Abstract
A field trial was conducted in Domokos region, in central Greece with Helianthus annuus, hybrid ‘LG 5658’ in order to evaluate the effects of different N fertilization and weed control methods on sunflower yield and weed flora. ANOVA showed that the interaction of fertilization and weed control had a significant effect on grain yield. Moreover, this study revealed that the density of the common weeds Amaranthus retroflexus, Abutilon theophrasti, Xanthium strumarium and Echinochloa crus-galli was increased by 60, 40, 33 and 23% in the plots of high N rate without any herbicide use. On the contrary, weeds like Datura stramonium and Convolvulus arvensis were not significantly affected by fertilization. This different responsiveness of the several weed species could be further exploited through programs of integrated crop and weed management. Moreover, our findings related to the differences in herbicide efficacy resulting from different N levels may alter weed flora and explain possible weed control failures.
Highlights
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is globally one of the major industrial and oil crops, while it is cultivated in many Mediterranean countries like Greece (Andrade, 1995; Archontoulis et al, 2007)
Despite the studies that reveal the important effect of N on weed flora composition and crop-weed competition, only limited information is available on how specific weed species respond to increasing soil N levels
Our findings showed that crop yield was significantly increased with the increase of the rate of N
Summary
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is globally one of the major industrial and oil crops, while it is cultivated in many Mediterranean countries like Greece (Andrade, 1995; Archontoulis et al, 2007). Weeds are considered to be among the most serious constraints for the success of the sunflower crop, since they can cause substantial yield losses (Breccia et al, 2011; Alberio et al, 2015). N is a crucial factor for the competition between crops and weeds and the overall crop growth and productivity. Despite the studies that reveal the important effect of N on weed flora composition and crop-weed competition, only limited information is available on how specific weed species respond to increasing soil N levels. This was the main objective of the present study, focusing on the main weed species of a sunflower crop. The combined effects of fertilization and weed management were evaluated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
