Population dynamics of Avena ludoviciana under different tillage systems

To understand the impact of strategic tillage (ST) on the population dynamics of Avena ludoviciana, four tillage treatments were evaluated in a long-term no-tillage conservation agriculture (NTCA) paddock. The treatments were NT: no-tillage (with crop residue retention) in both years; ST1: strategic tillage to an operational depth of 10 cm in first year, no-tillage (with crop residue retention) in second year; ST2: no-tillage (with crop residue retention) in first year, strategic tillage to an operational depth of 10 cm in second year; CT: conventional tillage to an operational depth of 15 cm in both years. The field study was conducted at The University of Queensland Gatton Campus Research Farm (27°34'00"S 152°20'17"E) for two consecutive years, 2019 and 2020, following a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-15 cm depths to study the seedbank dynamics of Avena ludoviciana, and two 1 m2 permanent quadrats were established per plot to study the emergence pattern of Avena ludoviciana in both years. The data on days taken to reach the anthesis and maturity of Avena ludoviciana and wheat, as well as their plant height, tillers, and leaves per plant, were taken at maturity. The 1000-seed weight of Avena ludoviciana and wheat, as well as the grain yield of wheat, were also determined. The Avena ludoviciana seeds that matured early and late in the field were collected, and their dormancy status was determined.