Weed Research (2008) 48, 48-57

B. Melander, N. Holst, P.K. Jensen, E.M. Hansen and J.E. Olesen (2008)
Apera spica-venti population dynamics and impact on crop yield as affected by tillage, crop rotation, location and herbicide programmes
Weed Research 48 (1), 48-57
Abstract: Apera spica-venti is a winter annual grass and, increasingly, a severe weed problem in autumn-sown crops. Non-inversion tillage has become more common in Denmark in recent years, but may accentuate problems with A. spica-venti. These problems may be avoided, if selected preventive and cultural weed management practices are adopted. To this end, we conducted a 4-year field study investigating the effects of crop rotation, tillage method, location and limited herbicide input on A. spica-venti population dynamics and crop yield. Additionally, detailed studies were performed on the fate of A. spica-venti seeds when incorporated to different soil depths. The location with a lighter soil texture, cooler climate and higher rainfall favoured A. spica-venti growth and consequently crop yield loss, especially in the crop sequence comprised only of autumn-sown crops and with non-inversion tine tillage. Incorporating A. spica-venti seeds in the soil improved their survival, explaining the higher A. spica-venti proliferation seen with tine tillage as opposed to direct drilling. The rotations including an even mixture of spring- and autumn-sown crops did not lead to noteworthy changes in the A. spica-venti population, irrespective of tillage method. Thus, in many regions, management of A. spica-venti will require rotations that balance autumn- and spring-sown crops.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Bo Melander, Peter Kryger Jensen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Apera spica-venti (weed)		Denmark