Management of Sinapis alba subsp. mairei winter cover crop residues for summer weed control in southern Spain

► This work highlights the great ability to control summer weeds in rainfed field conditions of Snapis alba subsp. mairei, a wild subspecies of S. alba which has been recently introduced in southern Spain as winter cover crops in olive groves. ► S. alba subsp. mairei cover crops residues reduced the weeds infestation around 50-60% and delayed their appearance between 3 and 4 weeks compared to bare soil. ► The optimum management of S. alba subsp. mairei cover crops residues for controlling summer weeds was to leave them on the soil forming a mulch especially for Amaranthus blitoides control. ► The use of S. alba subsp. mairei cover crops for controlling summer weeds can contribute reducing the number of herbicide treatments, this system should be combined with other cultural or chemical practises to get optimal weeds control in olive groves.