EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS AND MULCHING ON WEED DENSITY IN WHEAT CROP UNDER DEFICIT IRRIGATION

Water scarcity, high temperature, poor sowing methods and weeds infestation are the limiting factors in crop production. To determine the effect of sowing methods and mulching on weed density in wheat crop under deficit irrigation, an experiment was conducted at New developmental Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan under clay loam soil conditions during 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with split split plot arrangement having three replications. Three factors i.e. sowing methods, mulch and deficit irrigation with four levels i.e. full irrigation (DI0), 20% deficit (DI20), 40% deficit (DI40) and 60% deficit (DI60) were studied. Soil moisture was continuously monitored and full irrigation was determined on the basis of MAD 50%. Sowing methods were consisted of raised bed and flat bed cultivation while maize stover was used as mulch. Findings of the study indicated that sowing methods, mulching and irrigation levels had considerably influenced weed density, yield and yield components of wheat. Raised bed cultivation had more number of spikes m^-2, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index with lowest weed density as compared to traditional flat bed sowing. Likewise, application of maize stover @ 4 tons ha^-1 as a surface mulch enhanced wheat yield and decreased weeds germination. In case of irrigation levels, full irrigation resulted an increase in weeds density, spikes m^-2, 1000-grain weight, yield and harvest index of wheat crop. It was concluded that raise bed cultivation, mulching with maize stover and 20% deficit irrigation reduced weeds density and enhanced wheat yield under the semi arid environment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.