Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project focuses on improving weed management in agriculture by using a multidisciplinary approach that aligns with the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). We are particularly concerned with two challenging weeds: wild oat (Avena fatua) and kochia (Bassia scoparia), which are common in semiarid regions and are difficult to control due to their high seed production and resistance to multiple herbicides.Our main goal is to understand how different farming practices, such as rotating crops, adjusting fertilizer rates, and using herbicides, affect soil health, weed populations, and crop performance. By studying these interactions, we aim to develop better strategies for managing these weeds sustainably.Our team includes experts in weed science, agronomy, microbiology, soil science, and precision agriculture. We will conduct field experiments to examine how diverse cropping systems, different fertilizer applications, and herbicide use impact soil microbial communities, weed seed banks, seedling emergence, and the competition between crops and weeds.To gather detailed information, we will use advanced technology like drones equipped with multi-spectral cameras. These drones will help us monitor crop and weed growth throughout the season, providing valuable data on how different management practices influence weed populations and crop health.In addition to research, we are committed to sharing our findings with farmers and other stakeholders. We will create educational materials, such as videos, fact sheets, and technical bulletins, and host webinars, field days, and producer meetings. These efforts will help farmers understand and adopt effective weed management practices that enhance crop production and soil health.By integrating innovative research techniques with practical education and outreach, this project aims to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture in semiarid regions. We believe that our findings will lead to more effective and sustainable weed management practices, benefiting farmers and the broader agricultural community.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
60%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
Objective 1. Elucidate the individual and interactive effects of agronomic practices on soil microbial communities and weed seed bank dynamics (research objective).Objective 1a. Assess the effects of crop rotations, nitrogen availability, and herbicide treatments on microbial communities and weed seedbank decay.Objective 1b. Evaluate the association between soil microbial communities, plant soil feedbacks, and microbially mediated crop-weed competitive interactions.Objective 2. Determine changes in crop yield and weed communities as a function of crop rotation, nitrogen availably, and herbicide treatments.Objective 3. Build predictive models for weed phenology, community composition, and crop yield changes using ground truth validation, UAS data, and image analysis.Objective 4. Develop and deliver education and extension materials on the use of crop rotations for sustainable crop production (extension and education objective).Objective 4a. Develop and deliver a transformative extension program on ecologically based approaches to manage problematic weeds in semi-arid cropping systemsObjective 4b. Include research outcomes into undergraduate and graduate courses and training.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Assess the Impact of Cropping System Diversity, Fertilization Rates, and Herbicide Usage on Soil Health and Weed DynamicsSite and Experimental DesignThe study will be conducted at the Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC) near Huntley, MT, utilizing an ongoing long-term no-till dryland cropping systems study established in 2018. The experimental design is a randomized complete block with four replicates. Treatments include diverse cropping systems with varying sequences of wheat, pulse, and oilseed crops, different fertilization rates, and herbicide application strategies. Each plot measures 4.5m x 15m.Soil Health AssessmentSoil samples will be collected at the beginning and end of each growing season from a depth of 0-15 cm using a soil corer. Samples will be analyzed for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. Soil microbial community composition will be assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacteria and ITS sequencing for fungi. Bioinformatics analyses will include diversity indices, ordination, and identification of indicator species.Weed DynamicsWeed seedbank density and composition will be determined by soil sampling and seedling emergence tests. Weed biomass and species composition will be measured at crop maturity. Data will be analyzed using ANOVA and multivariate techniques to assess the effects of cropping system diversity, fertilization rates, and herbicide usage on weed communities. The competitive interactions between crops and weeds will be quantified using relative yield and competitive balance indices.Data AnalysisStatistical analyses will be conducted using R software. Linear mixed models will be used to evaluate treatment effects on soil health indicators and weed dynamics. Structural equation modeling will be employed to understand the interactions between soil health, weed pressure, and crop yield.Objective 2: Evaluate the Microbial Taxa Associated with Weed Seed Decay and Plant-Soil FeedbacksWeed Seed Collection and PreparationSeeds of B. scoparia and A. fatua will be collected from local populations. Seeds will be surface-sterilized and stored under controlled conditions until use. DNA will be extracted from a subset of seeds to characterize the initial seed microbiome.Soil Incubation ExperimentSeeds will be buried in mesh bags in the field plots at SARC. Mesh bags will be retrieved at multiple time points (0, 30, 60, 90 days) to assess microbial colonization and seed decay. Seeds will be carefully retrieved, and DNA will be extracted for microbial community analysis.Microbial Community AnalysisHigh-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (bacteria) and ITS region (fungi) will be performed on DNA extracted from seeds. Bioinformatics pipelines (e.g., QIIME2) will be used for sequence processing, taxonomic assignment, and diversity analyses. Network analysis will be used to identify potential microbial interactions and key taxa involved in seed decay.Plant-Soil Feedback ExperimentA greenhouse experiment will be conducted to assess the impact of soil microbial communities on crop-weed interactions. Soil from different cropping system treatments will be used to grow wheat, B. scoparia, and A. fatua in monoculture and mixed culture. Plant biomass, root morphology, and microbial colonization will be measured. Data will be analyzed using ANOVA and path analysis to elucidate plant-soil feedback mechanisms.Data AnalysisMultivariate statistics, including redundancy analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, will be used to relate microbial community composition to seed decay and plant growth. Structural equation modeling will be used to understand the causal relationships between soil properties, microbial communities, and plant performance.Objective 3: Develop and Deliver Education and Extension Materials on Crop Rotations for Weed ManagementDevelopment of Educational MaterialsBased on the research findings, we will develop a suite of educational materials including technical bulletins, fact sheets, and instructional videos. These materials will cover topics such as the benefits of crop rotation, integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, and soil health improvement practices. The content will be tailored to different audiences, including producers, extension agents, and educators.Webinars and Online ResourcesWe will collaborate with the Western IPM Center to produce and host webinars on crop rotations, soil health, and weed management. These webinars will be recorded and made available on the MSU Extension YouTube channel and the SARC website. Additionally, we will develop at least two other informative videos and publish them online for broader accessibility.Field Days and Producer MeetingsWe will organize two field days per season and at least four producer meetings annually. These events will feature presentations, demonstrations, and interactive sessions on the benefits and challenges of diverse cropping systems for weed management. Attendees will have the opportunity to observe experimental plots, engage with researchers, and discuss practical implementation strategies.News Releases and Technical BulletinsWe will publish two to three news releases and technical bulletins annually, highlighting the latest research findings and best practices for crop rotations and weed management. These publications will be disseminated through the MSU Extension service and made available on the MSU Cropland Weed Ecology and Management website.Impact assessmentImpact of these activities will be measured through attendance records, feedback surveys, dissemination metrics, and assessments of change in stakeholder's knowledge and behavior.