Research paper: Strategic tillage in Australian conservation agricultural systems to address soil constraints

Md Sultan Mia^1,2, Gaus Azam¹, Sina Nouraei^2,3, Catherine Borger¹

1. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australian Government, Northam, Western Australia, Australia
2. Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
3. School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Abstract (partial)

In the conservation agricultural systems practised in Australia, cultivation is not commonly utilised for the purpose of weed control. However, occasional use of tillage (strategic tillage) is implemented every few years for soil amelioration, to address constraints such as acidity, water repellence or soil compaction. Depending on the tillage method, the soil amelioration process buries or disturbs the topsoil. The act of amelioration also changes the soil physical and chemical properties and affects crop growth. While these strategic tillage practices are not usually applied for weed control, they are likely to have an impact on weed seedbank burial, which will in turn affect seed dormancy and seedbank depletion. Strategic tillage impacts on seed burial and soil characteristics will also affect weed emergence, plant survival, competitive ability of weeds against the crop and efficiency of soil applied preemergent herbicides. If growers understand the impacts of soil amelioration on weed demography, they can more effectively plan management strategies to apply following the strategic tillage practice.

Weed Research. 2023;63:12–26.

DOI: 10.1111/wre.12564