Occurence of common wild oat (Avena fatua L.) on cultivated fields in north-eastern Poland

Abstract

The paper analyses the spatial distribution of common wild oat (<i>Avena fatua</i> L.) on cultivated fields in the Olsztyn and Suwałki Districts. Data are presented on the occurrence of this species in 1908-1909, based on works of a German scientist Z a d e (1912), and the present author's own data for two periods: 1966-1975 and 1976-1982. Analysis of the data points to the invasive character of <i>Auena fatua</i> in north-eastern Poland in the period 1976-1982. At present, the distribution of common wild oat is very similar to that at the beginning of the 20 century (1908-1909). In the area under study common wild oat (<i>Avena fatua</i> L.) seems to be most dangerous for spring cereals cultivated upon soils of good wheat complex. The data confirm suggestions by many authors that common wild oat belongs to calciphilous species.