Abstract: A field study was conducted to investigate the influences of no-tillage, stubble retention and crop type on weed density, species composition and community feature in a rotation system (winter wheatcommon vetchmaize) established 12 years ago on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu. This study showed that the weed species composition, density and community feature varied with the change of  crop phases. Notillage practice increased the weed density at maize phase, while rotation with common vetch decreased the density in the notillage field. Stubble retention reduced the weed density under maize phase and the lowest density was observed in the notillage plus stubble retention field. Notillage practice significantly increased the weed species diversity under winter wheat phase and decreased the diversity under common vetch phase. At maize phase, a greater species diversity index was observed in the notillage field. These results suggested that no-tillage practice and stubble retention possibly suppress specific weeds with the presence of  some crops and crop rotation is a vital way to controlling weeds in a farming system.