The effect of summer weed management strategies on subsequent germinations and seed bank numbers

摘要

Where seed set was stopped over several years the number of innocent weed (Cenchrus longispinus (Hackel) Fern.) and caltrop (Tribulus terrestris L.) plants that emerged declined and the seed banks of innocent weed declined. However, a reduction in innocent weed plant numbers of between 39 and 65% reduced the amount of seed entering the seed bank by less than 10% suggesting that to obtain a long term reduction in seed bank numbers it is necessary to stop all plants from setting seed. If these trends continue a reduction in the number of operations required to control summer weeds may be possible.