Abstract
Weeds remain a challenge in organic arable farming, as well as supply ecosystem services. The aim is to control weed densities while hosting a diverse and manageable weed community, preventing domination of few deleterious species. Therefore, we want to understand how specific species are stimulated, and which traits are selected for. This study focuses on crop diversity hypothesizing that (1) regions and (2) crop diversity function as filters for specific weed species traits. We conducted a weed monitoring in spring cereals over 2 years on organic farms in five northern European regions. Management and weed trait variables collected for the occurring species allowed an RLQ fourth-corner analysis. The weed communities were regionally specific, but trait selection was not observed, except in Latvia. Hence, the regional species pool provided different species with similar traits. Crop diversity within the management of spring cereals, such as undersowing and cereal frequency in the rotation, affected weed traits. The number of years under organic production selected no traits, although species numbers are known to increase. Hence, general weed species diversity increased, irrespective of traits. We conclude that organic management may support the agility within the weed community against selection of species and act as a buffer rather than as filter.
Highlights
During the last few decades, the floral diversity in arable fields has declined severely, driven among others by the use of fertilizers and herbicides [1,2]
There have been arguments made for balanced weed communities, in order to mitigate weed problems [8,9]
Our research focused on the weed community in organic spring cereals in northern European regions and, farming systems without herbicides, in one crop type, with similar tillage regimes
Summary
During the last few decades, the floral diversity in arable fields has declined severely, driven among others by the use of fertilizers and herbicides [1,2]. On the other hand, weed pressure still remains the main production-limiting factor in agricultural systems, especially in those systems forgoing the use of herbicides [5,6,7]. The aim is to continue controlling weeds and, within the remaining weed community, host weakly competitive and manageable species in the absence of herbicides. There have been arguments made for balanced weed communities, in order to mitigate weed problems [8,9]. There are signs indicating that weed diversity and evenness are capable of decreasing total weed biomass, as well as mitigating crop yield losses [10]
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