Assessment of the differential response of weeds to soil solarization by two methods

Abstract

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the United Arab Emirates was evaluated by two methods: on-farm weed assessment and a seed germination test. In the on-farm weed assessment method, the weed frequency, density, and dry weight were compared in the solarized and non-solarized plots that were cultivated with cabbage. Prior to solarization, the soil was artificially infested with the seeds of 10 weeds. Generally, the densities of seven species and dry weights of five species were significantly lower in the solarized plots as compared to the control. Launea mucronata, Capsella bursa-pastoris, and Echinochloa colona were very sensitive to solarization, as they did not appear in the solarized plots. However, Portulaca oleracea and Melilotus indica were not significantly affected by soil solarization. In the second method, the germination was assessed for the seeds of four weedy species buried at three depths for different durations of solarization.The results confirmed the great sensitivity of L. mucronata and C. bursa-pastoris seeds to solarization, as all had not germinated after 15 days of solarization, even at the 15 cm depth. The seeds of E. colona, however, were less sensitive after 15 days of solarization, especially at 7.5 cm and 15 cm, respectively. The seed germination method confirmed the resistance of the P. oleracea seeds to solarization. The results emphasized the importance of the germination test to provide accurate predictions about the spatial and temporal changes of the soil seed bank in solarized farms. This would help to determine the optimal duration of solarization in each farm, depending on the kind of weeds infesting the farm.

Soil solarization improves soil fertility in addition to weed management in sesame under subtropical conditions of Pakistan

“…The increase in biological and grain yield of sesame by extending the period of soil solarization was due to efficient weed control that reduced weed crop competition and increased growth and yield contributing traits of sesame. Our results are in the agreements with EL-Keblawy and Al-Hamadi (2009) and McGovern et al (2013), who reported an increase in biological yield and seed yield in soybean by prolonging the soil solarization duration.…”

Effects of Sudangrass Cover Crop and Soil Solarization on Weed and Pathogen Management in Organic Strawberry Production

“…Furthermore, certain legumes such as Mediterranean sweet clover (Melilotus sulcatus L.) and Medicago spp.(L.) are completely resistant to solarization due to their thick seed coat (Candido et al 2011, El-Keblawy and Al-Hamadi 2009, Powles et al 1988, Rubin and Benjamin 1984. Similar trends were observed in this study, where redstem filaree is not affected by solarization, but little mallow is affected after long exposure times even at lower temperatures of 45°C.…”

“…For example, nutsedge tuber mortality will not occur until exposed to temperatures of 50°C or higher (Webster 2003). Also, many hard-seeded weeds with thick seed coats are difficult to control with solarization requiring longer solarization periods to achieve mortality (Egley 1990, El-Keblawy and Al-Hamadi 2009, Rubin and Benjamin 1984.…”

Investigating tarps to facilitate organic no-till cabbage production with high-residue cover crops

“…In the scientific literature, use of both clear and black tarps is often referred to as ‘solarization’, but the use of black tarps is often distinguished as ‘occultation’ within the farming literature. Most solarization research has employed clear tarps on bare soil and while weed control has been a focus of some studies, the primary goal has been pathogen control (Horowitz et al ., 1983; Standifer et al ., 1984; Stapleton and DeVay, 1986; Stapleton, 2000; El-Keblawy and Al-Hamadi, 2009). The efficacy of solarization as a weed management technique using clear tarps is dependent on the temperatures achieved, moisture and the weed species present.…”