ALBERT

Notes: The influence of temperature and relative humidity (r.h.) on the efficacy of glufosinate ammonium was investigated in controlled environment growth chambers using a tolerant species, barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. ‘Samson’), and a susceptible species, green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.). The shoot ammonia concentration and visual injury of plants treated with glufosinate-ammonium doses of 100 and 800 g ha−1 were compared at day/night temperature regimes of 8/5,15/10 and 22/17°C at 60% r.h. The effect of relative humidity levels of 40% and 95% on the shoot ammonia concentration, visual injury and dry weight accumulation of glufosinate-ammonium treated plants was tested at temperature regimes of 15/10 and 22/17°C, with both species treated with 800 g ha−1. In addition, green foxtail treated with 100 g ha−1. was tested at both r.h. levels at 22/17°C. As the temperature de creased, less ammonia was produced in treated green foxtail plants. However, ammonia levels were comparable at all temperature regimes for barley. Lowest temperatures resulted in delayed injury to both species, but only small differences in injury existed among temperature regimes 288 h after spraying. The activity of glufosinate ammonium on both species was significantly de creased by low r.h. For example, when grown at 22/17°C, green foxtail survived the potentially lethal dose of 100 g ha−1 at 40% r.h. and accumulated 70% of the dry weight of control plants, but was killed at 95% r.h. Of the two environmental factors examined, r.h. had the most significant effect on the phytotoxic action of glufosinate-ammonium. L'influence de la température et de I'humidité relative sur I'efficacité du glufosinate-ammonium L'influence de la température et de 1'humidité relative (hr) sur I'efficacité du glufosinate ammonium a étéétudiée en chambre climatique en utilisant une espéce d'orge tolérante (Hor deum vulgare L. cv ‘Samson’) et une espéce sensible la svtaire verte (Setaria viridis L. Beauv).La concentration en ammoniaque des pieds et les dégats visuels des plantes traitérs avec des doses de glufosinate ammonium de 100 et 800 g/ ha−1 ont été comparés pour des régimes de températures jour/nuit de 8/5, 15/10 et 22/17°C à 60% hr. L'effet de taux d'humidité relative de 40 et 95% sur la teneur en ammoniaque des pieds, les dégats visuels et (l'accumulation de matiére séche chez des plantes traitéres au glufosinate ammonium a été testéà des régimes de températures de 15/10 et 22/17°C, pour les 2 espéces traitées à 800 g ha−1. En outre, la sétaire verte traitée à 100 g hr−1 a été testée aux 2 hr à 22/17°C. Quand la température diminue, il y a moins d'ammoniaque produit chez les sétaires vertes trailérs. Cependant les taux d'ammon iaque ont été comparables à toutes les tempéra tures chez 1'orge. Les températures les plus basses ont abouti à un retard de phytotoxicité ches les 2 espéces, mais à peu de différences entre les régimes de températures 288 h après 1'application. L'activité du glufosinate ammon ium chez les deux espèces a été significative ment réduite par des faibles hr. Par exemple cul tivée à 22/17°C, la sétaire verte a survécu à des doses potentiellement léthales de 100 g ha−1à 40% d'hr et a accumulé 70% de la matière sèche des témoins mais a été détruite à 95% d'hr. Sur les 2 facteurs environnementaux étudiés, l'hr a l'effet le plus important sur l'activité phytotoxique du glufosinate ammonium. Einfluβ von Temperatur und relativer Feuchte auf die Wirksamkeit von Glufosinat-ammonium Der Einfluß von Temperatur und relativer Feuchte (rF) auf die Wirksamkeit von Glufosinat-ammonium wurde in Klimakammern anhand einer toleranten Art, der Gersten-Sorte ‘Samson’ (Hordeum vulgare L.), und einer empfindlichen Art, der Grünen Borstenhirse (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.), untersucht. Die Ammonium-Konzentration im Sproß und sichtbare Schädigungen der Pflanzen, die mit Dosen von 100 und 800 g ha−1 behandelt worden waren, wurden bei