EFFECT OF HERBICIDES AND ROW SPACING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEA

To investigate the effect of herbicides and row spacing on growth and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.), a field experiment was performed at the Horticulture Research Farm, Agricultural University Peshawar during winter 2005-06. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with spilt plot arrangement having three replications. The experiment was consisted of four pre-emergence herbicides [Dual gold 960 EC (S-metolachlor), Stomp 330 EC (Pendimethaline), Sencor 70 WP (Metribuzine) and Isoproturon 50 WP (Isoproturon)] and a weedy check as main plots and four row spacings (40, 60, 80 and 100 cm) allotted to sub-plots. The findings revealed that the greater pea seeds germination (83.17 %), weeds density (241 m^-2) and weed biomass (1082 g m^-2) and taller plants (100.1 cm) were produced in weedy check plots. Lengthy pods (7.99 cm), higher number of pods (43.67), seeds pods^-1(7.8), branches plant^-1 (2.41) and pods yield (4.577 t ha^-1) were obtained with application of Dual gold 960 EC (S-metolachlor). Dual gold 960 EC (Smetolachlor) and Stomp 330 EC (Pendimethaline)had 50 % while Sencor 70 WP (Metribuzine) had 25 % phytotoxicity on pea crop. The highest weed density (96.87 m^-2) and biomass (748.2 g m^-2) were recorded when peas were planted at 40 cm row spacing; whereas, the lower pod length (7.3 cm), number of seeds pods^-1 (7.1) and pods yield (3.165 t ha^-1) were obtained when planted at 100 cm row spacing. The highest number of pods (38.94) and branches plant^-1 (2.61) were produced in 100 cm row spacing. It was concluded from the experiment that pods yield linearly decreased with increase in row spacing and the least row spacing of 40 cm resulted in higher yield and least weed infestation. Dual gold 960 EC and Stomp 330 EC were equally superior in terms of higher pods yield and yield components by reducing weeds density and weed biomass.