Search

Introduction.Several diseases affect the Andean blackberry cultivation in Colombia, where anthracnose (Colletotrichumspp.) stands out for generating total losses.Objective.To estimate the doses of N, P, K, and Ca that allow greater tolerance toC. gloeosporioidesstrain 52 in Andean blackberry seedlings.Materials and methods.The experiment was carried out in 2017, in a greenhouse located in Mosquera in the department of Cundinamarca (Colombia), with seedlings sown in a substrate based on a 3: 1 mixture of peat and rice husks. A randomized complete block design with a central composite arrangement of 25 treatments and 15 seedlings were used per experimental unit. The inoculation of plant material was carried out 53 days after had begun the application of the treatments, with mycelial discs at a concentration of 9.53×104conidia. The severity percentage (Sev), incubation period (IP), disease development rate (r), plant height (PLH), stem diameter (StD), leaf area (LA), chlorophyll content index (CCI), dry weight of the aerial part, and concentration of nutrients were measured. The analysis of variance with Tukey’s test (p

Xanthomonas arboricola is a plant-associated bacterial species that causes diseases on several plant hosts. One of the most virulent pathovars within this species is X. arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), the causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruit trees and almond. Recently, a non-virulent Xap-look-a-like strain isolated from Prunus was characterized and its genome compared to pathogenic strains of Xap, revealing differences in the profile of virulence factors, such as the genes related to the type III secretion system (T3SS) and type III effectors (T3Es). The existence of this atypical strain arouses several questions associated with the abundance, the pathogenicity, and the evolutionary context of X. arboricola on Prunus hosts. After an initial characterization of a collection of Xanthomonas strains isolated from Prunus bacterial spot outbreaks in Spain during the past decade, six Xap-look-a-like strains, that did not clustered with the pathogenic strains of Xap according to a multi locus sequence analysis, were identified. Pathogenicity of these strains was analyzed and the genome sequences of two Xap-look-a-like strains, CITA 14 and CITA 124, non-virulent to Prunus spp.;were obtained and compared to those available genomes of X. arboricola associated with this host plant. Differences were found among the genomes of the virulent and the Prunus non-virulent strains in several characters related to the pathogenesis process. Additionally, a pan-genomic analysis that included the available genomes of X. arboricola, revealed that the atypical strains associated with Prunus were related to a group of non-virulent or low virulent strains isolated from a wide host range. The repertoire of the genes related to T3SS and T3Es varied among the strains of this cluster and those strains related to the most virulent pathovars of the species, corylina, juglandis, and pruni. This variability provides information about the potential evolutionary process associated to the acquisition of pathogenicity and host specificity in X. arboricola. Finally, based in the genomic differences observed between the virulent and the non-virulent strains isolated from Prunus, a sensitive and specific real-time PCR protocol was designed to detect and identify Xap strains. This method avoids miss-identifications due to atypical strains of X. arboricola that can cohabit Prunus. © 2017 Garita-Cambronero, Palacio-Bielsa, López and Cubero.

The rose downy mildew disease, caused by Peronospora sparsa Berkeley, is one of the most important that affect rose crops in Colombia. To manage this disease, flower growers must deal with high-costs due to the excessive application of fungicides, but without good results. Studies on P. sparsa behavior have shown its narrow relationship with environmental conditions. In this study, the temperature effect was evaluated during the infection and sporulation of P. sparsa in Charlotte leaflets, a susceptible commercial variety, through an environmental controlled conditions system. Infection and sporulation were observed at different temperatures in a range of from 4 to 40°C. Infection with the absence of or very low sporulation was observed at 4°C. The most favorable pathogen responses were between 15 and 18°C in terms of inoculum concentration and sporulation percentage. There was no infection or leaflet change above 35°C. According to the results, sporulation can occur from 4 to 33°C, confirming the fact that P. sparsa is able to reproduce throughout a wide temperature range.

