Studies of the Functionality of Annual Crop and Weed Diversify
in Polyculture Cropping Systems
BY
ANTHONY RALPH SZUMIGALSKI
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department of Plant Science
University of Manitoba
Wiruripeg, Manitoba
@ Copyright by Anthony Ralph Szumigalski 2005
, TIIE T]NIVERSITY OF MÄ,NITOBA
FACULTY OF G.RADUATE STUDIES
COPYRIGHT PERMISSION
Studies of the Functionality of Annual Crop and Weed Diversity
In Polyculture Cropping Systems
BY
Anthony Ralph Szumigalski
A ThesisÆracticum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of
Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree
Doctor Of Philosophy
Anthony Ralph Szumigalski O 2005
I Permission has been granted to the Library of the University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of
I tnis thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or sell
of the film, and to University Microfilms Inc. to pubtish an abstract of this thesis/practicum.
, "opies
I This reproduction or copy of this thesis has been made availabte by authority of the copyright
:I o\üner solely for the purpose ofprivate study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied
permiffed by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner.
^s
, l1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank the following for making this thesis arealíty.
First, I would like to sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Rene Van Acker, for his
valuable support and advice throughout this project, countless edits on the many drafts of
this thesis, and for creating a lab environment that was productwe, challenging, respectful
and collegial.
To my advisory committee: thank you for your ideas and helpful comments that
greatly improved this thesis. I am grateful to Dr. Martin Entz who was instrumental in
initiating this project, providing support and for introducing me to a cropping systems
ecology approach; to Dr. Rob Roughley for his ideas on the function of biodiversity and
scientific writing; and to Dr. Norm Kenkel for advice, particularly in the areas of
theoretical ecology and statistics. Thanks to the external examiner, Dr. Bill Deen from the
University of Guelph and to Dr. Mario Tenuta for graciously serving as the chair of the
Ph.D. oral exam.
In the Weeds Lab: the countless number of summer students and assistants for their
hard work, dedication, patience and humour; Technicians Rufus Oree and Andrea
Bartlinski; Research Associate Lyle Friesen, and my fellow grad students.
The faculty and support staff in the Department of Plant Science for their assistance.
To my fellow graduate students in Plant Science and other deparfments @otany, Soil
Science, etc.), I appreciate the camaraderie and cups of coffee. To my musical colleagues
(The Mousehouse Band), thanks for providing a legitimate diversion from research.
To management and support staff at Carman and JRI Kelbum Research Farms, the
Department of Plant Science greenhouses, and the Department of Soil Science, for
, 111
providing excellent research facilities and maintaining equipment that allowed me to
conduct this research.
Major frrnding for this project was provided by Pesticide-Free Production, the
Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, and by
graduate fellowships from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate Studies and
the Land Institute.
The support of many family members and friends, throughout my numerous years as
a student is greatly appreciated. To my late parents: for providing me with a work ethic
and lifelong love of plants.
And especially to my wife and soulmate, CarlaZelmer, without whose love,
encouragement and support, this thesis would not have been possible.
in Polyculture Cropping Systems
BY
ANTHONY RALPH SZUMIGALSKI
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department of Plant Science
University of Manitoba
Wiruripeg, Manitoba
@ Copyright by Anthony Ralph Szumigalski 2005
, TIIE T]NIVERSITY OF MÄ,NITOBA
FACULTY OF G.RADUATE STUDIES
COPYRIGHT PERMISSION
Studies of the Functionality of Annual Crop and Weed Diversity
In Polyculture Cropping Systems
BY
Anthony Ralph Szumigalski
A ThesisÆracticum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of
Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree
Doctor Of Philosophy
Anthony Ralph Szumigalski O 2005
I Permission has been granted to the Library of the University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of
I tnis thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or sell
of the film, and to University Microfilms Inc. to pubtish an abstract of this thesis/practicum.
, "opies
I This reproduction or copy of this thesis has been made availabte by authority of the copyright
:I o\üner solely for the purpose ofprivate study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied
permiffed by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner.
^s
, l1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank the following for making this thesis arealíty.
First, I would like to sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Rene Van Acker, for his
valuable support and advice throughout this project, countless edits on the many drafts of
this thesis, and for creating a lab environment that was productwe, challenging, respectful
and collegial.
To my advisory committee: thank you for your ideas and helpful comments that
greatly improved this thesis. I am grateful to Dr. Martin Entz who was instrumental in
initiating this project, providing support and for introducing me to a cropping systems
ecology approach; to Dr. Rob Roughley for his ideas on the function of biodiversity and
scientific writing; and to Dr. Norm Kenkel for advice, particularly in the areas of
theoretical ecology and statistics. Thanks to the external examiner, Dr. Bill Deen from the
University of Guelph and to Dr. Mario Tenuta for graciously serving as the chair of the
Ph.D. oral exam.
In the Weeds Lab: the countless number of summer students and assistants for their
hard work, dedication, patience and humour; Technicians Rufus Oree and Andrea
Bartlinski; Research Associate Lyle Friesen, and my fellow grad students.
The faculty and support staff in the Department of Plant Science for their assistance.
To my fellow graduate students in Plant Science and other deparfments @otany, Soil
Science, etc.), I appreciate the camaraderie and cups of coffee. To my musical colleagues
(The Mousehouse Band), thanks for providing a legitimate diversion from research.
To management and support staff at Carman and JRI Kelbum Research Farms, the
Department of Plant Science greenhouses, and the Department of Soil Science, for
, 111
providing excellent research facilities and maintaining equipment that allowed me to
conduct this research.
Major frrnding for this project was provided by Pesticide-Free Production, the
Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, and by
graduate fellowships from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate Studies and
the Land Institute.
The support of many family members and friends, throughout my numerous years as
a student is greatly appreciated. To my late parents: for providing me with a work ethic
and lifelong love of plants.
And especially to my wife and soulmate, CarlaZelmer, without whose love,
encouragement and support, this thesis would not have been possible.
