Long-Term Soil Nutrient Management Affects Taxonomic and Functional Weed Community Composition and Structure

Weed communities can be influenced by nutrient availability, form (e. g., ammonium vs. nitrate), amendment timing, type (e.g., organic inorganic), and immigration of seeds during applications. The objective this research was to compare the long-term effect different fertility treatments in a corn ( Zea mays L.)-alfalfa Medicago sativa L.) rotation on taxonomic functional structure composition weed analyzing soil seedbank. After 14 years experiment Aurora, NY, United States, soils were sampled five for rotation: liquid dairy manure, semi-composted separated solids; or inorganic nitrogen (N) as starter fertilizer with either no sidedress N, low rate high N fertilizer. Soil collected early spring 2015 greenhouse seed germination bioassay used quantify germinable Total seedbank density, species richness, evenness did not vary treatment. However, modified ecological niche represented 20 environmental descriptors, which filtered community creating distinct group assemblages. A trait-based analysis revealed that nitrophilic dicotyledons preferring alkaline associated concentrations fertilizer, whereas highly specialist monocotyledons amounts light Because affected but bank density results encourage development holistic management strategies adopt coherent crop fertilization.