Abstract
Cover crops (CCs) are recognised as valuable for weed management, while fallow soil between cash crop seasons likely increases weed presence. Weeds may offer similar ecosystem services as CCs, although they pose a risk of seedbank buildup. This study evaluated the impact of two winter CC systems (3-year triticale cultivation, TRIT; and a 3-year succession of rye, clover, and mustard, RCM) compared to weedy fallow (WF) on weed seedbank size and composition in a 3-year ‘maize ( Zea mays L.)–maize–soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr)’ crop succession. After 3 years, seed density of spring/summer weeds reduced in all treatments, potentially stemming from herbicide use during cash crop seasons and tillage operations. Triticale had the lowest seedbank density (9,487 seeds m − ²) and higher diversity (Shannon Index 6.9) compared to WF (28,543 seeds m - ² and 4.1, respectively). Furthermore, stochastic analysis revealed a lower risk of enlarging weed seedbanks in TRIT compared to WF (for seed densities above 900 seeds m −2 ). Moreover, management practices (CCs, cash crop sowing, termination/harvest) synchronised with weed seed production and germination likely contributed to the decreasing seed density of species including Portulaca oleracea and Chenopodium album , which were reduced by 90 and 80 %, respectively, by the study’s end. Over three years, autumn/winter and indifferent weed seed densities increased 4.2 times more in WF and RCM (22,638 seeds m − ²) than in TRIT. This may be due to the varying growth rates among CC species in RCM, whereas TRIT consistently established rapidly, potentially outcompeting weeds until termination. Fallow periods between cash crops may increase weed species linked to that season and future crop–weed interference in varied crop rotations. Introducing CCs can mitigate this effect, although the choice of CC species may influence the extent of the impact. • Cover crops alter weed community in 3-year maize-maize-soybean succession. • ‘Weedy fallow' increases risk of weed competition in subsequent crops. • Different CCs species might have different effects on weeds. • Weedy fallow did not necessarily mean a more diverse weed community.
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Claims 9
Claim · model-written summary
After 3 years, seed density of spring/summer weeds was reduced in all treatments.
Verbatim
e1“After 3 years, seed density of spring/summer weeds reduced in all treatments”
Claim · model-written summary
Triticale had the lowest weed seedbank density (9,487 seeds m-2) compared with weedy fallow (28,543 seeds m-2).
Verbatim
e0“weed seedbank size and composition”
e1“Triticale had the lowest seedbank density (9,487 seeds m − ²) and higher diversity (Shannon Index 6.9) compared to WF (28,543 seeds m - ² and 4.1, respectively)”
Claim · model-written summary
Triticale had higher weed diversity (Shannon Index 6.9) than weedy fallow (4.1).
Verbatim
e0“weed seedbank size and composition”
e1“Triticale had the lowest seedbank density (9,487 seeds m − ²) and higher diversity (Shannon Index 6.9) compared to WF (28,543 seeds m - ² and 4.1, respectively)”
Claim · model-written summary
Stochastic analysis showed a lower risk of enlarging weed seedbanks in TRIT than in WF.
Verbatim
e1“stochastic analysis revealed a lower risk of enlarging weed seedbanks in TRIT compared to WF”
Claim · model-written summary
Seed density of Portulaca oleracea was reduced by 90 % by the end of the study.
- Taxon
- Portulaca oleracea
Portulaca oleraceae1 - Outcome
- seed densitye1
- Direction
- reducede1
- Value
- 90e1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“the decreasing seed density of species including Portulaca oleracea and Chenopodium album , which were reduced by 90 and 80 %, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Seed density of Chenopodium album was reduced by 80 % by the end of the study.
- Taxon
- Chenopodium album
Chenopodium albume1 - Outcome
- seed densitye1
- Direction
- reducede1
- Value
- 80 %e1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“the decreasing seed density of species including Portulaca oleracea and Chenopodium album , which were reduced by 90 and 80 %, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Autumn/winter and indifferent weed seed densities increased 4.2 times more in WF and RCM than in TRIT.
Verbatim
e1“autumn/winter and indifferent weed seed densities increased 4.2 times more in WF and RCM (22,638 seeds m − ²) than in TRIT”
Claim · model-written summary
Fallow periods between cash crops may increase weed species linked to that season.
- Taxon
- weed speciese1
- Treatment
- Fallow periods between cash cropse1
- Outcome
- weed species linked to that seasone1
- Direction
- increasee1
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e1“Fallow periods between cash crops may increase weed species linked to that season”
Claim · model-written summary
Introducing cover crops can mitigate this effect, although the choice of cover crop species may influence its extent.
- Outcome
- mitigate this effecte1
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e1“Introducing CCs can mitigate this effect, although the choice of CC species may influence the extent of the impact”