This research project has now finished. Work is continuing on the subject in other funded research.
Much of the focus in recent years in weed management has been on aggressive grassweeds but changing farming systems towards conservation agriculture will be reflected in changing weed management issues and priorities.
One change already being seen in response to these changes is a resurgence of a diverse range of broad-leaved weeds; poppy, groundsel, mayweed and pansy as well as the emergence of new broad-leaved weed challenges like bur chervil.
In partnership with ROTAM, NIAB created a site at Hinxton, near Cambridge, dedicated to long-term sustainable management of these diverse broad-leaved weed species.
As a centrepiece a long-term trial was established, studying the impact of cultural factors (cultivations and crop sowing date) on broad-leaved weed communities over time. Cultural control as a management tool for these species has not been studied enough in the past. Looking towards the future trials demonstrating and proving concepts like under-sowing maize and banded selective herbicides alongside mechanical weeding will be part of the effort.
The project
Filmed in 2022 NIAB's former Weed Biology and Management Specialist John Cussans and Dilwyn Harris formerly from ROTAM, explained the research: