Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-sxzjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T10:47:04.269Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Brassica cover cropping for weed management: A review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

Erin R. Haramoto  and
Eric R. Gallandt
Erin R. Haramoto
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469-5722, USA.
Eric R. Gallandt*
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469-5722, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: gallandt@maine.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Cover crops offer many benefits for farmers seeking to reduce their reliance on external inputs. These include maintaining and improving soil quality, preventing erosion and, in some cases, allelopathic weed control. Allelopathic potential has been well documented for cover crops such as cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Much less is known about other potentially allelopathic cover crops, including certain brassicaceous species that are normally grown for their oilseeds, including canola and rapeseed (both Brassica napus L.) and mustards (e.g., Sinapis alba L., white and yellow mustard). Because of their potential contribution to pest management, there is increased interest in growing brassicas, both as cover crops and as seed crops harvested for oil production. In this review, we first discuss unique attributes of brassicas that make them promising options for pest management, as well as generally beneficial cover crops. Next, we review the literature from controlled settings on the effects of brassicas, brassica extracts and isolated compounds contained therein on seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment, and seedling growth—effects that, combined or taken alone, could contribute to reducing the density and vigor of weed communities in the field. Field studies examining the detrimental effects of brassicas in rotation with other crops, as well as examining the effects of brassica cover crops on weed dynamics in subsequent crops, also are reviewed. Finally, we review some important agronomic considerations about the use of brassica cover crops.

Keywords

brassicascover crop residuesgreen manureallelopathy
Type
Review Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 187 - 198
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Sarrantoniog, M. and Gallandt, E. 2003. The role of cover crops in North American cropping systems. Journal of Crop Production 8:53–73.Google Scholar
2Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) 1999. Third Biennial National Organic Farmers’ Survey. OFRF, Santa Cruz, CA.Google Scholar
3Putnam, A.R. 1988. Allelopathy: problems and opportunities in weed management. In Altieri, M.A. and Liebman, M. (eds). Weed Management in Agroecosystems: Ecological Approaches. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. p. 77–88.Google Scholar
4Teasdale, J.R. and Daughtry, C. 1993. Weed suppression by live and dessicated hairy vetch (Vicia villosa). Weed Science 41:207–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Putnam, A.R. 1994. Phytotoxicity of plant residues. In Unger, P.W. (ed.). Managing Agricultural Residues. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. p. 285–314.Google Scholar
6Teasdale, J.R. 1996. Contribution of cover crops to weed management in sustainable systems. Journal of Production Agriculture 9:475–479.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Ohno, T.Doolan, K.Zibilske, L.Liebman, M.Gallandt, E. and Berube, C. 2000. Phytotoxic effects of red clover amended soils on wild mustard seedling growth. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 78:187–192.Google Scholar
8Conklin, A.Erich, M.Liebman, M.Lambert, D.Gallandt, E. and Halteman, W. 2002. Effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense) green manure and compost soil amendments on wild mustard (Brassica kaber) growth and incidence of disease. Plant and Soil 238:245–256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Brown, P.D. and Morra, M.J. 1997. Control of soil-borne plant pests using glucosinolate-containing plants. Advances in Agronomy 61:167–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Leblová-Svobodová, S. and Koštír, J. 1962. Action of isothiocyanates on germinating plants. Experientia 18:554–555.Google Scholar
11Mason-Sedun, W.Jessop, R. and Lovett, J. 1986. Differential phytotoxicity among species and cultivars of the genus Brassica to wheat. Plant and Soil 93:3–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Teasdale, J.R. and Taylorson, R.B. 1986. Weed seed response to methyl isothiocyanate and metham. Weed Science 34:520–524.Google Scholar
13Oleszek, W. 1987. Allelopathic effects of volatiles from some Cruciferae species on lettuce, barnyard grass and wheat growth. Plant and Soil 102:271–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14Mason-Sedun, W. and Jessop, R. 1988. Differential phytotoxicity among species and cultivars of the genus Brassica to wheat. II. Activity and persistence of water-soluble phytotoxins from residues of the genus Brassica. Plant and Soil 107:69–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Bialy, Z.Oleszek, W.Lewis, J. and Fenwick, G. 1990. Allelopathic potential of glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides) and their degradation products against wheat. Plant and Soil 129:277–281.Google Scholar
