Weed flora in dill (Anethum graveolens L., Apiaceae, Apiales) grown in conventional and organic production systems

Abstract

This study was performed to compare the weed flora in dill crops maintained conventionally and according to the principles of organic production. Out of 17 weed species noted for the two growing systems, even four (Amaranthus retroflexus L., Datura stramonium L., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., and Veronica persica Poir.) are invasive in Vojvodina region (Serbia). Weed infestation (number of individuals per m2) was significantly higher on the conventional plots (p = 0.0000**). The dominating species in conventional growing system were Convolvulus arvensis, Veronica persica and Chenopodium album (8.00, 6.67 and 5.33 individuals per m2, respectively), while Amaranthus retroflexus dominated on organic plots (8.00 individuals per m2). Regarding life forms of the recorded weed flora, therophytes dominate both in conventional (92.31%) and organic (66.67%) systems. The observed differences in weed flora are due to the specificities of dill conventional and organic production.

Keywords

• Anethum graveolens
• conventional crop production
• dill
• organic crop production
• weed infestation
• weeds