Management of Sinapis alba subsp. mairei winter cover crop residues for summer weed control in southern Spain

Published source details Alcántara C., Pujadas A. & Saavedra M. (2011) Management of Sinapis alba subsp. mairei winter cover crop residues for summer weed control in southern Spain. Crop Protection, 30, 1239-1244.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link
	Pest regulation: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards Action Link

Pest regulation: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2004 in a rainfed olive grove in Córdoba, Spain, found fewer weeds in plots with no tillage, compared to tillage. Pest numbers: Fewer weeds were found in plots with no tillage, compared to tillage, in one of two years (69 days after mowing, in 2004: 80 vs 130 weeds/m²). Methods: Cover crops were grown on 16 plots, from mid-October to mid-April, when the cover crops were mown and chopped (3 x 3 m plots). Weed seeds were broadcast over all plots, in January. Half of the plots were then rototilled (depth not reported), to incorporate the cover crop residues into the soil, and half were not tilled (but the residues were retained as mulch). All plots were superficially tilled in autumn (10 cm depth). Common mustard Sinapis alba subsp. mairei was used as a cover crop. Weeds were sampled in five quadrats/plot (31 x 62 cm, every week, 20–69 days after mowing).
Pest regulation: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2004 in a rainfed olive grove in Córdoba, Spain, found fewer weeds in plots with winter cover crops, compared to bare soil. Pest numbers: In summer, fewer weeds were found in plots with winter cover crops, compared to bare soil in winter, in one of two years (69 days after mowing, in 2004: 60% fewer weeds; 100 vs 250 weeds/m²). Methods: Cover crops were grown on 16 treatment plots, and bare soil was maintained on 16 control plots, from mid-October to mid-April, when the cover crops were mown and chopped (3 x 3 m plots). Weed seeds were broadcasted over all plots, in January. Half of the plots were then rototilled (depth not reported), to incorporate the cover crop residues into the soil, and half were not tilled (but the residues were retained as mulch). Common mustard Sinapis alba subsp. mairei was used as a cover crop. Weeds were sampled in five quadrats/plot (31 x 62 cm, every week, 20–69 days after mowing). Bare soil was maintained with tillage or herbicide.