Tag/Nacht-Temperaturen von 8/5, 15/10 und 22/17 °C bei 60% rF verglichen. Die Wirkung von 40 oder 95% rF auf die Ammonium-Konzentrationen im Sproß, sichtbare Pflanzenschädigungen und die Trockenmassebildung wurde bei 15/10 und 22/17°C und bei 800 g ha−1 Glufosinat-ammonium untersucht. Zusätzlich wurde die Grüne Borstenhirse mit 100 g ha−1 behandelt und bei den beiden Feuchtegraden und 22/17 °C untersucht. Mit abnehmender Temperatur bildete die Grüne Borstenhirse weniger Ammonium, dessen Gehalt bei der Gerste jedoch bei allen Temperaturen gleich war. Geringere Temperaturen verzögerten bei beiden Arten die Schädigungen, doch ließen sich 288 h nach der Behandlung nur noch geringe Unterschiede bei den verschiedenen Temperaturen beobachten. Die Wirkung von Glufosinat-ammonium war bei niedriger rF bei beiden Arten signifikant schwächer. Z. B. überlebte die Grüne Borstenhirse die potentiell letale Dosis von 100 g ha−1 bei 22/17 °C und 40% rF und bildete 70% der Trockenmasse von Kontrollpflanzen, wurde jedoch bei 95% rF abgetötet. Die rF war von den beiden untersuchten Umweltfakoren der signkfikantere für die phytotoxische Wirkung des Glufosinat-ammoniums.

Notes: The dose-response, foliar uptake, translocation and metabolism of the methylheptyl ester (MHE) of fluroxypyr were examined in lambs-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. Scop.) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.). Under controlled environment growth room conditions, E50 values, determined from shoot dry weights of the susceptible species, wild buckwheat (16 g ha−1) and field bindweed (40 g ha−1), were markedly different than those of the tolerant species, lambsquarters (331 g ha−1) and Canada thistle (〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:00431737:WRE333:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉800 g ha−1). Regardless of species, more than 80% of applied [14C]fluroxypyr-MHE was absorbed by foliar surfaces 120 h after treatment. Translocation of radioactivity out of the treated leaves of susceptible species was significantly greater than that of tolerant species. For example, 120 h after treatment with [14C]-fluroxypyr-MHE, the proportion of applied radioactivity translocated in tolerant Canada thistle and lambsquarters was 15 and 10%, respectively, whereas in susceptible wild buckwheat and field bindweed it was 41 and 40% of applied radioactivity, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of plant extracts indicated four distinct chroma-tographic peaks common to all four species. More fluroxypyr was recovered in the susceptible species (70%) than in the tolerant species (30%), 120 h after application. Selectivity differences between the tolerant and susceptible species may be the result of enhanced metabolic transformation of the herbicide to more polar, non-phytotoxic compounds with limited mobility within the tolerant species. Les bases de la sélectivité du fluroxypyr La courbe dose effet, la pénétration foliaire, la migration et le métabolisme de Tester méthyle-heptyle (MHE) du fluroxypyr ont étéétudiés chez le chénopode blanc (Chenopodium album L.), la renouée faux-liseron (Polygonum con-vulvulus L.), le chardon des champs (Cirsium arvense L. Scop.) et le liseron des champs (Convolvulus arvensis L.). En conditions de crois-sance contrôlées, les valeurs ED50, déterminées à partir du poids de matière sèche des parties aériennes étaient nettement différentes chez les plantes sensibles et chez les plantes résistan-tes:renouée faux-liseron, 16 g ha−1; liseron des champs, 40 g ha−1; chénopode blanc, 331 g ha−1; chardon des champs, 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:00431737:WRE333:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉800 g ha−1. Quelle que soit 1'espèce, plus de 80% du [14C]fluroxypyr-MHE pénétrait dans les feuilles en 120 h. La migration de la radioactivité hors des feuilles traitérs était significativement plus importante chez les plantes sensibles que chez les plantes tolérantes. Par exemple, 120 h après le traite-ment avec