Common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) seed burial depth affecting corn (Zea mays L.) growth parameters

Abstract

In order to assay the effects of common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) seed burial depth and wheat straw on corn (Zea mays L.) growth, an experiment was carried out at Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran in 2012. The factorial experiment was arranged based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was wheat straw application (control (0), 1.5 and 3 ton/ha) and the second factor was burial depth of common cocklebur seed (3, 6, 10, 15 and 20 cm) in the field. Result showed that the effects of wheat straw was significant on all corn traits and increased them. By increasing the cocklebur seed burial depth the all traits of corn were increased significantly except the chlorophyll content index. The interaction effect of wheat straw × burial depth was significant on corn height and cocklebur biomass. With increasing the wheat straw application and burial depth of cocklebur seed leaf number, chlorophyll content index and biological yield of corn were increased. Common cocklebur biomass was significantly reduced with increasing of wheat straw application and seed burial depth. As a result seed burial depth and application of straw could affect corn growth and competitive ability of cocklebur and could be used for management of this weed.