Which methods are the most reliable for predict weed seed bank?

Abstract

The primary aim of the study was to estimate the weed seed bank in different management systems. Research on this topic is modestly and there are great variability in the results with similarly set experimental conditions, because of using different methods. Therefore, it was decided to use square method and to compare two methods for estimating weed seed bank: physical extraction of seed and seedling emergence method. The research was performed at the stationary long-term experiment "Plodoredi" of the Institute of Field and Vegetables Crops in Novi Sad. During three years and 6 assessment and 2-year crop rotation (winter wheat-maize) with standard application of mineral fertilizer 100 kg ha-1 N was monitored. During the first year (2014), method physical extraction of seed gave an insight that 20.100 seeds per m2, which belong to 18 weed species, persist in the entire examined soil layer (0-40 cm). Using the seedling emergence method, it was estimated only 4.625 seeds per m2, which originate from 5 weed species. During the last assessment (2017), the physical extraction, although more complicated, indicated that there were 27.075 seeds per m2 in the examined layer, i.e. 20 weed species.