EFFECTS ON THE FLORA OF EXTENSIFIED USE OF FIELD MARGINS

In field trials in two regions of southern Sweden, the short term effe ct of an extensified use of crop margins in cereal crops was documente d. The flora in crop margins and field boundaries was compared in thre e treatments: (A) a control treatment (normal application of herbicide s and fertilizer), (B) a treatment equivalent to control but without h erbicide application. and (C) a treatment that omitted herbicides and fertilizers, with a reduced sowing rate. Our results indicate that an extensified use of field margins can enhance flora diversity in both t he arable land and adjoining field boundaries. even over a very short time period. The diversity change depends on the species pool at the s ite chosen and areas with aggresive weeds should be avoided.