Interrow management in vineyards significantly contributes to sustainable viticulture, particularly in water-scarce European regions. Grassy and herbaceous cover crops have been proven to enhance multiple regulating ecosystem services, including soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and improved water infiltration. However, the potential for water competition with vines necessitates region-specific approaches. This review aims to analyze the effects of different cover crop types and interrow tillage methods on water management and regulating ecosystem services, focusing on main European vineyard areas. The research involved a two-stage literature review by Google Scholar and Scopus, resulting in the identification of 67 relevant scientific publications, with 11 offering experimental data from European contexts. Selected studies were evaluated based on climate conditions, soil properties, slope characteristics, and interrow treatments. Findings highlight that the appropriate selection of cover crop species, sowing and mowing timing, and mulching practices can optimize vineyard resilience under climate stress. Practical recommendations are offered to help winegrowers adopt cost-effective and environmentally adaptive strategies, especially on sloped or shallow soils, where partial cover cropping is often the most beneficial for both yield and ecological balance. Cover crops and mulching reduce erosion, enhance vineyard soil moisture, relieve water stress consequences, and, as a result, these cover cropping techniques can improve yield and nutritional values of grapes (e.g., Brix, pH, K concentration), but effects vary; careful, site-specific, long-term management is essential for best results.

Canary grass (Phalaris canariensis L.) is a versatile crop with global significance; it is primarily cultivated for its small elliptical seeds, which are used as bird feed and for human consumption. This crop is adapted to various climates and soils, so it can be grown successfully in Hungary. However, challenges such as weed control, climate change impacts, and soil factors require strategic management for sustained success in canary grass cultivation. Our study investigated the impact of management and environmental (as seasonal and soil) factors on pre-harvest weed vegetation in canary grass fields in Southeast Hungary between 2017 and 2020. In addition to showing the weed vegetation of the canary grass, the aim of our work was to promote more effective weed management of canary grass by revealing correlations between soil, seasonality, and management variables, influencing weed diversity and coverage. Using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and correlation tests, we tested significant variables, providing insights into the complex interactions affecting weed composition. A redundancy analysis (RDA) further unveiled the relationships between explanatory variables and weed species’ composition. The findings offer valuable information for effective weed management strategies in canary grass cultivation. Our comprehensive study on canary grass fields in Southeast Hungary sheds light on significant factors influencing weed composition and abundance. The average weed coverage was 10.8%, with summer annuals and creeping perennials being the most prevalent life forms. Echinochloa crus-galli, Cirsium arvense, Xanthium italicum, and Setaria viridis were among the dominant species. ANCOVAs revealed the impact of soil, management, and seasonal factors on weed cover, species richness, diversity, and yield levels. Soil properties like texture, pH, and nitrogen content showed varying effects on weed parameters. The vintage effect, tillage systems, and farming practices also played crucial roles. The redundancy analysis highlighted the influence of the year, soil sulfur content, and winter preceding crops on weed composition. In conclusion, the herbaceous vegetation in the studied area is dominated by summer germinating and creeping perennial species. Despite slight differences in average coverage and occurrence, a well-defined set of significant species is evident. Multicollinearity among variables suggests limitations to further increase the number of variables that can be included in the analysis. The ANCOVAs showed that the soil, seasonal, and farming variables significantly influence overall weed vegetation and crop yield, with a lesser impact on species richness and diversity. The reduced RDA model highlights the strong influence of the year on species’ composition, emphasizing the inherent factors during canary grass cultivation that are challenging to modify through farming practices.

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are enzymes that catalyse modifications and conjugations of a range of organic and often cytotoxic compounds. GST enzymes with many functions—such as their conjugation activity against herbicides and their metabolites—can be induced and show light and circadian determination. The enzyme family, which is widespread in its function, also shows great diversity in its structure, which has been linked to its enzyme kinetic characteristics and physiological role at many points. In this study, we aimed to find out the role of different glutathione transferases in the herbicide responses to flumioxazin, as well as to determine how the antioxidant and detoxification response to herbicide treatment changes in the presence and absence of light. One of the herbicide treatments was carried out during the light period in the morning (9:00 a.m.), and the other before the end of the dark period (4:00 a.m.). The decrease in the maximal quantum efficiency of PS II and the reduction in the chlorophyll concentration supported the effect of the herbicide on Papaver rhoeas. In the guaiacol peroxidase POD and GST activity, there were large differences between the cultivated plants and the weed; both enzyme activities were much higher in the case of wheat. According to the activity of the antioxidant defence enzymes and GST gene expression data, the application of the photosynthesis inhibitor herbicide, flumioxazin, in the dark could allow the wheat antioxidant defence to switch on before the herbicide effect could appear in the light period. Phi and tau group GSTs were transcriptionally upregulated by the treatments in wheat plants (especially TaGSTU1B), while fewer changes were detectable in poppy weed (PrGSTU4). Based on our results, in the background of the greater and more successful response to flumioxazin may be—among other things—the higher degree of variability of the GSTU genes of wheat compared to poppies.

This study explores the relationship between abiotic factors, farming practices, and weed growth in winter wheat fields in Eastern Hungary. It examines the order of weed dominance and the influence of soil, environmental, and agricultural variables on weed composition and diversity before herbicide application. The research was conducted across four sub-regions in the Great Hungarian Plain, each with distinct soil, hydrological, and geographical conditions. Between 2018 and 2021, 103 fields were surveyed and weed species cover was recorded using EPPO-based identification and quadrat sampling. Soil properties, environmental conditions, and farming practices were documented through soil analysis, geographical data, and farmer interviews. Statistical analyses were preformed including ANCOVA, redundancy analysis, and Shannon diversity index calculations. The results show that common weed species include Veronica hederifolia, Stellaria media, and Apera spica-venti, with winter annuals dominating. Soil compaction and salinity affected weed diversity, while increased copper and zinc concentrations had minor effects on weed coverage. Farming practices, particularly tillage systems and fertilizer use, had a significant effect on species richness and diversity. Different regional and annual weed distributions were observed, with correlation between certain tillage systems and specific weed species. The results emphasize the need for climate-conscious farming practices, and we recommend prioritising shallow cultivation and deep loosening over ploughing in order to manage weed populations effectively. These insights contribute to sustainable weed management strategies in cereal production.

Pea is a widely cultivated leguminous plant which also contributes to soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation and benefits crop rotations. However, large weed populations are a challenge for pea production, requiring effective management strategies. It is essential to highlight the influence of soil parameters, factors affecting the environment, and management practices on weed populations to develop effective weed control and maximize pea yield and ease of harvesting. In our study, a total of 31 pea fields were surveyed prior to harvest to determine the coverage of each weed species, with the aim of identifying the typical weeds in the study area. In addition, environmental, soil, and management factors were recorded for each field. Based on our hypotheses, these factors influence the weed composition, and these effects can be described by the dominance of weed species. In our study, summer annuals and geophytic perennials were common, with Echinochloa crus-galli and Convolvulus arvensis being most dominant. The analysis revealed that the year of data record, soil type, and farming system most significantly influenced weed composition. Weed species were observed to have varying responses to soil texture, salt concentration, and phosphorus content. The survey period, geographical factors, farming system, and tillage practices also played a role in determining weed flora. The findings suggest strong correlations between soil parameters and weed composition, highlighting the importance of soil management in weed control. The year of data collection had the greatest influence on weed infestation. Soil-related variables, such as soil type, also played a significant role. Farming systems had a smaller effect on weed composition. Comparing our results with previous country level weed surveys in Hungary, our results identified some unique characteristics in the weed flora of South-East Hungary.