Influence of tillage type on vertical weed seedbank distribution in a sandy soil

Abstract

The vertical distribution of weed seeds in the seedbank of a sandy soil under three tillage systems (moldboard plow, chisel plow, and no-till) was estimated by a seedling-emergence method. The vertical distribution of the weed seedbank differed with tillage type and depth of tillage. The no-till system had the largest portion (90%) of the seedbank in the 0- to 5-cm layer. Chisel plowing distributed most of the seeds (66%) in the 5- to 10-cm layer. Moldboard plowing concentrated 71% of the seeds at the 10- to 15-cm depth. Our results suggest that the vertical distribution of the weed seedbank will be influenced by tillage type, depth of tillage, and soil type. Key words: Soil structure, moldboard plow, chisel plow, no-till