Abstract
Resistance to herbicides and the lack of new herbicide options have led researchers to explore alternate methods to manage weed populations in large-scale cropping systems. Crop competition is an effective weed management approach that can reduce the pressure on herbicides. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important winter legume crop in Australia. Crop traits such as, height, biomass, growth rate, tillering capacity, leaf area, and root growth have been suggested as indicators of the competitive ability of crops against weeds. Based on pot studies at Narrabri and Toowoomba, we assessed the growth traits (biomass, height, leaf area, relative growth rate, and branch number) of six faba bean cultivars and ranked them for their potential ability to compete with weeds. PBA Marne and PBA Zahra were identified as highly competitive faba bean cultivars based on their higher overall ranking score achieved at both locations. PBA Nasma and PBA Samira were ranked highly and moderately competitive at Narrabri and Toowoomba sites, respectively. At Narrabri, PBA Nanu was ranked poorly competitive based on its lower biomass, height, and leaf area than the other cultivars. The weed suppressive ability of these cultivars needs to be assessed in the presence of weeds under field conditions.
Highlights
Over the past four decades, conservation cropping systems based on reduced tillage and residue retention, have largely replaced intensive tillage-based systems in many agricultural regions globally, including Australia [1,2]
The absence of alternate weed control methods suited to routine use in conservation cropping systems, has resulted in growers relying on herbicides
This has led to the widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in several weed species that are prevalent in Australian cropping regions [3,4,5]
Summary
Over the past four decades, conservation cropping systems based on reduced tillage and residue retention, have largely replaced intensive tillage-based systems in many agricultural regions globally, including Australia [1,2]. This shift in cropping systems was made possible through the availability of highly effective herbicides for in-crop and fallow weed control. The absence of alternate weed control methods suited to routine use in conservation cropping systems, has resulted in growers relying on herbicides This has led to the widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in several weed species that are prevalent in Australian cropping regions [3,4,5]. It is necessary to explore alternate weed control methods that can complement herbicide use to manage resistant weed populations
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