Flooding-stimulated plant community development mediates the detrimental effects of salinization on the soil seed bank: Implications for near-natural restoration of degraded wetlands in semi-arid regions.

ABSTRACT The bracken fern Pteridium spp. dominates postfire vegetation in tropical montane forests, where fronds, litter, allelopathy, and dispersal limitation hinder forest regeneration. However, this species' effect on soil seed bank remains poorly understood. We investigated the effects of bracken fronds and litter on the abundance, richness, and species diversity of the soil seed bank in a tropical montane fire‐deforested area in Bolivia. At eight study sites (1800–2350 a.s.l), soil samples were collected under five treatments: (a) fronds and litter intact (F + L+), (b) fronds intact and litter removed (F + L−), (c) fronds removed and litter intact (F−L+), (d) fronds and litter removed (F−L−), and (e) forest. Using the seedling emergence method, samples were assessed every 20 days over 8 months (September 2021–May 2022). Compared to intact bracken, forest areas showed 2.6, 1.7, and 1.5‐fold greater abundance, species richness, and diversity of zoochorous species, respectively. Among bracken treatments, abundance, richness, and diversity of zoochorous species decreased by 2.7, 2.6, and 2 times, respectively, when fronds and litter were removed, compared to the intact bracken treatment, but were not significantly different when only litter was removed. Our findings indicate that in bracken‐dominated environments, fronds and litter improve microclimatic conditions, maintaining the viability of zoochorous species in the soil seed bank. The removal of litter without cutting fronds reduces light interception and seed trapping while maintaining zoochorous seed germination capacity in the soil, and might be a better management strategy than removing fronds and litter to promote seedling recruitment from the soil seed bank.

Successful management of weed infestations necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their biology, including longevity of the soil seedbank. This study investigated the potential of the accelerated aging (AA) test conducted in laboratory to predict the longevity of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) seeds in soil seedbank in comparison to traditional field burial methods. The test involved subjecting the seeds to two different temperatures, 41 °C and 45 °C, at 100% relative humidity up to 120 h with a 12-hour testing interval under each temperature. Literature was searched systematically to extract soil seedbank longevity data for Palmer amaranth in the United States. The AA results demonstrated a decline in seed germination with an increase in temperature and duration of controlled ageing. Seeds subjected to AA at 41 °C and 45 °C showcased substantial declines in viability—down to 14% and 8% respectively after 96 h of exposure. Additionally, seed membranes exhibited accelerated deterioration as indicated by increased electrolyte leakage, demonstrating that elevated temperature adversely affects seed structure and integrity, thereby compromising seed vigor. Polynomial regression models effectively described the decline in seed viability under both laboratory and field conditions. High correlation coefficients (r ≥ 0.97) were observed between seed viability reduction rates in AA tests and field burial studies. A predictive model, integrating laboratory AA data at 45 °C with field observations, exhibited strong agreement between predicted and actual field seed viability. This study provides evidence that the AA test can serve as a reliable and time-efficient tool for predicting Palmer amaranth seed longevity in natural soil seedbanks, offering valuable insights for developing targeted and sustainable weed management strategies.

Abstract Targeted herbicide applications have the potential to reduce herbicide inputs but pose an inherent risk of missing weeds resulting in late-season escapes. Furthermore, relying on targeted residual herbicides may increase weed emergence relative to broadcast applications. Research was conducted over a three-year period in Keiser, AR, to compare traditional broadcast applications to targeted postemergence applications in glyphosate-, glufosinate-, and dicamba-resistant soybean. The herbicide program was consistent across treatments with a broadcast-applied preemergence residual, and a postemergence program including glufosinate + glyphosate + S -metolachlor followed by glufosinate + acetochlor, both broadcast- or target applied at the highest and lowest spray sensitivities. The soil seedbank was similar at trial initiation across treatments, and there was no increase over three years for broadcast and targeted applications at the highest sensitivity. Averaged over application timing, the lowest sensitivity increased the weed density from 867 plants ha -1 to 2,870 plants ha -1 in year two, to 11,300 plants ha -1 in year three. This response is likely due to more Palmer amaranth escapes at harvest (averaged over years) with >1,000 plants ha -1 compared to the highest sensitivity and broadcast treatments. Targeted applications did improve profitability by reducing herbicide use and increasing application efficiency, providing averaged savings of USD $43.22 ha -1 to $129.19 ha -1 relative to broadcast postemergence cost of $227.22 ha -1 . Area sprayed was reduced by 20% to 90%, with the average at early-postemergence being 41.3% and 57.9% and at mid-postemergence equaling 48.1% and 49.3% for the lowest and highest sensitivities, respectively. The only difference in the area sprayed between sensitivity settings occurred early postemergence. Based on the results of this experiment, producers could utilize targeted applications postemergence in soybean to increase profitability, but the lowest sensitivity resulted in unacceptable increases to the weed seedbank, which could impact management in future years.

