Water Protection Zones—Impacts on Weed Vegetation of Arable Soil

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Good work! The methodology can be, and ought to be, applied to similar situations in other parts of the world, with predicted good value and effect.

Just two items to focus your attention on with the view to improve:

1. "Redundandy Analysis" should be written "Redundancy Analysis" -- first mention is in the Abstract.

2. The phrase "....changes in the weeding of selected crops". This is confusing to me because I understand "weeding" to mean "controlling weeds". Therefore, I propose the term "weeding" be changed to "weed spectrum", or alternatively, to "weed composition".

Note: This also applies to Figure 1, specifically the histogram wording: "weeding crops".

Generally good -- minor improvement is proposed to the authors and the editor.

Author Response

We are very grateful to the reviewer for the recognition of our work and for their highly valuable comments.

Q: "Redundancy Analysis should be written "Redundancy Analysis" - first mention is in the Abstract.

A: Absolutely, agreed and modified.

Q: The phrase "....changes in the weeding of selected crops". This is confusing to me because I understand "weeding" to mean "controlling weeds". Therefore, I propose the term "weeding" be changed to "weed spectrum", or alternatively, to "weed composition".

A: Absolutely, agreed and modified.

Q: Note: This also applies to Figure 1, specifically the histogram wording: "weeding crops".

A: The group of weeds referred to as "weeding crops" includes plants that grow within another crop, as a consequence, for example, of harvest losses from the previous crop. An improved description is provided in Materials and Methods.

Sincerely, on behalf of all authors,

Jan Winkler

Reviewer 2 Report

MS: “Water protection zones – impacts on weed vegetation of arable soil”

Introduction comprises several generalized statements. It is little hard to understand what authors want to convey in these statements. Likewise, some of the terms such as full regulation, limitation) are also not very well defined in the MS. The results are very explained very briefly and lacks details. The reader is left to make interpretations from the figures. Discussion does not discuss much about potential implications of research but mainly revolves around general limitations of regulations, weed control, and water protection. Specific edits are marked on the MS.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

We would like to thank the reviewer for their time and highly valuable comments, which we have utilized and incorporated into the text.

Q: Introduction comprises several generalized statements. It is little hard to understand what authors want to convey in these statements.

A: We have adjusted based on specific suggestions.

Q: Likewise, some of the terms such as full regulation, limitation) are also not very well defined in the MS.

A: We have adjusted based on specific suggestions.

Q: The results are very explained very briefly and lacks details. The reader is left to make interpretations from the figures.

A: We have adjusted based on specific suggestions.

Q: Discussion does not discuss much about potential implications of research but mainly revolves around general limitations of regulations, weed control, and water protection.

A: We have adjusted based on specific suggestions.

Specific edits are marked on the MS.

• Why mode of action of only triazine and phenyl ureas are listed. I suggest deleting this sentence.

Thank you, we agree, corrected.

• Herbicide use can also reduce shelter for bees, insects, reptiles, etc.

Thank you, we agree, corrected.

• This may not be accurate. rate of sorption and degradation is equally important. Suggest including better example.

Thank you, we agree, corrected.

• Example below and this sentence appears to contradict each other. Strong regulations and reducing herbicide use help improve water quality.

In this text, we explain how pesticides and nitrates contribute to water pollution, the efforts undertaken by the European Union to regulate and mitigate these effects, and the challenges posed by the implementation of directives. We have included an example concerning fertilizer application rules, which are not always beneficial for the quality of groundwater and drinking water. We also aim to highlight the complexity of water management issues and the need for interdisciplinary cooperation.

• Not sure what is meant by "regulation of certain weed species"

Thank you, corrected.

• "whole range", Is it a complete ban of all herbicides?

This concerns a prohibition of specific herbicides. We have revised the text to make it unambiguous.

• Test plots have more winter wheat than maiz

The maize production area" is an agricultural term referring to an entire region focused on cultivating corn, though other crops may also be grown there. This designation is used exclusively in the Czech Republic and might lead to confusion in an international context.

• What is meant by full regulation? Does it mean any herbicide application is prohibited?

Thank you, corrected.

• How did "full regulation" and "Limitation" differed in terms of herbicide use. Authors should provide details of herbicide use int these two zones. For example what herbicides were applied in these two zones and when they were applied?

Thank you, corrected.

We look forward to hearing from you in due time regarding our submission and to respond to any further questions and comments you may have.

 

Sincerely, on behalf of all authors,

Jan Winkler

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The current MS version is significantly improved from the previous version.

There are few minor typos. Authors should thoroughly check the final version for typos.