Growth analysis of eight common bean cultivars affected by weed interference

In order to evaluate the effects of weed interference on LAI (leaf area index), crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) of eight common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars a field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, during 2011. The experimental design was split plot based on randomized complete block with four replications. The main plots consisted of eight common bean cultivars and the sub-plots were weed-free and weed-infested treatments. Results indicated that weed-infested treatment reduced the LAI of all common bean cultivars. Among the common bean cultivars, the cv. Akhtar and Khomein showed the greatest and lowest reduction in LAI, respectively. The weed interference reduced the CGR of all cultivars except cv. Khomein and Gholi. The effect of weed infested treatment on RGR of cultivars was different. The RGR of cultivars Alhtar, Sayyad and Gholi reduced at weed infested treatment. We can conclude that indeterminate cultivars including Khomein, Gholi and Pak had high competitive ability against weeds.