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni is the causal agent of the bacterial spot disease of stone fruits, almond and some ornamental Prunus species. In Spain it was first detected in 2002 and since then, several outbreaks have occurred in different regions affecting mainly Japanese plum, peach and almond, both in commercial orchards and nurseries. As the origin of the introduction(s) was unknown, we have assessed the genetic diversity of 239 X. arboricola pv. pruni strains collected from 11 Spanish provinces from 2002 to 2013 and 25 reference strains from international collections. We have developed an optimized multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) scheme targeting 18 microsatellites and five minisatellites. A high discriminatory power was achieved since almost 50% of the Spanish strains were distinguishable, confirming the usefulness of this genotyping technique at small spatio-temporal scales. Spanish strains grouped in 18 genetic clusters (conservatively delineated so that each cluster contained haplotype networks linked by up to quadruple-locus variations). Furthermore, pairwise comparisons among populations from different provinces showed a strong genetic differentiation. Our results suggest multiple introductions of this pathogen in Spain and redistribution through contaminated nursery propagative plant material. This work was supported by Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Project RTA-2011-00140-C03-01 (http://www.inia. es) to PLS MCM JP MML, Euphresco project (266505-FP7-ERANET Euphresco II) to PLS MCM JP APB MML, European Social Fund to PLS KB MCM JP APB CV MML OP, European Regional Published

The draft genome sequences of two strains of Xanthomonas arboricola , isolated from asymptomatic peach trees in Spain, are reported here. These strains are avirulent and do not belong to the same phylogroup as X. arboricola pv. pruni, a causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits and almonds.

Published

Xanthomonas arboricola is a species in genus Xanthomonas which is mainly comprised of plant pathogens. Among the members of this taxon, X. arboricola pv. pruni, the causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits and almond, is distributed worldwide although it is considered a quarantine pathogen in the European Union. Herein, we report the draft genome sequence, the classification, the annotation and the sequence analyses of a virulent strain, IVIA 2626.1, and an avirulent strain, CITA 44, of X. arboricola associated with Prunus spp. The draft genome sequence of IVIA 2626.1 consists of 5,027,671 bp, 4,720 protein coding genes and 50 RNA encoding genes. The draft genome sequence of strain CITA 44 consists of 4,760,482 bp, 4,250 protein coding genes and 56 RNA coding genes. Initial comparative analyses reveals differences in the presence of structural and regulatory components of the type IV pilus, the type III secretion system, the type III effectors as well as variations in the number of the type IV secretion systems. The genome sequence data for these strains will facilitate the development of molecular diagnostics protocols that differentiate virulent and avirulent strains. In addition, comparative genome analysis will provide insights into the plant-pathogen interaction during the bacterial spot disease process. © 2016 Garita-Cambronero et al.

Published

Schutte, B. J. et al., Enhanced understanding of soil disturbance effects on weed seedling recruitment will help guide improved management approaches. Field experiments were conducted at 16 site-years at 10 research farms across Europe and North America to (i) quantify superficial soil disturbance (SSD) effects on Chenopodium album emergence and (ii) clarify adaptive emergence behaviour in frequently disturbed environments. Each site-year contained factorial combinations of two seed populations (local and common, with the common population studied at all site-years) and six SSD timings [0, 50, 100, 150, 200 day-degrees (d°C, base temperature 3°C) after first emergence from undisturbed soil]. Analytical units in this study were emergence flushes. Flush magnitudes (maximum weekly emergence per count flush) and flush frequencies (flushes year-1) were compared between disturbed and undisturbed seedbanks. One year after burial, SSD promoted seedling emergence relative to undisturbed seedbanks by increasing flush magnitude rather than increasing flush frequency. Two years after burial, SSD promoted emergence through increased flush magnitude and flush frequency. The promotional effects of SSD on emergence were strongest within 500 d°C following SSD; however, low levels of SSD-induced emergence were detected as late as 3000 d°C following SSD. Accordingly, stale seedbed practices that eliminate weed seedlings should occur within 500 d°C of disturbance, because few seedlings emerge after this time. However, implementation of stale seedbed practices will probably cause slight increases in weed population densities throughout the year. Compared with the common population, local populations exhibited reduced variance in total emergence measured within sites and across SSD treatments, suggesting that C. album adaptation to local pedo-climatic conditions involves increased consistency in SSD-induced emergence. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the U.S.A.., We are grateful to the participating organisations, especially the EWRS, for providing funds in support of this working group.

Published

We report the annotated genome sequence of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni strain Xap33, isolated from almond leaves showing bacterial spot disease symptoms in Spain. The availability of this genome sequence will aid our understanding of the infection mechanism of this bacterium as well as its relationship to other species of the same genus.