Soil seed bank resilience after rangeland conversion: implications for restoring abandoned agricultural lands.

Across much of the semiarid conifer forests of western North America (“dry conifer forests”), the dominant tree species are non‐serotinous, lack soil seedbanks, and rarely disperse seeds much farther than 100 m, so tree regeneration in large, high‐severity burned patches is expected to be highly seed‐limited. Conifer seedlings do, however, sometimes establish at high densities deep within high‐severity patches in these forests, implying that seeds can sometimes survive intense wildfire even when all overstory trees die. Does seed survival in the canopies of non‐serotinous trees provide an unexpected source of forest resilience? To answer this question, we surveyed tree survival, fire severity, and seedling abundance across two very large wildfires in the first year after fire. Several of the study species had a good seed cone production year at the time of the fires. We stratified many of our plots deep within high‐severity patches far from surviving trees, where existing models predict regeneration failure due to lack of viable seeds. Contrary to such expectations, we found that conifer seedling densities in these areas were generally far greater than needed to replace the fire‐killed stand and sometimes approached seedling densities observed near surviving trees. Seedling densities in high‐severity areas far from surviving trees correlated negatively with local burn intensity (canopy foliage consumption), supporting the idea that the seeds originated locally and highlighting a critical driver of post‐fire recovery that is easily missed by traditional surveys conducted >2 years following fire. Seedling density was also strongly associated with burn date, suggesting that persistence of viable canopy seeds depends on synchrony between wildfire and cone ripening dates. Together, our results demonstrate that under the right conditions, canopy seed survival can lead to dense seedling establishment across large severely burned areas and may substantially support the resilience of dry conifer forests to the uncharacteristically severe fires that are becoming increasingly prevalent in this system.

The soil seed bank (SSB) composition is crucial for ecosystem vitality and restoration. The present study aimed to evaluate the SSB and vegetation composition in Raudhat Altinhat, Saudi Arabia, an arid ecosystem. A total of 14 plots were determined and studied for their aboveground vegetation during winter-spring and summer-fall seasons. Soil samples were collected for chemical and physical analyses to determine the edaphic factors affecting vegetation composition. Soil sample of 4000 cm3 was collected and analyzed for SSB composition via direct emergent method. Eighty-six plant species (55.8% annuals and 44.2% perennials) were determined in aboveground vegetation. Asteraceae, Poaceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae were major families. During winter-spring season, communities of Ziziphus nummularia, Zilla spinosa-Rhazya stricta, and R. stricta were identified, where most of soil variables did not show significant variation among communities, except for salinity, Ca, Mg, SO4, and NO3. Also, during summer-fall season, communities of R. stricta, Z. nummularia, and Cynodon dactylon were identified, and most soil variables did not show significant variation among communities, except for Mg and SO4 contents. SSB collected during winter-spring season comprised 23 species, mainly annuals (87.0%). Trigonella stellata was the predominant plant in SSB (average of 465 seeds/m2), followed by Phalaris minor (167 seeds/m2). During summer-fall season SSB had 22 plants, mainly annual (86.4%), while C. dactylon, Launaea nudicaulis, and V. gerrardi were identified as perennials. Trigonella stellata is the most predominant plant (159 seeds/m2). A negative correlation was observed between aboveground vegetation and SSB composition during both seasons. The species diversity indexes showed that aboveground vegetation during winter-spring season attained higher species richness and evenness, compared to SSB. However, during summer-fall season, species richness of aboveground vegetation and SSB was consistent, while species evenness was higher for SSB compared to aboveground vegetation. Our results showed that Raudhat Altinhat site needed rehabilitation and strict protection against all unmanaged activities, such as overgrazing and logging. Z. nummularia community showed high degradation and very low regeneration, and no seed germination in SSB. Therefore, further study is needed to determine the causes of the degradation and the best way to rehabilitate and recruit this very important shrub.

