Can different sowing dates affect weed control efficacy and chickpea yield?

Two independent field experiments were carried out on two sowing dates. The experimental factors included three herbicides (trifluralin, pendimethalin, and linuron) using the method of incorporation by sowing, inter-row cultivation, and control (weed-free and weed-infested). The density of weeds 45 days after sowing, applying pendimethalin, linuron, and inter-row cultivation on the first sowing date (FSD), was 26.5, 31.8, and 45.9% less than the second sowing date (SSD), respectively. On the contrary, at the flowering stage, weeds on the SSD were 59% less than the FSD, and the average weed density in applying pendimethalin and linuron was 78.7% less than their density in the weed-infested. The height of the plant and the height of the first pod from the soil surface on the FSD were 13% and 11% higher, respectively, compared to the SSD. The average number of branches per plant with experimental treatments was 37% more than the weed-infested ones. The maximum biological yield of chickpeas in the FSD and SSD was obtained by inter-row cultivation (760 g m-2) and pendimethalin (749 g m-2), respectively. On the FSD, the seed yield in applying pendimethalin was 82.5%, and its average in linuron and inter-row cultivation was 86.4% more than the weed-infested control. Also, on the SSD, the average seed yield in the three mentioned treatments was 73.6% more than the weed-infested control. However, linuron and inter-row cultivation were identified as the most appropriate treatments for weed control in the early stages of both sowing dates.