This dataset includes data on the chemical, physical and biological traits of weed seeds of 11 arable weed species in relation to the persistence of these seeds in the soil seedbank within a common-garden burial study. We performed a common garden weed seed burial study at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research and Education Center in Savoy, IL (40.048757 N, -88.237206 E), from October 2007 through October 2012. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications of the sub-plot variable species nested within main plot variable burial duration (1 to 5 years). Eleven annual weed species were included, spanning a broad range of seed sizes, dormancy types and seedbank persistence: Abutilon theophrasti Medik (velvetleaf), Ambrosia trifida L. (giant ragweed), Amaranthus tuberculatus [Moq]. Sauer (common waterhemp), Bassia scoparia [L.] A. J. Scott (kochia), Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters), Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. (ivyleaf morningglory), Panicum miliaceum L. (wild proso millet), Polygonum pensylvanicum L. (Pennsylvania smartweed), Setaria faberi Herrm. (giant foxtail), Setaria pumila [Poir] Roem. (yellow foxtail) and Thlaspi arvense L. (field pennycress). Weed seeds were collected in 2007 from the experimental site and adjoining fields by gently shaking mature inflorescences over a bucket and bulking seeds from multiple plants to form a composite sample for each species. Light seed were removed by processing with a seed cleaner, after which seeds were stored in air tight containers at 4C until burial. Immediately prior to burial, seed viability was assayed with tetrazolium. Burial units consisted of 100 seeds of a given species placed in the bottom of a 2.5 cm deep square tray, 10 cm on a side, made of 0.5 mm stainless steel wire mesh. Tray bottoms were permeable to water, but prevented seeds from escaping. Trays were filled 2 cm deep with soil from a nearby grass sward that had not been cropped for over 30 years, to avoid contamination with weed seeds (verified by elutriating samples of this soil). Within each experimental unit, we excavated a 2 cm deep rectangle 30 cm wide by 40 cm long, and placed trays for each of the 11 species side by side into this depression so that their soil surface was flush with the surrounding soil, leaving a 0.5 cm wire mesh lip exposed in each tray. Each experimental unit was covered by wire mesh with 1 cm square openings to permit access to invertebrate granivores. The study plot was fenced to exclude large vertebrates. Seedling emergence was recorded weekly from March through October every year. Seed trays for a given burial duration treatment were removed in October of the assigned year and seeds recovered via elutriation (Wiles et al. 1996). Recovered seeds were incubated under oscillating temperature conditions (15 C/dark for 10 hr, 25 C/light for 14 hr) for 2 weeks and germination recorded. Ungerminated seeds assessed as viable through tetrazolium testing were considered dormant. SEED TRAITS We measured chemical and physical seed traits on freshly collected seeds following the methods outlined in Tiansawat et al. (2014), using multiple measures of each trait class to provide functional redundancy and allow them to be treated as latent or manifest variables during multivariate analyses. For the chemical defense trait class we measured ortho-dihydroxyphenol (o-DHP) concentration, abundance and diversity of phenolic compounds quantified with high performance liquid chromatography, impact of seed homogenate on brine shrimp survival, and seed removal by invertebrate granivores. Physical traits measured included seed coat thickness, seed mass, and seed coat rupture force. Pairwise interspecific phylogenetic distances were quantified using the phydist subroutine of Phylocom 4.2 (www.phylodiversity.net). Also included is a list of references from the associated literature review.

