New AHDB project to boost weed competitiveness in sustainable farming

We have launched a new project 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. 

The project builds on findings from the 2022/23 review of the Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL), where levy payers highlighted the importance of variety competitiveness against grass weeds.

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.

• Timelines: June 2025 – December 2027
• Partners: RSK ADAS Ltd, Cope Seeds (UK) Limited, the Organic Research Centre (ORC), and UK Grain Lab
• Scope: 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 results will contribute to a robust, multi-year dataset, enhancing the information gained through RL crop physiology assessments.

Ultimately, the project will equip farmers with additional insights into variety selection – helping them choose winter wheat varieties that offer greater natural weed suppression.

Henny Lowth, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager at AHDB, 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.”

For more information, contact Henny Lowth: henny.lowth@ahdb.org.uk