Some Biological Aspects of Intercropping Systems on Crop-Weed Balance

Rao, M R and Shetty, S V R (1976) Some Biological Aspects of Intercropping Systems on Crop-Weed Balance. Indian Journal of Weed Science , 8 (1). pp. 32-43. ISSN 0974-8164

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Abstract

Many physical, biological and cultural management factors determine the crop-weed balance which in turn influences the crop and weed reproductive yields. Inter-cropping of pigeonpea (Cajanus cyan L. Millsp.) with sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) reduced weed growth to an extent of 50 to 75%. The competitive ability of intercropping was enhanced by high plant population pressure provided by the component species together. Within an intercrop system row arrangement patterns did not significantly influence the weed infestation. With the increase in the population pressure there was considerable decrease in weed dry matter weight. Weed growth in compact pigeonpea genotype (HY3A) was 37% higher than that observed in spreading type (ST1). Pearlmillct (Pennisetum typhoides S. and H.) and maize (Lea mays L.) showed high initial weed smother-ing ability followed by cowpea (Vigna sinensis Savi.) and groundnut (Archis hypogaea L.). Sorghum progressively increased its competitive ability with time. Hardy and tall weeds like Celosia argentea h., Acanthospermum hispidum DC, and Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. were predominant in groundnut system. Pigeonpea and castor (Ricinus communis L.) were poor competitors with weeds, A quantitative description of the effects of some biological factors like crop species, crop variety, plant population, crop geometry, relative proportions of the crops in the mixture and cropping pattern on the crop-weed balance indicated that these factors should be taken into account while evolving integrated weed management systems.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2012 13:22
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2012 10:38
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5846
Official URL:	http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijo...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	The authors gratefully acknowledge the comments and suggestions received from Drs. B.A. Krantz and R.W. Willey, Agronomists, ICRISAT,·· Hyderabad.
Links:	Google Scholar

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