Plants of arable fields

The traditional view of red poppy heads waving in the breeze or a field of golden corn with a sheen of cornflower blue has become rare as agriculture has intensified. Landowners trying to optimise production must ensure that their fields are managed as efficiently as possible. They will not want to waste resources in producing unproductive flowers that are not part of the crop.

Arable flowers are often annuals, which means that they manage to grow, flower, fertilise, produce seed and disperse within one season. Some plants can go from seed germination to producing seed in just 6 weeks - very important if you only have a short window of opportunity.

All arable plants thrive on regularly disturbed ground. Ploughing clears the ground and, as many arable plant species do not compete with established plants very well, a bare soil surface helps them to germinate. Ploughing turns the soil as well, burying seed in the seed bank where some seeds may lie dormant for decades, waiting to be exposed to light so that they can germinate.

Surviving in the fields

Arable flowers are declining due to technological and chemical advances - very good news for farmers wanting to maximise their crop but bad news for biodiversity. Large fields growing only one crop - a monoculture - provide a very barren landscape for insects and small animals.

Why is it important?

Arable plants are valuable as they provide an alternative source of habitat to the nearby crops, and a supply of seed that feeds birds, mammals and invertebrates. Many arable weeds are species that are related to cultivated varieties. As climate changes, these rapidly growing species may become more important. They also form an important part of our cultural heritage that is in danger of disappearing.