Abstract
This study assessed the impact of using soil tillage in maize crops on weed infestation intensity and weed species composition. A field experiment was established as a model example of livestock production management in drier climate conditions where maize was grown in seven-step crop rotation sequence: alfalfa – the first year, alfalfa – the second year, winter wheat, forage maize, winter wheat, sugar beet, and spring barley. Three soil tillage treatments were applied: conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT). An arithmetic method and multivariate analyses of ecological data were used. The highest weed infestation, mainly due to late spring species, was recorded in MT. Perennial and overwintering species were frequently observed in NT. Early spring weed species were abundant in CT. Different tillage treatments cause a significant change in the weed species spectrum in maize. A study of the relationship between tillage and the level of weed infestation requires long-term monitoring which will allow us to predict the intensity of weed infestation in particular locations.
Highlights
Increasing maize production is noticeable worldwide, even across Central Europe [1]
The species Convolvulus arvensis L., Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski, and Sonchus oleraceus L. were uniquely found in minimum tillage (MT) and NT, while the species Triticum aestivum L., Veronica polita Fries, and Viola arvensis Murray were identified in an insignificant number in conventional tillage (CT)
The results showed that the particular soil treatment and year created certain conditions affecting differently the intensity of weed infestation during the monitored period
Summary
Increasing maize production is noticeable worldwide, even across Central Europe [1]. Given the fact that maize is considered as a wide-row crop [2] and its competitiveness is rather low, weed management is highly recommended [3]. Some authors have noted an increasing occurrence of difficult-to-control weed species and overall change of weed species composition [6,7]. The interest in conservation agriculture systems is rapidly growing, mainly due to the economic and environmental benefits offered by these systems [10] This growing trend towards conservation tillage has mainly brought about the possibility of earlier sowing and reducing the risk of erosion by stubble retention, which has a positive influence on soil structure [11]. Each particular tillage treatment changes soil structure in different ways. Some authors [13,14] have stated that the density and occurrence of particular weed species are influenced by crop rotation; in addition, these species have become and are an increasingly serious problem, especially in no-tillage. Other authors [16,17] have confirmed that soil tillage, Published by Polish Botanical Society
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.