Data from five laboratory bioassays and three field mesocosm studies performed by Dr. Patrick Moran of the USDA-ARS Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, to examine the toxicity of five herbicides (2,4-D, glyphosate, imazamox, penoxsulam and diquat) and two surfactants that are often applied with herbicides (a paraffinic-oil based one and a vegetable oil-based one) to the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) released in the US for biological control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes or Pontederia crassipes) an invasive floating aquatic weed. The studies were performed between 2016 and 2021 to support integrated management of waterhyacinth in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of northern California. The planthopper has also been released in Florida and Mississippi, and in South Africa. Herbicide applications are often still necessary where this planthopper and other biocontrol agents have been released. The research question was 'can the planthopper survive exposure to the herbicides and surfactants?'. In lab bioassays, planthoppers from greenhouse colonies were exposed to herbicide-dipped leaves for 24 hours and then allowed to feed for six days on untreated plants. Planthoppers were then collected, frozen and counted. Exposure to diquat or the paraffinic oil-based surfactant caused 40% to 69% greater mortality than did exposure to water-dipped leaves in more than one trial, while the other four herbicides and the vegetable oil-based surfactant were not toxic. In field mesocosm tests, mesocosms were established in 21L tanks caged with mesh tents, and plants allowed to grow for 4 weeks. Between 150 and 240 adult planthoppers were then released into each mesocosm. The following day, mesocosms were sprayed with herbicide, surfactant or insecticide solutions or an insecticide positive control. Three days later, planthoppers were collected with vacuums, frozen and counted. Only treatment with the paraffinic oil-based surfactant reduced final counts (by 36% to 49%) in a manner that was statistically significant compared to water-sprayed mesocosms in more than one mesocosm field trial, along with the insecticide positive control (by up to 98%). Diquat reduced final counts by 64% in one trial. The results indicate that, with the possible exception of diquat, exposing planthoppers to herbicides does not cause significant mortality, consistent with prior regulatory evaluations of these herbicides as being safe for insects. A surfactant that is often applied with the herbicides is toxic to the planthopper, consistent with expectations that this surfactant, designed to break down plant waxes on leaf surfaces, is likely also harmful to insect cuticular waxes, which insects rely on to contain body fluids. Leaving unsprayed refuges for the planthopper may be a useful component of integrated waterhyacinth control programs. Resources in this dataset: Resource Title: Data dictionary for dataset on toxicity of five herbicides and two surfactants towards the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris File Name: Data dictionary for AgPub archive plain text.txt Resource Description: Plain text file providing definition of each column in the data file and further information. Resource Title: Toxicity of herbicides and surfactants to the waterhyacinth planthopper Megamelus scutellaris File Name: Waterhyacinth planthopper herbicide toxicity data PMoran.csv Resource Description: Five herbicides, two surfactants tested, along with a negative control (water exposure) and, in some tests, a positive control (insecticide)

Farming Systems Study for Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network in Morris, Minnesota Tillage is decreasing globally due to recognized benefits of fuel savings and improved soil health in the absence of disturbance. However, a perceived inability to control weeds effectively and economically hinders no-till adoption in organic production systems in the Upper Midwest, USA. A strip-tillage (ST) strategy was explored as an intermediate approach to reducing fuel use and soil disturbance, and still controlling weeds. An 8-year comparison was made between two tillage approaches, one primarily using ST the other using a combination of conventional plow, disk and chisel tillage [conventional tillage (CT)]. Additionally, two rotation schemes were explored within each tillage system: a 2-year rotation (2y) of corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) with a winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop; and a 4-year rotation (4y) of corn, soybean, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) underseeded with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and a second year of alfalfa. These treatments resulted in comparison of four main management systems CT-2y, CT-4y, ST-2y and ST-4y, which also were managed under fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. Yields, whole system productivity (evaluated with potential gross returns), and weed seed densities (first 4 years) were measured. Across years, yields of corn, soybean and wheat were greater by 34% or more under CT than ST but alfalfa yields were the same. Within tillage strategies, corn yields were the same in 2y and 4y rotations, but soybean yields, only under ST, were 29% lower in the fertilized 4y than 2 yr rotation. In the ST-4y system yields of corn and soybean were the same in fertilized and non-fertilized treatments. Over the entire rotation, system productivity was highest in the fertilized CT-2y system, but the same among fertilized ST-4y, and non-fertilized ST-2y, ST-4y, and CT-4y systems. Over the first 4 years, total weed seed density increased comparatively more under ST than CT, and was negatively correlated to corn yields in fertilized CT systems and soybean yields in the fertilized ST-2y system. These results indicated ST compromised productivity, in part due to insufficient weed control, but also due to reduced nutrient availability. ST and diverse rotations may yet be viable options given that overall productivity of fertilized ST-2y and CT-4y systems was within 70% of that in the fertilized CT-2y system. Closing the yield gap between ST and CT would benefit from future research focused on organic weed and nutrient management, particularly for corn.