Salt (NaCl) and matric stress (polyethylene glycol; PEG 6000) impacts on germination were analysed in two rapeseed (Brassica napus var oleifera Del.) cultivars (Exagone: salt and water stress tolerant; Toccata: salt and water stress sensitive), which had the same imbibition kinetics when incubated in distilled water. Final germination percentage (G) and time to reach 50% G (T50) were affected either by 325 mM NaCl or −0.9 MPa PEG in Toccata but not in Exagone. Cultivars did not differ for protein concentration and protease activity in any germination condition; thus, protein metabolism seems not to be implicated in response to stress. Hydroxurea and cytochalasine-D inhibited germination in Toccata exposed to −0.9 MPa PEG but not in Exagone, suggesting that Exagone tolerance could be due to a lower amount of damaged DNA and lower requirement for DNA replication due to cell elongation rather than cell division for radicle elongation. Soluble sugars concentration increased in salt-stressed seeds from Exagone more than in Toccata and this could have allowed osmotic adjustment and therefore cell elongation despite the presence of external NaCl. Priming treatments with gibberellic acid, kinetin, NaCl and PEG hastened seed germination under control conditions but had no effect or even negative effects on germination under both salt and matric stresses.

For efficient utilisation of available farm resources and to increase the income per unit of land, seven integrated farming systems were developed and different combinations of crop, animal, fish and bird were evaluated at three locations of Eastern India, viz. Patna, Vaishali and Munger districts, to sustain productivity, profitability, employment generation and nutrient recycling for lowland situations from 2007–2008 to 2009–2010. Among the tested different Integrated Farming System (IFS) models, viz. (i) crop + fish + poultry, (ii) crop + fish + duck, (iii) crop + fish + goat, (iv) crop + fish + duck + goat, (v) crop + fish + cattle, (vi) crop + fish + mushroom and (vii) crop alone, crop + fish + cattle model recorded higher rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain equivalent yield (RGEY) (18.76 t/ha) than any other combinations, but in terms of economics, crop + fish + duck + goat model supersedes over all other combinations. The highest average net returns (USD 2655/yr) were recorded from crop + fish + duck + goat system over all other systems tested here. Higher average employment of 656 man-days/year were also recorded from crop + fish + duck + goat system because of better involvement of farm family labours throughout the year. Based on a sustainability index (SI) derived from different models, crop + fish + duck + goat system was found superior with a maximum sustainability for net returns (73.1%), apart from the addition of appreciable quantity of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium into the system in the form of recycled animal and plant wastes. The wastes/by-products of crop/animals were used as input for another component to increase the nutrient efficiency at the farm level through nutrient recycling. Results on integration of different components with crop depending upon suitability and preferences were found encouraging, and to enhance the productivity, economic returns, generating employment for farm families and maintaining soil health of the farm, the crop + fish + duck + goat combination could be adopted in the eastern part of India than cultivating the crop alone on the same piece of land under irrigated condition. Addition of organic residues in the form of animal and plant wastes could also help in improving the soil-health and thereby productivity over a longer period of time with lesser environmental hazards. The livelihoods of small and marginal farmers could be improved by their adoption of IFS technologies on a larger scale, as they provide scope to employ more labour year-round.

Fusarium and Lasiodiplodia species invade feeding lesions caused by mirid bugs (Distantiella theobroma [Dist.] and Sahlbergella singularis Hagl.) and inflict serious damage and yield loss to susceptible cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) varieties in West Africa. As it is the fungal invasion rather than the physical feeding injury by mirids that cause dieback and tree death in cacao, a dieback resistance strategy in cacao crop must take into account resistance to these causal agents. Twenty-nine and 15 cacao genotypes were screened in the laboratory and the greenhouse, respectively, for resistance to isolates of Fusarium decemcellulare and Lasiodiplodia theobromae at Imperial College London's Biological Sciences Campus, UK. Resistance was assessed as the size of necrotic lesions, distance of fungal colonisation in the stem and the proportion of seedlings with dieback symptoms. Genotypic differences were found in both laboratory and greenhouse tests among various cacao genotypes, and the clones showed a wide range of disease reactions from highly resistant to very susceptible. The pathogenicity of F. decemcellulare and L. theobromae were similar in this study, which suggests that a breeding programme for controlling one of the pathogens can have benefit against the other. Direct significant correlations (r = 0.7) were obtained between visual dieback assessment scores and the percentage cross-sectional area of stem necrosis. Moreover, the response of inoculated stem segments corresponded to the reaction of intact plants despite the variation in the used methodology. Three cacao genotypes (CATIE 1000, T85/799 and MXC 67) were resistant or moderately resistant to F. decemcellulare and L. theobromae. These genotypes could be useful sources of resistance to both pathogens and other wilt causing pathogens in cacao.

