Arable plants in Scotland
A management guide
Arable plants in Scotland
A management guide
Introduction
Arable plants are a little known group of fascinating and
sometimes rare species. Often overlooked and sometimes
difficult to identify, arable plants are dependent on, but can
also be threatened by, arable farming. Some species, such as
the Common Poppy, or Cornflower, are well known but many
of these wonderfully named species such as Thorow-wax or
Small-flowered Catchfly are unfamiliar. Many rare arable plants
have all but disappeared from Scotland but a few still have
strongholds, a key one being Corn Marigold.
© Kate Still - Plantlife
This management guide aims to help farmers
and land managers across Scotland who
would like to do more to help arable plants.
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ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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A farmer’s view
Luke Gaskell, Kittyfield Farm,
Scottish Borders
Kittyfield is a family-run 430 acre farm near
Melrose. We have sheep and cattle, fed on
predominantly home grown rations.
We enjoy the arable plants that grow here
and have some uncommon ones. The healthy
diversity of plants on the farm supports a wide
range of animals, birds and insects.
Managing these plants can be an interesting
challenge, but their presence certainly doesn’t
need to damage profitability. For example, we
use 5-7 year ryegrass / clover leys that are direct
sown. To ensure a high take of clover we don’t
spray in the first year and we control annual
weeds by topping and grazing. Typically there
will be 40+ weed species present across the
field but they have minimal economic impact.
We have managed areas specifically to help
arable plants with, for example, conservation
headlands and unharvested crop. These are
best done with grant aid.
Weeds have always been part of farming. They
need to be controlled, but it is not always
necessary to try and eliminate them all. In
appropriate numbers they support wildlife, and
killing them can often cost more than is gained
in yield.
Why are arable plants important?
Arable, cropped land covers 7% of Scotland. Whilst this land is primarily
managed for food production it can, especially with some careful
management, provide lots of other benefits, particularly for wildlife. Bird
species and their habitat requirements associated with arable farmland
are well known. Plants in the arable environment are much less known and
recognised, despite the fact that some of the rarest plants in the UK are found
on cultivated farmland. Many of our once common arable plants are now
among our rarest flowers.
© Andrew Evans
Arable plants also provide the food for a
unique suite of insects. Annual arable plants
are the food for caterpillars, beetles and bugs
that species like grey partridge chicks need
for healthy growth. This includes Sawfly larvae
which are ideal grey partridge food and are
most abundant in June when chicks hatch.
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ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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Arable plants in Scotland
Arable plants have declined
significantly over the last 50 years.
Of the 30 plant species that have
shown the greatest relative decline
across Britain, 18 are characteristic
of arable and cultivated ground. In
spite of being the most critically
threatened group of plants in Britain
today, arable plants have received
very little attention until recently.
Arable plant diversity in Scotland is lower than in England.
Nevertheless, Scotland supports a diverse and important
range of arable plants of significant conservation value.
Important Arable Plant Area (IAPA)
of County Importance
10-29 species
30-49 species
50-79 species
80-99 species
100-180 species
© RSPB
 Grey partridge chicks depend on the
caterpillars, beetles and bugs that feed
on arable plants.
Reasons for declines:
 Widespread use of herbicides
 Efficient seed cleaning techniques
 Increase in use of fertilisers, especially nitrogen
 The development of high yielding crop varieties
 Shift from spring to autumn cultivations
 The removal of field boundaries and the loss of
relatively unintensively-farmed field margins
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ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
Richness of Scottish vice-counties for
arable plants is based on cumulative
scores for 120 rare and / or declining
species (Byfield and Wilson 2005)
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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Examples of some arable plants found in Scotland:
Corn spurrey is a small, attractive plant. Despite significant
declines it is still frequently found in arable fields in Scotland,
particularly on well-drained, sandy soils. A slender, scrambling
plant, it rarely grows taller than 30cm. Flowers are 8mm across and
have 5 petals. Luckily there are no similar species so if you see a plant
like this it is almost certainly corn spurrey.
Corn spurrey is found throughout Scotland where cultivation is carried
out, broad spectrum herbicides, high levels of nitrogen and winter cropping
have all adversely affected this species. Cultivated, uncropped margins or
conservation headlands will benefit the plant.
