Field experiments were conducted near Boone, IA, to quantify postdispersal
seed predation of common lambsquarters and common waterhemp in corn (2003)
and soybean (2004) managed with conventional, reduced, and zero-tillage
systems. Seed predation in each tillage regime was quantified using
selective exclusion treatments during July through September 2003 and June
through October 2004. In addition, the activity density of ground-dwelling
invertebrates was estimated with pitfall traps. Choice and no-choice feeding
trials were conducted in the laboratory using the most abundant weed seed
predators found in the field to determine seed preferences of the potential
predator organisms. The greatest seed loss occurred during July and August.
In 2003, seed predation was lower in zero tillage than in conventional and
reduced tillages, but no differences in seed predation between tillage
regimes were observed in 2004. Maximum seed predation for common
lambsquarters was 53% in 2003 and 64% in 2004. Common waterhemp seed
predation reached 80% in 2003 and 85% in 2004. The majority of seed
predation was by invertebrate organisms. The most common invertebrate
species captured with pitfall traps were field crickets (Gryllus
pennsylvanicus De Geer [Gryllidae, Orthoptera]) and ground
beetles (Harpalus pensylvanicus Burmeister [Coleoptera,
Carabidae]). In 2003, field crickets were relatively more abundant in
conventional and reduced tillage than in zero-tillage plots. In 2004, field
crickets were more abundant in the reduced tillage than in the other two
tillage regimes. No differences were detected for ground beetles among
tillage regimes (P = 0.57). Choice and no-choice feeding experiments
confirmed the preferences of field crickets and ground beetles for common
lambsquarters and common waterhemp seeds over the larger seeds of giant
foxtail and velvetleaf. Under field conditions, the activity density of
field crickets was a significant predictor of common lambsquarters
(r2 = 0.47) and common waterhemp (r2 = 0.53) seed predation. Positive relationships were also
detected between the activity density of ground beetles and common
lambsquarters (r2 = 0.30) and common waterhemp (r2 = 0.30) seed predation. This research demonstrated that weed
seed predation is an important component affecting weed seedbanks and that
crop management practices that favor the activity of predators such as field
crickets or ground beetles could influence weed populations. Also, the
results suggested that tillage is more important in determining the number
of weed seeds available on the soil surface to predators than directly
affecting predator activity density.