The uptake of urea fertilizer (NDFF), applied with 150 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1, topdressed in five splits of 30 kg N ha−1 (30 N) each at 7, 26, 45, 70 and 83 days after transplanting (DAT) of rice (Oryza sativa L.), was investigated in an improved (Khangma Maap, KM) and a traditional (Janam, JN) cultivar in Bhutan highlands, using enriched 15N stable isotope. The treatments were arranged in a split–split plot design, with N fertilizer levels as main plots, cultivars as subplots and topdressing treatments as sub-subplots, with all the sub-subplots receiving the same dose except different timing of one split of enriched 15N to determine partial N fertilize use efficiency at each split dose. Although cultivar differences were not recorded in soil N accumulation and in total dry matter N, KM produced 21% higher grain yields compared to JN due to higher grain harvest index and partial factor productivity of N. Irrespective of the cultivars, topdressing timing had significant effects on NDFF, with highest mean N recovery (REN) of 29% of applied 30 N at 45 DAT during active tillering stage, resulting in mean NDFF total (grain + straw) uptake of 8.71 kg N ha−1 compared to least effective topdressing timing at 7 DAT with mean REN of 12% and NDFF total of 3.51 kg N ha−1. In similarity to topdressing at 45 DAT, topdressing at 70 DAT (panicle initiation stage) was equally effective with mean REN of 27% across the cultivars. Hence, fertilizer N topdressing recommendations that combine use of improved cultivars with N applications timed to coincide with maximum crop demand at 45 and 70 DAT, could enhance N fertilizer use efficiency for increased rice yields as well as reduce N losses downstream, which can cause adverse off-site environmental effects.

Though bitter white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a traditional crop in Ethiopia, sweet lupins are new to the country. As a result, the nutritional value of low-alkaloid lupins has not been evaluated under Ethiopian conditions. Crude protein, amino acid and alkaloid contents of 16 cultivars of three annual lupin species grown in four lupin growing locations (Merawi, Finoteselam, Kossober-1 and Kossober-2) of Ethiopia were evaluated. Location × cultivar interaction was a significant source of variation for all traits (p < 0.0001). In all locations, blue entries had either similar (p ≥ 0.0584) or higher (p ≤ 0.0235) forage crude protein content than the Local Landrace, white group and yellow entry. Compared with the Local Landrace, white and blue entries, the sole yellow entry had higher (p ≤ 0.0148) seed crude protein content at all locations except at Kossober-2, where it had similar (p = 0.8460) crude protein content as white entries. The Local Landrace had the highest forage and seed alkaloid contents. However, sweet blue Vitabor and Sanabor entries had the lowest forage and seed alkaloid contents, respectively. Low alkaloid and higher crude protein contents of sweet lupins grown in Ethiopia show the possibility to use sweet lupin forage and seeds as cheap home-grown protein source for livestock feed and human food in the country. However, for more reliable information, the laboratory results need to be verified by animal and human evaluations of the crop.

