WEED CONTROL EFFECTS ON THE WHEAT-PEA INTERCROPPING

Abstract

A cereal with legumes intercropping is a popular cultural technique and is useful for soil conservation, weed control and getting higher crop yield. To cope with and then find out remedies for many problems, field study entitled “weed control effects on the wheat-pea intercropping” was conducted at Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during Rabi season 2010. Randomized complete block (RCB) design was used with split plot arrangements. There were two main plots each having eight treatments. One main plot was kept weed free while the second was kept weed infested throughout the crop season. The details of wheat and pea combinations (treatments) was; (1) sole wheat (8 rows), (2) sole pea (8 rows), (3) wheat (1 row) + pea (1 row), (4) wheat (2 rows) + pea (1 row), (5) wheat (3 rows) + pea (1 row), (6) wheat (2 rows) + pea (2 rows), (7) wheat (3 rows) + pea (2 rows) and (8) wheat (3 rows) + pea (3 rows). Statistical analysis of the data revealed that weeding significantly decreased the weed density at 120 days after sowing (DAS), fresh and dry weed biomass. Weeds related parameters like weed density, fresh and dry weed biomass was significantly decreased by intercropping of peas in wheat. Weeds removal significantly increased spike length and grain yield of wheat. Weeds removal as well as intercropping of wheat and pea significantly affected the green pods yield of pea where maximum pods were recorded under weed free conditions. Sole pea produced higher yield of pods as compared to intercropped plots. Therefore in light of the instant studies it could be concluded that pea should be intercropped in wheat. However, further studies are suggested to study the possibility of wheat-pea intercropping at various densities for getting higher net returns.