Weed control in organic cereals and pulses

Summary in the original language of the document

Weeds remain one of the most significant agronomic problems associated with organic arable crop production. It is recognised that a low weed population can be beneficial to the crop as it provides food and habitat for a range of beneficial organisms (Millington et al., 1990; Clements et al., 1994; Aebischer, 1997; Fuller, 1997; Patriquin et al., 1998). However, above critical population thresholds, weeds can significantly reduce crop yield and quality in conventional (Cussans, 1968; Hewson et al., 1973; Cousens, 1985; Cudney et al., 1989) and organic (Bulson, 1991) crops alike. The challenge for organic farmers is to manage weeds in such a way as to accommodate their beneficial effects whilst still producing an acceptable crop.