Diversity and Spatial Heterogeneity of Weed Communities in a Sugarcane Cropping System in the Dry Tropics of Costa Rica

Abstract

Weed diversity, structure, and distribution within and outside agricultural fields affect not only ecological processes but also weed management strategies. We studied how areas managed differently within and outside the field determine weed communities in a sugarcane cropping system in the dry tropics of Costa Rica. A total of 120 weed species were detected, which was similar to surveys conducted in subtropical and temperate conditions. Weed species richness was highest in undisturbed field borders and lowest in rows and furrows. The area where tractors turn within the field (turn area) had similar richness compared with the borders, despite being one of the most disturbed management areas studied. The most predominant weed species were divided between generalists and species that exhibited clear preferences for management area or soil texture. Soil texture was more important for determining weed community structure than management area when considering weed species affecting weed control decisions. The results indicated that disturbance in the management area and, especially, weed control practices are critical factors affecting weed diversity, but availability of resources for weed growth such as nutrients, soil moisture, and light can mitigate some of the limitations imposed by weed control on weed diversity, especially in the turn area. Differences in weed communities between management areas within fields indicated the existence of conditions that favor key weed species, and this information can be used to anticipate their population growth and help determine when and where more intensive control should be implemented. Nomenclature: sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum L.

Comparative view for the impact of five eco factors on species distribution and weed community structure in Isthmus of Suez and adjoining farmland east Nile delta, Egypt

“…(2000); Stein et al. (2000); Blair (2001); Firehun and Tamado (2006) and Leon et al. (2017) indicated the main effect of the other three eco factors (crop type, crop sustainability and urbanization) on species distribution and community structure.…”

Weeds biodiversity: Challenges and opportunity in current context

“…Reductions in abundances of host plants may affect associated insects and other taxa. A number of insect groups and farmland birds have shown marked population declines over the past four decades (Leon et al, 2017).…”

European hare invasion in southeastern Brazil: identifying drivers of occupancy and abundance and analyzing the invader\'s impact on the Brazilian cottontails spatial distribution

“…Interestingly, weed richness in the field margins almost doubled that in the management areas (rows and furrows) located inside the sugarcane crop fields (Leon et al, 2017). Low use of herbicides, which is typically sprayed just after sugarcane planting (Nihei et al, 2015), combined with artificial soil fertilization and light availability provide appropriate conditions for weeds to thrive in sugarcane field margins (Leon et al, 2017). Moreover, our findings related to the sugarcane temporal heterogeneity may add support to the hypothesis that sugarcane field margins are key element accounting for the positive association between European hare relative abundance and sugarcane crops.…”

“…We hypothesize that ruderal plants growing in sugarcane field margins may compensate for the absence of other crop plants inside sugarcane plantations, providing appropriate foraging conditions for European hares. Leon et al (2017) found high weed (forbs and grasses) richness (120 species) growing in areas managed for sugarcane crops in the dry tropics of Costa Rica. Interestingly, weed richness in the field margins almost doubled that in the management areas (rows and furrows) located inside the sugarcane crop fields (Leon et al, 2017).…”

“…Leon et al (2017) found high weed (forbs and grasses) richness (120 species) growing in areas managed for sugarcane crops in the dry tropics of Costa Rica. Interestingly, weed richness in the field margins almost doubled that in the management areas (rows and furrows) located inside the sugarcane crop fields (Leon et al, 2017). Low use of herbicides, which is typically sprayed just after sugarcane planting (Nihei et al, 2015), combined with artificial soil fertilization and light availability provide appropriate conditions for weeds to thrive in sugarcane field margins (Leon et al, 2017).…”