EFFECT OF SOWING TECHNIQUES ON WEEDS GROWTH AND YIELD OF TURNIP CULTIVARS

A research work titled “Effect of sowing techniques on weeds growth and yield of turnip cultivars” was carried out at Ornamental nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement. Sowing techniques (ridges and flat beds) were allotted to main plots, while cultivars (purple top, white globe and pahuja) were assigned to sub plots. Results showed that all the parameters except weed density and weed biomass were significantly affected by cultivars. Pahuja cultivar was best for number of leaves plant-1 (17.19), root diameter (6.18 cm), root weight (142.61 g) and total yield (14.09 tons ha^-1), while white globe cultivar showed lowest results in number of leaves plant^-1 (14.70), root diameter (4.56 cm), root weight (56.07 g) and total yield (5.59 tons ha^-1). Sowing on ridges and flat beds had also significantly affected all the parameters. Maximum number of leaves plant^-1 (18.59), root weight (146.87 g), root diameter (6.20 cm) and maximum yield (14.68 tons ha^-1) was on ridges, while minimum root weight (71.09 g), root diameter (4.54 cm) and lowest yield (6.98 tons ha^-1) in flat beds. Minimum weed density (102.90 m^-2) and weed biomass (1340 kg ha^-1) was noted in ridges sown crop while maximum weed density (11.78 m^-2) and weed biomass (1402 kg ha^-1) was noted in flat sown crop. Among various treatments used, ridges sowing and pahuja cultivar is recommended for maximum yield of turnip.