Field madder
Field madder looks like a small version of the common and troublesome
cleavers. It is a low growing, spreading plant with prickly leaves growing in
whorls up the stem. Flowers are small (2-3mm across) and lilac coloured
making it easy to distinguish from cleavers. It is generally found in light
loamy soils.
Field madder is generally found in south-east Scotland including the
Borders, East Lothian, Fife and Tayside. It is most frequent in arable field
margins but is also seen along tracks and in disturbed grassland. The plant
flowers from May to September and often appears in stubbles after harvest.
Field madder isn’t competitive so does not grow well in fully-fertilised crops.
Because it also flowers in stubbles it has probably been affected by autumn
ploughing.
Green field-speedwell
This plant is similar to our common field-speedwell which is
found in unimproved grasslands. Green field-speedwell is a
sprawling plant with stems that are hairy and branched. It can
sometimes form extensive mats in autumn stubbles. Leaves
are oval with toothed edges. The solitary flowers are 5mm in
diameter and pale blue with a white centre.
Green field-speedwell is often found on arable field margins
and is generally found in the south and east of Scotland. It is also
found in cultivated areas in the Western and Northern Isles. The
plant isn’t competitive so does not grow well in fully-fertilised crops.
Because it also flowers in stubbles it has probably been affected by autumn
ploughing.
Northern dead-nettle
Northern dead-nettle is generally only found in Scotland and Northern
Ireland. It is similar to other dead-nettles. It grows to 30 cm tall and has
leaves with short stalks and a triangular shape. The flowers are pinkishpurple in colour.
Growing on a wide range of soil types, northern dead-nettle is a largely
coastal plant growing predominantly on the east coast of Scotland
especially in Aberdeenshire, Fife, East Lothian and the Borders. The plant
is susceptible to high levels of nitrogen applied to competitive modern
crops. Broad spectrum herbicides have also contributed to its decline.
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© Plantlife
Corn spurrey
Managing land to help arable plants
The majority of arable plants are annuals and are well suited to regular cultivation. To thrive,
they need annual ground disturbance in either spring or autumn, minimal competition from a
crop (either an unfertilised crop or no sown crop at all) and no application of herbicides. The high
susceptibility to herbicides of many of these species is a major reason for their decline.
Providing suitable conditions is therefore relatively straightforward. The more difficult aspects
are: firstly, locating a rich seed bank that will benefit from management, and secondly,
controlling the perennial weeds and problem grass species that will also thrive under this
management regime.
Choosing a site that will be good for arable plants is important. There are a
number of key site characteristics to consider:
 Farming history: land that has a long
history of continual cultivation is more
likely to have a higher plant diversity.
 In most fields, any remaining species-rich
seed banks will be restricted to field edges
which is why the outer 3-6m margin of a
field is the best place to focus management.
Focusing on this outer edge allows the rest of
the crop to be managed conventionally.
 Soil type: most arable plants prefer light,
well drained sandy or chalky soil that
is relatively low in fertility. These soils
usually carry a higher seed bank diversity
and lower weed burden.
 Topography and aspect: open sunny sites
with a southerly aspect are more species
rich, particularly at the top of slopes where
the soil is often thinner.
 Weed competition: sites that have a heavy
weed burden of cleavers, grass weeds,
docks and thistles will be difficult to
manage without significant herbicide use.
Such sites should be avoided.
 Indicator species: select sites where a
good variation of broadleaved weeds is
known to occur.
Funding for management
Agri-environment schemes provide funding for some of the options that benefit arable plants.
These options and how best to utilise them are described in the following section. Other options
are not currently funded through agri-environment schemes. However, these options only require
relatively small amounts of ground and these areas are eligible for Single Farm Payments.
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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Management option 1:
Management option 2:
Cultivated, uncropped margins or plots
Cultivated, uncropped margin
ranging from 3-6m
2m cross
compliance buffer
Cultivated and uncropped areas at the edge of arable fields are one of the best
ways of encouraging arable plants on farmland. These margins don’t have to be
large, but 3-6m is ideal.
 Cultivate an arable field margin annually
along with the rest of the crop in spring or
autumn and establishing a firm, fine tilth.
 Do not apply any fertilisers.
