6171: Effect of organic crop rotations on long-term development of the weed seedbank

Younie, David; Taylor, Dick; Coutts, Michael; Matheson, Stella; Wright, G and Squire, Geoff (2002) Effect of organic crop rotations on long-term development of the weed seedbank. Paper presented at UK Organic Research 2002, Aberystwyth, 26-28th March 2002; Published in Jane, Powell, Eds. Research in context. Proceedings of the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference, 26-28 March 2002, Aberystwyth, page pp. 215-220. Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth.

Summary

Changes in the weed seedbank were monitored between 1991 and 1998 in two experiments that were established to compare organic crop rotations at two sites in NE Scotland. Two rotations, replicated twice at each site, were compared and all courses of both rotations were present every year. There were relatively minor changes in weed species diversity over time, but major changes in seedbank abundance. Weed seed numbers were relatively low in rotations with a high proportion of grass/clover ley. Differences in level of seedbank across the rotation were relatively predictable at Tulloch but much less so at Woodside where factors such as the effect of the grass/clover ley seemed to play a lesser role. Other factors, such as weather and its influence on the effectiveness of weed control operations, and higher populations of ground-living arthropods, may be affecting the Woodside seedbanks.

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