Although triple cropping in inland valleys of Nigeria is technically feasible, the third crop between the main crop and dry season non-rice crop has been considered not to be economically viable because of poor crop establishment due to soil inundation. The identification of an appropriate technology with low input, such as ratooning, would allow this niche to be utilized. Field experiments were conducted at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 cropping seasons to evaluate the performance of the main and ratooned crops of lowland NERICA (New Rice for Africa) rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in a lowland rice–ratooned rice–fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) sequence. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The lowland rice varieties used were NERICA-L 19, NERICA-L 20, NERICA-L 22, NERICA-L 24, OFADA, NERICA-L 26, NERICA-L 41, NERICA-L 42, NERICA-L 44 and NERICA-L 47. The grain yield of the main rice crop ranged from 5.0 to 7.3 t ha−1 in 2007–2008 cropping season and from 4.1 to 9.1 t ha−1 in 2008–2009. The ratooned rice had a grain yield of 1.0–4.7 t ha−1 in 2007–2008 and 1.2–3.4 t ha−1 in 2008–2009. The total grain yield obtained in 2007–2008 from the main and ratooned rice crops in seven months was 6.7–11.6 t ha−1, while in 2008–2009 it was 5.3–2.6 t ha−1. The fresh leaf yield of fluted pumpkin ranged from 14.6 to 16.9 t ha−1 in 2007–2008 and from 18.3 to 19.8 t ha−1 in 2008–2009, similar to previously reported rainy season unfertilized yields. Thus, a ratooned rice crop appears to be a feasible technology capable of boosting rice production and consequently increasing the overall productivity of the inland valley in a rice–rice–vegetable cropping sequence.

The groundwater in some parts of north India is generally saline and not suitable for drinking. However, it can be used for growing salt-tolerant crop plants. To explore the potential of using saline groundwater for farm production, a field experiment was conducted at Shahpur village, near Hisar in Haryana State, India, to study the effect of different qualities of irrigation water on mustard (Brassica juncea, cv. RH–30) crop growth, yield, water use efficiency and soil salinity. Treatments consisted of combinations of irrigation with saline groundwater (electrical conductivity (EC) 7.48 dS m−1), and a good quality canal water (EC 0.4 dS m−1) applied either alone, as blends or in alternate applications. In all treatments, canal water was used for pre-sowing irrigation. In mustard cultivation, saline groundwater with an EC of 7.48 dS m−1 can be used safely to supplement all post-sowing irrigations with marginal decline in crop yield. Irrigation with saline groundwater gave a yield as high as 95% of the optimum crop yield obtained with fresh canal water. The temporal variation in salinity showed that mustard yield responds to the average salinity of the soil during the growing season. Thus saline groundwater is a good water source to exploit for supplemental irrigation.

AquaCrop, the FAO water productivity model, is used as a tool to predict crop production under water limiting conditions. In the first step AquaCrop was calibrated and validated for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Data sets of field experiments at seven different locations in four countries (Ethiopia, Italy, Syria and Montana, USA) with different climates in different years and with five different cultivars were used for model calibration and validation. The goodness-of-fit between observed and simulated soil water content, green canopy cover, biomass and grain yield was assessed by means of the coefficient of determination (R2), the Nash–Sutcliff efficiency (E), the index of agreement (d) and the root mean square error (RMSE). The statistical parameters indicated an adequate accuracy of simulations (validation regression of yield: R2 = 0.95, E = 0.94, d = 0.99, RMSE = 0.34). Subsequently, sowing strategies in the semi-arid environment of northern Ethiopia were evaluated with the validated model. Dry sowing had a probability of 47% germination failure attributable to false start of the rainy season. On the other hand, delay sowing at the start of the rainy season to eliminate germinating weeds should be kept as short as possible because grain yields strongly reduce in the season due to water stress when sowing is delayed on shallow soils. This research demonstrates the ability of AquaCrop to predict accurately crop performance with only a limited set of input variables, and the robustness of the model under various environmental and climatic conditions.

Nitrogen (N) nutrition is a key factor for vegetable growth and yield. However, different rates of nitrogen fertilization may trigger different responses to vegetables. A survey was conducted to investigate the effect of soil fertility management practices on nitrate concentration in vegetables. The survey results were used to plan experiments on the effect of chicken and cattle manures on nitrate levels in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) and amaranthus (Amaranthus cruentus) grown in Tanzania and the patterns of mineral nitrogen in soils under open field conditions. Chicken or cattle manure at 200, 300 kg N ha−1 and 170 250 kg N ha−1 for Chinese cabbage and amaranthus respectively, and control were compared in a randomized complete block design. We observed a higher nitrate content in fertilized Chinese cabbage at day 30 than at day 44 after sowing, ranging from 3243 to 4993 mg kg−1 fresh matter regardless of the N source and rates. Only application of manures at high levels (250 kg N ha−1) induced significantly (p < 0.05) higher nitrate contents in amaranthus at day 28 after sowing, although there was a clear indication of nitrate accumulation even at 170 kg N ha−1 application. Soil NH4+-N + NO3−-N in both Chinese cabbage and amaranthus plots were increased with increasing N application rates and differences between control and amended soils were significant (p < 0.01). There was a positive relationship between NO3− concentration in vegetables and NO3−-N in the rooted top soil layer (0–15 cm). However, higher NH4+ concentrations depressed NO3− build up in crops and a significant negative relationship between soil (NH4+-N)/(NO3−-N) ratio and crop NO3− content was found. It is concluded that low manure application rates result in similar yields to high rates but reduces nitrate accumulation in vegetables and excess mineral nitrogen in soils.

