Interannual variation in weed biomass on arable land in Sweden

Data were analysed on weed biomass from untreated plots in 2672 field experiments conducted in spring- and autumn-sown cereal and oilseed crops in Sweden 1972-1992. The coefficient of variation (CV) among years in the biomass of annual weeds per square metre was 29% in autumn-sown crops. In spring-sown crops, which had less weed biomass, the corresponding value was 49%. The biomass of summer annuals varied most (105%). Low winter temperatures seemed to increase the biomass of weeds in autumn-sown crops. In spring-sown crops, weed biomass production was higher in years with high rainfall during late spring. Partial ordination (pCCA) of weed data indicated that the interannual variations in autumn-sown crops were mainly manifested by the occurrence of summer annuals. Results from similar ordination of data from spring-sown crops were partly explained by the occurrence of winter annuals.