Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar to study the effect of different mulches for controlling weeds in edible pea (Pisum sativum L.). The treatments comprised of 5 mulches: white polyethylene, black polyethylene, wheat straw, newspaper, and saw dust as well as hand weeding and a weedy check. Variety ‘Climax’ was planted on a plot size of 5 x 1.6 m2 using randomized complete block (RCB) design, having three replications during the last week of October 2007. The data were recorded on weed density (m-2) two weeks after treatment at first picking, days to 50% pods formation, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, pod yield (kg ha-1). All the parameter except plant height was significantly affected by different treatments. Hand weeding and newspapers produced better results as compared to the other treatments. Maximum number of pods plant-1 (50.87, 48.40), number of seed pod-1 (5.83, 5.80) and pod yield (2707, 2613 and 2512 kg ha-1) were recorded in hand weeding, newspaper and polyethylene black treatments, respectively, whereas minimum values in these parameters were recorded in weedy check. All mulches were effective and produced better results as compared to weedy check, but due to their better performance newspapers and polyethylene (black) are recommended for the environment friendly and sustainable control of weeds and realizing better yields of edible pea.
Page(s):
83-89
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Year: 2009