The integration of increased seeding rates, mechanical weed control and herbicide application for weed management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A two-year field trial (2018-2020) was conducted in Central Greece to evaluate the integration of increased seeding rates, mechanical weed control and herbicide application for weed management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The experiment was arranged in a two-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The seeding rates of 180 kg ha(-1) (recommended) and 270 kg ha(-1) (1.5 x recommended) were assigned to the main plots. Five weed control treatments were assigned to the subplots: pre-emergence shallow tillage (ST PRE), ST PRE followed by interrow cultivation (ST PRE fb IC POST), pre-emergence application of aclonifen at 2400 g a. i. ha(-1) (AFN PRE) and AFN PRE followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl at 70 g a. i. ha(-1) as post-emergence (AFN PRE fb QZP POST). An untreated control was also included. The 1.5-fold increase in seeding rate reduced total weed density and total weed dry weight by 30 and 32%, respectively, and increased seed yield by 24%. ST PRE reduced total weed density and total weed dry weight compared to the untreated control. In comparison to ST PRE, ST PRE fb IC POST reduced total weed density (47-49%) and total weed dry weight (51-52%), and increased seed yield by 24%. ST PRE fb IC POST resulted in similar weed dry weight and seed yield as AFN PRE. AFN PRE fb QZP POST resulted in the lowest weed density and weed dry weight and consequently the highest seed yield. Seed yield was negatively correlated with total weed density (R-2 = 0.869-0.859) and total weed dry weight (R-2 = 0.895-0.929). Further research is needed to evaluate the integration of cultural practices with mechanical weed control and herbicide application for weed management in chickpea and other legumes.