High-pressure water spraying: A game changer for invasive plant control and biodiversity improvement.

Restoring habitat corridors between fragments and continuous forests can potentially counter the effects of isolation, especially in tropical forests where species sensitivity to fragmentation is high. The ability of restored linear habitats to absorb natural disturbance in inimical surroundings potentially reflects resilience, an important aim of ecological restoration practice. Soil seed banks (SSBs) are reservoirs of plant life that can respond to disturbance and contribute to site recovery and resilience. Using seedling emergence, we compared SSB floristics in three restored wildlife corridors aged 10–26 years and their adjoining reference forest and adjacent pastures in tropical northern Australia. A total of 1427 seedlings from 69 species and 27 families were counted and identified from 131 samples. SSBs in restored corridors, while containing higher numbers of exotic species, were more similar in composition to reference forests than pastures, which are dominated by exotic species. Small, vertebrate‐dispersed seeds of gap trees dominated reference forest SSBs and were also conspicuous in corridors. Exotic herbs and grasses occurred in all corridors, were most abundant in pastures, but rarely emerged in forest samples. Both distance from forest (z‐value = −2.641, p < 0.01) and year of planting (z‐value = −4.213, p < 0.001) had significant effects on the proportion of native species. Almost all of the exotic species recorded in corridors are benign. Few have a demonstrated ability to block or arrest native species regeneration, suggesting SSBs in linear restored habitats can make a significant contribution to resilience and recovery.

The soil seed bank (SSB) is a potential resource for the aboveground vegetation community (AVC) and plays a crucial role in ecological restoration. Studying the succession of the SSB and AVC at different restoration stages provides valuable insights into their temporal dynamics, facilitates comprehensive investigations of the different restoration stages, and enables appropriate recommendations for the subsequent restoration to be provided. Therefore, the SSB and AVC of restored grassland ecosystems were investigated in open-pit coal mine dumping sites in a typical grassland area of Inner Mongolia. This study was therefore conducted in a typical grassland with the same restoration practices (mixed seeding of Gramineae and Leguminosae), and comparisons were made at different periods post-restoration to determine the pattern of changes in the SSB and AVC over time post-restoration. Through non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), a correlation analysis, and structural equation model, the changes in the SSB and AVC in the years following restoration were determined. It was found that the SSB density was 475.00 - 705.00 (plant m- 2), and the AVC density was 94 - 192.8 (plant m- 2). Notably, a significant shift occurred 17 years post-restoration, indicating a pivotal stage was reached in the overall trajectory of the SSB and AVC. The vegetation in the restored area was found to be transitioning toward natural grassland, with an increase in the proportion of perennial species and a gradual decrease in annual and biannual species. The density of Gramineae and Leguminosae plants was similar to that of natural grasslands 17 years post-restoration. The presence of the invasive species Salsola collina gradually decreased over time. The relationship between soil physicochemical properties and SSB was relatively weak, while the relationship with AVC was relatively strong. With time post-restoration, the resemblance between the SSB and the plant community slowly diminished at the mining dump. The study provides for the prolonged rehabilitation of open-pit coal mine dumping sites.

Abstract Fire is a frequent phenomenon in rangelands and because of its complicated and different effects on natural ecosystems, it has great importance. Awareness of such fire effects on vegetation cover in point of rangeland management after fire is important and helps better understanding and sustainable management of rangelands. Fire effects on soil seed bank (SSB) is a fundamental subject in ecology and phytosociology. These seeds have a vital role in the maintenance and reclamation of deteriorated rangelands and also in plant composition improvement in plant communities. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fire on vegetation, SSB, and soil properties in Sarkhalaj rangelands of Kangavar, Kermanshah province. One year after the prescribed fire, in two areas of the control (grazing exclosure) and prescribed fire, the percentage of canopy cover and soil properties were sampled on transects with a systematic random approach. Seed bank samples were sampled on these transects in two depths of 0–5 and 5–10 cm. The sampling was repeated after burning the canopy. After greenhouse cultivation, germinated seedlings were identified and the composition and density of SSB and soil properties were determined. The results indicated that compared to before the prescribed fire, the diversity, richness, and evenness indices were significantly reduced. The results of SSB in the depth of 0–5 cm showed that prescribed fire decreased the diversity and species richness indices. Moreover, at 5‐ to 10‐cm depth, prescribed fire had no significant effect on diversity indices. At 0‐ to 5‐cm depth, the prescribed fire increased the pH, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, electrical conductivity, and Mg and decreased the organic matter%, and N%. However, at 5‐ to 10‐cm depth, the prescribed fire had no significant effect on the soil's physiochemical properties. Overall, it could be said that by changing the site conditions, both in terms of the space required for the establishment of new species and by changing the soil properties, the prescribed fire caused a change in SSBs in the area. This study indicated that seeds stored within the soil under certain shrub species are at a high risk of mortality during prescribed fire. Thus, successful post‐fire recovery does not rely on the seed bank reservoir under these shrubs.

