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Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most problematic weed in rice fields due to the few control management alternatives to control it, because of the genetic similarity with the crop. Different cropping systems (regarding soil preparation before sowing) have been used as options to control the persistence and emergence of the weed seedbank. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the longevity and vertical distribution of weedy rice seeds in the soil seedbank after 22 years of different rice cropping systems. Data was analyzed as a two-way factorial, with cropping systems carried out for 22 years [no-tillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT), wet direct-seeded (WDS)] as one factor and sampling depth (0-2, 2-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm) as the other factor. The number of whole and deteriorated seeds per m-2 were assessed, as well as the viability (%). No effect between the systems were detected up to 5 cm, however at 5-10 cm CT and WDS showed higher amount of seeds, and WDS at 10-20 cm. As the sampling depth increased, NT showed fewer amount of seeds, while less reduction of the soil seedbank was observed in WDS. CT and WDS spread viable seeds in the soil profile from 0 to 20 cm depth. After 22 years there are viable weedy rice seeds up to 10 cm of depth in the three cropping systems and there is no difference among them up to 5 cm of depth, demonstrating the serious problem of the seedbank for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, horseweed is one of the most important weeds because of the resistance to herbicides and high competitive for the crops. A large of losses were reported in major crops such as soybeans, wheat and corn, where the use a no-tillage system and the herbicide resistance promote better establishment. A correct understanding of the way temperature influences germination enables the prediction of the regions with the highest potential for colonization by this weed and thus facilitates its control. The objective of this study; therefore, was to discern the ways temperature affected the germination, viability and longevity of horseweed seeds. Testing was done at 10, 20 and 30°C, while evaluation occurred on days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60. Seeds were packed in a nylon mesh bag (5x5cm), with 10g of upland soil (Yellow Red Argissolo, sandy loam texture), placed in transparent plastic boxes at 0 to 0.5cm soil depth, at the temperatures specified. Percentage of remaining seeds, first and second germination counts, abnormal seedlings, and dead, dormant, viable and non-viable seeds, were assessed. Horseweed seeds achieve secondary dormancy at 10, 20 and 30°C, while their quality and the longevity showed damage at 20 and 30°C temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotic and abiotic factors such as competition with weeds and water deficit may cause significant losses to soybean productivity. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of water deficit and plant recovery in the interaction between soybean (Glycine max) and slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) by using growth variables. A replacement series experiment was performed and treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme; they were composed of two water regimes (field capacity and water deficit (50% of field capacity)) and different soybean and slender amaranth proportions (100:0, 50:50 and 0:100%). Water regimes were applied 20 days after plant transplant. Height, leaf area and shoot dry matter were evaluated in soybean and slender amaranth under field capacity and water deficit, returning to normal irrigation conditions to evaluate the water recovery. Soybean exhibited competitiveness which was equivalent to the slender amaranth, independent of the water regime. Water deficit negatively influenced height, leaf area and shoot dry matter of soybean and slender amaranth. There was a reduction in leaf area and shoot dry matter of soybean after plant recovery caused by the irrigation deficit period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]