Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2017
Experiments were conducted in laboratory and screenhouse to determine theeffects of light, temperature, salt and water stress, seed burial depth, andamount of rice residue on seed germination and seedling emergence of wildbushbean and to evaluate the response of that weed to commonly availablePOST herbicides in the Philippines. Germination (81 to 85%) was notinfluenced by light; however, it was higher at 30/20 C (88%) than at 25/15 C(82%) and 35/25 C (80%) day/night temperatures. The sodium chloride andosmotic potential required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination were149 mM and −0.28 MPa, respectively. Seedling emergence (81%) was similar forseeds placed on the soil surface and for seeds buried up to 4 cm deep. Noseedlings emerged from a burial depth of 8 cm. Rice residue applied on thesoil surface up to 8 t ha−1 did not affect seedling emergence (72to 80%) of wild bushbean. The herbicide bentazon provided 100% control ofwild bushbean when applied at the three- to five-leaf stages. However, toachieve 100% control by 2,4-D and metsulfuron-methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl,herbicides had to be applied at the three-leaf stage. The information gainedfrom this study can help in developing components of integrated weedmanagement programs for wild bushbean. A deep-tillage operation to bury weedseeds below their maximum depth of emergence and early application of aneffective POST herbicide can help in managing this weed in rice fields.
Current address: Principal Research Fellow, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.