Development and demonstration of an effective common wild oats control strategy Project leader Jevgenija Ņečajeva Team of project Viktorija Zagorska Regīna Rancāne Guna Bundzēna Maksims Fiļipovičs Duration 2019 - 2023 Research focus 4. Development and adaptation of technologies for obtaining high-value agricultural and forest products, as well as in veterinary medicine Source of funding Knowledge transfer Project partners NGO "Farmers Parliament" Latvija (ZSA) Description of project The aim of research To demonstrate in practice effective methods to control the spread of common wild oat in an integrated cropping system. The tasks of project: To evaluate the contamination with wild oats in spring cereals in the selected fields in the demonstration farmsTo establish a demonstration trial to evaluate the effectiveness of plant protection products in spring cereals according to the trial plan and methodology and in compliance with the instructions for use of PPP recommended for the control of wild oatsTo evaluate the efficiency of plant protection products by performing weed counts, to evaluate crop yield Results A demonstration trial was conducted on two farms located in the Latgale and Kurzeme regions to evaluate the effectiveness of controlling wild oat (Avena fatua) in spring wheat using selective herbicides (graminicides). The trial also aimed to highlight the ineffectiveness of glyphosate application after harvest for wild oat control. The impact of wild oat competition on grain yield and quality was assessed, revealing that significant yield losses and a reduction in grain quality (specifically hectoliter weight) occur when weed density surpasses a critical threshold. The study emphasized the importance of targeting wild oat at specific developmental stages (up to BBCH 31) for effective control. Over the course of four years, eight field days were organized (one per year at each farm) to share insights with farmers.
