This study was carried out under field conditions in Adana, Turkey in 2018 and 2019 to determine the critical period for weed control in sunflower depending on the daily growth temperature (GDD) and weed species. A log-logistic model with four parameters was used to determine the relationship between relative crop yield and both increased weed intervention time and length of weed-free periods. In addition, dominant weeds and weed densities were determined in the experimental area. Data obtained from different periods of weed intervention were compared with data obtained from seasonal weed-free plots. During the sunflower growing season, 37.4% – 41.04% yield loss was determined in sunflower due to weed competition. For 5% acceptable yield loss in the first year, the critical period in weed control was determined as 243-1181 GDD; this is 24-86 days after the crop emergence (DAE) . It was found between 269 and 1409 GDD (16-72 DAE) in the second year. In sunflower, it was determined that the removal of weeds from the plot in the weed-free period started within 2-3 weeks from the emergence and continued for 10-12 weeks. These findings may help sunflower growers to plan and implement cost-effective and appropriate weed control programs.

Background Banana ( Musa spp.) cultivation, has a centaury history in open fields in Mediterranean part of Türkiye has become enlarged for three decades due to benefits of covered production. Objective Weed species, their frequencies, distributions and reasons under current techniques and geographical attributes in banana fields and greenhouses were determined to provide data to develop strategies and systems for sustainable weed management and cultivation of banana. Methods Weeds and their coverage and densities were determined in banana fields [...] Abstract Background Banana ( Musa spp.) cultivation, has a centaury history in open fields in Mediterranean part of Türkiye has become enlarged for three decades due to benefits of covered production. Objective Weed species, their frequencies, distributions and reasons under current techniques and geographical attributes in banana fields and greenhouses were determined to provide data to develop strategies and systems for sustainable weed management and cultivation of banana. Methods Weeds and their coverage and densities were determined in banana fields

In view of climate change and the possibility that drought stress in vineyards will increase, applying effective soil and water conservation measures is essential, especially where irrigation water is scarce. This study, conducted between 2021 and 2023 in Adana, Çukurova, Turkey, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different organic (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth., Trifolium alexandrinum L., Lathyrus sativus L. and Vicia sativa L. + Triticale sp.) and non-organic (basaltic pumice and zeolite) mulches on Black Magic grapevines under irrigation (50 % water) and nonirrigation (rainfed) conditions. The results show that limited irrigation increased grape yield, and cluster and berry parameter values. Weed-free, V. sativa+Triticale sp. and T. alexandrinum applications generally showed higher yield, and cluster and berry parameter values compared to other cover crops. Nonirrigated conditions resulted in higher total soluble solids and maturity index, but lower pH compared to limited irrigation. Leaf water potential (LWP) increased towards maturity, particularly under nonirrigated conditions, with significant differences in LWP between mulching treatments in the third year. Soil moisture was generally higher and temperature slightly lower under limited irrigation, with mulch application showing no significant effect on soil moisture and temperature. The discriminant analysis highlighted the influence of mulching materials on yield and its components, particularly under limited irrigation. Overall, organic and non-organic mulches proved to be effective in maintaining soil moisture and temperature, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to herbicides in vineyards under limited irrigation.

Hoeing time is important in weed management and is effective to reduce weed populations in sunflower cultivation. The study was conducted between 2018-2019 to determine the hoeing times for mechanical weed control in sunflower in Adana province of Turkey. To determine weed control time in experimental fields, weeds were allowed to germinate in natural conditions at intervals between 15 days for mechanical hoeing at the emergence of sunflower to the harvest time. The interactions between weeds and sunflower yield criteria were observed by periodic hoeing treatments. At the end of the experiments, the criteria for sunflower yield, seed yield, oil content, oil quality, head diameter, plant height, weed biomass, and coverages of hoeing time effects were determined. Combining the two-year data, it was observed that the sunflower yield and seed yield were the highest in plots of 75 and 90 days weed-free, while the lowest yield and seed yield were observed in 60, 75, and 90 days weedy. It was determined that the sunflower oil yield was higher in plots of long hoeing period time, but the oil quality did not change. It was found that sunflower height were statistically similar for each year in different hoeing period times, moreover, sunflower head diameter was not affected. In weedy plots with shorter hoeing times, higher weed biomass due to increased weed coverage was noted. As a result, it was determined that long-term hoeing in sunflower weed management increases the yield, and hoeing time is significant in sunflower weed management.