Successful conservation strategies require that taxa are prioritized because resources for planning and implementation are always limited. In this study, we created a partial checklist of crop wild relatives (CWR) that occur in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and identified the taxa of highest priority for regional conservation planning based on their importance for food and economic security. We found that the region contains over 1900 wild relatives of species cultivated for food, beverages, ornamental, forage/fodder, forestry, medicinal, environmental and other uses. Prioritization of these species was based on two criteria: (i) the value of the related crop for human food and economic security in the region and/or globally, and (ii) the potential or known value of the wild relatives of those crops for crop improvement. The region contains 745 CWR species related to 64 human food and beverage crops that are of high socioeconomic importance and 100 of these are of immediate priority for conservation action. The results of this study show that the SADC region contains a wealth of CWR diversity that is not only of value for food and economic security within the region but also globally. Furthermore, this study represents the first step in developing a CWR conservation and sustainable use strategy for the region, where its implementation would contribute to food security and well-being.

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are a vital source of traits for crop improvement – therefore, conserving CWR diversity is critical to ensure food, nutrition and economic security. Efficient CWR conservation planning is a critical first step to maintain this natural resource for future use. The development of National Strategic Action Plans (NSAPs) for the conservation and sustainable use of CWR is an effective means of conservation planning and also plays an important role in sensitizing policy makers and other stakeholders to the importance of CWR. Tools to guide and facilitate countries in CWR national conservation planning and NSAP development have been prepared, namely: an ‘Interactive Toolkit for CWR Conservation Planning’, a ‘Template for the Preparation of a NSAP for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of CWR’, a ‘Template for the Preparation of a Technical Background Document for a NSAP for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of CWR’, a ‘CWR Checklist and Inventory Data Template’ and an ‘Occurrence Data Collation Template’. In this short communication, we briefly explain what these tools are, how they were developed, how they can be used and where they can be found.

The effect of atrazine rate and subsequent tillage on seedling alfalfa injury from atrazine carry-over was examined at two locations in Michigan. Atrazine concentration and alfalfa injury 1 yr after treatment were greater in the northern location than in the central Michigan location. At both locations, alfalfa injury was significantly greater under no-tillage than moldboard plowing. With no-tillage, alfalfa was injured more in the area between the previous corn rows than within the rows. Analysis of soil samples collected from within corn rows and between rows showed higher atrazine concentration between the corn rows.

Giant foxtail, woolly cupgrass, and wild-proso millet infest millions of hectares of land devoted to corn production in the midwestern U.S. Control of these species and effects on corn grain yield were evaluated at various timings using POST applications of nicosulfuron vs. applications of various PRE herbicides at 17 locations across the midwestern U.S. in 1992 and 1993. Nicosulfuron applied to 5 to 10 cm giant foxtail and woolly cupgrass provided greater control than that observed with selected PRE herbicides. Giant foxtail control with nicosulfuron averaged 88%, and control of woolly cupgrass averaged 77% across all sites. Nicosulfuron, applied to 5 to 10 cm wild-proso millet, provided a level of control similar to that of selected PRE herbicides. Corn grain yield was greater when giant foxtail was controlled POST with nicosulfuron vs. PRE control with selected soil-applied herbicides. Corn grain yields were similar when nicosulfuron was applied POST to 5 to 10 cm woolly cupgrass or wild-proso millet vs. PRE control of these grass weeds. Across a broad range of geographical locations, nicosulfuron, applied POST to 5 to 10 cm tall grass, provided greater or similar levels of weed control vs. the selected PRE herbicides, with no deleterious effect on grain yield.

Variation in interference relationships have been shown for a number of crop-weed associations and may have an important effect on the implementation of decision support systems for weed management. Multiyear field experiments were conducted at eight locations to determine the stability of corn-foxtail interference relationships across years and locations. Two coefficients (I and A) of a rectangular hyperbola equation were estimated for each data set using nonlinear regression procedures. The I and A coefficients represent percent corn yield loss as foxtail density approaches zero and maximum percent corn yield loss, respectively. The coefficient I was stable across years at two locations and varied across years at four locations. Maximum yield loss (A) varied between years at one location. Both coefficients varied among locations. Although 3 to 4 foxtail plants m−-1 row was a conservative estimate of the single-year economic threshold (Tc) of foxtail density, variation in I and A resulted in a large variation in Tc. Therefore, the utility of using common coefficient estimates to predict future crop yield loss from foxtail interference between years or among locations within a region is limited.

