Abstract
Weeds can cooperate with the agroecosystem’s functioning by providing ecosystem services. Effective weed management should mitigate negative weed–crop interference, while maintaining a functional and balanced weed community. In a two-year trial, the in-line/roller crimper (RC) was used to terminate an agroecological service crop (ASC; here barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) before organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo, L.) and compared with green manure (GM) ASC and tilled no-ASC with Mater-Bi mulch on the rows (No_ASC). Zucchini yield, soil N availability, weed density/cover, biomass, and community composition were assessed. Analysis of variance, exploratory statistical analysis, and non-parametric inferential approaches were run, respectively, on agronomic data, species-specific weed frequencies, and Shannon diversity. Zucchini yield was the highest in No_ASC, due to soil N immobilization under high C:N barley residues in GM and RC. Multivariate analysis discriminated RC from tilled systems, outlining a specific ensemble of weed species correlated to Shannon diversity. From zucchini fruit set, RC selectively favored Polygonum aviculare L. and Helminthotheca echioides (L.), reasonably because of their oligotrophy and creeping habit. Their dominance finally caused low RC weed control. Results highlight strong weed selective pressure by the mulch-based no-tillage. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the impact of soil management practices on weed community can drive towards a tailor-made and more effective weed management.
Highlights
Organic agroecosystems, from an agroecological perspective, should be managed to maintain and/or enhance ecological services provided by their functional elements
Mean comparison was carried out according to the least square difference (LSD) statistic and the Duncan multiple range test (DMRT), respectively, for two and more than two comparisons, testing for significance at p ≤ 0.05
The rainfall during the first experimental year was 786 mm during agroecological service crop (ASC) cycle and 416 mm during zucchini cycle, which are considered high according to historically recorded data for the same periods (297 and 155 mm, respectively)
Summary
From an agroecological perspective, should be managed to maintain and/or enhance ecological services provided by their functional elements (agrobiodiversity). For this reason, these systems are characterized by high complexity in terms of plant species biodiversity, both cultivated and weeds [1,2]. In organic vegetable systems managed under rotation schemes, the use of agroecological service crops (ASCs; i.e., cover crops, catch crops, break crops, living mulch) is one of the main agroecological practices used to manage soil fertility and improve biodiversity in time and space, providing ecological services to the agroecosystem [5,6,7]. ASCs may affect soil nitrogen (N) dynamics [8] through phenomena such as pre-emptive competition [9], N fixation in case of legumes [10], and N immobilization in case of high C:N ratio of the residues, e.g., in grass species [11]
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