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1. Weed Warden: A low-cost weed detection device implemented with spectral triad sensor for agricultural applications

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ohx.2022.e00303  

   Duncan, Liam ; Miller, Brendan ; Shaw, Colton ; Graebner, Ryan ; Moretti, Marcelo L. ; Walter, Cara ; Selker, John ; Udell, Chet ( April 2022 , HardwareX)
2. Effects of Long-Term Cover Cropping on Weed Seedbanks

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2020.591091  

   Nichols, Virginia ; English, Lydia ; Carlson, Sarah ; Gailans, Stefan ; Liebman, Matt ( November 2020 , Frontiers in Agronomy)

   null (Ed.)

   Cool-season cover crops have been shown to reduce soil erosion and nutrient discharge from maize ( Zea mays L.) and soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production systems. However, their effects on long-term weed dynamics are not well-understood. We utilized five long-term research trials in Iowa to quantify germinable weed seedbank densities and compositions after 10+ years of cover cropping treatments. All five trials consisted of zero-tillage maize-soybean rotations managed with and without the inclusion of a yearly winter rye ( Secale cereal L.) cover crop. Seedbank sampling was conducted in the early spring before crop planting at all locations, with three of the five trials having grown a soybean crop the preceding year, and two a maize crop. Two of the trials (both previously soybean) showed significant and biologically relevant decreases (4,070 and 927 seeds m −2 , respectively) in seedbank densities in cover crop treatments compared to controls. In another two trials, one previously maize and one previously soybean, no difference was detected in seedbank densities. In the fifth trial (previously maize), there was a significant, but biologically unimportant increase of 349 seeds m −2 . All five trials' weed communities were dominated by common waterhemp [ Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.)], and changes in seedbank composition from cover-cropping were driven by changes in this species. Although previous studies have shown that increases in cover crop biomass are strongly correlated with weed suppression, in our study we did not find a relationship between seedbank changes and the mean amount of cover crop biomass produced over a 10-years period (experiment means ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 Mg ha −1 yr −1 ), the stability of the cover crop biomass production, nor the amount produced going into the previous crop's growing season. We conclude that long-term use of a winter rye cover crop in a maize-soybean system has the potential to meaningfully reduce the size of weed seedbanks compared to winter fallows. However, identifying the mechanisms by which this occurs requires further research into processes such as seed predation and seed decay in cover cropped systems. 

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3. Weed seed inactivation in soil mesocosms via biosolarization with mature compost and tomato processing waste amendments: Weed seed inactivation in soil mesocosms via biosolarization

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4354  

   Achmon, Yigal ; Fernández-Bayo, Jesús D ; Hernandez, Katie ; McCurry, Dlinka G ; Harrold, Duff R ; Su, Joey ; Dahlquist-Willard, Ruth M ; Stapleton, James J ; VanderGheynst, Jean S ; Simmons, Christopher W ( May 2017 , Pest Management Science)
4. Weed evolution: Genetic differentiation among wild, weedy, and crop radish

   https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12699  

   Charbonneau, Amanda ; Tack, David ; Lale, Allison ; Goldston, Josh ; Caple, Mackenzie ; Conner, Emma ; Barazani, Oz ; Ziffer-Berger, Jotham ; Dworkin, Ian ; Conner, Jeffrey K. ( December 2018 , Evolutionary Applications)
5. Views of RNAi approaches for weed management in turfgrass systems

   https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2023.37  

   Ethridge, Sandra R ; Grieger, Khara ; Locke, Anna M ; Everman, Wesley J ; Jordan, David L ; Leon, Ramon G ( July 2023 , Weed Science)

   Public concern regarding the use of herbicides in urban areas (e.g., golf courses, parks, lawns) is increasing. Thus, there is a need for alternative methods for weed control that are safe for the public, effective against weeds, and yet selective to turfgrass and other desirable species. New molecular tools such as ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) have the potential to meet all those requirements, but before these technologies can be implemented, it is critical to understand the perceptions of key stakeholders to facilitate adoption as well as regulatory processes. With this in mind, turfgrass system managers, such as golf course superintendents and lawn care providers, were surveyed to gain insight into the perception and potential adoption of RNAi technology for weed management. Based on survey results, turfgrass managers believe that cost of weed management and time spent managing weeds are the main challenges faced in their fields. When considering new weed management tools, survey respondents were most concerned about cost, efficacy, and efficiency of a new product. Survey respondents were also optimistic toward RNAi for weed management and would either use this technology in their own fields or be willing to conduct research to develop RNAi herbicides. Although respondents believed that the general public would have some concerns about this technology, they did not believe this to be the most important factor for them when choosing new weed management tools. The need for new herbicides to balance weed control challenges and public demands is a central factor for turfgrass managers’ willingness to use RNAi-based weed control in turfgrass systems. They believe their clientele will be accepting of RNAi tools, although further research is needed to investigate how a wider range of stakeholders perceive RNAi tools for turfgrass management more broadly.

    

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