Over the last several decades, the intensive production of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L.) in the United States has included the widespread use of herbicide-tolerant crops, contributing to soil management with reduced tillage. The continuous use of herbicides with the same modes of action has led to the accelerated development of herbicide resistance in weed populations, particularly from the Amaranthaceae family. Integrated weed management tools, such as the use of cover crops, have increasingly been recognized as cultural approaches with the potential to reduce herbicide-driven selection pressure. We utilized six multi-year (4–7 years) cover crop research trials in corn-based crop rotations to measure germinable weed seedbanks, aboveground weed density, and biomass. This included four on-farm and two university research experiments across eastern and central Nebraska, with histories of no tillage or reduced tillage. Three sites showed increases in Amaranthaceae family (pigweed) seedbank densities under cover crops (137%–355%) compared to the no cover crop check, but no differences in total weed seed bank densities were found. Cover crops reduced aboveground total weed density and biomass at the two sites; however, increases from the pigweed seedbank were not observed at any site. Multivariate analyses revealed that the species composition of the seedbanks under cover crops was distinct from that of the check at the two sites, suggesting that cover crops may influence weed seedbank composition over time. This work underscores the value of exploring integrated weed management, as well as monitoring weed populations in the soil seedbank and aboveground emerged species, particularly in cropping systems with reduced soil disturbance. We encourage more research on the multi-year use of integrated weed management approaches, such as cover crops, to better understand the complexity of how such approaches shift weed communities, especially with respect to herbicide-resistant weeds.

Dazomet is a fumigant commonly used to control soil seedbanks and plant tissues of weed species in highly infested turfgrass areas. This fumigant reacts with water in the soil when in the presence of oxygen and releases methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) gas that kills seeds and plant tissues within the soil. Previous studies have reported varying levels of weed control by dazomet. As MITC is highly water soluble, mobile in soil, and volatile, inconsistencies in dazomet efficacy may be related to post-application practices of tilling, rolling, irrigation, and tarping. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two practices commonly performed following dazomet application: tarp treatment (tilling, rolling, irrigation, and tarping), and water-seal treatment (post-irrigation at 0, 1, 2, and 3 days after application) on MITC concentration, distribution, and persistence in sandy soil. Field studies were conducted at Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs, NC, USA, in 2022 and 2023. MITC concentration and persistence varied between treatments and years. In 2022, MITC concentrations were notably higher in the tarp treatment compared with the water-seal treatment, whereas in 2023, the difference between treatments was less pronounced and more soil depth– and sample timing–dependent. Both treatments presented longer persistence, up to 168 hours after application (HAA), in 2023 compared with 120 HAA in 2022. In addition, MITC was highly concentrated in the top 15 cm of the soil and was detected as deep as 31 cm down from the soil surface in both treatments across both years.

The genus Rhynchosia includes more than 550 species, some exhibiting invasive behavior. Rynchosia senna var. senna (RS) is a challenging weed to control in its native range; however, its invasive potential remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate RS demographic parameters to determine its invasive potential, including (i) plant fecundity during the first year of young adult and in adult plants, (ii) seed dispersal, (iii) pre- and post-dispersal predation, (iv) soil seedbank persistence, and (v) field emergence patterns. RS fecundity declined in autumn and mainly in early established cohorts. Fecundity was influenced by pre-dispersal predation (Bruchus spp. 12 ± 2%), and post-dispersal removal by birds (66 ± 4%) and arthropods (37 ± 5%). Seed dispersal decreased with distance. Seedling emergence occurred mainly during early summer (75%), and to a lesser extent during late summer (20%) and autumn (5%). Seed physical dormancy loss (~80% in the first year) defines a short persistent seedbank. Under the evaluated conditions (native environment), RS shows a limited invasive potential. However, in non-native environments, in the absence of natural predators, its prolific fecundity and the occurrence of staggered emergence patterns could easily enhance invasiveness, enabling rapid colonization, as observed in Medicago polymorpha L.

