Mechanical and cultural strategies to control Cirsium arvense in organic arable cropping systems

Infestation with Cirsium arvense in organic cropping is an increasing problem in many parts of Europe. Non-chemical management strategies against C. arvense, based on cultivation tactics and/or different cutting regimes, have received very little attention for many years. This study presents results from four experiments, undertaken under organic growing conditions, on the effects of repeated mowing or hoeing during the first part of the growing season, used in combination with competition from a suppressive crop (grass/white clover mixture or red clover). The strategies were mainly aimed at diminishing the regenerative capacity of C. arvense and the effects were thus measured in the subsequent year in spring barley crops, in the absence of any weed control. In general, number of passes of mowing and hoeing linearly reduced the amount of aboveground C. arvense biomass in the subsequent year. Increased competition induced by the competitive crops further reduced C. arvense biomass. Differences in barley yield were explained by the amount of C. arvense biomass only in one experiment, where this weed was most abundant. Our results suggest that an acceptable level of C. arvense control can be achieved through an intensive hoeing or mowing campaign, within one growing season only. This may lead to increased crop yield in the subsequent year.