Seed Production, Viability, and Longevity of Sinapis arvensis Under Varying Crop Competition Levels in Wheat

Abstract

Seed production, viability, and longevity of Sinapis arvensis were investigated under varying levels of crop competition in wheat to understand its persistence and reproductive strategy in agroecosystems. Field experiments were conducted with different wheat planting densities to create a gradient of competitive pressure, and weed growth, seed output, and reproductive traits were quantified. Results indicated that increasing crop competition significantly reduced vegetative growth and seed production of S. arvensis, primarily due to limited light availability and reduced resource acquisition. Under low competition conditions, plants exhibited vigorous growth and high seed output, contributing substantially to soil seed bank replenishment. Seed viability assessments revealed that competition intensity had a moderate effect on seed quality, with seeds produced under high competition showing slightly reduced germination potential. However, seed longevity tests indicated that a proportion of seeds remained viable for extended periods regardless of competition level, ensuring long-term persistence in the soil seed bank. The study also observed that phenotypic plasticity allowed S. arvensis to adjust reproductive allocation under competitive stress, maintaining population survival even under suppressed conditions. These findings highlight the resilience of S. arvensis in wheat-based systems and its ability to sustain populations through seed bank dynamics. The results emphasize the importance of integrated weed management strategies combining crop density optimization and seed bank depletion approaches to effectively reduce long-term infestation risks.