Implications of Soil Tillage for Crop and Weed Seeds

• Published in: Soil Tillage in Agroecosystems pp. 129 - 160
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom CRC Press 2002; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Agricultural science; Biodiversity; Soil science, sedimentology; CRC Press LLC; Seed Predation; Crop Establishment; Oilseed Rape Seeds; Germination Test; Soil Surface; Soil Cultivation; Cover Crop; Matricaria Inodora; Soil Tillage; CT; Crop Residues; Lettuce Seeds; Oilseed Rape; Hairy Vetch; Seed Consumption; Weed Seeds; Seed Germination; Soil Water Conditions; Seed Dormancy; Moisture Content; Ta Ge; Weed Species
• DOI: 10.1201/9781420040609-7
• ISBN: 0849312280; 9780849312281

In arable fields, soil cultivation is carried out for a number of reasons, and influencing the fate of seeds is one of its most important objectives. It has been evident to farmers for a long time that germination and emergence of seeds can be enhanced by cultivating the soil before sowing. Soil cultivation removes the previous vegetation and hence enhances the competitive situation for the crop. It also facilitates sowing of seeds into the soil. Moisture conditions tend to be more favorable within the soil than on the soil surface. The probability of seeds being removed by birds or other animals is less for seeds that are incorporated into the soil than for seeds that lie on the soil surface.