Weed species composition and density under conservation agriculture with varying fertiliser rate
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Date
Authors
Baker, Conrad
Madakadze, Ignacio Casper
Swanepoel, Corrie M.
Mavunganidze, Zira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Informa UK Limited (trading as Taylor & Francis Group) and NISC (Pty) Ltd
Abstract
Conservation agriculture (CA) is a sustainable management system that optimises yield while reducing input costs. However, reduction in tillage intensity and frequency as practised under CA generally alters weed densities and composition. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of tillage, cropping system and fertiliser rate on weed density and diversity under CA systems compared with conventional tillage (CT). An on-station field trial with a split-plot, randomised complete block design, was used and included two tillage systems, three cropping systems and two fertiliser levels. Reduced tillage had significantly (p < 0.05) higher weed density (42 m−2) but lower weed biomass (154 g m−2) in contrast to CT with lower weed density (36 m−2) and higher weed biomass (242 g m−2). In a principal component analysis ordination, Datura ferox and Tribulus terrestris were more strongly associated with high fertiliser rate, whereas Zinnia peruviana was associated with CT. The increase in weed density and diversity under reduced tillage is likely to restrain the adoption of CA. Therefore, there is a need for alternative weed management options depending upon the weed spectrum, cropping system and fertiliser management.
Description
Keywords
Conservation agriculture (CA), Conventional tillage (CT), Cropping system, Fertiliser, Tillage systems, Weed density
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Conrad Baker, Ignacio C Madakadze, Corrie M Swanepoel & ZiraMavunganidze (2018) Weed species composition and density under conservation agriculturewith varying fertiliser rate, South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 35:5, 329-336, DOI:10.1080/02571862.2018.1431814.