Tavaziva, Varwi Jacob
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is a troublesome weed, causing economic losses by reducing crop yield, increasing herbicide and tillage costs, and degrading soils due to increased tillage requirements. The major control method for C. arvense is herbicide application, but this poses socio-environmental and herbicide resistance risks. The European Union promotes reduced dependence and sustainable use of herbicides, combined with cultural and mechanical weed control. This thesis assessed the effects of integrated weed control on the population dynamics of C. arvense. For mechanical control, farmers are recommended to act when C. arvense is most sensitive to disturbance, i.e. at the point of minimum belowground weight, coinciding with 7-10 leaves per shoot. However, many farmers believe that this is too late. To estimate the compensation point (CP), defined as the minimum weight of the entire belowground structure of C. arvense, and identify links between initial root weight, planting depth and crop competition, three outdoor pot experiments were performed. For chemical control, farmers are recommended to spray when the majority of C. arvense shoots are 10-20 cm high. To assess the effects of timing and dose of herbicide application (MCPA), and crop competition on growth and development of C. arvense, one outdoor pot experiment and one field experiment were performed. The field experiment also assessed the effects of selective cutting. It was found that CP for C. arvense occurred before 3-leaf stage and that treatment effects were minor (
Keywords
cultural control; chemical control; compensation point; competition; creeping thistle; MCPA; mechanical control; selective cutting; spring barely
Published in
Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2017, number: 2017:110
Publisher: Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation
Agricultural Science
Ecology
Publication identifier
- ISBN: 978-91-7760-110-4
- eISBN: 978-91-7760-111-1
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/104163