 If possible, do not apply any herbicides,
although they can be helpful when
controlling invasive weeds. Graminicides
can help limit vigorous grasses. Broad
spectrum herbicides can be used, once
annual species have set seed (September).
 Margins are best rotated around the farm
to avoid the build up of pernicious weeds.
Agri-environment scheme options:
There are currently no options under Scottish
agri-environment schemes that cover managing
land for these cultivated, uncropped margins
or plots. Areas managed in this fashion are still
eligible for Single Farm Payments.
© Lorne Gill / SNH
Small, narrow margins
can be enough
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Narrow (1-2m) cultivated, uncropped margins
at targeted sites can provide the necessary
safe haven that rare plants require. These small
margins should be managed with minimal use
of inputs, and for best results should be in open
sunny areas with low weed infestation.
ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
Conventionally managed
arable crop
Conservation headland –
unfertilised ranging from 6 – 24 m.
Harvested or left standing over winter
2m cross
compliance buffer
Conservation headlands are headlands of cereal crops that are sprayed selectively
to allow populations of arable plants and their associated insects to develop. The
reduction in herbicide use and (ideally) elimination of fertiliser use on the margins
provides ideal ground for arable plants to re-establish.
 Establish an arable crop (autumn
or spring sown) as normal. Do not
apply any herbicides to the headland
which can be from 6-24m wide.
 Selective herbicides can be used to control
problem grass and broad-leaved weed
species. If this management is funded
under the Land Managers Options (LMO)
scheme, permission should be sought
from the Scottish Government Rural
Payments and Inspections Directorate
(SGRPID) to apply selective herbicides.
 Conservation headlands are more effective
if fertiliser is not applied. Fertiliser can
encourage undesirable weed species.
 Conservation headlands are best rotated
around the farm to help prevent a
build up of problem weed species.
 Conservation headlands are most suited to
areas with low infestations of competitive
grass weeds and cleavers, and no records
of herbicide-resistant grass weeds. They
work particularly well on light soils.
Agri-environment scheme options:
Conservation headlands are funded under the Land Managers Options (LMO) Scheme. The
payment rate is £70 per hectare or £135 per hectare where nitrogen fertiliser is not applied. An
additional £21 per hectare is available where the headland stubble is retained through the winter.
© Kate Still - Plantlife
Conventionally managed
arable crop
Conservation headlands
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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Unharvested crops / wild bird cover
Other management options:
Whole crop approach
Lower intensity crop management and organic farming can increase the diversity of plant
and insect life throughout the crop. This can be achieved through reductions in herbicide
applications on suitable (light) land, or low input spring crops and summer fallows.
In-crop biodiversity:
Modern arable production – using efficient cultivation, good nutrition,
competitive crops and effective plant protection – affords little opportunity
for desirable arable plants to flourish. Yet many species only have a
marginal effect on yield. Research for the Sustainable Arable Farming For an
Improved Environment (www.saffie.info) project showed that spring herbicide
regimes could be altered to benefit desirable arable plants whilst controlling
undesirable plants. The project found that on light soils with low weed
pressures there is potential to reduce herbicide costs and leave desirable
plants by using selective herbicides in the spring on winter cereals.
Agri-environment scheme options:
Conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming is funded under Rural Development
Contracts – Rural Priorities. Payments for conversion on arable land are £220 per hectare for
years 1 and 2 falling to £60 per hectare thereafter.
Biodiversity cropping on in-bye is funded under both the Land Managers Options scheme
and Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities. This option funds low intensity arable
cultivations with restrictions on dates for cultivation (spring only) and inputs (no herbicides are
permitted). Cropped areas are limited to a maximum of 2 ha each and 4 ha in total. The payment
rate for this option is £70 per hectare.
Game cover crop or wild bird seed mix managed
with minimal inputs
2-3m cultivated, unsown
margin allows wild plants
to florish and provide
dust bathing and feeding
habitat for farmland birds
Wild bird seed crops or game cover can provide ideal conditions for arable plants to
flourish and supply additional food source for birds and insects. Ideally these plots
should be sown thinly and with minimal use of inputs. To further improve their value,
leave a 3m margin at the ends of the cover crops by cultivating but not sowing a crop.
This provides ideal conditions for arable flora.
