New weed management strategy using subterranean clover reseeding under different tillage systems: Numerical experiments with the subterranean clover-tillage dynamics model

Abstract

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) appears to be a suitable winter legume cover crop for Japan because the subterranean clover stands maintain themselves by reseeding in autumn and the large seeds facilitate establishment and enable early fall production. However, there is little information on the relationship between reseeding and tillage systems for subterranean clover under Japanese climatic conditions. A weed-tillage population dynamics model was developed to investigate the effects of the tillage method and timing on the reseeding of subterranean clover. The field experiments were conducted in a silage corn and subterranean clover rotation system. The life cycle of subterranean clover was modeled to describe the seed production competing with weed growth, seasonal changes in the buried seeds’ viability, and the movement of seeds by tillage treatments. In the numerical simulation, the effect of the tillage method on the seedling population of reseeded subterranean clover was investigated and the simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results. Rotary tilling immediately after subterranean clover seed maturation successfully produced a good subterranean clover stand the following spring. However, rotary tillage conducted 2 months after seed maturation killed the emerging subterranean clover seedlings and the field was dominated by winter weeds. These simulation results suggest that a suitable tillage system can maintain successful subterranean clover re-establishment from year to year.