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Grant support

This research was funded by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad grants INIA RTA 2015-00047-C01 and RTA 2015-00047-C04.

Analysis of institutional authors

Pardo, GabrielAuthorCirujeda, AliciaCorresponding Author

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June 15, 2024
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Shoot and biomass reduction of perennial weeds using hydromulches and physical changes in the mulches

Publicated to:Journal Of Plant Diseases And Protection. 131 (2): 433-443 - 2024-04-01 131(2), DOI: 10.1007/s41348-023-00833-6

Authors: Mas, Maria Teresa; Verdu, Antoni Maria Claret; Pardo, Gabriel; Pueyo, Jorge; Claramunt, Josep; Cirujeda, Alicia

Affiliations

Ctr Invest & Tecnol Agroalimentaria Aragon, Un Sistemas Agr Forestales & Medio Ambiente, Avda Montanana 930, Zaragoza 50059, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Catalunya UPC, Dept Engn Agroalimentaria Biotecnol DEAB i, Escola Engn Agroalimentaria Biosistemes Barcelona, C Esteve Terradas 8, Castelldefels 08860, Spain - Author
Univ Zaragoza, Inst Agroalimentario Aragon IA2, CITA, Zaragoza 50013, Spain - Author

Abstract

Hydromulch, used primarily for erosion control, is now being studied as a weed control method in perennial crops and public gardens where weed control is especially difficult; the most challenging species are perennials having powerful shoots that emerge from subterranean propagules. In a previous article, we considered rhizome sprouting capacity through three experimental hydromulches based on wheat straw (WS), rice husk (RH) and used mushroom substrate (UMS). Here, we present data for the number of emerged shoots and their biomass to test whether the mulches were able to influence outcomes affecting weed-crop competition. In addition, the mechanical resistance of these hydromulches was characterized in terms of punching stress or resistance, considering two air humidity levels and applying an artificial ageing test (AAT) to simulate an average spring rainfall for Mediterranean areas. All three mulching types were effective in reducing the weed biomass (60-85%) and RH and UMS also the number of shoots (39-64%) of the four tested weed species compared to the non-mulched control. Cyperus rotundus was capable of generating the largest shoot number and biomass, regardless of the mulch treatment. In comparison, all three hydromulches provided a more effective control of Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum halepense and Paspalum dilatatum. Air humidity levels did not cause consistent changes in the physical properties of the hydromulches, while all three showed a weakening after the AAT, more pronounced in UMS than in WS or RH-based mulches, which could compromise the duration of effective weed control. Field trials are envisaged to confirm the duration of the perennial weed control associated with these hydromulches.

Keywords

Aboveground weed biomasCyperus-rotundusFilmPaper mulchPunching resistancePurpleRhizomesWeed shoot sprouting

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal Of Plant Diseases And Protection due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 110/265, thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Plant Sciences. Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q2 para la agencia Scopus (SJR) en la categoría Horticulture.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-07-04:

  • WoS: 2
  • Scopus: 2

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-04:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 3.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 4 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.85.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 3 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (Cirujeda Ranzenberger, Alicia).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Cirujeda Ranzenberger, Alicia.