Mw.ir. H.M. (Marjolein) Kruidhof: "Cover crop-based ecological weed management: exploration and optimization"

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28 May 2008 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. M.J. Kropff (Crop and Weed Ecology)
Co Promotor: Dr. Ir. L. Bastiaans

 This research was focused on the use of cover crops for ecological weed management. Cover crops are grown for various purposes, like prevention of nutrient leaching and improvement of the soil structure. By growing cover crops in between two main crops, two important mechanisms to reduce weed populations are introduced.

In late summer and autumn cover crops can reduce weed seed production through competition. In springtime, cover crop residues incorporated in the upper layer of the soil may suppress or retard weed emergence due to, among others, allelopathic effects.

This research focused on three aspects, the concentration of allelochemicals in the cover crop, the persistence of the weed-suppressive effects of the soil-incorporated cover crop residues, and the variability in inhibitory effects on weeds. The experiments were carried out with the cover crops winter rye, winter oilseed rape and lucerne. Different management options to optimize the weed-suppressive effect in springtime have been identified.
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