Agri-environment scheme options:
Unharvested crops are funded under both Land Managers Options Scheme and Rural
Development Contracts – Rural Priorities. The payment rate for creating blocks of unharvested
crop up to 2 ha in size is £390 / ha.
NB All payment rates given are from 2010.

Arable plant margins provide valuable habitat for insects including bumblebees.
© Kate Still - Plantlife
 Low input management of the whole crop allows arable plants to flourish throughout.
Poppies can result in a dazzling display of colour.
2-3m cultivated, unsown
margin allows wild plants
to florish and provide
dust bathing and feeding
habitat for farmland birds
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ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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© Kate Still - Plantlife
© Kate Still - Plantlife
Contacts for advice and
further information
Arable Plants website hosted by Plantlife:
www.arableplants.org.uk
Arable Plants – a field guide:
www.arableplants.fieldguide.co.uk
Plantlife: www.plantlife.org.uk
RSPB: www.rspb.org.uk
Game Conservancy and Wildlife Trust:
www.gct.org.uk
Monitoring and advice
Weeds are the main problem when managing
land for arable plants. The difficulty is getting
the balance between controlling problem
species whilst maintaining populations of
the desired wild plants. The key problem
species are grasses (couch and bromes)
and perennial weeds (thistles and docks).
 It is important to monitor margins and
plots regularly to ensure that the desired
vegetation is being maintained. Look
out for problems such as a gradual build
up of grasses, or of perennial species
such as sow thistle or creeping thistle.
Occasionally, a single annual broadleaved
species might become dominant, to the
detriment of overall diversity. Charlock can
be a problem as it is tall and competitive.
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Scottish Rural Development
Programme
(for information on the Land Managers
Options scheme and Rural Development
Contracts – Rural Priorities)
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/
farmingrural/SRDP
Arable Plants – a field guide, Wilson,
P and King, M (2003). English Nature
and Wildguides.

Arable bryophytes – a field guide to
the mosses, liverworts and hornworts
of cultivated land in Britain and
Ireland, Porley, R (2008). Natural
England and Wildguides.

The farm wildlife handbook, Winspear
R (ed) (2007). RSPB, Sandy.

Important Arable Plant Areas,
Byfield, A and Wilson, P (2005).
Plantlife, Salisbury.
This leaflet was written for Plantlife Scotland
by Richard Lockett of Lockett
Agri-Environmental
www.agri-environmental.co.uk
 Get advice before a serious problem builds
up which puts important species and crop
management at risk.
©Lorne Gill / SNH
The most important thing is to try and
manage the weed issue before it becomes a
problem. Carefully consider the location of
margins, ideally choosing sites with lighter
soils which do not have an existing weed
burden. Also carefully monitor the condition of
margins, taking action to control weeds before
they become a threat to desired plant species
or the adjacent crop. Moving margins around
the farm is a good way of preventing a weed
build up. A single application of non-selective
herbicide in late summer (September) can
control perennial weeds without damaging
annual plants which will have already set seed.

Scottish Crop Research Institute:
www.scri.ac.uk
 Creeping thistle can become a problem in margins that have been managed in the same
location for many years – rotating conservation management around the farm can help
prevent perennial weed build up.
The weed issue
Recommended texts
and references
The illustrations on page 8 are reproduced by
kind permission of Midsummer Books Ltd
from The Wild Flowers of the British Isles by
Ian Garrard and David Streeter,
© Midsummer Books Ltd.
The illustrations on pages 10, 11 and 13
are by Andrew Evans.
The map on page 7 was produced by Beth
Newman at Plantlife.
ARABLE PLANTS IN SCOTLAND
A MANAGEMENT GUIDE
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Plantlife Scotland
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Tel: +44 (0) 1786 478509
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[email protected]
ISBN: 978-1-907141-36-2
© October 2011
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for the nation’s wild plants.
We work hard to protect wild plants on the ground and to build understanding
of the vital role they play in everyone’s lives. Wild plants are essential to
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Plantlife carries out practical conservation work across Scotland, manages
nature reserves, influences policy and legislation, runs events and activities
that connect people with their local wild plants and works with others
to promote the conservation of wild plants for the benefit of all.
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is a charitable company limited by guarantee.
Registered charity number in Scotland SC038951; in England and Wales 1059559.
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