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), the causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits and almond, has a quarantine status for the European Union and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. The symptoms in the diverse hosts show some differences and, although being quite typical, could be confused with those of some fungal diseases or other biotic or abiotic causes. Consequently, an accurate molecular diagnosis method is required for a rapid identification of the pathogen in samples of imported plants, from nurseries, orchards, etc. A protocol for conventional PCR designed by Pagani (2004) has been the only molecular analytic tool available for several years. It has been optimised for improving its specificity and sensitivity, and the results of its evaluation in 316 bacterial spot-like symptomatic samples of almond, apricot, cherry, Japanese plum and peach, compared with those of isolation and real-time PCR, are reported. The optimised PCR protocol showed specificity for a collection of Xap strains tested. Few non-desired reactions were obtained with some other xanthomonads which have not been reported from Prunus species. Sensitivity thresholds ranged from 102 to 105 CFU ml-1, depending on the hosts and type of plant material. This conventional PCR assay proved to be an excellent candidate for a rapid screening and presumptive diagnosis in cases where real-time PCR equipment is not available.

In 2002, typical symptoms of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits caused by Xanthomomas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) were observed for the first time on Japanese plum in Badajoz (south-western Spain). During the following years, the pathogen was found in seven other eastern and northern Spanish provinces (Valencia, Alicante, Zaragoza, Huesca, Navarra, Lérida and Mallorca) affecting different cultivars of Japanese plum, nectarine, peach and almond. There are few previous reports of Xap on almond, the Spanish outbreaks constituting its first detection on this host in the European Union (EU). Identification of the pathogen was performed using biochemical tests, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profiles, conventional and real-time PCR, and hypersensitivity reaction on tobacco leaves. Pathogenicity was demonstrated by inoculation of young potted plants of peach, plum or almond and successful re-isolations from plants with symptoms. In areas where infected plants were found, eradication programs were set up since Xap has a quarantine status according to phytosanitary EU legislation. Published

Published

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), the causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits and almond, is regulated as a quarantine pathogen in the European Union and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). Xap can have an epiphytic phase and/or be latent and, consequently, it can be transmitted by different types of plant material. Effective quarantine measures require specific, sensitive and rapid methods to detect Xap in propagative material or new reservoirs. Laborious and time-consuming methods for the diagnosis of Xap are recommended in the current EPPO standard protocol. However, new several pathogen-specific PCR and quantitative realtime PCR assays have been developed that enable direct detection of Xap in symptomatic and symptomless plant samples. A concise resource of current methods for Xap detection and identification, based on assessment and development activities within the framework of COST 873, is presented.

Erwinia amylovora was detected on pome fruits in the Aragón region (North-Eastern Spain), in a ca. 5 km radius area located in the mid Jalón river (mid Ebro Valley) in the province of Zaragoza, during 2000‒2003. Eight years have now passed since this pathogen was last detected, without new infections being reported in the same area. The bases for surveys and rapid eradication performed have been analyzed in detail to understand the reasons for the success in removing fireblight. The results demonstrate that intensive surveillance, risk assessment, plant analyses using accurate identification methods, and, especially, rapid total or selective eradication of infected trees in the plots have been very effective in preventing the generalized spread of fireblight and in delaying economic losses associated with this disease. Eradication and compensation to growers, estimated to cost approx. € 467,000, were clearly counterbalanced by the economic value of apple and pear production in the 2000‒2003 period (approx. € 368 million). Fire blight risk-assessment, using the MARYBLYT system, showed that climatic conditions in the studied area were favourable to infections during the analyzed period (1997‒2006). Molecular characterization of E. amylovora strains had revealed their homogeneity, suggesting that these fire blight episodes could have been caused by just one inoculum source, supporting the hypothesis that there was a unique introduction of E. amylovora in the studied area. Spatial spread of E. amylovora to trees was analyzed within six orchards, indicating an aggregated distribution model. This Spanish experience demonstrates the success of scientifically-based prevention methods that lead to the deployment of a fast and strict containment strategy, useful for other Mediterranean areas surveys risk-assessment spatial analysis strain characterization Published