16Wanniarachchi, S. and Voroney, R. 1997. Phytotoxicity of canola residues: release of water-soluble phytotoxins. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 77:535–541.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17Blau, P.A.Feeny, P.Contardo, L. and Robson, D.S. 1978. Allylglucosinolate and herbivorous caterpillars: a contrast in toxicity and tolerance. Science 200:1296–1298.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Giamoustaris, A. and Mithen, R. 1995. The effect of modifying the glucosinolate content of leaves of oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera) on its interaction with specialist and generalist pests. Annals of Applied Biology 126:347–363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19Papavizas, G.C. and Lewis, J. 1971. Effects of amendments and fungicides on Aphanomyces root rot of peas. Phytopathology 61:215–220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20Angus, J.Gardner, P.Kirkegaard, J. and Desmarchelier, J. 1994. Biofumigation: isothiocyanates released from Brassica roots inhibit growth of the take-all fungus. Plant and Soil 162:107–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21Sarwar, M.Kirkegaard, J.Wong, P. and Desmarchelier, J. 1998. Biofumigation potential of brassicas. III. In vitro toxicity of isothiocyanates to soil-borne fungal pathogens. Plant and Soil 201:103–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22Boydston, R. and Hang, A. 1995. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) green manure crop suppresses weeds in potato (Solanum tuberosum). Weed Technology 9:669–675.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23Al-Khatib, K.Libbey, C. and Boydston, R. 1997. Weed suppression with Brassica green manure crops in green pea. Weed Science 45:439–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24Krishnan, G.Holshouser, D.L. and Nissen, S.J. 1998. Weed control in soybean (Glycine max) with green manure crops. Weed Technology 12:97–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25Mojtahedi, H.Santo, G.Wilson, J. and Hang, A.N. 1993. Managing Meloidogyne chitwoodi on potato with rapeseed as green manure. Plant Disease 77:42–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26Muehlchen, A.Rand, R. and Parke, J. 1990. Evaluation of crucifer green manures for controlling aphanomyces root rot of peas. Plant Disease 74:651–654.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27Rosa, E.Heaney, R.Fenwick, G. and Portas, C. 1997. Glucosinolates in crop plants. In Janick, J. (ed.). Horticultural Reviews, Vol. 19. John Wiley & Sons, New York. p. 99–215.Google Scholar
28Mithen, R. 2001 a. Glucosinolates—biochemistry, genetics, and biological activity. Plant Growth Regulation 34:91–103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29Mithen, R. 2001 b. Glucosinolates and the degradation products. In Callow, J. (ed.). Advances in Botanical Research, Vol. 35. Academic Press, New York. p. 214–262.Google Scholar
30Eberlein, C.V.Morra, M.J.Guttieri, M.J.Brown, P.D. and Brown, J. 1998. Glucosinolate production by five field-grown Brassica napus cultivars used as green manures. Weed Technology 12:712–718.Google Scholar
31Isse, A.MacKenzie, A.Stewart, K.Cloutier, D. and Smith, D. 1999. Cover crops and nutrient retention for subsequent sweet corn production. Agronomy Journal 91:934–939.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32Baggs, E.Watson, C. and Rees, R. 2000. The fate of nitrogen from incorporated cover crop and green manure residues. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 56:153–163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
33Weinert, T.L.Pan, W.L.Moneymaker, M.R.Santo, G.S. and Stevens, R.G. 2002. Nitrogen recycling by nonleguminous winter cover crops to reduce leaching in potato rotations. Agronomy Journal 94:365–372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
34Bending, G.Turner, M. and Burns, I. 1998. Fate of nitrogen from crop residues as affected by biochemical quality and the microbial biomass. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 30:2055–2065.Google Scholar
35Trinsoutrot, I.Nicolardot, B.Justes, E. and Recous, S. 2000. Decomposition in the field of residues of oilseed rape grown at two levels of nitrogen fertilization. Effects on the dynamics of soil mineral nitrogen between successive crops. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 56:125–137.Google Scholar
36Davis, A.S. and Liebman, M. 2001. Nitrogen source influences wild mustard growth and competitive effect on sweet corn. Weed Science 49:558–566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
37Raymer, P. 2002. Canola: an emerging oilseed crop. In Janick, J. and Whipkey, A. (eds). Trends in New Crops and New Uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA. p. 122–126.Google Scholar
38 Anonymous. 2003. Canola. Canola Council of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.Google Scholar
39Dupont, J.White, P.J.Johnston, K.M.Heggtveit, H.A.McDonald, B.E.Grundy, S.M. and Bonanome, A. 1989. Food safety and health effects of canola oil. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 8:360–375.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40 Anonymous. 1981. Canola—a new oilseed from Canada. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society 58:723a–725a.Google Scholar
41Sang, J.Minchinton, I.Johnstone, P. and Truscott, R. 1984. Glucosinolate profiles in the seed, root and leaf tissue of cabbage, mustard, rapeseed, radish, and swede. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 64:77–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42Vaughn, S.F. and Boydston, R.A. 1997. Volatile allelochemicals released by crucifer green manures. Journal of Chemical Ecology 23:2107–2116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
43Kirkegaard, J. and Sarwar, M. 1998. Biofumigation potential of brassicas. I. Variation in glucosinolate profiles of diverse field-grown brassicas. Plant and Soil 201:71–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
44Chong, C.Ju, H.-Y. and Bible, B.B. 1982. Glucosinolate composition of turnip and rutabaga cultivars. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 62:533–536.Google Scholar
