How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary
This study explores the relationship between abiotic factors, farming practices, and weed growth in winter wheat fields in Eastern Hungary. It examines the order of weed dominance and the influence of soil, environmental, and agricultural variables on weed composition and diversity before herbicide...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1033 |
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| author | Erzsébet Tóth Zita Dorner János György Nagy Mihály Zalai |
| author_facet | Erzsébet Tóth Zita Dorner János György Nagy Mihály Zalai |
| author_sort | Erzsébet Tóth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the relationship between abiotic factors, farming practices, and weed growth in winter wheat fields in Eastern Hungary. It examines the order of weed dominance and the influence of soil, environmental, and agricultural variables on weed composition and diversity before herbicide application. The research was conducted across four sub-regions in the Great Hungarian Plain, each with distinct soil, hydrological, and geographical conditions. Between 2018 and 2021, 103 fields were surveyed and weed species cover was recorded using EPPO-based identification and quadrat sampling. Soil properties, environmental conditions, and farming practices were documented through soil analysis, geographical data, and farmer interviews. Statistical analyses were preformed including ANCOVA, redundancy analysis, and Shannon diversity index calculations. The results show that common weed species include <i>Veronica hederifolia</i>, <i>Stellaria media</i>, and <i>Apera spica-venti</i>, with winter annuals dominating. Soil compaction and salinity affected weed diversity, while increased copper and zinc concentrations had minor effects on weed coverage. Farming practices, particularly tillage systems and fertilizer use, had a significant effect on species richness and diversity. Different regional and annual weed distributions were observed, with correlation between certain tillage systems and specific weed species. The results emphasize the need for climate-conscious farming practices, and we recommend prioritising shallow cultivation and deep loosening over ploughing in order to manage weed populations effectively. These insights contribute to sustainable weed management strategies in cereal production. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d359a09dbfa40cba4c03f5c5042be81 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d359a09dbfa40cba4c03f5c5042be812025-08-20T02:33:43ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-04-01155103310.3390/agronomy15051033How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern HungaryErzsébet Tóth0Zita Dorner1János György Nagy2Mihály Zalai3Department of Integrated Plant Protection, Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), 2100 Gödöllő, HungaryDepartment of Integrated Plant Protection, Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), 2100 Gödöllő, HungaryEducation and Social Sciences (SZE AK), Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Humanities, Széchenyi István University, 9022 Győr, HungaryDepartment of Integrated Plant Protection, Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), 2100 Gödöllő, HungaryThis study explores the relationship between abiotic factors, farming practices, and weed growth in winter wheat fields in Eastern Hungary. It examines the order of weed dominance and the influence of soil, environmental, and agricultural variables on weed composition and diversity before herbicide application. The research was conducted across four sub-regions in the Great Hungarian Plain, each with distinct soil, hydrological, and geographical conditions. Between 2018 and 2021, 103 fields were surveyed and weed species cover was recorded using EPPO-based identification and quadrat sampling. Soil properties, environmental conditions, and farming practices were documented through soil analysis, geographical data, and farmer interviews. Statistical analyses were preformed including ANCOVA, redundancy analysis, and Shannon diversity index calculations. The results show that common weed species include <i>Veronica hederifolia</i>, <i>Stellaria media</i>, and <i>Apera spica-venti</i>, with winter annuals dominating. Soil compaction and salinity affected weed diversity, while increased copper and zinc concentrations had minor effects on weed coverage. Farming practices, particularly tillage systems and fertilizer use, had a significant effect on species richness and diversity. Different regional and annual weed distributions were observed, with correlation between certain tillage systems and specific weed species. The results emphasize the need for climate-conscious farming practices, and we recommend prioritising shallow cultivation and deep loosening over ploughing in order to manage weed populations effectively. These insights contribute to sustainable weed management strategies in cereal production.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1033winter wheatweed competitionnichedisc harrowingshallow cultivationploughing |
| spellingShingle | Erzsébet Tóth Zita Dorner János György Nagy Mihály Zalai How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary Agronomy winter wheat weed competition niche disc harrowing shallow cultivation ploughing |
| title | How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary |
| title_full | How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary |
| title_fullStr | How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary |
| title_short | How Weed Flora Evolves in Cereal Fields in Relation to the Agricultural Environment and Farming Practices in Different Sub-Regions of Eastern Hungary |
| title_sort | how weed flora evolves in cereal fields in relation to the agricultural environment and farming practices in different sub regions of eastern hungary |
| topic | winter wheat weed competition niche disc harrowing shallow cultivation ploughing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1033 |
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