ABSTRACT
Effect of false-seedbed technique on weed management and soil quality in rice fields

Jiapeng Fang1, Guohui Yuan1, Yuan Gao1, Guohui Shen1*, and Zhihui Tian1*
 
The increasing prevalence of herbicide resistance and the global shift toward reduced agrochemical usage necessitate innovative, sustainable weed management strategies. The false-seedbed technique is an eco-friendly approach, has gained prominence in organic agriculture and herbicide-resistant weed management. However, impacts of the false-seedbed technique on weed control efficacy and soil health remain underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of varying false-seedbed parameters (e.g., 0, 20, 30, 40 d induction; and tillage once or twice) on weed suppression, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. Key findings revealed that a 40 d induction achieved approximately 75% weed control efficacy , compared to the no-induction treatment, which was lower than conventional herbicide treatments. Prolonged induction periods significantly enhanced the accumulation of total organic C (TOC) and total N (TN), but had no effect on total P (TP) or total K (TK). Notably, herbicide application reduced soil microbial richness and diversity, whereas the false-seedbed technique preserved microbial community structure across all treatments. Tillage once or twice showed nonsignificant influence on weed control or soil quality metrics. These results demonstrate that the false-seedbed technique is a viable, eco-friendly alternative to herbicides, balancing effective weed management with the preservation of soil health. Its integration into rice farming systems could contribute to sustainable agriculture by minimizing agrochemical dependency and maintaining soil biodiversity. To validate the trends observed in this case study, longer-time and field-to-field replication is required.
Keywords: False-seedbed technique, soil microbial community, soil physicochemical properties, weed control.
1Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 201403, Shanghai, China.
*Corresponding authors (zb5@saas.sh.cn; tianzhihui@saas.sh.cn)