Abstract

A field experiment to find out the effect of weed-crop competition duration that is, zero competition, competition for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 days after emergence and competition throughout the growing season on the growth and yield of Lepidium sativum L. was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The dominant weeds were Phalaris minor, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis and Medicago denticulata. Maximum density and dry weight of the weeds were recorded in plots with competition throughout the season and the minimum was observed in weed-crop competition for 40 days after emergence. The maximum seed yield was recorded in plots where weeds were not allowed to grow throughout the growing season. The increase in yield was mainly due to greater plant height, number of branches per plant and number of seed per plant. The minimum was recorded in plots where weeds were allowed to compete with the crop throughout the growth period of crop. For obtaining higher yield of the garden, cress weeds may be controlled before 40 days after emergence as it was the critical period of competition.

Key words: Garden cress, weeds, competition duration, growth, yield.