45Sarwar, M. and Kirkegaard, J. 1998. Biofumigation potential of brassicas. II. Effect of environment and ontogeny on glucosinolate production and implications for screening. Plant and Soil 201:91–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46Fieldsend, J. and Milford, G. 1994. Changes in glucosinolates during crop development in single- and double-low genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus): I. Production and distribution in vegetative tissues and developing pods during development and potential role in the recycling of sulphur within the crop. Annals of Applied Biology 124:531–542.Google Scholar
47Mithen, R. 1992. Leaf glucosinolate profiles and their relationship to pest and disease resistance in oilseed rape. Euphytica 63:71–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
48Fenwick, G.Heaney, R. and Mawson, R. 1989. Glucosinolates. In Cheeke, P. (ed.). Toxicants of Plant Origin: Glycosides, Vol. 2. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. p. 1–41.Google Scholar
49Borek, V.Morra, M.J.Brown, P.D. and McCaffrey, J.P. 1995. Transformation of the glucosinolate-derived allelochemicals allyl isothiocyanate and allylnitrile in soil. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 43:1935–1940.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
50Morra, M.J. and Kirkegaard, J. 2002. Isothiocyanate release from soil-incorporated Brassica tissues. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 34:1685–1690.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
51Smolinska, U. and Horbowicz, M. 1999. Fungicidal activity of volatiles from selected cruciferous plants against resting propagules of soil-borne fungal pathogens. Journal of Phytopathology 147:119–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
52Charron, C.S. and Sams, C.E. 1999. Inhibition of Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani by shredded leaves of Brassica species. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 124:462–467.Google Scholar
53Davis, J.Huisman, O.Westermann, D.Hafez, S.Everson, D.Sorensen, L. and Schneider, A. 1996. Effects of green manures on verticillium wilt of potato. Phytopathology 86:444–453.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
54Glen, D.Jones, H. and Fieldsend, J.K. 1990. Damage to oilseed rape seedlings by the field slug Deroceras reticulatum in relation to glucosinolate concentration. Annals of Applied Biology 117:197–207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
55McLeod, R.W. and Steel, C.C. 1999. Effects of brassica-leaf green manures and crops on activity and reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica. Nematology 1:613–624.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
56Liebman, M. and Gallandt, E. 1997. Many little hammers: ecological management of crop–weed interactions. In Jackson, L. (ed.). Ecology in Agriculture. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. p. 291–343.Google Scholar
57Gallandt, E.Liebman, M. and Huggins, D. 1999. Improving soil quality: implications for weed management. Journal of Crop Production 2:95–121.Google Scholar
58Wolf, R.B.Spencer, G.F. and Kwolek, W.F. 1984. Inhibition of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastii) germination and growth by benzyl isothiocyanate, a natural toxicant. Weed Science 32:612–615.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
59Petersen, J.Belz, R.Walker, F. and Hurle, K. 2001. Weed suppression by release of isothiocyanates from turnip-rape mulch. Agronomy Journal 93:37–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
60Brown, P.D. and Morra, M.J. 1996. Hydrolysis products of glucosinolates in Brassica napus tissues as inhibitors of seed germination. Plant and Soil 181:307–316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
61Norsworthy, J.K. 2003. Allelopathic potential of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Weed Technology 17:307–313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
62Brown, P.D. and Morra, M.J. 1995. Glucosinolate-containing plant tissues as bioherbicides. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 43:3070–3074.Google Scholar
63Westoby, M.Leishman, M. and Lord, J. 1996. Comparative ecology of seed size and dispersal. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351:1309–1318.Google Scholar
64Liebman, M. and Davis, A.S. 2000. Integration of soil, crop and weed management in low-external-input farming systems. Weed Research 40:27–47.Google Scholar
65Mohler, C.L. 1996. Ecological bases for the cultural control of annual weeds. Journal of Production Agriculture 9:468–474.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
66Haramoto, E.R. 2004. Effects of brassica cover crops on weed dynamics. MS Thesis, University of Maine, Orono.Google Scholar
67Vera, C.McGregor, D. and Downey, R. 1987. Detrimental effects of volunteer Brassica on production of certain cereal and oilseed crops. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 67:983–995.Google Scholar
68Waddington, J. 1978. Growth of barley, bromegrass, and alfalfa in the greenhouse in soil containing rapeseed and wheat residues. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 58:241–248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
69Bell, D.T. and Muller, C.H. 1973. Dominance of California annual grasslands by Brassica nigra. American Midland Naturalist 90:277–299.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
70Choesin, D.N. and Boerner, R.E. 1991. Allyl isothiocyanate release and the allelopathic potential of Brassica napus (Brassicaceae). American Journal of Botany 78:1083–1090.Google Scholar
71Elliott, M.C. and Stowe, B.B. 1971. Distribution and variation of indole glucosinolate in woad (Isatis tinctoria, L.). Plant Physiology 48:498–503.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
