. To obtain this information, diquat and glufosinate were applied to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) from 1991 to 1994 at various stages of maturity to determine the effect of desiccant and stage of maturity at desiccation on seed yield 1000-seed weight and seed germinability. Alfalfa seed yields, 1000-seed weights, percent germination and percent viable seed were similar after desiccation with diquat and glufosinate. Desiccation when 60–75% of the alfalfa seed pods were brown permitted maximum seed yields. Percent germination increased slightly in seeds that were exposed to weathering under normal conditions until all pods turned brown. Both desiccants adequately desiccated alfalfa for harvesting but desiccation with glufosinate took 2 or 3 d longer than diquat. Desiccants did not reduce alfalfa growth in the spring after application. Key words: Germination, yield, hard seed, seed weight, stage

Response of vetch (Vicia spp.) to plant density in south-western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Seymour ◽  
K. H. M. Siddique ◽  
N. Brandon ◽  
L. Martin ◽  
E. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Vicia Sativa ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Matter Production

The response of Vicia sativa (cvv. Languedoc, Blanchefleur and Morava) and V. benghalensis (cv. Barloo) seed yield to seeding rate was examined in 9 field experiments across 2 years in south-western Australia. There were 2 types of field experiments: seeding rate (20, 40, 60, 100 and 140 kg/ha) × cultivar (Languedoc, Blanchefleur, and Morava or Barloo), and time of sowing (2 times of sowing of either Languedoc or Blanchefleur) × seeding rate (5,�7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha).A target density of 40 plants/m2 gave 'optimum' seed yield of vetch in south-western Australia. In high yielding situations, with a yield potential above 1.5 t/ha, the 'optimum' plant density for the early flowering cultivar Languedoc (85–97 days to 50% flowering) was increased to 60 plants/m2. The later flowering cultivar Blanchefleur (95–106 days to 50% flowering) had an optimum plant density of 33 plants/m2 at all sites, regardless of fitted maximum seed yield. Plant density in the range 31–38 plants/m2 was found to be adequate for dry matter production at maturity of Languedoc and Blanchefleur. For the remaining cultivars Barloo and Morava we were unable to determine an average optimum density for either dry matter or seed yield due to insufficient and/or inconsistent data.

Effect of seeding date and rate on desi chickpea in southern Alberta

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 717-721
Author(s):  
R. H. McKenzie ◽  
A. B. Middleton ◽  
E. Bremer
Keyword(s):  
Cicer Arietinum ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Cicer Arietinum L ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Large Yield ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Target Plant

Field trials were conducted at 12 location-years (sites) over a 4-yr period (2000–2003) to determine the response of desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to seeding date and rate in southern Alberta. Desi chickpea, cv. Myles, was planted on three dates at approximately 10-d intervals at target plant densities of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 plants m-2. Seed yields were close to maximum at seeding dates ranging from late April till mid-May, but further delays in seeding resulted in modest yield declines at two sites during the drought years and large yield declines at two sites in the wet year. The economic optimum plant density for desi chickpea increased with moisture availability, from 26 to 79 plants m-2. Under typical conditions in southern Alberta, optimum yields of chickpea were obtained with seeding dates prior to May 15 and seeding rates of 30 to 40 plants m-2. Key words: Cicer arietinum, yield, planting, sowing

EFFECT OF ROW SPACING AND SEEDING RATES ON SUMMER RAPE IN SOUTHERN MANITOBA

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. MORRISON ◽  
P. B. E. McVETTY ◽  
R. SCARTH
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Lower Plant

To determine the effects of varying plant densities on summer rape (Brassica napus L.), the cultivar Westar was seeded in 15- and 30-cm row spacings at seeding rates of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 kg ha−1. Plants seeded in 15-cm rows yielded more per area, produced more pods per plant and lodged less than those in 30-cm rows. Higher yields were associated with a more even plant distribution and a lower degree of intra-row competition. There were no significant protein, oil and chlorophyll concentration differences between the row spacing treatments. The highest yields (kg ha−1) were achieved with the 1.5 and 3.0 kg ha−1 seeding rates. Summer rape compensated for lower plant densities with the production of more branch racemes. As seeding rate increased, competitive mortality increased, resulting in greater etiolation at bolting, and greater lodging at harvest. Seed oil and protein concentrations were not affected by seeding rate. However, seed chlorophyll concentration decreased with increased seeding rate.Key words: Brassica napus, plant density, seed quality, rape (summer)

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