Integrated weed control methods utilizing planting pattern in sugar beet

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different planting patterns, times of mechanical weeding and herbicide application for weed control in sugar beet. Planting pattern was designated as the main-plot with varying levels including single row 45 cm width, single row 58 cm width and twin row 62 cm row width; timing of mechanical weed control in three levels consisting of weeding at 4, 10 and 14 leaves stage of sugar beet, and herbicides in two levels as metamitron and triflusulfuron. Timing in terms of mechanical weeding and herbicide application had significant effect on weed reduction. In the majority of the cases, planting pattern effected desirable weed density and biomass reduction. The best results were attained in double-row planting at an inter-row spacing of 62 cm. With regards to time of weeding, the best results were achieved in mechanical weed control at the 4th leaf stage of sugar beet which had the highest reduction on both weed density and biomass. Metamitron+ was the most impactful on weed density and biomass. The sugar beet yield components were affected by weed control treatments but could not reach to the level of significance.