Weed-Crop Competition Studies in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Abstract
Weeds of the experimental field were Chenopodium album, Melilotus alba, M. indica and Fumaria parviflora. The most dominating was C. album. Grain yield of chickpea was reduced by 17.1% due to competition with weeds during the first 30 days of sowing which increased to about 50% when weeds competetion with the crop for the entire crop season. Graia yield was increased when the initial weed-free duration was extended upto 60 days and further increase in the duration of weed-free had no beneficial effect on grain yield. Weed emergence after 60 days of initially weed free conditions was low and thus smothered by the crop. The initial 60 days period considered to be the critical with respect to weed-crop competition in chickpea.
