Eliminating soil disturbance reduces post-alfalfa summer annual weed populations
The influence of method (tillage vs. no-till) and time of year of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) termination on the population of naturally occurring weeds was assessed over three site-years in southern Manitoba. Termination method was found to be more important than timing. Populations of weeds such as green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), wild mustard [Brassica kaber (DC) L.C. Wheeler] and lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album L.) were usually lower (P < 0.05) in the undisturbed (i.e., no-till) system, compared to where tillage was used. It was concluded that the combination of alfalfa in rotation and no-till management can provide significant weed control benefits to cropping systems. Key words: Weed ecology, no-till cropping, forages