du [14C]fluroxypyr-MHE, la proportion de radioactivité appliquée qui avait migré dans le chardon des champs et le chénopode, tolérants, était respectivement 15 et 10%, alors que chez la renouée faux-liseron et le liseron des champs, sensibles, elle était respectivement 41 et 40%. Des analyses par HPLC des extraits de plantes montraient quatre pics chro-matographiques distincts dans chacune des quatre espèces. Davantage de fluroxypyr était retrouvé 120 h après 1'application chez les plantes sensibles que chez les plantes résistantes (70% contre 30%). Les différences de sensibilité entre espèces pourraient être dues chez les plantes tolérantes à un métabolisme plus important de l'herbicide en composés plus polaires, non phytotoxiques et peu mobiles. Grundlagen für die selektive Wirkung von Fluroxypyr Die Dosis/Wirkungs-Beziehung, Blattaufnahme, Translokation und Metabolismus des Methylheptyl-Esters (MHE) von Fluroxypyr wurden bei Weißem Gänsefuß (Chenopodium album L.), Gemeinem Windenknöterich (Polygonum convolvulus L.), Acker-Kratzdistel (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) und Gemeiner Ackerwinde (Convolvulus arvensis L.) untersucht. Unter den kontrollierten Umweltbedingungen eines Phytotrons wurden anhand des Trockengewichts die ED50-Werte bestimmt, die bei den empfindlichen Arten Polygonum convolvulus mit 16 g ha−1 und Convolvulus arvensis mit 40 g ha−1 sich deutlich von denen der toleranten Arten Chenopodium album mit 331 g ha−1 und Cirsium arvense mit 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:00431737:WRE333:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉800 g ha−1 unterschieden. Unabhängig von der Art waren mehr als 80 % der Aufwandmenge von [14C]-Fluroxypyr-MHE durch die Blattoberflächen 120 h nach der Behandlung aufgenommen. Die Translokation der Radioaktivität aus den behandelten Blättern war bei den empfindlichen Arten signifikant größer als bei den toleranten. Z. B. waren 120 h nach der Behandlung bei den toleranten Arten Cirsium arvense und Chenopodium album 15 bzw. 10 % der Radioaktivität transloziert, während es bei den empfindlichen Arten Polygonum convolvulus und Convolvulus arvensis 41 bzw. 40 % waren. Bei allen 4 Arten ergab eine HPLC-Untersuchung der Pflanzenextrakte 4 distinkte Peaks. Bei den empfindlichen Arten wurde 120 h nach der Anwendung mit 70 % mehr Fluroxypyr wiedergefunden als bei den toleranten (30 %). Die Selektivitätsunterschiede zwischen den toleranten und empfindlichen Arten könnten auf einen beschleunigten Metabolismus des Herbizids zu stärker polaren, nichphytotoxischen Stoffen mit eingeschränkter Mobilität bei den toleranten Arten zurückgeführt werden.

Notes: The development of integrated weed management strategies requires knowledge of mechanisms that influence compositional changes in weed flora. A 9-year study was initiated in 1988 at Delhi, Canada, on a loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of tillage systems [conventional (CT) and no-till (NT)] and cover crops (only in NT) on weed density, species composition and associations, and crop yield in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/bean/winter wheat rotation. Three bean types: soyabean (Glycine max L. Merr.), white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and kidney bean (P. vulgaris L.) were included. The NT system included variations: rye (Secale cereale L.) or maize (Zea mays L.) cover crop, volunteer wheat disked after harvest and wheat stubble. Data were collected in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Tillage systems, cover crops and crop type had differential effects on weed densities, species composition and associations. Weed densities were not affected by tillage or cover crops in wheat but, in the beans, densities were greater in the CT than in the NT systems. Various associations of weed species with tillage system, cover crop and crop type were observed. Crop yields were not affected by tillage type or cover crop, except that soyabean yields were highest in plots with cover crops.

