The Effect of Tillage System and Rimsulfuron Application on Weed Flora, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Root Colonization and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of tillage system and rimsulfuron application on weed flora and growth of maize (Zea mays L. Mitic F1) at a site with no history of pesticide use for the last 5 years. A randomized complete block design was employed with three replicates per treatment (conventional tillage without rimsulfuron application (control), no-tillage with rimsulfuron application (NT+Rim) and conventional tillage with rimsulfuron application (CT+Rim)). The lowest leaf area index, dry weight and yield of maize were recorded in NT+Rim plots. In addition, the highest soil bulk density was determined in NT+Rim plots. Moreover, the rimsulfuron application resulted in significant reduction in the root growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization. The lowest root biomass, root length density, root surface and AM root colonization was found in CT+Rim plots. The lowest weed number and biomass was also observed at CT+Rim plots. Sustainability yield index (SYI) shown that the maize crop is more stable under conventional tillage compared with no-tillage. Our results indicated that root growth was reduced significant by rimsulfuron application but statistically significant lower maize yield was obtained in no-tillage system.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase grain yields: a meta‐analysis

“…Hence, soil parameters also have a strong potential to influence AM fungal effects on crop plants and their yield (Lehmann et al ., ; Lehmann & Rillig, ). In addition to soil and nutrients, the type and management of the agricultural system further influences the AM fungal effect on their host (Ryan et al ., ; Bilalis et al ., ). The degree of environmental control of the study system or the introduction or management of AM fungi in the soil strongly affects AM fungal performance (Lehmann et al ., ; Thirkell et al ., ).…”

Weed-Species Abundance and Diversity Indices in Relation to Tillage Systems and Fertilization

“…Both positive and negative effects of reduced tillage intensity on weed diversity have been reported. In general, conservation tillage systems usually increase weed abundance (Travlos and Economou, 2010;Melander et al, 2013), while the trends regarding weed diversity are less clear and they are usually dependent on the basis (long-term or mid-term) of the relevant evaluations (Hernandez Plaza et al, 2011;Bilalis et al, 2012b;Santín-Montanyá et al, 2013). In many cases, annual broadleaf species tend to be more abundant in frequently disturbed conventional tillage systems (Streit et al, 2003), while perennial weeds are favored by the absence of disturbance (Buhler, 1995).…”