Effects of crop rotations on wee d infestation in winter wheat

Abstract

The effects of crop rotations, as one of the systems of the crop production in field plots, were studied on weed infestation in winter wheat crops. Winter wheat, as a second crop in the sowing structure, is usually cultivated in two cropping systems: continuous cropping and the two crop rotation. Based on these facts, the aim of the present study was to organise permanent crop rotations in the experimental agricultural farm of Radmilovac, a section of the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade. Crop rotations with different crops were established in 1992 and have been lasting ever since. Crop rotations, as a cropping practice, are a complex category with broad effects on the soil and crops. This paper presents results on effects of various systems of the crop production (crop rotation and continuous cropping) on a weed community of a winter wheat crop during two years of investigations (2008/09 and 2009/10). Crop rotations, especially three and two crop rotations were more efficient in suppression of weed plants per species and weed biomass than continuous cropping and six crop rotations.