Non-Chemical Weed Control in Winter Canola (Brassica napus L

Abstract

Abstract. Cultural practices, management techniques and product quality are important factors which can influence the field heath and food security. Application of low input agriculture strategies, like as organic farming will result to high quality and safe products. In order to reduce herbicide use and enhancing quantity and quality of canola seed (cultivar Hyola308) a field experiment was conducted at Varamin, Iran, on 2007-2008 growing season. Seven experimental treatments consisted of Chemical weed control using Trifluralin (2.5 l.ha -1 ) + sethoxydim (1.0 l.ha -1 ), integrated reduced dose of the same herbicides to between rows cultivation, twice cultivation, integrated pre-irrigation (25 days before sowing) to cultivation at stem elongation stage, black plastic mulch, weed-free and uncontrolled weed were arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replications. Results indicated that canola grain yield, yield components, oil percent were significantly decreased due to weed interference. The highest crop height, leaf area index, grain and oil yield obtained from black plastic mulch treatment. This non-chemical treatment has also significantly reduced weed density and dry matter. However there was no significant difference between plastic mulch and integrated control treatments (pre-irrigation + cultivation). Since mulching practices in trade canola fields is so difficult and relatively expensive, simple integrated (agronomic and mechanical) weed control treatment including irrigation the field 25 days before planting with the aim of removing emerged winter weeds via seedbed preparation practices + cultivation at stem elongation stage could be recommended