72Campbell, A. 1959. A germination inhibitor and root-growth retardant in Chou Moellier (Brassica oleracea). Nature 183:1263–1264.Google Scholar
73Grummer, G. and Beyer, H. 1960. The influence exerted by species of Camelina on flax by means of toxic substances. In Harper, J.L. (ed.). The Biology of Weeds, A Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. p. 153–157.Google Scholar
74Horricks, J. 1969. Influence of rape residue on cereal production. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 49:632–634.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
75Waddington, J. and Bowren, K. 1978. Effects of crop residues on production of barley, bromegrass, and alfalfa in the greenhouse and of barley in the field. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 58:249–255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76Scott, J. and Knudsen, G. 1999. Soil amendment effects of rape (Brassica napus) residues on pea rhizosphere bacteria. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 31:1435–1441.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
77Clossais-Besnard, N. and Larher, F. 1991. Physiological role of glucosinolates in Brassica napus. Concentration and distribution pattern of glucosinolates among plant organs during a complete life cycle. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 56:25–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
78Milford, G. and Evans, E.J. 1991. Factors causing variation in glucosinolates in oilseed rape. Outlook on Agriculture 20:131–137.Google Scholar
79Gustine, D. and Jung, G. 1985. Influence of some management parameters on glucosinolate levels in Brassica forage. Agronomy Journal 77:593–597.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
80McGregor, D. 1988. Glucosinolate content of developing rapeseed (Brassica napus, L. ‘Midas') seedlings. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 68:367–380.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
81Tollsten, L. and Bergström, G. 1988. Headspace volatiles of whole plants and macerated plant parts of Brassica and Sinapis. Phytochemistry 27:2073–2077.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
82Rumberger, A. and Marschner, P. 2003. 2-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate concentration and microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of canola. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 35:445–452.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
83Gardiner, J.B.Morra, M.J.Eberlein, C.V.Brown, P.D. and Borek, V. 1999. Allelochemicals released in soil following incorporation of rapeseed (Brassica napus) green manures. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 47:3837–3842.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
84Bending, G. and Lincoln, S. 1999. Characterization of volatile sulphur-containing compounds produced during decomposition of Brassica juncea tissues in soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 31:695–703.Google Scholar
85Borek, V.Elberson, L.R.McCaffrey, J.P. and Morra, M.J. 1997. Toxicity of rapeseed meal and methyl isothiocyanate to larvae of the black vine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 90:109–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
86Warton, B.Matthiessen, J.N. and Shackleton, M.A. 2001. Glucosinolate content and isothiocyanate evolution—two measures of the biofumigation potential of plants. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 49:5244–5250.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
87Brown, P.D.Morra, M.J.McCaffrey, J.P.Auld, D.L. and Williams, L. III. 1991. Allelochemicals produced during glucosinolate degradation in soil. Journal of Chemical Ecology 17:2021–2034.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
88Bending, G. and Lincoln, S. 2000. Inhibition of soil nitrifying bacteria communities and their activities by glucosinolate hydrolysis products. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32:1261–1269.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
89Williams, L.Morra, M.J.Brown, P. and McCaffrey, J.P. 1993. Toxicity of allyl isothiocyanate-amended soil to Limonius californicus (Mann) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 19:1033–1046.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
90Papavizas, G.C. 1966. Suppression of aphanomyces root rot of peas by cruciferous soil amendments. Phytopathology 56:1071–1075.Google Scholar
91Tester, M.Smith, S. and Smith, F. 1987. The phenomenon of ‘nonmycorrhizal’ plants. Canadian Journal of Botany 65:419–431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
92Koide, R.T. and Schneider, A. 1992. Regulation of the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology 143:557–581.Google Scholar
93Hayman, D.Johnson, A. and Ruddlesdin, I. 1975. The influence of phosphate and crop species on endogone spores and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae under field conditions. Plant and Soil 43:489–495.Google Scholar
94Ocampo, J. 1980. Effect of crop rotations involving host and non-host plants on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal infection of host plants. Plant and Soil 56:283–291.Google Scholar
95Ocampo, J.Martin, J. and Hayman, D. 1980. Influence of plant interactions on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal infections. I. Host and non-host plants grown together. New Phytologist 84:27–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
96Ocampo, J. and Hayman, D. 1981. Influence of plant interactions on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal infections. II. Crop rotations and residual effects of non-host plants. New Phytologist 87:333–343.Google Scholar
97Powell, C.L. 1981. Inoculation of barley with efficient mycorrhizal fungi stimulates seed yield. Plant and Soil 59:487–489.CrossRefGoogle Scholar