Abstract
Intercropping with different crop species and different spatial patterns is suggested to lead to increased competition with weeds and reduced weed abundance and biomass. In this study, our objective was to explore the ability of multi-species annual forage crop mixtures to control weeds while providing productive forage. We utilized field and greenhouse trials to evaluate the impact of different crop mixtures and row spacing on weed control in the semi-arid Brown soil region of southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. Seven different mixtures of up to eight annual forage crops were grown with row spacing of 15 cm or 30 cm in a replicated field trial. Weed abundance and biomass was significantly affected by crop species mixtures. Crop mixtures that contained radish and barley generally had higher weed suppression. Row spacing did not significantly impact weed abundance or biomass across the treatments. Results were similar over both years in spite of drastically different precipitation conditions. Forage production was significantly different between cropping mixtures in July in both years. The barley-radish mixture had the highest crop biomass in July, and this early crop production was linked to weed suppression because crop biomass had a significant effect on weed abundance and biomass in July, but not August. A greenhouse experiment was used to further evaluate the crops (i.e., barley and radish) that demonstrated the highest weed suppressive activity in the field trial. Crop identity and row spacing were both significant factors affecting weed and crop biomass production. Radish exhibited stronger control of common lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) compared to barley, but the binary mixture of the two species produced the highest crop biomass and equivalent weed control compared to the radish monoculture. This research suggests that cropping with multiple species (particularly forage radish) may be an effective way to control weeds in semiarid environments.
Highlights
The shift toward more sustainable agricultural practices due to concerns over biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions has promoted reduced reliance on agrochemicals (Gomiero et al, 2011)
Multiple species cropping is the spatial or temporal intermixing of growing multiple crop species selected based on their contributions to the system or complementarity with other species [e.g., varying plant architecture and resource use Anil et al, 1998] on the same land base in the same year
We explored the potential for weed control through the combination of two aspects of intercropping—crop diversity and variable row spacing—in annual forage crops in the semiarid prairie region of southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada
Summary
The shift toward more sustainable agricultural practices due to concerns over biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions has promoted reduced reliance on agrochemicals (Gomiero et al, 2011). This is relevant for weed control in annual cropping systems due to the extensive use of herbicides. Multiple species cropping (polyculture) is the spatial or temporal intermixing of growing multiple crop species selected based on their contributions to the system (e.g., legumes included for nitrogen fixation) or complementarity with other species [e.g., varying plant architecture and resource use Anil et al, 1998] on the same land base in the same year. Polycultures have been associated with weed suppression via increased competition or allelopathic potential (Liebman and Dyck, 1993; Mohler, 2001; Szumigalski and Van Acker, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
