Estimate the economic benefits of the post-dispersal seed predation of Echinochloa crus-galli to silage maize growers in a German region

Abstract: Silage maize is an important arable crop in Germany. Echinochloa crus-galli is a main weed species in this crop. Herbicides treatment, although a common practice to control this weed, may cause many side effects. Post-dispersal seed predation is an important ecosystem service for weed control, but its value is rarely known in the society. To raise awareness, it is necessary to estimate the economic benefits of this ecosystem service. By using two economic valuation methods, on-farm herbicide surveys, and cage experiments, this case study estimated the value of post-dispersal seed predation of Echinochloa crus-galli in 2013 maize fields in a German region. This represents one of the first attempts of economic valuation of this ecosystem service.