Background
Field wild herbs are one of the most endangered species groups in Germany. The diversity of arable species provides an essential basis for the establishment of diverse food webs in the agricultural landscape, especially for the availability of insects and as an essential food source for many species of field birds. The promotion of arable wild herbs and the associated increase in biodiversity in the agricultural landscape is necessary, especially against the background of the currently much discussed "insect mortality″. The knowledge gap about the possible effects of the establishment of arable wild herbs on soil properties and yields of market crops prevents, however, the acceptance of promising biodiversity-promoting measures in agricultural practice. Therefore, there is a need to review and evaluate the possible effects of establishing field weeds in cash crop rotations.
Objectives
The aim of the project is to investigate in a practical and scientifically based project, which management (market crop and stubble cultivation) promotes a successful establishment of value-giving field weeds in market crop-oriented crop rotations. It will also be investigated which preceding and succeeding crops contribute to establishment success in a market crop dominated region. The effects of delayed stubble tillage on crop protection aspects of market crop production and soil moisture in dryland arable areas will also be investigated. Finally, the economic viability of the farm as a result of the measures will be evaluated.
Material & Methods AP's
In the large plot experiment, the following variants will be tested in three experimental years:
- Turnover without sowing of field wild weeds,
- Ploughing with sowing of field wild herbs,
- Market crop with sowing of wild field weeds,
- Market crop with sowing of arable wild herbs and later stubble cultivation,
- Market crop without sowing of arable wild weeds. Field wild herb mixture
Projekt partner:
Saxony-Anhalt Cultural Landscape Foundation
Coordination:
International DLG Crop Production Center
Start:
1st August 2023
End:
31st July 2026
Contact
Siv Biada, Leiterin Internationales DLG-Pflanzenbauzentrum
✉ S.Biada@DLG.org