9 Pag., 4 Tabl., [EN] Sprinkler irrigation can reduce the irrigation water needed to grow rice. However, most available information on weed control with herbicides is related to flood irrigated rice because this is the main growing method. Field experiments were conducted at Zaragoza (Spain) during two years to study weed control and tolerance of sprinkler irrigated rice to several herbicides. The main weeds were Atriplex prostrata Bouchér ex DC., Cyperus rotundus L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and Sonchus oleraceus L. Rice cv Guadiamar was tolerant to preemergence (PRE) application of clomazone at 0.36 kg ha-1 and oxadiazon at 0.5 kg ha–1. PRE application of pendimethalin at 1.32 kg ha–1 combined with clomazone at 0.36 kg ha-1 decreased rice yield. Postemergence (POST) application of bentazon at 1.6 kg ha–1 + MCPA at 0.25 kg ha–1 did not injure rice but POST application of azimsulfuron at 0.025 kg ha–1 produced visual crop injury. Only treatments that controlled grassy weeds since rice was planted and by more than 80% at harvest time lead to acceptable rice yield (> 5,000 kg ha–1). Clomazone applied PRE at 0.36 kg ha–1 provided good control of grassy weeds (> 80%) and the highest rice yield, so it is recommended as a selective and efficacious PRE treatment for weed control of annual weeds in sprinkler irrigated rice. The perennial purple nutsedge was difficult to control at high plant densities (> 150 plants m–2) and the recommended herbicide is azimsulfuron applied at POST at 0.02 kg ha–1., [ES] El riego por aspersion puede reducir el riego necesario en arroz. Sin embargo, casi toda la información sobre control de malas hierbas con herbicidas se refiere a arroz inundado por ser la forma principal de cultivo. Se realizaron ensayos de campo durante dos años para estudiar el control de malas hierbas y la selectividad de diversos herbicidas en arroz regado por aspersión. Las principales malas hierbas fueron Atriplex prostrata Bouchér ex DC., Cyperus rotundus L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. y Sonchus oleraceus L. El arroz cv Guadiamar toleró las aplicaciones en preemergencia (PRE) de clomazona a 0,36 kg ha–1 y de oxadiazón a 0,5 kg ha–1. La aplicación en PRE de pendimetalina a 1,32 kg ha–1 combinada con clomazona a 0,36 kg ha–1 disminuyó el rendimiento del arroz. La aplicación en postemergencia (POST) de bentazona a 1,6 kg ha–1 + MCPA a 0,25 kg ha–1 no afectó al arroz, pero la aplicación en POST de azimsulfurón a 0,025 kg ha–1 produjo fototoxicidad visual. Solamente los tratamientos que controlaron más de un 80% las gramíneas desde la siembra del arroz hasta la cosecha obtuvieron rendimientos aceptables de arroz (> 5.000 kg ha–1). La aplicación de clomazona en PRE a 0,36 kg ha–1 controló de forma eficaz las gramíneas (> 80%) y produjo los mayores rendimientos de arroz, recomendándose para el control de malas hierbas anuales en arroz regado por aspersión. La junquilla fue difícil de controlar a densidades altas (> 150 plantas m–2), siendo el herbicida recomendado el azimsulfurón a 0,02 kg ha–1., This work was funded by the CICYT (AGL-1775). O. Blanco enjoyed a fellowship from the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia of Spain (FP2000-4783).

Under semiarid conditions the response of cereal crops to chemical fertilizers and weed control practices with herbicides is often reduced. In fact, the economic profitability of agricultural production in many dryland regions is critically affected by high costs of inputs and low crop yields. As a solution, cropping systems like organic farming, obtaining similar yields and promoting environmental sustainability by reducing fertilizer and herbicides, could be an alternative to conventional systems. In this study, 23 trials were performed in five semiarid regions of Spain during 5 yr to compare different fertilizers and weed control methods on durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yields. The following rotation pattern was developed on the experimental plots: fallow-barley-ground ploughed vetch (Vicia sativa L.)-durum wheat. Plots either received organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, or no fertilizer. In addition, three levels of weed control were applied in cereal plots: flex-tine harrow tillage, conventional herbicide, and no weeding. The results indicated that neither the fertilization nor the weed control have effect on the yield crop.

