Award details

Biology, ecology and genetics of arable weeds

Reference	BBS/E/C/00084203
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Peter Lutman
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	121,296
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2002
Duration	36 months

Abstract

An understanding of the biology, ecology and genetics of arable weeds is vital for the development of effective weed management systems, that minimise the impact of herbicides on the environment and maintain biodiversity. Current systems do not take full account of the interactions beween the crop, weed and the control method. This tends to lead to the over use of herbicides and the development of herbicide resistance. If a more integrated approach to weed control is to be successfully introduced into arable farming, users will need a much more detailed knowledge of the target species, especially if reduced levels of control are to be part of the strategies. Information is needed for a whole range of attributes of the targeted plants, such as: i) how competitive are the species and what is their anticipated effect on the crop, ii) what is the population ecology of the weed and how will this impact on weed infestation levels in subsequent crops, iii) is the biological information avalable relevant to the ecotype of the weed present, iv) is the species susceptible to the desired control practice (herbicide, mechanical, agronomic) Sound understanding of the biological processes involved in crop- weed interactions is essential to provide a basis on which to build answers to these questions. Weed genetics A knowledge of the molecular genetic basis for differences in responses within species will provide basic underpinning for more applied research attempting to understand whole plant responses. Genetic variation within weed species has been largely ignored by weed biologists/ecologists and can be of considerable significance. A number of areas merit study including: i) what is the genetic basis of differences in biotype responses to herbicides (resistance) and other agronomic factors. Can this information be used to improve resistance management? ii) is there genetic differentiation between populations exposed to different agronomic practices? (eg. cultivations, fertiliser applications and rotations) iii) what is the genetic basis for differences in seed dormancy and other life-history traits between biotypes of the same species? iv) genetic analysis of the spatially aggregated dispersion of weeds within fields? Weed biology/ecology It is much more difficult to manage weeds rather than control them, and requires much more knowledge. The development of optimum weed management strategies should be the aim of the next 10 years. Two issues merit particular attention: the development of herbicide resistant biotypes of common arable grass weeds and the spatial distribution of weeds within fields. The former links directly to the weed genetics aspects of the project, as do aspects of the latter (eg. how much are patches genetically differentiated?). However, further issues merit attention in relation to the spatial behavoiur of weeds. Now that we have the technology to treat weeds on a spatial basis there is a need to understand the mechanisms causing the spatially aggregated distributions, as this will impact on how the patches are managed. i) how stable are patches? ii) what are the ecological mechansims involved in creating patch stability? iii) how much of the patch stability is due to abiotic and how much to biotic factors? Answers to these questions will improve the effectiveness of spatial management systems Sound understanding of population dynamics of key weeds is an important pre-requsite of any long-term predictive system of weed management, as proposed in concepts of weed management decision support systems currently under discussion. Basic population dynamics models for many arable weeds do not exist. These are needed. Fundamental biological knowledge to underpin the more applied work on weed management is essential.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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