Abstract
To achieve efficient weed control through cover cropping, the plant species chosen needs particular consideration. Combing different cover crop (CC) species in mixtures may increase the number of provided ecosystem services, including reliable suppression of weeds. We tested the weed suppression ability of single CC species and CC mixtures in a field trial during the autumn-to-winter growing season of 2016 and 2017. Anethum graveolens L. (dill), Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis Pers. (oilseed radish), Avena strigosa Schreb. (black oat), Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower), Vicia sativa L. (vetch) and Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. (phacelia) were sown in monocultures, as well as in mixtures with three or six species. Treatments with favorable establishment and above-average biomass yields tended to suppress weeds by showing lower weed dry matter and weed numbers. The highest weed control efficacy within the monocultures was reached in 2017 by black oat and oilseed radish with 72% and 83%, respectively. The mixture treatments reached a generally lower soil cover, aboveground dry matter and weed control efficacy (with an average of 57% in 2017). Even though mixtures were not as effective as the best performing single sown CCs, species combinations increased resilience against adverse weather conditions, an advantage to achieving efficient weed control over a long-term period. Therefore, species composition within mixtures is more relevant than the number of species included.
Highlights
The incorporation of cover crops (CCs) into crop rotations has become a practical strategy by producers
The P. tanacetifolia treatment had the highest soil cover (79%) during the beginning of November while R. sativus reached a maximum of 50% soil cover during this same period
Mixture 1, with R. sativus, A. strigosa and A. graveolens showed the best weed control performance and was able to significantly reduce the weed density in both years compared to the control
Summary
The incorporation of cover crops (CCs) into crop rotations has become a practical strategy by producers. CCs are normally grown between two main crops to reduce erosion and to improve soil characteristics like nitrogen content, phosphor availability and soil structure [2]. They serve as a pollen and nectar source for pollinators and overwintering habitat for beneficials [3,4]. They provide services that reduce pests, pathogens and weeds [5,6]. CCs offer different temporal and spatial (niche) possibilities as well as physical and biochemical mechanisms to control weeds
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