Linking weed patterns with soil properties: a long-term case study

Abstract

The spatial distribution and density of different weed species were monitored during a long-term survey over a period of 9 years on a 5.8 ha arable field and related to soil properties. Weed seedlings were determined every year in spring on a regular grid with 429 observation points (15 × 7.5 m; net study area = 4 ha). Dominant weed species were Chenopodium album, Polygonum aviculare, Viola arvensis and different grass weeds, clearly dominated by Alopecurus myosuroides. A non-invasive electromagnetic induction survey was conducted to evaluate available water capacity directly in the field at high spatial resolution. Further soil properties were evaluated following the minimum-invasive approach with soil sampling and subsequent mid-infrared spectroscopy. Plant available nutrients were analysed with conventional lab methods. Redundancy analysis served to describe the effect of soil properties, different years and field crops on weed species variability. Seven soil properties together explained 30.7% of the spatial weed species variability, whereas 28.2% was explained by soil texture, available water capacity and soil organic carbon. Maps for site-specific weed management were created based on soil maps. These maps permit several benefits for precision crop protection, such as a better understanding of soil–weed inter-relations, improved sampling strategies and reduction in herbicide use.