This study examines how different irrigation levels influence weed community composition and functional structure in a Mediterranean vineyard, explicitly considering spatial heterogeneity (vineyard rows vs. inter-rows) and seasonal variability (spring vs. summer). Weed surveys and functional trait measurements (vegetative plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content) were conducted under three irrigation treatments (low: Kc = 0.2; moderate: Kc = 0.4; high: Kc = 0.8). Irrigation significantly modified weed community composition, particularly during the active irrigation period in summer, with effects persisting into the following spring. Increased irrigation consistently boosted total weed cover and favoured competitor species, while stress-tolerant species declined under higher irrigation levels. Functionally, greater water availability promoted resource-acquisitive traits (e.g. higher leaf area and specific leaf area, lower leaf dry matter content). Dominant species, such as Cirsium arvense, exhibited pronounced intraspecific trait plasticity, notably increasing leaf area under high irrigation, underscoring the critical role of trait plasticity in shaping community responses. Functional diversity metrics—functional richness and divergence—increased significantly under high irrigation, particularly within vineyard rows directly receiving water. Moreover, irrigation influenced weed communities beyond directly irrigated areas and periods, demonstrating spatial and temporal legacy effects. Agronomically, our findings demonstrate that increased irrigation levels may intensify weed pressure, highlighting the necessity for irrigation management strategies to incorporate ecological insights into weed community dynamics to achieve an optimal balance between productivity and ecological sustainability.
扫码关注我们
求助内容:
应助结果提醒方式:
