Effect of Avena fatua (L.) Density and Nitrogen Levels of Fertilizer on Winter Wheat

R. Nakova

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted during 2009 – 2010 to study competition between winter wheat and Avena fatua L. at five weed densities (0, 5, 15, 25, 35 plants m-2) and three nitrogen levels of fertilizer ( 0; 200; 300 kg N ha-1). Experimental design was a randomized block with four replicates. The parameters were recorded on wheat: densitу, wheat plant height, wheat spike length, number of grains spike-1, grain weight spike-1, 1000 grain weight. The effect of wheat grain yield was established. The results showed that competitive effect on wheat depends on the density of weed. Significant differences between Avena fatua L. densities were observed for most of the parameters. Wheat density, height of wheat plant and grain yield decreased with the increase in weed density. The increase of nitrogen levels improved competitive abilities of the wheat and affected the inter-specific competitive interactions. Differences in nitrogen levels at interactions with weed density were significant only for grain yield and spike length.

Keywords: Avena fatua L.; competition; density; grain yield; nitrogen levels; wheat

Date published: 2017-03-07