European Weed Research Society

European Weed Research Society

European Weed Research Society

Calliptamus wattenwylianus is an important pest grasshopper in the North East of Spain, causing substantial economical losses every year. A study was conducted to determine, for the first time, the biology of this grasshopper. Adult, nymphs and eggs were collected from the field in several locations from Zaragoza (Spain) and reared under different climate conditions. The results indicate that C. wattenwylianus is a univoltine species with embryonic anatrepsis, diapause and catatrepsis. Embryonic development under laboratory conditions was achieved between 83 and 134 days. Climatic requirements for C. wattenwylianus are consistent with those found in other Calliptamus species such as C. abbreviatus from Inner Mongolia steppe. This could be the result of a common phylogenetic pattern. From an environmental viewpoint, C. wattenwylianus, C. barbarus and Dociostaurus maroccanus share ecological niches in the North East of Spain, and hatch at the same temperature range. It could be the result of an adaptation of both species to the same environment

This work has been supoorted by gran RF2008-00017-00-00 funded by the National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA)

Published

PCR-based methods offer advantages over more traditional diagnostic tests, in that organisms do not need to be cultured prior to their detection and protocols are highly sensitive and rapid. Consequently, there is a shift in research towards DNA-based techniques. Although reports already exist on a variety of PCR-based fingerprinting assays used to analyse the genetic diversity of bacterial populations and define their relationships, this review focuses on the general use of PCR in phytobacteriology for detection and diagnosis purposes. An updated and detailed list of published PCR protocols for detection and identification of plant-pathogenic bacteria is presented and discussed, aimed at facilitating access to information that could be particularly useful for diagnostic laboratories. This compilation includes and discusses 246 articles published between 1989 and 2007 addressing 23 genera, more than 50 co-operational PCR multiplex PCR nested-PCR real-rime PCR Published

COST-Action 864: PomeFruitHealth. Combining traditional and advanced strategies for plant protection in pome fruit growing

Lolium rigidum Gaud. is one of the most common weed species in winter cereals in Northeastern Spain. Herbicide resistance has been growing since the mid 90's and exclusive herbicide use is not enough in many cases, so that it is necessary to combine as many control tools as possible. Six field trials have been conducted during the cropping seasons 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 on winter cereal infested with herbicide resistant L. rigidum in Northeastern Spain testing different cultural control strategies. Sowing delay was conducted at five fields, mouldboard ploughing at four fields, the combination of sowing delay and ploughing at two fields, increasing the cereal sowing density and combined with sowing delay at one field. Sowing delay was confirmed to have an irregular efficacy depending on the L. rigidum emergence during the delay period. In the trials, weed emergence was reduced up to 88% in the best case but there was no effect in two cases. Ploughing had a more constant efficacy and reduced weed emergence between 50 and 80% although stoniness impeded in one occasion a correct soil inversion causing a very low efficacy. Increasing the cereal sowing rate did not reduce the weed population. The combination of the different methods did not increase significantly the individual efficacy, and one method was clearly more effective than the other, depending on the trial. In fields with high L. rigidum density, these methods are not effective enough and need to be combined with other methods, which are discussed in the text. Lolium rigidum Gaud. es una de las especies de malas hierbas más comunes en cereal de invierno en el nordeste de España. La resistencia a herbicidas ha ido aumentando desde mediados de los años 90, haciendo necesaria la combinación de cuantas más técnicas de control sean posibles. Se realizaron seis ensayos de campo desde el año 2001 al 2004 sobre cereal de invierno infestado con L. rigidum resistente a diferentes herbicidas en el nordeste de España, para probar diferentes estrategias de control culturales. Se estudió el retraso de siembra en seis campos, laboreo de vertedera en cuatro campos, la combinación de retraso de siembra y laboreo de vertedera en dos campos, incrementar la densidad de siembra y combinarla con retraso de siembra en un campo. El retraso de siembra tuvo una eficacia irregular dependiendo de la emergencia de L. rigidum durante el período de retraso. Se alcanzó una reducción de la emergencia del 88% en el mejor de los casos, pero no hubo efecto en otros dos campos. El laboreo tuvo una eficacia más constante y redujo la emergencia de la mala hierba entre el 50 y el 80%, aunque la pedregosidad impidió en un caso una correcta labor. Incrementar la dosis de siembra no redujo la población de la mala hierba. La combinación de los diferentes métodos no aumentó de forma significativa el efecto individual y un método fue claramente más efectivo que el otro, dependiendo del ensayo. En campos con densidades elevadas de L. rigidum estos métodos no la reducen de forma suficiente y necesitan ser combinados con otros métodos que son discutidos en el texto.