Field trials were conducted in 2002 and 2003 at seven sites to determine the optimum rates of mesotrione and atrazine applied PRE for minimal crop injury and control of common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, Pennsylvania smartweed, common ragweed, giant ragweed, ivyleaf morningglory, and common cocklebur. All rates of each herbicide resulted in greater than 95% control of triazine-susceptible common lambsquarters. Mesotrione at 105 g ai/ha resulted in greater than 90% control of triazine-resistant common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, and Pennsylvania smartweed. Control of common ragweed was 90% or greater from mesotrione at 158 g/ha in combination with atrazine at 280 g/ha or greater. In addition, mesotrione at 210 g/ha combined with any rate of atrazine provided at least 92% control of common ragweed. Combinations of mesotrione and atrazine only suppressed, and did not effectively control, giant ragweed, common cocklebur, and ivyleaf morningglory.

Field studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 in Michigan to determine the effect of seeding establishment method and weed control on forage quality of glyphosate-resistant alfalfa in the establishment year. Seeding methods included alfalfa only (clear-seeding) and alfalfa with a companion crop of oat (companion-seeding). Herbicide treatments included an untreated control and glyphosate treatment for both establishment systems, and either imazamox in the clear-seeding system or imazamox + clethodim in the companion-seeding system. The greatest differences among treatments in forage quality were observed at the first harvest in both establishment years. Results suggest high quality, productive alfalfa stands can be established utilizing glyphosate-resistant alfalfa in a clear seeding system.

The introduction of glyphosate-resistant (GR) alfalfa offers a new weed management system for alfalfa establishment; however, alfalfa seeding rates are based on conventional cultivars. Determining optimum seeding rates allows forage producers to maximize yield, quality, and profitability with GR alfalfa. Field experiments were established in 2005 and 2006 to determine the effect of seeding rate and weed control on GR alfalfa yield, forage quality, and persistence up to 3 yr after establishment. Seeding rates of 4.5, 9.0, and 18 kg ha−1 were evaluated. Weed control methods during the seeding year included no herbicide, glyphosate applied once before the first harvest, and glyphosate applied once before the first harvest and then 7 to 10 d following subsequent harvests. Alfalfa yield was greater at higher seeding rates and when weeds were removed with glyphosate. Season forage yields were the greatest with the 18 kg ha−1 seeding rate and where no herbicide was applied. Weed biomass often was lower at the higher seeding rates and was 91 to 98% lower in the glyphosate treatments compared to the nontreated. Forage quality was not affected by seeding rate but varied by herbicide treatment depending on establishment year. Plant density increased with seeding rate and treatment effects persisted for three growing seasons. Herbicide treatment did not affect stand density as greatly as seeding rate and did not influence stand longevity.

Field studies were conducted at 35 sites throughout the north-central United States in 1998 and 1999 to determine the effect of postemergence glyphosate application timing on weed control and grain yield in glyphosate-resistant corn. Glyphosate was applied at various timings based on the height of the most dominant weed species. Weed control and corn grain yields were considerably more variable when glyphosate was applied only once. The most effective and consistent season-long annual grass and broadleaf weed control occurred when a single glyphosate application was delayed until weeds were 15 cm or taller. Two glyphosate applications provided more consistent weed control when weeds were 10 cm tall or less and higher corn grain yields when weeds were 5 cm tall or less, compared with a single application. Weed control averaged at least 94 and 97% across all sites in 1998 and 1999, respectively, with two glyphosate applications but was occasionally less than 70% because of late emergence of annual grass and Amaranthus spp. or reduced control of Ipomoea spp. With a single application of glyphosate, corn grain yield was most often reduced when the application was delayed until weeds were 23 cm or taller. Averaged across all sites in 1998 and 1999, corn grain yields from a single glyphosate application at the 5-, 10-, 15-, 23-, and 30-cm timings were 93, 94, 93, 91, and 79% of the weed-free control, respectively. There was a significant effect of herbicide treatment on corn grain yield in 23 of the 35 sites when weed reinfestation was prevented with a second glyphosate application. When weed reinfestation was prevented, corn grain yield at the 5-, 10-, and 15-cm application timings was 101, 97, and 93% of the weed-free control, respectively, averaged across all sites. Results of this study suggested that the optimum timing for initial glyphosate application to avoid corn grain yield loss was when weeds were less than 10 cm in height, no more than 23 d after corn planting, and when corn growth was not more advanced than the V4 stage.

