Tag Archives: weed diversity

433-436 I. Vanaga, J. Gurkina, O. Treikale, I. Priekule and J. Pugacova
Influence of Heracleum sosnowskyi control measures on weed diversity in agricultural fields in Latvia
Abstract |

Influence of Heracleum sosnowskyi control measures on weed diversity in agricultural fields in Latvia

I. Vanaga, J. Gurkina, O. Treikale, I. Priekule and J. Pugacova

Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, Lielvardes iela 36/38, Riga, LV1006, Latvia;e-mail: ineta.vanaga@laapc.lv

Abstract:

Abstract: In a field infested with Heracleum sosnowskyi, plots were cultivated by disc harrow or ploughed in 2003 and then sown with one of two grass mixtures. Half of the grass plots were sprayed once with a herbicide containing MCPA, fluroxypyr and chlorpyralid; the other half were cut 3 times with a hand mower. In 2004 a similar trial was established after an early season application of glyphosate to control Elymus repens and the soil had been deep ploughed. The most effective control of H. sosnowskyi and E. repens was obtained by glyphosate application after spring regrowth followed by deep ploughing. This treatment did not adversely affect either numbers of dicotyledonous species or numbers of dicotyledonous plants that grew in the sown grass swards. Ploughing gave better control of H. sosnowskyi and E. repens than disc harrowing and provided better seedbeds for sward establishment. Ploughing also increased the numbers of dicotyledonous species and plants compared to disc harrowing. Chemical weed control reduced diversity and plant numbers, but weed control by cutting did not.

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