Varying tillage promotes weed diversity, while a perennial alfalfa–grass mixture promotes weed control in an organic tillage system experiment in Germany

Abstract In organic farming the control of perennial weed species, in particular Cirsium arvense , can be a major concern for farmers, especially if there is no regulation through forage production. To test whether stubble cleaner (SC), an enhanced skim plow (PL), as effective C. and other weeds conventional ploughing production, field experiment was established. Three different tillage/crop rotation systems were compared: SC system PL system, both cereal-based crop additional that included alfalfa–grass mixture (PLALF). tillage carried out solely with SC, while PLALF systems, alternated chiseling. fifth year, each main plot divided into subplots, seven cover treatments integrated three systems. The effects on density, biomass, diversity sixth seventh year are subjects this paper. choice species minor importance control. generally more controlling than No significant differences between regarding could identified four five assessments. had significantly higher total density years. However, emergence diminished until assessment biomass crops, when these two (2012) or at all (2013) identified. Species richness not influenced by Evenness Shannon–Wiener index most dates 2012. 2013 clear trend evenness Shannon-Wiener probably due to hoeing operation.. conclusion, control, important method, community, method rotation.