Weeding of cultivated chamomile in Serbia

Abstract

Survey of weeds occurring in cultivated chamomile was conducted at three sites of the northern east and central west region in Serbia, differing in climate, soil and applied fertilizers, in order to estimate diversity and abundance of weed flora, and to analyze the general patterns of weed communities. Weed flora of studied sites was analyzed in terms of morphotypes, life forms and physiotypes. Numerical classification of weed communities (UPGMA method) was performed to determine whether a weed composition, abundance and ecology had an effect on discrimination among communities of studied sites. Results of this study showed that the most abundant weeds of the whole studied area were biannual, which is a typical feature of winter crops, such as chamomile. Relatively high percent of winter-spring weeds is related to sowing date of chamomile. Numerical classification of weed communities indicates that floristic composition and related abundance of weeds was clearly connected with a weed ecology estimated through ecological indexes of weed flora. On the basis of weeding analyzed in chamomile plots, measures of weed control were recommended.