Fifty-six tumorigenic Spanish grapevine strains of Agrobacterium spp. were tested for biovar classification, pathogenicity on several hosts, opine utilization, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and PCR amplifications using five primer sets targeting chromosomal and Ti plasmid genes. Fifty of them belonged to A. vitis (biovar 3), three to A. tumefaciens (biovar 1) and three to A. rhizogenes (biovar 2). All strains were tumorigenic on grapevines. Most A. vitis strains were also pathogenic on tomato and tobacco plants, while the three A. tumefaciens strains were only pathogenic on grapevine. Although most A. vitis strains used octopine, 12 utilized neither octopine nor nopaline. 16S rRNA gene sequencing clearly distinguished between strains belonging to the three species. Those of A. vitis could be further divided into three chromosomal backgrounds according to their 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. No universal primer pair was found for the detection of all three Agrobacterium species isolated from grapevine. DNA from all A. vitis strains was amplified with the chromosomally-encoded pehA primer pair. In both A. vitis and A. tumefaciens a correlation was observed between the amplifications obtained using the tmr and the virA Ti-plasmid-targeting primer pairs. Three types of Ti plasmid were found in A. vitis strains according to their PCR amplifications and opine utilization profiles. A given chromosomal background harboured only one type of Ti plasmid within the strains from each analysed sample, showing a strong association between chromosomal backgrounds and Ti plasmids in A. vitis. Biovars Opines 16S rRNA gene sequencing Vitis vinifera Published

Published

Published

Published

Five field experiments on barley and wheat have been carried out in North-Eastern Spain on the same field during the cropping seasons 1999-00 to 2003-04 to compare the effect of different harrowing adjustments on weed control, weed biomass and cereal yield. The variables considered were harrowing timing (pre- or early post-emergence), one or two passes, travelling direction, harrowing depth and speed compared with an untreated control and herbicide. Excepting year 2001, with very little weed emergence, mechanical control as a whole caused a significant weed plant reduction compared to the untreated plots in all years. No influence of harrowing depth and travelling speed and of pre-emergence harrowing were found in the trials. A single harrowing treatment conducted across the sowing direction gave the same or less control compared to harrowing along the sowing direction. Two harrowing passes achieved a higher efficacy than one single pass and little differences were detected if the second pass was conducted the same day, across the sowing direction or 15 days later. Despite herbicide had generally a higher efficacy than the harrowing treatments, in three out of five years it was found a mechanical control with the same control than herbicide. The effect of the different treatments on weed biomass was lower than on weed number and no significant differences were found for grain yield. Considering that an herbicide treatment in the present conditions is three times more expensive than harrowing, a single post-emergence harrowing can be considered a valid option for low and medium-infested cereal fields. En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de cinco experimentos de campo localizados en el noreste de España desde 1999-00 hasta 2003-04. En ellos se comparó el efecto de distintas formas de control mecánico de la flora arvense con grada de varillas flexibles sobre la densidad y biomasa de la misma y sobre la producción de cereal comparado con un control sin tratar y el uso de herbicidas. Las variables consideradas fueron: momento y número de pases de grada, profundidad, dirección y velocidad de los pases. Excepto en 2001, con una baja infestación, el control mecánico redujo la densidad de arvenses en comparación con las parcelas sin tratar. La profundidad y la velocidad de la labor no tuvieron influencia clara y realizar el pase en preemergencia del cereal resultó ineficaz probablemente debido a la falta de humedad. Dos pases resultaron más eficaces que uno y se encontraron pocas diferencias si el segundo se hacía en el mismo día, perpendicular o 15 días después. Aunque el herbicida tuvo generalmente mayor eficacia que los tratamientos mecánicos, en tres años se encontró un tratamiento mecánico con eficacia similar. El efecto de los distintos tratamientos sobre la biomasa de arvenses fue menor que sobre el número de las mismas y no hubo diferencias significativas sobre la producción. Dado que el tratamiento herbicida en las condiciones del ensayo fue tres veces más caro que el tratamiento mecánico, un único pase en post-emergencia puede ser una opción válida con infestaciones medias o bajas de malas hierbas.