Improving weed control in sustainable agro-ecosystems: Role of cultivar and termination timing of rye cover crop

Alternative strategies to control weeds are required at the field level reduce herbicides and derived pollution. As cover crop, rye (Secale cereale L.) is adopted mainly because of its allelopathic weed control, which takes place through a strong inhibition germination seedling growth in several types grass broad-leaved weeds. The present study consisted of: i) trial, focused on evaluation biomass production allelochemical concentration biomass, situ 30 days after termination (with two timings: T1 - heading phase T2 10 later) 8 varieties; ii) pot experiment, effect mulches by those varieties four summer weeds: velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Med.), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L). Results showed that was highest with Protector, closely followed Primizia, Sito 70, Hellvus, Forestal, Hymonta. In any case, mulching always reduced especially Fasto Forestal. Forestal decreased average from (–38% for total benzoxazinoids –57% isovitexin). Conversely, increased (on +77%), passing T2. We also found reduction compared highly correlated content case termination, while pots, inhibitory due observed C. (–76%), A. (–56%), P. olearcea (–84%), not theophrasti. concluded that, regardless variety, adopting as crop may be considered suitable practice pressure level. Among all tested, Protector most significant suppression potential, high amount allelochemicals Protector. Highlights One month under 4 times, control. When terminated early, tissues reduces production. late, biomass. Lambsquarters, inhibited mulching, affected.