Effects of cover crop in pure stands and in mixtures on weed control and performance of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

Pure stands of cover crops (CC) and species mixtures raise increasing consideration in agricultural production systems due to the manifold services they provide to farmers. Their contribution to weed control is one of the most obvious services. However, especially allelochemicals can affect both weeds and crop plants. We examined the carry-over effects of CC stands, pure and in mixtures, on the subsequent maize crop in terms of crop establishment speed and weed pressure in 2018. Within a field trial, 10 different CC species, as well as particular mixtures of four species with either enhanced allelopathic potential, biomass production or emergence speed as well as a mixture with all 10 species were examined. The emergence pattern of the maize crop was more heterogeneous between the pure CC stands than across the mixtures. However, the time of emergence was slightly delayed in the latter in comparison to the pure CC stands. The single CC oat, mustard and flax were able to accelerate crop emergence significantly. Rye and vetch were the most effective treatments in the reduction of weed density and coverage in June 2018. However, total maize biomass did not differ considerably between the treatments. Although designed for different purposes the mixtures performed quite uniform in regard to weed control. Additional criteria besides weed control ability should therefore be considered to create appropriate multifunctional CC mixtures.

Keywords

• cover crops
• diversity
• integrated weed control
• maize