Productivity and development of spring oilseed rape using non-chemical weed management and bio-activators

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University (Lithuania) in 2014–2015 with the aim to assess the impact of different non-chemical weed control methods (TWC – thermal, MWC – mechanical, and SMT – smothering) on spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) development and productivity in an organic farming system with and without the use of plant bio-activators. It was found, that meteorological conditions during vegetation had strong influence on the height of the plant, number of branches and pods, number of seeds in the pod, and yield, but not weight of seeds. In 2014 in spring oilseed rape using TWC without bio-activators application, the height of the plants and number of pods was significantly lower than using SWC. The number of branches and the number of seeds in the pod in TWC plots without bio-activators application was significantly lower to compare with the plots where MWC was used. Application of bio-activators significantly lowered the number of pods in SWC plots, and the weight of seeds in TWC plots. In 2015 significantly lower number of branches and pods on the plant was in SWC plots to compare with TWC and MWC with and without application of bio-activators. Bio-activators application had no significant effect on the height or number of branches of the plant in 2014, but in 2015 the plants in the SWC plots were significantly lower and had lower number of branches when bio-activators were applied. Positive effect of bio-activators application on number of pods and seeds in the pod was estimated in plots where TWC was used. The yield of spring oilseed rape in 2014 and 2015 using TWC was significantly lower than using MWC. Application of bio-preparations had positive effect on yield of spring oilseed rape in TWC plots.