Changes in weed composition of winter wheat crops due to long-term fertilization

The effects of various fertilization levels on weed species composition and aboveground biomass were investigated in experimental plots of winter wheat established 14 years ago in Fengqiu, China. The treatments examined influenced weeds growth, the effects differing much between weed species. Arenaria serpyllifolia, Chorispora tenella, Erysimunt cheiranthoides, and Veronica persica were best adapted either to N-, P-, K-deficiency or balanced treatment. Multivariate analyses showed that changes in the weed community composition were first due to soil available P, followed by light intensity on soil surface. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.