Changing Climate and Advances on Weeds Utilization as Forage: Provisions, Nutritional Quality and Implications

Abstract

Under changing climate, growth and prevalence of many invasive and indigenous weeds are expected to boost up owing to their greater genetic diversity, competitive superiority and better plant architecture. Atmospheric CO 2 enrichment and elevating global temperature are causing weeds invasion to new localities making prevalent weed management strategies ineffective. Weed utilization as forage for ruminants provided that their nutritional profile is available and can be a biologically feasible and economically viable approach compared to existing management system of eliminating them from agro-ecological systems. Different weeds like Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), canary grass (Phalaris minor), nut sedge (Cyperus rotundus), yellow duck (Rumex crispus), drooping brome (Bromus tectorum), burr clover (Medicago polymorpha), button weed (Diodia scandens), and purslane (Portulaca oleracea) had acceptable nutritional profile with organic matter (89.0-91.3%), protein (7.1-19.5%) and fats (2.1-3.7%). Those were also rich in micro-nutrients (calcium, magnesium and zinc), while anti-nutritional factors (saponins, tannins, phytates and oxalates) were in safer limits for dairy animals. Lack of nutritional profiling and presence of anti-nutritional factors decreased feed intake and led to malnutrition, while higher concentration of tannins caused digestibility depression in small ruminants. There is need to conduct further studies for nutritional profiling of local weed species and development of techniques for reducing their anti-nutritional factors.

Detection of Sedge Weeds Infestation in Wetland Rice Cultivation Using Hyperspectral Images and Artificial Intelligence: A Review

“…As the climate changes, the levels of weed invasion and crop-weed competition are likely to be altered (Jinger et al, 2017). This alteration is prone to benefit weeds, as many have been resistant to climate change and have better adaptation (Iqbal et al, 2020). Although the number of C4 species was estimated to range from 27% to 34% of all Cyperaceae species, there is a high potential for C4 sedge weeds to spread and wreak havoc on agricultural systems, especially in temperate regions (Simpson et al, 2011).…”

“…Each weed species had its unique spectral signature captured by a hyperspectral camera (Norasma et al, 2020). However, the changing climate, including rainfall, daylight hours, temperature, relative humidity, and the duration of the drought season (Alam et al, 2014), may alter the levels of weed invasion and crop-weed competition, which is prone to benefit the weeds due to their better adaptation (Iqbal et al, 2020). These changes will also influence the spectral reading (Arias et al, 2021) and need to be considered when capturing the spectrum for sedge weed identification.…”

Predictive Modelling for Rice Weeds in Climate Change: A Review

“…The degrees of weed invasion and crop-weed competition is anticipated to shift as the environment changes (Jinger et al, 2017). Because many weeds resist climate change and have superior adaption, this change will likely benefit them (Iqbal et al, 2020). Under water stress, high temperatures, and light-intensity circumstances, C4 weed species are expected to adapt better than C3 rice plants (Karki et al, 2013;Rodenburg et al, 2011).…”

“…In addition to increased weed development and altered weed flora, climate change's direct effects on rice plants may harm rice growth and production (Prasad et al, 2017). Climate change, including rainfall, daylight hours, temperature, relative humidity, and drought season length (Alam et al, 2014), can affect weed invasion and cropweed competition, favouring weeds due to their better tolerance (Iqbal et al, 2020). Climate change is a severe issue that can potentially alter the natural phenological features of plants and weeds, as evidenced by the discovery of new species as alien species (Roslim et al, 2021).…”