Embracing weeds to optimise crops and preserve landscapes

Archaeologists and archaeobotanists from the School (including Prof. Amy Bogaard, Dr Jade Whitlam, Dr Michael Charles, Dr Laura Green and Dr John Hodgson) have collaborated with producers and conservationists in France to develop a new approach to use of weeds in organic farming. 

Professor Bogaard said: 'Some weed species are very harmful to crop yields, while others are not. The weed accounts we have developed enable organic farmers not only to identify the species in their fields but also to use them as indicators of growing conditions and potential impacts on crop yields.

'Armed with this information, organic farmers can refine their weed management practices to target harmful species and encourage the growth of others that don’t compete directly with the crop and may even have other uses.'

 

Click here for more information on this study. 

wheat