Notes: The outcome of crop-weed competition should be predicted as early as possible in order to allow time for weed control measures. Maize grain yield losses caused by interference from Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed) were determined in 1991 and 1992. The performance of three empirical models of crop-weed competition were evaluated. Damage functions were calculated based on the weed density or relative leaf area of the weed. In the yield loss-weed density model, values of I (percentage yield loss at low weed density) were relatively stable for similar emergence dates of A. retroflexus across years and locations. Estimated maximum yield loss (A) was more variable between locations and may reflect environmental variation and its effect on crop-weed competition, at least in 1991. The two-parameter yield loss-relative leaf area model, based on m (maximum yield loss caused by weeds) and q (the relative damage coefficient) gave a better fit than the single-parameter version of the model (which includes only q). In both relative leaf area models, the values of q varied between years and locations. Attempts to stabilize the value of q by using the relative growth rate of the leaves of the crop and weed were successful; however, the practical application of such relative leaf area models may still be limited owing to the lack of a method to estimate leaf area index quickly and accurately.

Notes: The regenerative responses of rhizomes and tubers from two populations of Helianthus tuberosus L. to burial and fragmentation were studied in field experiments. The regeneration of both populations varied with planting depth and stage of growth at which fragmentation occurred. Shoots of both populations emerged from rhizomes or tubers planted to depths of 30 cm. The percentage of tubers that regenerated was higher than that of rhizomes, particularly from deeper planting depths. The regeneration from rhizomes and tubers of a riverbank population was greater than that of a‘weedy’population. Rhizomes and tubers from both populations that had failed to produce shoots I year after planting were found to have decomposed completely. The significance of these results in relation to the distribution and control of H. tuberosus is discussed.

Notes: Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soil moisture, simulated rainfall and time of day of spray application on the efficacy of glufosinate-ammonium in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. ‘Samson’) and green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) plants. Environmental variables examined were three soil moisture levels (18% moisture, 50% moisture and saturated), three intensities of simulated rainfall following spray application [drizzle (4 mm), moderate (9 mm) and heavy (22 mm)] and two times of spray application (begin ning and end of a 16-h photoperiod). The efficacy of 100 g ha−1 glufosinate-ammonium on barley was greatest at 18% soil moisture when measured by both ammonia and dry weight accumulation in the shoots. At the same dose green foxtail showed less ammonia accumula tion at 18% soil moisture than under other soil moisture levels, but showed no significant differences in dry weight accumulation 14 days after treatment (DAT). Simulated rainfall shortly after spraying reduced the efficacy of glufosinate-ammonium on both species. At the field dose of 800 g ha−1, a rain-free period of 1–8 h was necessary for barley, while a period of less than 20 min was necessary for green foxtail to obtain herbicidal activity comparable with that of treated plants which received no rain. Based on dry weight accumulation, barley plants were equally sensitive and green foxtail plants were significantly more susceptible when glufosinate-ammonium was applied at the end compared to the beginning of the photoperiod. Both species accumulated significantly more ammonia in the shoots during the initial 24 h following application if sprayed at the end of the photoperiod. Of the environmental factors examined in this study, rainfall after spray application caused the greatest reduction of glufosinate-ammonium efficacy. Influence de I'humiditt du sol, de la pluie artificielle et de I'époque d'application sur I'effi cacité du glufosinate-ammonium Des essais de laboratoire ont été conduits pour déterminer les effets de Phumidité du sol, de la pluie et de I'époque d'application sur 1'efficacité de glufosinate-ammonium sur 1'orge (Hordeum vulgare L. c.v. ‘Samson’) et la sétaire (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.). Les variables environne mentales examinées étaient 3 taux d'humidité du sol (18%, 50% et saturation), 3 intensités de pluie artificielle suivant ('application (faible—4 mm; modéré 9 mm; et forte 22 mm) et 2 époques d'application (début et fin d'une photopériode de 16 