North African knapweed (Centaurea diluta Aiton) is an annual weed that is widespread in southern Spain and is of increasing concern in dryland cropping systems. Despite its expanding range in Spain, there is limited information on the emergence timing and pattern of this species, knowledge of which is critical for developing more timely and effective management strategies. Therefore, there is a need to develop simple and reliable models to predict the timing and emergence of this annual weed under dryland conditions. A multi-location field experiment was established across Spain in 2016 to 2017 to assess the emergence of C. diluta. At each of 11 locations, seeds were sown in the fall, and emergence was recorded. Overall emergence averaged 39% in the first year across all sites and 11% in the second year. In both years, the main emergence flush occurred at the beginning of the growing season. A three-parameter Weibull function best described seedling emergence of C. diluta. Emergence models were developed based on thermal time (TT) and hydrothermal time (HTT) and showed high predictability, as evidenced by root mean-square error prediction values of 10.8 and 10.7, respectively. Three cardinal points were established for TT and HHT at 0.5, 10, and 35 C for base, optimal, and ceiling temperatures, respectively, while base water potential was estimated at −0.5 MPa.

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Summary: In a study of the weed flora of dryland crops in the Córdoba region (southern Spain) in 1983 and 1984, a total of 256 species from 41 families was identified in the 201 fields surveyed. The families with the highest numbers of species were Compositae, Gramineae, Leguminosae and Cruciferae. Therophytes represented 79% of the biological spectrum, with hemicryptophytes and geophytes more especially in the spring‐sown crops. At the early and late crop growth stages about 4% and 8%, respectively, of the fields had severe or very severe infestations. The seasonality of the crop had a marked influence on the weed flora, mainly due to the relationship of its phenological cycle with well defined climatic periods and to soil management practices. Cluster analysis clearly differentiated typically autumn‐spring and spring‐summer floras as well as a set of common species.

Summary Studies on competition between Ridolfia segetum Maris, and sunflower (Helianthemum annuus L.) were conducted at eight locations in southern Spain in 1990 and 1991. in order to define competition models and to estimate from these economic thresholds as affected by crop inputs and potential yields. Competition losses in sunflower crops ranged from 19% to 56% of weed–free yields. There were slightly better correlations between percentage sunflower reduction and weed density than with weed dry weight, (−0.66 and −0.59, respectively). The weed competitive index, or sunflower crop dry weight reduction per unit dry weight of R. segetum, was 1.09. The percentage yield losses due to weed density (NPRt) were fitted to multiple linear, quadratic, exponential and hyperbolic models. The hyperbolic equation, %RSY=100 (1+1/b*NPRt)−1, where b=0.14 and is the R. segetum competitive ability index, had the lowest error sum of squares (SSE), and gave the best biological explanation for the competition response. Early emergence (before mid–March) made weeds about 1.5 times more competitive than late emergence. The economic threshold to offset the cost of a shallow post–emergence tillage, assuming 70% control efficiency, ranged from about 2.5 plants m −2 for low–yielding crops(1200kgha−1) to less than one plant m−2 for higher–yielding crops (2800 kg ha−1).

A floristic study of the weeds in irrigated crops in lhe Guadalquivir River Valley (southern Spain) revealed a total of 284 species in the 267 fields surveyed, of which about 100 can be considered highly harmful. The families with the highest numhers of species were Compositae, Gramineae, Leguminosae. Cruciferae and Umbelliferae. Although 77 8% of the species were therophytes, geophytes were important in spring-sown crops. Most species were of Mediterranean origin, especially in autumn-sown crops; Cosmopolitan and Neotropical species were more important in the spring-sown crops. At the early and late crop growth stages 7% and 10%, respectively, of the fields had severe or very severe infestations.

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