Glyphosate-resistant alfalfa offers new weed control options for alfalfa establishment. Field studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effect of establishment method and weed control method on forage production and alfalfa stand establishment. Seeding methods included clear seeding and companion seeding with oats. Herbicide treatments included glyphosate, imazamox, imazamox + clethodim, and no herbicide. Temporary stunting from the glyphosate treatments was observed (< 7%); however, injury did not reduce forage yield or stand density in 2004. No glyphosate injury was observed in 2005. Weed control with glyphosate was more consistent than with imazamox or imazamox + clethodim. In 2004, total seasonal forage yield, which consisted of alfalfa, weeds, and oats (in some treatments), was the highest where no herbicide was applied in the oat companion crop and was reduced where herbicides were applied in both establishment systems. In 2005, seeding method or weed control method did not affect total seasonal forage production. Alfalfa established with the clear-seeded method and treated with glyphosate yielded the highest alfalfa dry matter in both years. Imazamox injury reduced first-harvest alfalfa yield in the clear-seeded system in both years. When no herbicide was applied, alfalfa yield was higher in the clear-seeded system. The oat companion crop suppressed alfalfa yield significantly in both years. Alfalfa established with an oat companion crop had a lower weed biomass than the clear-seeded system where no herbicide was applied in both years.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) alfalfa offers growers new options for weed control in alfalfa. One potential benefit of using GR alfalfa is increased longevity of an alfalfa stand under frequent harvests. It was hypothesized that GR alfalfa would have a greater longevity because of removal of weed interference with minimal crop injury. To study GR alfalfa yield, weed invasion, alfalfa stand persistence, and relative forage quality (RFQ), a field experiment with three weed control methods (no herbicide, glyphosate, and hexazinone) under two harvest frequencies (high and moderate) was established in August 2003 at the Michigan State University Agronomy Farm in East Lansing, MI. Forage yield of established alfalfa was not adversely affected by herbicide treatments. There were no differences in weed biomass between alfalfa treated with glyphosate and that treated with hexazinone, except in 2007. Average GR alfalfa stand density decreased approximately 90% (from 236 to 27 plant m−2), and yield decreased approximately 30% (from 11.04 to 7.87 Mg ha−1) during the 7-yr period (2004 to 2010) of the experiment. Stand density of GR alfalfa showed natural thinning during the 7-yr period regardless of harvest intensity or herbicide treatment. In most production years (4 out of 5 yr), relative forage quality of GR alfalfa was higher under a high-intensity harvesting system (4 to 5 harvests yr−1) than it was with a moderate intensity harvesting system (3 to 4 harvests yr−1). Relative forage quality was not affected by weed removal with herbicides in most years. Weed removal and harvest intensity in established GR alfalfa had no effect on stand persistence.

Barrett finds lines 1010–15 difficult. He says that ‘hovers between “an heiress as my wife” and “marriage with an heiress”’, that ‘a Greek heiress ( here and I.T. 682) did not inherit property as her own: it passed not to her but with her, to her husband and ultimately to her children.—In Attic law a widow was never : a man's property went to his legitimate children.

Orestes has returned to Argos, (89). For him to brandish at his father's murderers is natural there, where he is delivering a sort of general manifesto as to his aims, and where the strong word is justified and alleviated by the jingle with juxtaposed (‘to requite them murder as they murdered my father’). But there is no reason for Orestes to go on insisting on the bloodthirstiness of these aims, and reads oddly in 100, where he is explaining soberly his plan of campaign.