Influence of farming system on weeds in thresh crops of a six-year crop rotation

In this work the influence of the management system on the species diversit y and abundance of weeds was investigated. The weed flora was monitored in thresh crops of a six-year rotation after transformation from a conventiona l, high intensity to either an organic or an integrated management system. Additionally, effects of soil tillage were evalueted. The organic cultivation increased the diversity and abundance of weeds. Int egrated cultivation with herbicides, even when applied threshold-orientated , reduced the diversity of weed species. There were no rare or protected sp ecies within the six years after transforming the crop rotation in none of both management systems. No-plough tillage management increased the abundan ce of weeds and particulary of grasses.