Abstract:
In order to evaluate the
effects of some cover crops on extinction
coefficient and weed cover percentage in
sunflower, a field experiment was
conducted based on a randomized complete
block design with nine treatments and three
replicates at the Agricultural Research
Station, Tabriz University of Iran, during
growing season 2012-2013. Treatments
were triticale, hairy vetch, rapeseed, triticale
+ hairy vetch, triticale + rapeseed, hairy
vetch + rapeseed, application of trifluralin
herbicide, and controls (weed infested and
weed free without planting cover crop).
Result indicated than once established,
living mulches can rapidly occupy the open
space between the rows of the main crop
and use the light that would otherwise be
available to weeds. In the all cover crops
treatments, the light extinction coefficient
was increased and weed cover percentage
was reduced. Highest reduction in total
weed species was observed in hairy vetch +
rapeseed and triticale + rapeseed cover crop
61.92% and 61.43 %, respectively,
compared to weed infested, so this treatment
was better than trifluralin application. It
concluded that cover crops could be
considered as integrated strategies for weed
sustainable management.
