The response of wild oats (Avena fatua L.) to sowing rate and herbicide application

A 2-year field study was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1999 and 2000 at Houfa in northern Jordan, to study the influence of various sowing rates (20kg ha–1, 40kg ha–1 and 60kg ha–1) and 2,4-D application at two growth stages (stage 13 (3-leaf) and stage 44 (Mid boot)) on yield components and productivity of wild oats. The highest biomass and grain yields were produced at 60kg ha–1 and the lowest at 20kg ha–1 in both seasons. On the other hand, the highest number of tillers per plant was produced at 20kg ha–1 and the lowest at 60kg ha–1 in both seasons. Differences in weed number and fresh weight were significant among various weed control treatments in both seasons. Hand-weeding proved to be the best weed control method. In both growing seasons, yield reductions occurred when 2,4-D esters were applied to oats at stage 13 (3-leaf). Hand-weeding was more effective than 2,4-D applications in suppressing weed growth.African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2003, 20(3): 239–24