ALOMYSYS:: Modelling black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) germination and emergence, in interaction with seed characteristics, tillage and soil climate -: I.: Construction

Models quantifying the effects of agricultural practices on weed emergence, in interaction with the soil, are necessary to evaluate and design cropping systems. In the present study, such a model was developed for black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), a harmful weed frequently found in rotations consisting mostly of winter crops. The model ALOMYSYS was based on sub-models predicting (a) soil environment (climate, structure) resulting from the cropping system and weather, (b) vertical soil seed distribution after tillage, depending on the tool, the characteristics of the tillage implement and the soil structure; and (c) seed mortality, dormancy, germination and pre-emergent growth depending on soil environment, seed depth, characteristics and past history. Seed movements during tillage depend on the tool used, its characteristics, soil structure and on the initial position of the seed. Seed mortality increases with seed age; seed dormancy depends on seed age, seed depth, the conditions in which the seeds were produced and the past moisture and dryness conditions undergone by the seeds; germination is triggered by rain or tillage and driven by hydro-thermal time; pre-emergent shoot elongation depends on seed weight, on the conditions in which the seeds were produced and increases with thermal time; pre-emergent seedling mortality increases with soil dryness, clod size and seed depth. The sub-models were based either on existing models, or developed with literature data or additional experiments. Simulations were carried out to show how weed emergence can be reduced by adapting tillage mode and date to previous crop history. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.