Strategic tillage: how does it impact weed management?

Publication Date

27-2-2023

Series Number

DAW1901-006RTX

Publisher

Grains Research and Development Corporation

City

Perth

Abstract

  • Seed burial depth varies widely between soil types, soil conditions and implement setup, even when using the same soil tillage implements at a consistent speed. Therefore, check the depth of working to estimate weed seed burial.
  • A full soil inversion (mouldboard) buries seed to approximately half the working depth.
  • Seed burial by soil mixing (spading or ploughing) or loosening (deep ripping) is highly variable, depending on the soil type. However, there is no consistent evidence that these amelioration techniques stimulate weed emergence (as is observed after an autumn tickle).
  • How well a weed species recovers after burial depends on both burial depth and seed size. A species with a large seed like great brome is more likely to emerge successfully from a greater burial depth than a small seeded species like annual ryegrass.

Keywords

strategic tillage, weed management, soil inversion amelioration, weed seeds, weed emergence

Disciplines

Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Weed Science

Maps

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this report contains a map, it will be available in the individual parts list below.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS