New project set to boost weed competitiveness in sustainable farming
A project led by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is set to investigate crop physiology traits in winter wheat that enhance weed competitiveness in low-input and organic farming systems.
The initiative will support cereal and oilseed growers with sustainable strategies to naturally suppress weeds, reducing reliance on herbicides and supporting the transition to more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
According to the AHDB, the project builds on findings from the 2022 / 2023 review of the recommended lists of cereals and oilseeds, where levy payers highlighted the importance of variety competitiveness against grass weeds.
It said that with a growing body of evidence supporting the use of competitive varieties for weed suppression, this new research aims to pinpoint the specific varietal traits that deliver this benefit – informing both farmer decision-making and long-term plant breeding strategies.
Weed competitiveness
Delivered in collaboration with RSK ADAS Ltd, Cope Seeds UK Limited, the Organic Research Centre (ORC), and UK Grain Lab, the project will run from June 2025 to December 2027.
It will involve a UK-wide network of on-farm trials focused on identifying key traits that correlate with weed competitiveness under organic and low-input conditions.
The AHDB said that the results will contribute to a “robust, multi-year dataset”, which will enhance the information gained through RL crop physiology assessments.
The project will equip farmers with additional insights into variety selection – helping them choose winter wheat varieties that offer greater natural weed suppression.
Senior knowledge transfer manager at AHDB, Henny Lowth said: “We know that managing weeds without chemicals is a key challenge for growers in low-input and organic systems.
“This project represents a major step toward providing clear, evidence-based guidance on how variety choice can support integrated weed management.”
“We’re excited to be working with our partners and the farming community to deliver meaningful, field-tested results,” Lowth added.
For farmers interested in taking part and hosting an on-farm variety trial, the form is available online.