Within the context of participatory varietal selection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in East Timor, this study investigated an approach to identify yield determinants in farmer-managed varietal trials in a type of exploratory agronomy. A singular increase of 47% in peanut on-farm productivity by variety Utamua over local varieties was recorded across agro-ecologies over 616 farmer-managed trials in five cropping seasons. Utamua has larger (c. 70%) seed than local, which resulted in poor germination initially. Farmers then started seed priming, and, by the last two seasons’ trials, 50% of farmers with on-farm trials seed primed. The volume of trials allied with detailed recording of agro-ecological, household and management conditions allowed the identification of factors affecting yield, such as seeding arrangement (two seeds/hill more productive than one seed/hill) and soil pH (pH 7–8.5 more productive than lower pH), using an unbalanced ANOVA design. Farmer innovations in management could be identified within varietal trials highlighting future agronomic possibilities.

Citrus trees are often exposed to severe infectious diseases. Mal secco caused by Phoma tracheiphila (Petri) Kantschaveli and Gikashvili is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of lemons (Citrus limon Burm. F.). In the present study, antioxidant enzyme activity in different mal secco-resistant and susceptible citrus rootstocks including Cleopatra mandarin (C. reshni Tan.), sour orange (C. aurantium L.), rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.), Volkameriana (C. volkameriana Tan. and Pasq.), Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. X C. sinensis L. Osbeck) and trifoliate orange (P. trifoliata) was investigated. Possible differences in constitutive levels of these antioxidant enzymes and correlations between enzyme levels and mal secco caused by P. tracheiphila were examined. Among the rootstocks, Cleopatra mandarin was found to be resistant to mal secco, whereas rough lemon, sour orange and trifoliate orange were highly susceptible. Total peroxidase (TPX; EC: 1.11.1.7) activity increased in all infected rootstocks. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC: 1.11.1.11) activity increased in most of the rootstocks and no correlation was found between catalase (CAT; EC: 1.11.1.6) activity and mal secco resistance. This study indicates that overall TPX activity is upregulated and APX activity is up- and down-regulated depending on the type of rootstock in response to P. tracheiphila infection.

Turkish (Origanum onites L.) and Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare L., ssp. hirtum (Link.) Ietswaart) species were investigated to determine herbage colour, essential oil content and composition changes due to sage leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) infestation. Sage leafhopper population on both Turkish and Greek oregano did not significantly vary. The sage leafhopper damage was more severe in the lower part of the canopy than the middle and upper parts. Extensive sage leafhopper feeding dramatically reduced essential oil contents, resulting in 28.8 and 34.8% reductions for Greek and Turkish oregano, respectively. Carvacrol, the major essential oil component of both oregano species, did not remarkably vary between leafhopper infested and non-infested plants. With respect to herbage colour, the brightness, redness and yellowness values were significantly different between infested and non-infested plants. Sage leafhopper damage increased brightness and yellowness but decreased greenness of the oregano herbage. To avoid the feeding damage, it is essential to detect the sage leafhopper problem as early as possible and certain control practices are necessary when the infestation is high.

Using the sustainable livelihoods framework to evaluate the impact of a farmer-to-farmer video on the improved rice parboiling technology, women in Benin rated financial, social, human, natural and physical capital stocks for the baseline year (2006) and the impact year (2009) on a 0–5 scale. Women who had watched the video and those who had not, but who lived in the same villages, perceived a significant improvement in four out of five livelihood capitals while processors in control villages did not perceive any significant change. Apart from testing the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework as a participatory impact assessment tool for video-mediated rural learning, this study shows how farmer-to-farmer training videos helped to improve multiple livelihood assets.

