Weed Management Practices to Improve Establishment of Selected Lignocellulosic Crops

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the dominant renewable energy resources suited for the production of sustainable biofuels and other energy purposes. This study was focused on weed management strategies that can improve the establishment of six lignocellulosic crops. The studied crops included: giant miscanthus, switchgrass, giant reed, cardoon, sweet sorghum, and kenaf. Delayed planting, increased planting densities, and mulching techniques can suppress weeds in giant miscanthus. Weed competition is detrimental for switchgrass establishment. Seedbed preparation and cultivar selection can determine its ability to compete with weeds. Giant reed is unlikely to get outcompeted by weeds, and any weed control operation is required only for the first growing season. Competitive cultivars and increased seeding rates maximize the competitiveness of cardoon against weeds. Several cultural practices can be used for non-chemical weed management in sweet sorghum and kenaf. For all crops, pre-emergence herbicides can be applied. The available safe post-emergence herbicides are limited. Mechanical weed control during crucial growth stages can provide solutions for sweet sorghum, kenaf, and perennial grasses. Further research is required to develop effective weed management strategies, with emphasis on cultural practices, that can improve the establishment of these prominent lignocellulosic crops.

Social considerations for the cultivation of industrial crops on marginal agricultural land as feedstock for bioeconomy

“…Farmers, value‐chain actors, and local communities can inform the selection of suitable MAL and help understanding the respective improvements required to return it to productivity. Decision making for innovative cropping solutions can be efficient only if these are embedded to the existing planning process and the daily activities in farms and the surrounding countryside 87 . Further issues for potential stakeholders' involvement include: Farmers and local community can advise if the suggested land use systems can improve biodiversity, preserve water, and lead to overall net zero carbon solutions that are well integrated to current land use patterns. The local community can organize awareness campaigns and training and on‐field tours to inform the public about regenerative agricultural practices for industrial crops in MAL.…”

“…Decision making for innovative cropping solutions can be efficient only if these are embedded to the existing planning process and the daily activities in farms and the surrounding countryside. 87 Further issues for potential stakeholders' involvement include:…”

Nettle, a Long-Known Fiber Plant with New Perspectives

“…Row spacings wider than 50 cm allow mechanical weeding with conventional maize weeder [161]. False seedbed sowing followed by selective herbicides against annual grassed and broad-leafed summer weeds can help control weeds in the first months after transplanting [162].…”

Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Subsp. Drummondii) and Weedy Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)—Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) as Weeds in Agriculture

“…These herbicide-resistant wild populations can encroach on new cultivated sunflower fields, hybridize with the crop, and generate new populations of herbicide-resistant weedy sunflowers [116]. Weed management should initially rely on the introduction of proactive strategies that prevent the spread of weeds to new agricultural lands [117,118]. Although the spread and establishment of these species is primarily facilitated by early seed shattering, lateemerging individuals may reach maturity at crop harvest [4,14].…”

“…The preparation of a firm seedbed, the use of germinable crop seed, sowing date and sowing depth selection are also cultural practices ensuring optimal crop growth and can lead to the suppression of noxious weeds such as shattercane and weedy sunflower [117]. False seedbed is another cultural, non-chemical, practice recommended for the control of shattercane and weedy sunflower in a great variety of summer crops including sorghum and sunflower.…”