Cover crops combined with soil tillage impact the spontaneous species density, richness and diversity in banana cover cropping systems

Soil tillage and cover crops impact spontaneous vegetation in agrosystems. destroys seedlings can affect the soil seedbank. Cover compete with naturally occurring species. Our aim was to gain insight into how (here, false seedbed technique) fallows preceding banana crops. In a fallowed field Guadeloupe (French West Indies), two factors were combined split-plot design: modality before crop sowing (with or without species (Crotalaria spectabilis, Pueraria phaseoloïdes, 50/50 mix of Brachiaria decumbens + ruziziensis, control). On monthly basis, three permanent quadrats per sub-plot, all identified their numbers counted, while calculating richness Shannon’s diversity index. The dynamics contrasted depending on treatment. From 7 months post-sowing density, Shannon index significantly lower treatments B. ruziziensis P. C. density higher than technique. These effects probably related differences competitive ability used and, lesser extent, This is first study show that under tropical climate, sown different modalities have substantial impacts plant community over 1-year period. results could help farmers weed control strategies by providing them deeper understanding practices community.