Tillage system effects on weed communities in a 4-year crop rotation under Mediterranean dryland conditions

Published source details Mas M.T. & Verdú A.M.C. (2003) Tillage system effects on weed communities in a 4-year crop rotation under Mediterranean dryland conditions. Soil and Tillage Research, 74, 15-24.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pest regulation: Use no tillage instead of reduced tillage Action Link
	Pest regulation: Use reduced tillage in arable fields Action Link
	Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link

Pest regulation: Use no tillage instead of reduced tillage

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1997–2001 in a rainfed pea-wheat-barley field near Barcelona, Spain, found similar numbers of weeds in plots with no tillage or reduced tillage. Pest numbers: Similar amounts of weed biomass were found in plots with no tillage or reduced tillage (36 g/m²). Methods: No tillage or reduced tillage was used on two plots each (30 x 45 m plots). A chisel plough was used for reduced tillage (15 cm depth). Pre-emergence herbicide was used for no tillage. A seed drill, fertilizer, and post-emergence herbicide were used on all plots. Weeds were sampled each year, when crops were harvested (June–July 1998–2001, 10 quadrats/plot, 0.25 m² quadrats).
Pest regulation: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1997–2001 in a rainfed pea-wheat-barley field near Barcelona, Spain, found more weeds in plots with reduced tillage, compared to conventional tillage. Pest numbers: More weed biomass was found in plots with reduced tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in one of two comparisons (grasses: 27 vs 0 g/m²). Methods: Reduced tillage or conventional tillage was used on two plots each (30 x 45 m plots). A mouldboard plough was used for conventional tillage (25 cm depth). A chisel plough was used for reduced tillage (15 cm depth). A seed drill, fertilizer, and post-emergence herbicide were used on all plots. Weeds were sampled each year, when crops were harvested (June–July 1998–2001, 10 quadrats/plot, 0.25 m² quadrats).
Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1997–2001 in a rainfed pea-wheat-barley field near Barcelona, Spain, found more weeds in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage. Pest numbers: More weed biomass was found in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in one of two comparisons (grasses: 12 vs 0 g/m²). Methods: No tillage or conventional tillage was used on two plots each (30 x 45 m plots). A mouldboard plough was used for conventional tillage (25 cm depth). Pre-emergence herbicide was used for no tillage. A seed drill, fertilizer, and post-emergence herbicide were used on all plots. Weeds were sampled each year, when crops were harvested (June–July 1998–2001, 10 quadrats/plot, 0.25 m² quadrats).