Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 2. Effect of legumes on soil fertility, subsequent wheat crop and weed population

GJ Wells

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 10(46) 622 - 629
Published: 1970

Abstract

Following two to three years of competition between lucerne, annual medics, or field peas with skeleton weed at six sites in the Mallee, Victoria, a wheat crop was grown on fallow at each site between 1966 and 1968 to determine the effect on the weed populations and to measure the relative ability of the legumes to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. Skeleton weed populations declined throughout both the fallow and cropping periods on all treatments, and the possible mechanisms involved are discussed. All legumes increased the nitrogen status of the soil at the different sites, which led to higher wheat yield and grain protein content. There was limited response to applied nitrogen fertilizer, except on the volunteer pasture treatments. Lucerne and the annual medics were similar in their effects on soil nitrogen. However, moisture conservation during the fallow period was more effective following lucerne in some years, owing to the lower skeleton weed populations, and resulted in much higher grain yields in the drought year of 1967.

https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9700622

© CSIRO 1970

Committee on Publication Ethics


Export Citation Get Permission

View Dimensions