Abstract
Despite being harmful for agricultural production, weeds are an essential component of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. A field study was conducted during the period 2007–2009 on grey-brown podzolic soil (sandy), designated as PWsp, with the granulometric composition of silt and classified Class 2 in agricultural land suitability. The study evaluated the structure of weed communities based on selected indicators of diversity of a soybean crop grown under no-tillage with mulch from winter rye, winter oilseed rape, and white mustard as well as using herbicide rates reduced by 25% and 50% in relation to the standard rate (2 L ha<sup>−1</sup>). The studied factors were as follows: (i) mulch plant species and mulch management method; (ii) rates of the foliar herbicide Basagran 600 SL (a.i. bentazon; 600 g L<sup>−1</sup>). The results of this study confirm that no-tillage with mulch significantly changes the diversity of weed flora in a soybean crop. Among the mulches used, the mowed rye and winter oilseed rape in particular increased the values of the general diversity (<em>H</em>'), species richness (<em>d</em>), and evenness (<em>J</em>') indices relative to the control treatment. On the other hand, the study found a strong decrease in the value of the dominance index (<em>c</em>). Reduced herbicide rates modified only the species richness index, in the case of which the 75% rate resulted in its significantly higher values compared to the full rate.
Highlights
The goal of modern agriculture is to produce high-quality agricultural products, and to protect environmental resources, including biodiversity [1,2]
Depending on the level of farming intensity, agricultural activity may promote the maintenance of biodiversity or even increase it, or else, it may have a limiting effect on the species richness and population numbers of various organisms being part of agricultural ecosystems
The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure of weed communities based on selected measures of biodiversity in a soybean crop grown under no-tillage, depending on mulch plant species and mulching method as well as reduced herbicide rates
Summary
The goal of modern agriculture is to produce high-quality agricultural products, and to protect environmental resources, including biodiversity [1,2]. Biodiversity in crop fields performs a number of functions, which include the following: maintenance of a balance between crop pests and pathogens, ensuring the flow of nutrients, protection against erosion, regulation of water relations, and exerting a beneficial effect on soil structure [3,4,5,6]. Many factors, such as habitat, climate, and agrotechnology, influence the species composition of weed communities.
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