Weed Seed Bank as Affected by Different Tillage Systems and Herbicide Application in Maize (Zea mays L.) Field

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of different systems of tillage and herbicide application on the density of weed seedbank and grain yield in maize, an experiment was carried out as split plots in a randomized complete block design with five replications in the years 2017 and 2018. The main plots consisted of three treatments: conventional, low and no-tillage and the subplots included herbicide and non-herbicide treatments. Seedbank review after maize harvesting in the autumn 2018, in the control treatment without spraying showed that Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenepodium album, Setaria viridis, Sorghum halepense, Portula caoleracea, Convulvulus arvensis, Malva neglecta, Descura iniasophia, and Lactuca serriola seeds were significantly more in no-tillage treatments, than in conventional and low tillage treatments. The average number of Avena ludveciana seeds in no and low tillage decreased significantly compared to the conventional tillage. In each of the tillage systems, nicosulfuron herbicide at the rate of 2 liters per hectare had the greatest effect on increasing grain yield. In general, the tillage system over two years led to the accumulation of weeds in the surface crust and increased the density of perennial weeds in the soil.