Size and composition of the weed seedbank after 7 years of different cover-crop-maize management systems

Published source details Moonen A.C. & Bàrberi P. (2004) Size and composition of the weed seedbank after 7 years of different cover-crop-maize management systems. Weed Research, 44, 163-177.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link
	Crop production: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link
	Crop production: Grow cover crops in arable fields Action Link
	Pest regulation: Grow cover crops in arable fields Action Link

Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1993–2001 in a rainfed cereal field in central Italy (partly the same study as (7)) found more weed species in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, but tillage had inconsistent effects on weed abundance. Pest numbers: More weed species were found in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage (19 vs 14 species). More weeds were found in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, for five of seven weed species (959–8,069 vs 13–454 weed seedlings/m²), but fewer weeds were found, for two of seven weed species (71–97 vs 849–884). Methods: Conventional tillage or no tillage was used on 48 plots each (21 x 11 m sub-sub-plots, in a split-split-plot experimental design), from 1994–2000. A mouldboard plough (30 cm depth, in spring) and a standard precision seed drill were used for conventional tillage. A direct seed drill was used for no tillage. Herbicide and fertilizer were used on all plots. Winter cover crops were grown on three of four plots, and cereal crop residues were retained over winter on one of four plots. Weed seeds were sampled in soil cores in February 2001 (27 cores/plot, 0–15 cm depth, 3.5 cm diameter) and identified after germination in a greenhouse.
Crop production: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1993–2001 in a rainfed cereal field in central Italy found lower crop yields in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage. Crop yield: Lower grain yields were found in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in five of seven years (data not reported). Methods: Conventional tillage or no tillage was used on 48 plots each (21 x 11 m sub-sub-plots, in a split-split-plot experimental design), from 1994–2000. A mouldboard plough (30 cm depth, in spring) and a standard precision seed drill were used for conventional tillage. A direct seed drill was used for no tillage. Herbicide and fertilizer were used on all plots. Winter cover crops were grown on three of four plots, and cereal crop residues were retained over winter on one of four plots.
Crop production: Grow cover crops in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1993–2001 in a rainfed cereal field in central Italy found lower grain yields in plots that were cover cropped with rye, compared to clover. Implementation options: Lower grain yields were found in plots that were cover cropped with rye, compared to clover, in three of seven years (data not reported), but there were no differences in grain yields in two of three comparisons between species of cover crops. Methods: Winter cover crops (Secale cereale rye, Trifolium subterraneum subterranean clover, or T. incarnatum crimson clover) were grown on 72 treatment plots, but not on 24 control plots on which cereal crop residues were retained over winter (21 x 11 m sub-sub-plots, in a split-split-plot experimental design). In spring, the cover crops were flailed, half of the plots were tilled (30 cm depth), and half were not. Herbicide and fertilizer were used on all plots.
Pest regulation: Grow cover crops in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1993–2001 in a rainfed cereal field in central Italy found fewer weeds and weed species in plots with winter cover crops, compared to plots without cover crops. Pest numbers: Fewer weed species were found in plots with cover crops, compared to plots without cover crops, for one of three species of cover crop (rye: 16 vs 18 weed species). Fewer weeds were found in plots with cover crops, compared to plots without cover crops, for one of three species of cover crop (rye, in plots with conventional tillage: 7,000 vs 9,000 weed seedlings/m²; subterranean clover, in plots with no tillage: 32,000 vs 40,000). Implementation options: Fewer weed species were found in plots that were cover cropped with rye, compared to crimson clover (16 vs 18 species), but no differences were found in two of three comparisons between species of cover crops. Methods: Winter cover crops (Secale cereale rye, Trifolium subterraneum subterranean clover, or T. incarnatum crimson clover) were grown on 72 treatment plots, but not on 24 control plots on which cereal crop residues were retained over winter (21 x 11 m sub-sub-plots, in a split-split-plot experimental design). In spring, the cover crops were flailed, half of the plots were tilled (30 cm depth), and half were not. Herbicide and fertilizer were used on all plots. Weed seeds were sampled in soil cores in February 2001 (27 cores/plot, 0–15 cm depth, 3.5 cm diameter) and identified after germination in a greenhouse.