Weed management in no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn general, effective weed control in no-tillage systems is based on the use of herbicides. However, the development of appropriate weed management strategies can help to reduce the amount of herbicides applied.In this study weed management in common wheat under no-till was analyzed. The experiment was carried out under Mediterranean conditions on a Luvisol, during two growing seasons (1996/1997 and 1999/2000). A split-plot design with four replications was used. The main plot was weed emergence before wheat sowing (with and without weed emergence) and the subplot was the postemergence weed control (with and without post-emergence herbicide).The density of the weeds was significantly reduced when the wheat crop was sown after a considerable part of the weeds had emerged and controlled by a presowing herbicide (non-selective, systemic and non-persistent). Without weed control in post-emergence treated plots, the number of grains and the yield was increased significantly, compared to sowing without weed emergence. It can be concluded that under Mediterranean conditions, it is possible to reduce or even avoid the application of post-emergence herbicides in wheat under no-till, as weeds can be efficiently controlled before sowing.

No-till in northern, western and south-western Europe: A review of problems and opportunities for crop production and the environment

“…In south western Europe, weed control under no-till with a pre-emergence herbicide application is effective in years with normal rainfall distribution as most of the weed seeds remain at the soil surface and germinate before the establishment of autumn-sown crops (Calado et al, 2010). Thus, no-till crop establishment also reduces post-emergence infestation as buried seeds remain below the surface soil layer and do not germinate.…”

Influence of tillage practices on soil biologically active organic matter content over a growing season under semiarid Mediterranean climate

“…Under Mediterranean rainfed conditions, the yield potential of autumn-sown cereals is rather low (Calado et al, 2009). Biomass production is, therefore, also low, resulting in limited residue input to the soil.…”

Weed emergence in autumn under temperate conditions

“…As precipitation is determinant in the appearance of autumn-winter weed plants (Roberts, 1984;Spitters, 1989;Calado et al, 2010). It was sought to prove the influence of the accumulated rainfall on the emergence of young plants, from the beginning (September) of each of the four agricultural years of the study to the appearance of the potential population of every autumn.…”