Management Effect on the Weed Control Efficiency in Double Cropping Systems

There are often negative side-effects associated with the traditional (silage) maize cropping system related to unprotected soil surface. Reducing disturbance could enhance sustainability. Yet, increased weed pressure and decreased nitrogen availability, particularly in organic agriculture, may limit implementation of alternative management methods. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at two distinct locations evaluate control efficiency 18 organically managed silage systems. Examined parameters were relative groundcover (GCweed) its correlation dry matter yield (DMY), proportion dominant species (DWS) their groups by life form (DWSgroup). Treatment factors comprised first crop (FC—winter pea, hairy vetch, mixtures rye, (sole system—SCS)), management—incorporating FC use tillage (double no-till (DCS NT), double reduced till RT), cropped, mulched (DCMS Roll) SCS control), fertilization, mechanical row width (75 cm 50 cm). The variation among environments high, but similar patterns occurred across locations: Generally low GCweed (below 28%) and, therefore, typically no DMY observed. number crops (system), system:management occasionally management:FC (group) influenced DWS(group). Row had inconsistent and/or marginal effects. Results suggest differences successful inclusion DCS DCMS into rotation, altered conditions, additional physical destruction shallow operations, especially early season, which possibly acts through thermal chemical properties, as well light conditions. RT successfully reduce below 5%, whereas NT (Mix) suffered from inadequate management. Improvements comprise earlier maturing legumes, vetch varieties, further reduction/omission cereal companion mixture more destructive termination FC.