The presence of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) in crops is increasing in arid and semi-arid environments. Field experiments were conducted in Greece in 2009 and 2010 to determine the influence of velvetleaf emergence time and maize (Zea mays) hybrids with different growth rates on maize yield and velvetleaf growth and fecundity. Velvetleaf was uniformly seeded in order to emerge at the 1, 3, 5 and 7-leaf stage of maize (V1, V3, V5 and V7 growth stages, respectively). Velvetleaf biomass, canopy area and seed production were significantly affected by the date of velvetleaf emergence. Velvetleaf plants emerging just after maize (V1) produced 7–17 times lower seed number, compared with the V5 growth stage. Maximum maize grain yield loss ranged from 26 to 37% for early emerging velvetleaf, and less than 6% yield loss occurred from velvetleaf seedlings emerging at V7 growth stage. Maize hybrids with high initial growth rate seem to be more competitive than the other hybrids. The results of this study are essential in the development of an integrated weed management strategy for maize in semi-arid environments, since they highlight the importance of the careful selection of a competitive maize hybrid and avoidance of early velvetleaf emergence.

Farmers around the world are concerned about the effects of human-induced salinity on crop yield and quality. Therefore, researchers are actively testing wild relatives of cultivated plants to identify candidates to improve crop performance under salt stress. A study was conducted to understand the effects of salt stress (Sodium chloride, NaCl) on cultivated tomato species (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme L.) and a wild tomato relative (Solanum chilense Dun.) from the Northern part of Chile. Plants were cultivated hydroponically under controlled environmental conditions for 112 days with nutrient solution containing 0 mM (3 dS m−1), 40 mM (6 dS m−1) and 80-mM (9 dS m−1) NaCl. Salt stress reduced the shoot biomass in S. lycopersicum but not in S. chilense. Both species were able to maintain the leaf water content; however, the cultivated S. lycopersicum showed osmotic adjustment, while S. chilense did not. Salt stress reduced the total fruit yield in S. lycopersicum based on a decrease in the mean fruit weight, but it had no impact on the number of fruits per plant. In contrast, salt stress had no significant impact on the fruit yield in S. chilense. Salt stress increased the total soluble solids content in S. lycopersicum and the titratable acidity in S. chilense. It was concluded that S. chilense displays a contrasting behaviour in response to prolonged exposure to moderate salinity compared with S. lycopersicum, and that this related species could be an interesting plant for breeding purposes.

Photosynthesis and biomass production by millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) grown under baobab (Adansonia digitata) and néré (Parkia biglobosa) was studied at Nobéré (Burkina Faso) with the aim of optimising parkland systems productivity. Millet yielded the highest biomass under Baobab and the lowest biomass was recorded in the zone close to the tree trunk of néré. In contrast, the biomass of taro was higher in heavy shaded zones under néré and the zone close to baobab's trunk. The two crops showed an increasing trend of photosynthesis rate (PN) from tree trunk to the open area. However, the increase in the PN of taro from tree trunk to the open field was lower compared to that of millet. By increasing its leaf area index (LAI) under shade, taro displayed higher biomass production under tree compared to the open area while an opposite trend was observed in millet. The high millet biomass production under baobab could be explained by light availability and the reduction of temperature under shade compared to the open field. The adaptation of taro to shade by increasing its LAI and thus avoiding drastic reduction in PN under shade resulted in better biomass production under heavy shade. Therefore, it was concluded that by replacing millet with taro under dense tree crowns the productivity of agroforestry parkland systems could be increased.

