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Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

{Tool} Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract). Creator(s): Askegaard, Margrethe. Issuing Organisation(s): SEGES. OK-Net Arable Practice abstract, no. 038. (2017)

[thumbnail of Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds] PDF - English (Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds)
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Document available online at: https://orgprints.org/31053/


Summary in the original language of the document

The appropriate combination of crops and green manures prevents spread of perennial weeds and increases crop yields and quality. Weed-suppressing crop rotations are absolutely essential for sustainable organic arable farming.
Practical recommendation
Basic rules
• Implement green manures, such as clover or lucerne, in at least 20 % of the rotation.
• Do not grow more than 50 % of cereals with low weed competitiveness in the rotation. Do not cultivate such crops for more than 2 consecutive years.
• In fields with prevalent high weed pressure cultivate only crops with high weed competitiveness.
Points to consider in case of high weed pressure:
• Do not grow grain legumes where perennial weeds are a problem. Late harvest in combination with loose plant stands (light) and high nutrient availability before harvest further propagates the growth of perennial weeds.
• Do not sow winter crops after lupine or broad beans, as winter crops leave perennial weeds undisturbed during a long period of time. Instead, undersow a cover crop in the legumes to hold-back the nutrients and then sow a competitive crop in spring.
• Do not sow spring barley after grass-clover, as spring barley does not take up the available nitrogen effectively and thus creates a high risk of nitrogen leaching. Instead, grow oats or spring wheat undersown with cover crops two years in succession. On clayey soils and in dry climates though, winter crops are better than spring crops.
• Do not leave a badly established crop unmanaged until harvest, as weeds might take over. Decide before beginning of June, whether to leave the crop or better control the weeds effectively and lay the foundation for a successful crop next year.
• Do not leave a badly established cover crop unmanaged in autumn, as perennial weeds might flourish. In autumn weeds can be controlled with relatively low cost. You may concentrate on weed control measures on infested parts of a field only.
• On sandy soils, sow rye, triticale or winter spelt instead of winter wheat, as winter wheat does not grow well on such soils and encourages propagation of perennial weeds.


EPrint Type:Practice tool
What problem does the tool address?:Perennial weeds like thistle and couch-grass hinder growth and yields of ara-ble crops. Without a proper focus on perennial weeds (through a good crop rotation system) organic arable cropping systems may not manage for more than 6 years without facing major weed problems.
What solution does the tool offer?:Crop rotation is a key tool for preventive control of perennial weeds in arable farming. Weed-suppressing rotations include an appropriate percentage of competitive crops and green manu-res. Selection of the right crops and their proper management are important for successful weed prevention.
Country:Denmark
Type of Practice Tool:Practice abstracts
Theme:Weed management
Keywords:arable farming, crop rotation, legumes, manure, nitrogen, perennial weed, weed management
Keywords:arable farming, crop rotation, perennial weeds
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
arable farming
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36528
English
crop rotation
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6662
English
perennial weeds
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5697
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Crop combinations and interactions
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Crop husbandry > Weed management
Research affiliation: European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net Arable > OK-Net-Arable Tools
Denmark > SEGES
European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:652654
Related Links:https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/31053
Project ID:ofk
Deposited By: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau, FiBL
ID Code:31053
Deposited On:18 Jan 2017 15:45
Last Modified:02 May 2024 10:31
Document Language:English
Status:Published

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