Effect of living mulches on yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and weed seed productivity in line with sustainable agriculture

<p>In order to evaluate the effects of some cover crops as living mulches on yield components of sunflower<br>(Helianthus annuus L.) and weed seed productivity in sunflower field, an experiment was done in 2012 at the<br>Research Field of Tabriz University, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with nine<br>treatments in three replications. Treatments included triticale, hairy vetch, rapeseed, triticale + hairy vetch,<br>triticale + rapeseed, hairy vetch + rapeseed, application of trifluralin herbicide, and controls (weed infested and<br>weed free without planting cover crop). Result indicated than in all cover crops treatments weeds seed production<br>was reduced. Maximum reduction in seed production for total weed species was observed in hairy vetch +<br>rapeseed (69.17%), and also 65.37% reduction in weed seed productivity was observed in triticale + rapeseed<br>compared to weed infested treatment. Although weed seed production was reduced due to presence of these<br>living mulches, but yield components of sunflower were significantly affected by treatments, too. Triticale had<br>lowest effect on yield components of sunflower. On the other hand, not significantly differences were found<br>between trifluralin usage and triticale. Using of living mulch as a strategy to reduce the damage of weeds and<br>application of herbicide can be helpful in integrated weed management and sustainable agriculture.