The Effects of Brassica Cover Crops on Weed Dynamics

TL;DRAbstract

Concerns about the health and environmental impacts of herbicide use have led farmers and researchers to seek alternative methods of weed management. One such alternative is the use of allelopathic cover crops, which release chemicals into the soil environment that can contribute to weed management through suppression of weed seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment, and seedling growth, in addition to providing other soil quality benefits to farmers. Brassicas, or members of the Brassicaceae, contain glucosinolates, sulfur-containing molecules that degrade to form compounds toxic to a variety of organisms. Glucosinolate content varies between brassicas grown as cover crops; mustards typically have very high glucosinolate content, whereas others, including canola and rapeseed, contain lower amounts. Brassica residues have strong phytotoxic effects; weed density and biomass has been observed to be lower in crops following incorporation of brassica residue. In addition to a

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