A rotation design to reduce weed densityin organic farming

Weeds are a major obstacle to successful crop production in organic farming. Producers may be able to reduce inputs forweed management by designing rotations to disrupt population dynamics of weeds. Population-based management inconventional farming has reduced herbicide use by 50% because weed density declines in cropland across time. In thispaper, we suggest a 9-year rotation comprised of perennial forages and annual crops that will disrupt weed populationgrowth and reduce weed density in organic systems. Lower weed density will also improve effectiveness of weed controltactics used for an individual crop. The rotation includes 3-year intervals of no-till, which will improve both weedpopulation management and soil health. Even though this rotation has not been field tested, it provides an example ofdesigning rotations to disrupt population dynamics of weeds. Also, producers may gain additional benefits of higher cropyield and increased nitrogen supply with this rotation design