The Relationship Between The Density Of Some Winter Grains Weeds And Durum Wheat Yield In Semi-Arid Area

Abstract

The aim of this study is, firstly, to demonstrate the decline in the yield of durum wheat (Vitron variety) in relation to the levels of infestation by some weed species, in this case : Papaver rhoeas L., Sinapis alba L. and Raphanus raphanustrum L. These species were selected according to their prevalence in the various crop plots within the study area. Secondly, the aim is to determine their respective damage thresholds, beyond which these weeds become a threat and it becomes economically necessary to control them.

The results show that the three weed species studied behave in the same way and appear to be more harmful to durum wheat crops. Where there were more than 5 weed/m², a significant decline in yield was observed, resulting in an average loss of around 45.90%. Yield components were also influenced by the increasing density of weeds, where a difference per square metre was recorded in the control plots compared with the infested plots of approximately 76 ; 83 and 89 in terms of the number of wheat plants, the number of tillers and the number of ears, respectively. This results in a loss of approximately 2817 seeds/m² and a decrease in total yield of around 10 Q/ha. A density of more than 5 weed/m² can be considered a level of infestation at which weed control becomes necessary against these three species in a durum wheat crop grown in a semi-arid area.