Reduced inter-row distance improves yield and competition against weeds in a semi-dwarf durum wheat variety

Abstract

Weed and nutrient management in cropping systems of semi-arid areas is a major constraint to cereal yield. Where the use of herbicides is banned or discouraged, the competitive ability of a crop is crucial to reduce weed growth and diffusion. Genotypic differences in the competitive abilities of crops are an important trait to reduce weeds, especially for plant height. However, there is contrasting information about the interactions of other management practices and genotypic traits on wheat yield and competitive ability against weeds and weed growth. The present study investigated yield and quality of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) and weed growth and composition for two wheat cultivars with contrasting competitive abilities against weeds. Wheat was grown under three spatial arrangements (5-cm, 15-cm, 25-cm inter-row distance) and three sowing densities, and broadleaf weeds were either removed or not. The sowing rate did not affect the yield of these wheat cultivars or the weed growth. Reduced inter-row distance dramatically reduced weed biomass for both wheat cultivars, and increased wheat yield and nitrogen uptake in the low-competitive, high-yielding, semi-dwarf cv. ‘PR22D89’, when both weed free and with weeds. These results have direct implications for weed and nutrient management in low-input and organic cropping systems.