Browsing by Author "Harbuck, Kristin Suzanne Bates"

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Weed seedbank dynamics and composition of northern Great Plains cropping systems
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2007) Harbuck, Kristin Suzanne Bates; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Fabian D. Menalled.
With a growing concern about sustainability of agricultural production systems, interest in integrated weed management systems has increased. Increasing the understanding of weed seedbank dynamics will improve efficiency of management. The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify weed seedbank dynamics in response to seed density and burial depth, 2) determine weed seedbank decay at varying seed densities and burial depths, 3) quantify weed seed predation in wheat and tilled fallow fields, and 4) characterize and compare weed seedbanks in organic and conventional no-tillage production fields. Objective 1 was carried out at Montana State University's Arthur H. Post Agronomy Farm. Seedbanks were established at four densities and two burial depths. Weekly seedling counts were taken for two consecutive growing seasons. Data indicated higher density seedbanks had lower proportions of emergence. Individual species responded differently to depth treatments. We concluded that management affecting seed density and depth will affect seedling emergence. Objective 2 was carried out in the same plots as objective 1. Seedbank samples were used to separate seeds.