Impact of new management practices on arable and field margin plant communities in sunflower, with an emphasis on the abundance of <i>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</i> (Asteraceae)

Some troublesome weeds such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia have led farmers to adopt herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) in cultivated sunflower fields. Agricultural practices associated with the use of HTVs raised concerns among public authorities, prompting recommendation monitor potential effects on biodiversity. In this context, we surveyed vegetation 239 fields and their margins three French regions between 2017 2019, a specific focus A. artemisiifolia. We collected information 21 explanatory variables covering agricultural practices, landscape factors, spatiotemporal data. Herbicide-tolerant were lower weed diversity but similar field margin community diversity. This can be attributed greater herbicides shorter crop rotations, whereas factors may more important for margins. Conventional traditional showed abundance compared organic HTV was higher most infested region, high proportion crops rotation, late sowing dates, numbers hoeing operations, post-emergence treatments. interpreted association response infestation rather than its cause. conclusion, no unintended found margins, lead had still after control.