engleski

Effects of winter cover crops incorporation on weed infestation in organic popcorn maize production

Cover crops represents an important component in organic farming. Grown as winter crops in fallow period they bring many benefits to agroecosystem. Weed suppression is one of possible effect of winter cover crops incorporation. The aim of this two year research (2008/09-2010) was to determine the influence of winter cover crops incorporation on weediness in organic popcorn (Zea mays everta Sturt) production. The field trial was set up at the lessive soil of the Eastern Croatia (45°38’ 46, 52’’ N / 18°23’ 32, 73’’ E) as complete randomized block design in four repetition. The six cover crops treatments were used: Z (zero) - control without cover crop, Wr - winter rye (Secale cerale L.), Ww - winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and V - hairy vetch (Vicia Villosa L.), as single crops, and cover crops mixtures WrV and WwV. Dominant weeds species determined in this trial were Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Echinochloa crus – galli (L.) PB. and Setaria glauca (L.) PB. Treatments with the highest shoot production were Wr and WrV. The weediness in popcorn maize was higher at cover crops treatments compared to control. Looking at cover crops treatments only, the least weeded was WwV mixture regarding total weed number, and V and Wr treatment showed the lowest weed height, whereas height of the popcorn maize was the lowest at Wr treatment. The highest weed aboveground biomass was recorded on WrV treatment. Results of this experiment indicate increased weed infestation caused by winter cover crops incorporation.

cover crops ; weed ; organic production ; popcorn maize

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