Abstract Soil seed banks (SSBs) play an important role in the recovery and renewal of plant ecosystems. Numerous studies have explored the effects of grazing on the density, diversity, and composition of SSBs in grasslands. However, information on how different livestock species affect SSBs in semi-arid grasslands remains limited. Here we examined shift in species diversity, plant density, and community structure in both SSBs and aboveground vegetation in grasslands grazed by three livestock species under adaptive grazing management. We found that (i) Grazing by three livestock species increased plant density and species richness in both SSB and aboveground vegetation, with cattle grazing increased the most. (ii) Grazing leads to a notable increase in the seed density of annual and biennial plants while decreasing that of perennial plants in the upper 5 cm of soil; grazing also increases burial depth of seeds, with cattle and goat grazing significantly increasing the seed density of annual and biennial plants in the 5-10 cm soil layer, as well as that of perennial forbs in the 0-10 cm layer. (iii) The species composition of aboveground vegetation and SSB differed, but cattle grazing significantly increased the similarity between the two. Our results provide significant insights into SSB responses to three livestock species, and indicate that adaptive grazing management, which maintains grassland residual height above a certain level, may benefit the SSB and support vegetation regeneration.

Alpine grasslands are a critical component of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem, but their soil seed bank (SSB) patterns and driving mechanisms remain unclear under the influence of climate change and human activities. This study analyzed grazing exclusion (via fencing) and grazing effects using 12 sites in the alpine steppe (AS) and alpine desert steppe (AD) in northern Tibet to analyze the effects of fencing and grazing management, as well as hydrothermal and soil factors, on the SSB density and diversity. Linear regression models were applied to explore the relationships between the SSB density and environmental factors, while comparisons of the management modes revealed the potential impacts of fencing. The results show that fencing significantly increased the SSB density and diversity, especially in the AS, while grazing negatively impacted the SSB density and the Pielou evenness index. Hydrothermal factors strongly influenced the SSB in the AS, with the density positively correlated with precipitation and negatively with temperature, while responses in the AD were weak. Soil factors, such as the available phosphorus (SAP) and available potassium (SAK), were key to SSB formation in the AD, whereas ammonium nitrogen (NH4_N) and the pH were critical in the AS. Fencing optimized the hydrothermal conditions and nutrient availability, promoting SSB recovery, though its effects varied between the grassland types. This study provides scientific insights for alpine grassland restoration and sustainable management.

ABSTRACTAimRoad networks are common landscape disturbances that can facilitate the spread of invasive plants. This study explored the influence of distance from the road, habitat type and broader environmental factors in shaping the distribution patterns of both invasive and native species in the above‐ground vegetation and soil seed banks.LocationGuangxi, China.MethodsWe collected data on plant species composition from both soil seed banks and above‐ground vegetation at six distances from the road edge: 0 m, 2 m, 4 m, 9 m, 14 m and 24 m in three habitat types, including abandoned land, Eucalyptus plantations and natural secondary forests. We collected data on environmental variables at each sampling location. We examined the compositional similarity of plant communities by non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and identified the influence factors by redundancy analysis (RDA).ResultsOur results indicated that invasive species richness decreased with distance from the road, especially in natural secondary forests. Conversely, native species did not show consistent distribution patterns relative to distance from roads across the various habitats. The composition of invasive plant communities was similar in both soil seed banks and above‐ground vegetation, while only 13.33% of native species identified in the soil were observed in the above‐ground vegetation. Road characteristics, human disturbance and soil properties correlated with the distribution of invasive and native species, with the strength of these correlations varying among habitat types. The richness and density of native plants were associated with the presence of invasive alien plants at various distances from the road across the three types of habitats.Main ConclusionsThe study highlights that proximity to the road, habitat type and environmental factors are critical in determining the distribution of plant species within nature reserves. Moreover, it underscores the importance of integrating both above‐ground and seed bank perspectives for effective management strategies to control invasive species and promote native plant communities.