Poor soil fertility is a constraint to coffee production. Targeting fertiliser recommendations to nutrient deficiencies can contribute to improved crop response to fertiliser. This study aimed to derive and compare the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) and Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms for Arabica and Robusta, and to investigate nutrient interactions using data derived from 164 plots. The high-yield sub-populations of Arabica had significantly (p < 0.01) higher P (0.23 vs. 0.14) and K (2.87 vs. 2.04), and lower N (2.96 vs. 3.61), Ca (0.99 vs. 1.50) and Mg (0.40 vs. 0.23) than those of Robusta. With respect to the CND norms, Arabica had significantly (p < 0.001) higher P and K, and lower N, Ca and Mg means of row-centered log ratios than Robusta. The relationship between the CND and DRIS indices had coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.75–0.99 for both coffee types. The relationship between nutrient imbalance indices for CND and DRIS had R2 of 0.95 (Arabica) and 0.76 (Robusta). Both coffee types had negative N–Ca, P–Mg and K–Mg interactions. Arabica had positive N–Mg and K–Ca interactions and Robusta had positive N–K, P–K and Ca–Mg interactions and negative N–P, N–Mg, P–Ca and K–Ca interactions. The study concludes, there is a need for cultivar-specific norms, but such norms developed under one set of conditions may not be applicable under different conditions. The study also concludes that both CND and DRIS can be used to determine nutrient imbalances, and fertiliser requirements could be cultivar-specific.

Conocarpus lancifolius is an ornamental tree planted in Kuwait, resulting in more than 120 t of residual by-products daily. These residues could be utilised as ensiled feed. A total premix of 24 t of silage was prepared in six pilot-scale trench silos for 30 days, after which triplicate samples were taken from each trench silo, which were analysed for nutritional contents and microbial populations. Mean pH value was 4.2 ± 0.12, where mean of dry matter (DM), crude protein, crude fats, crude fibre, organic matter, lactic and acetic acids and total water soluble carbohydrate concentration were 35.10 ± 4.0%, 11.18 ± 0.07%, 2.47 ± 0.21%, 20.85 ± 0.95%, 19.53 ± 0.53%, 4.95 ± 0.32%, 1.47 ± 0.01% and 20.86 ± 0.56% on DM basis, respectively. Means of aerobic bacteria, fungi (yeast and moulds) and lactic acid bacteria counts were 1.8 ×104 ± 0.15, 1.1 × 104 ± 0.09 and 7.3 × 108 ± 0.12 colony forming units per gram of fresh silage, respectively. An animal performance trial was conducted on 60 Holstein Friesian heifers with initial live weights ranging from 262 to 275 kg, grouped in six dietary treatments for a 148-day feeding trial. The diets contained different ratios of Conocarpus silage, which ranged from 10 to 60% on DM basis partially replacing conventional roughage (alfalfa hay, straw). DM intake of heifers ranged between 11.40 ± 2.14 kg and 13.61 ± 2.54 kg. Daily live-weight gain ranged from 0.99 ± 0.38 kg to 1.20 ± 0.31 kg. From the results, Conocarpus silage could be suggested as a replacement for conventional roughage in rations for growing heifers.

The weedy variety of Oryza sativa occurs in several rice cultivation areas reducing both grain yield and quality. Prevention and crop rotation are considered the basic means to reduce its presence. Weed control in sorghum is generally attained with atrazine. In this study, the efficacy of both chemical and mechanical methods for control, under different soil tillage conditions, of weedy rice and barnyardgrass during sorghum cultivation was evaluated with the aim to reduce the application rate of atrazine. In the case of chemical control, the atrazine rate (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 ga.i. ha−1) and application timing (pre- and post-emergence) were assessed. With the mechanical control method, the number of interventions (inter-row hoeing with sorghum at 3, 4–5 and 6–8 leaves) to avoid weed competition was determined. The effect of the tillage system on weed population was investigated comparing conventional (ploughing), minimum-tillage (disc harrowing) and sod seeding (no-tillage) in combination with pre- and post-emergence herbicide treatments. The results showed that efficient control of weedy rice and barnyardgrass was achieved in lowlands with sorghum in rotation with rice. Both chemical and mechanical methods of weed control in sorghum gave a level of efficiency higher than 60%. The application of atrazine was more efficient in pre-emergence application, rather than in post-emergence treatments, in all soil tillage systems tested. On both weed species, the most suitable application rate was the pre-emergence treatment with 1500 ga.i. ha−1, and the adoption of higher rates did not significantly increase the herbicidal efficacy. The adoption of two or three mechanical interventions resulted in sorghum yield higher than the chemical post-emergence application, and similar to the application of atrazine in pre-emergence. Higher yield results were in accordance to greater weed control, being obtained in the conventional tillage system.