h). L'efficacite de 100 g ha−1 de glufosinate-ammonium sur orge était maximale a 18% d'humidité du sol, mesurée à la fois par I'accumulation d'azote et de matiére séche dans les tiges. A la même dose, la sétaire exprime une moins grande accumulation d'azote à 18% d'humidité du sol qu'aux autres taux d'humidité mais ne montre pas de différences dans I'accumulation de matière sèche 14 jours après le traitement (JAT). Une pluie artificielle suivant de près la pulvérisation réduit 1'eficacité du glufosinate-ammonium sur les deux espèces. A la dose d'utilisation de 800 g ha−1, une période sans pluie de 1 à 8 heures est nécessaire pour l'orge, tandis que moins de 20 minutes sont nécessaires pour le sétaire pour obtenir une activité herbicide comparable à celle observée avec des plantes traitées sans pluie. En se fondant sur l'accumulation de matière sèche, les plantes d'orge étaient également sensibles, et les sétaires étaient significativement plus sensibles quand le glufosinate-ammonium était appliquéà la fin plutêt qu'au début de la photopériode. Les 2 espèces accumulent significativement plus d'azote dans les tiges pendant les 24 premières heures suivant l'application quand elle a lieu en fin de photopériode. Des facteurs environnementaux examinés dans cette étude, la pluie après la pulvérisation cause la plus grande réduction d'efficacité glufosinate-ammonium. Einfluβ von Bodenfeuchte, simuliertem Niederschlag und Applikationszeitpunkt auf die Wirksamkeit von Glufosinat-ammonium In Laborversuchen wurde der Einfluß von Bodenfeuchte, simuliertem Niederschlag und Applikationszeitpunkt auf die Wirksamkeit von Glufosinat-ammonium auf die Gersten-Sorte ‘Samson’ (Hordeum vulgäre L.) und Grüne Borstenhirse (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) untersucht. Als Umweltvariablen wurden 3 Bodenfeuchtegrade (18%, 50% und gesättigt), 3 Niederschlagsintensitäten [Niesei (4 mm), mäßig (9 mm) und stark (22 mm)] nach der Behandlung und 2 Applikationszeitpunkte (Beginn und Ende einer 16-h-Photoperiode) eingesetzt. Die Wirkung von 100 g ha−1 Glufosinat-ammonium auf die Gerste war bei 18% Bodenfeuchte sowohl hinsichtlich des Ammoniumgehalts als auch der Trockenmasse des Sprosses am größten. Bei derselben Dosis hatte die Grüne Borstenhirse einen geringeren Ammoniumgehalt bei 18% Bodenfeuchte als bei anderen Feuchtegraden, zeigte jedoch 14 Tage nach der Behandlung keine signifikanten Unterschiede in der Trockenmasse. Niederschlag kurz nach der Behandlung verminderte die Wirksamkeit bei beiden Arten. Bei der Felddosis von 800 g ha−1 war eine niederschlagsfreie Periode von 8 Stunden notwendig, bei der Grünen Borstenhirse jedoch weniger als 20 Minuten, um dieselbe Wirkung zu erreichen wie bei Pflanzen, die ohne Regen geblieben waren. Hinsichtlich der Trockenmassebildung waren Gerstenpflanzen gleich empfindlich und Borstenhirsenpflanzen signifikant empfindlicher, wenn Glufosinat-ammonium am Ende statt am Beginn der Photoperiode appliziert wurde. Beide Arten hatten in den Sprossen während der ersten 24 Stunden nach der Behandlung am Ende der Photoperiode einen signifikant höheren Ammoniumgehalt. Von den hieruntersuchten Umweltfaktoren reduzierte der Niederschlag nach der Behandlung die Wirkung von Glufosinat-ammonium am meisten.

Notes: In controlled environmental studies, a marked difference was observed between the growth pattern of tomato and eastern black nightshade plants that received doses of 2,4-D ranging from 28 to 952 g a.e. ha−1. The highest dose of 2,4-D reduced the dry weight of eastern black nightshade and tomato by approximately 15 and 50%, respectively, when compared with controls. Although the height of both species was reduced by all doses of 2,4-D, eastern black nightshade plants produced secondary shoots, which compensated for any potential loss in dry weight that otherwise may have occurred. Tomato plants did not produce secondary shoots. After application of 14C-2,4-D to tomato and eastern black nightshade, the pattern of 14C absorption and translocation was similar in both plant species. However, there was significantly more radioactivity recovered in tomato (72%) than in eastern black nightshade (52%) plants, 72 h after treatment. Assay radioactivity in the nutrient solution of hydroponically grown plants indicated that 7·0 and 27·9% of the applied radioactivity was exuded from the roots of tomato and eastern black nightshade, respectively, within 72 h after treatment. Assay of plant extracts by thin layer chromatography revealed that the amount of radioactivity that remained as unaltered 2,4-D was 73 and 49% in tomato and eastern black nightshade, respectively, 72 h after treatment. Thus the greater tolerance of eastern black nightshade appeared to be due to greater rates of 2,4-D metabolism and/or greater rates of herbicide elimination by root exudation.