While most ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) include seeds in their diet, preferences for seed feeding vary among carabid species and range from facultative diet supplementation to obligate seed feeding. DNA-based diet analyses have been used to study their regulatory effect on soil seedbanks. It is unknown whether specialized granivores digest seed species they are adapted to (‘essential seeds’) faster, and whether this affects food web construction based on molecular data. We hypothesized that specialized granivores digest their essential seed faster than other seeds, and at faster rates than generalist granivores or carnivores. Further, we assumed that generalist granivores digest different seeds equally fast, while carnivorous carabids digest seeds slower than granivores. In feeding experiments, three carabid species—Amara similata (specialized granivore), Harpalus affinis (generalist granivore), and Poecilus cupreus (generalist carnivore)—were fed either a broadly accepted seed or the specialist's essential seed. Gut content samples were collected 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after feeding and screened with plant-primers to trace seed DNA. Time until 50% detection probability in the specialists was shorter for its essential than the broadly accepted seed and shorter than in the generalist granivore, which digested both seed species equally fast. The carnivore was reluctant to feed on the seed species offered, and detection probabilities did not significantly decrease with digestion time. Our findings suggest that the strength of specialized granivores’ feeding interactions and their role in weed seed regulation might be underestimated when assessed with DNA-based diet analysis, due to their more efficient seed digestion.

Soil seed bank (SSB) is valuable reserves of seeds hidden in the soil and are especially important for the preservation and establishment of vegetation under adverse environmental conditions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the effects of restoration measures on SSB, especially in arid ecosystems. Here, we assess the impacts of oil mulching (1 and 3 years after mulching) and plantations (15-year-old) on the diversity and composition of SSB and aboveground vegetation (AGV) in comparison with those in non-restored areas (i.e., control). Based on the results, species richness was poor in the studied area (36 species belonging to 16 families), with a lower contribution of SSB than of AGV (11 and 34 species, respectively). The largest number of exclusive species was observed in the planted treatment for both SSB and AGV (4 and 5 species, respectively), while the lowest was found in the 1-yr mulching treatment. The mean comparison of the diversity indices revealed that the highest values occurred in the plantation and 3-yr-mulching plots. The seed density in the plantation area was significantly greater (4145 ± 694 seeds/m2) than that in the other areas (3-yr-mulching > 1-yr-mulching > control treatments (145 ± 53, 65 ± 28, and 43 ± 22, respectively). The results of the DCA showed that the plantation treatment was completely separated from the other treatments in terms of the plant composition of the AGV, and the treatment closest to that area was 3-yr mulching, which indicates the positive effect of time since mulching on plant composition. The results of this study suggest that there is a trade-off between the short-term and medium-term effects of oil mulching, such that in the early years, oil mulching has a negative effect on the AGV and SSB, but its positive effects increase with time since mulching. It can be concluded that mulching, along with afforestation, creates a favorable microclimate and improves the diversity and composition of AGV and SSB.

Pasture lands, while appearing uniform in species diversity, exhibit notable variations upon closer examination. The study on Pimelea (or riceflower) seedbank dynamics revealed significant variations in seed density and distribution across soil depths, sites, years, and between pasture and cultivated paddocks in the same region of western Queensland. For the total number of germinable riceflower seeds across both the years 2019 and 2020, there is a clear distinction between pasture and cultivated paddocks. Pasture paddocks exhibited a gradual increase in total seed count from 108 seeds m-2 in 2019 to 121 seeds m-2 in 2020, resulting in a combined total of 229 seeds m-2 over the 2 years across both depths. In contrast, cultivated paddocks showed a more substantial increase, with seed counts rising from 146 seeds m-2 in 2019 to 255 seeds m-2 in 2020, resulting in a combined total of 401 seeds m-2 across both depths. Additionally, the Shannon-Wiener index at Site 1 indicated increased species diversity in the topsoil of pasture paddocks in 2020 compared to 2019, while deeper soil diversity decreased. Cultivated paddocks showed a declining trend, while pasture sites exhibited stable or increasing diversity. Pasture management generally maintained or enhanced diversity better than cultivation, especially in the topsoil layer. These findings highlight site-specific differences influenced by soil properties, land management practices, and local environmental conditions, shaping riceflower seedbank dynamics. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing targeted management strategies to control riceflower in affected areas. Long-term field studies focusing on seedbanks are essential to develop sustainable control strategies.