Effects of Weed Interference and Starter Fertilizer on Subsequent Seed Germination and Vigour of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of weed interference and starter fertilizer on subsequent soybean seed quality at the Agricultural Research Farm and Laboratory of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. Two factorial experiment was laid-outon a randomized complete block design with four replications. First factor was starter fertilizer levels (0 and 25 kg <TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX>) applied in the forms of monoammonium phosphate, the second factor was different weed interference periods consisted of five initial weed-free periods (in which, plots were kept free of weeds for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after crop emergence (DAE) and then weeds were allowed to grow until harvest) and five initial weed-infested periods (in which, weeds were allowed to grow for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60DAE, after which the plots were kept free of weeds until harvest). Full season weedy condition reduced 100-seed weight, seed germination percentage and seedling dry weight by 25.9, 13.3 and 22.5%, respectively and increased mean germination time and seed electrical conductivity by 55.8 and 24.3%, respectively as compared with full season weed-free control. However, the traits under study were not significantly influenced when field was kept free of weeds for at least 45 DAE (R1) or weedy condition was continued for less than 30 DAE (V8). There was a significant and negative correlation between weed biomass and seed weight (r = -0.93), so that when weed free condition was less than 45 DAE or weed infested period was continued for at least 30 DAE, soybean plants produced wrinkled and underdeveloped seeds with lower weights and qualities. Moreover, soybean seed quality reduction due to weed interference was more evident when starter fertilizer was applied and weeds interfered with soybean from the beginning of the growing season. Information from the present study is beneficial in soybean seed production systems and where farmers use the harvested seeds for the following planting.