Notes: DPX-A7881, methyl 2-[(4-ethoxy-6-methyl-amino-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl)carbamoylsulphanoyl] benzoate, is a sulfonylurea herbicide being developed in Canada and Europe for post-emergence broadleaf weed control in spring and winter rapeseed. Growth room studies were conducted to determine the environmental factors affecting the herbicidal activity of DPX-A7881 applied post-emergence on winter rapeseed (Brassica napusu L. ‘Tandem’) and on a closely related weed species, Sinapis arvensis L. (wild mustard).Laboratory tests were carried out at tempera tures ranging from 2–26°C, at relative humidities from near 40% to 〉95%, with rain-free periods from 0.25–8 h after herbicide application, at soil moisture contents from 50–200% of field capacity, and with irradiances from 23–450 μEm−2s−1 Significant control of S. arvensis was demonstrated for all treatments except under poor growing conditions at the lowest temperatures and irradiances tested. After two weeks' exposure to each of the tem perature treatments, the herbicide maintained control of S. arvensis during a subsequent week of favourable growing conditions. Relative humidity, soil moisture or simulated rainfall did not significantly alter the herbicidal activity of DPX-A7881 on S. arvensis. DPX-A7881 showed a high degree of crop safety on B. napus. The herbicide did not significantly reduce the dry weights of B. napus grown under any of the environmental conditions tested.

Notes: The performance of three empirical models describing white bean yield loss (YL) from common ragweed competition was compared using field experiments from Staffa and Woodstock, both in Ontario, Canada, in 1991 and 1992. One model was based upon both weed density and relative time of emergence. The other two models described yield loss as a function of weed leaf area relative to the crop. The model based on both weed density and relative time of emergence best described the data sets. The predicted maximum yield loss (A) and the parameter for relative time of weed emergence (C) varied across locations and years whereas the yield loss at low weed density (I) was relatively more consistent across locations and years. Use of thermal time (base temperature=10oC) rather than calendar days did not change the overall fit of the model, but reduced the value of the parameter for the relative time of weed emergence (C). The two parameter leaf area model accounting for maximum yield loss (m) gave a better fit to the data compared with the one parameter model. The relative damage coefficient (q) varied with time of leaf area assessment, location and year. Values of q calculated from relative leaf area growth rates of the crop and weed were similar to observed values.The relationship between q and accumulated thermal time was linear but varied with location and year. As management tools, models based upon relative leaf area have advantages over models based on density and relative time of emergence since the level of weed infestation needs only to be assessed once, whereas density and emergence time require frequent observations. The ability to assess accurately and quickly both the crop and weed leaf area, however, may limit the practical application of models based on leaf area. The inability of empirical models to account for year–to–year variation in environmental conditions was observed.

Notes: Field experiments were made in 1998 and 1999 to determine the influence of tillage and soyabean (Glycine max) row width on predispersal weed seed predation in Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed) and Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters). Soyabean was planted in wide (76 cm) and narrow (19 cm) rows with conventional or conservation tillage. Additional control plots without soyabean were also established. The two objectives were to determine (1) whether predispersal seed predation occurs in A. retroflexus or C. album, and (2) whether disturbance (soil tillage) or microclimate (planting pattern) influence predation level. Mean rates of seed predation were 26% and 4% in A. retroflexus and C. album, respectively. Although these levels were low at the population level, individual plants of both species had predation levels ranging from 0% to 80%, however, very few individuals of C. album had levels of predation above 10%. Differences among tillage and row width treatments occurred for A. retroflexus, but not for C. album. Amaranthus retroflexus and C. album growing within the soyabean crop received less light than those in the no-crop plots, and produced less above-ground biomass, smaller terminal inflorescences, and fewer seeds per inflorescence. Plant height, terminal inflorescence weight, and total seeds were correlated with predation in both weed species.