Biological spectrum of the weed flora in the Vrsac vineyards (Serbia)

Abstract

Agrotechnical measures are the main factor defining the vineyard weed flora structure and composition, while adequate weed control measures simultaneously ensure that vineyards are being well-managed, thus securing good grapevine health and high quality of wine. Given that the biological spectrum of weeds affects the choice of weed control measures, the aim of this study was to determine the biological properties of the weed flora in Vrsac vineyards, by assessing dominant life forms and phenology of the identified weeds. The floristic analysis was conducted during the 2016 vegetation season (March-November) at 60 plots (1 m2), at three field sites. The presence of 97 plant taxa, belonging to 26 families, was determined. The biological spectrum of the vineyards weed flora has shown a thero?phyto-hemicryptophyte character (therophytes: 57.73% and hemicryptophytes: 34.02%). The scapose herbaceous plants with summer-flowering phenology were dominant within the therophytes and hemicryptophytes. The obtained results have shown a higher weed diversity in vineyards, when compared to previous research of the weed flora in the study area, but similar to more recent studies conducted in the neighbouring countries. Furthermore, the dominant presence of therophytes in the vineyard weed flora was expected, bearing in mind the primarily mechanical weed control measures traditionally applied in vineyards.