Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
PhD. Student of Weed Science, Dept. of Genetic and Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2
Prof., and Assoc. Prof. Dept. of Genetic and Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3
Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Moghan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Global population growth, currently at 1.6–1.7% annually (approximately 90 million people), necessitates a substantial increase in agricultural production to meet escalating food demands. Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut), a valuable legume in the Fabaceae family, serves as both an oilseed crop and a vital nutritional resource for humans and livestock. Peanut yield is significantly influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including agronomic practices, cultural techniques, and pest management. Planting pattern, specifically plant density and row spacing, critically affects canopy architecture, impacting key physiological processes such as radiation use efficiency and light interception. Square planting configurations can optimize canopy structure, improve light penetration and airflow, and thereby enhance crop growth. While high plant density can exacerbate size-asymmetric competition, favoring dominant plants and potentially suppressing weeds, a more uniform spatial distribution can mitigate early-season interspecific competition, promoting more effective weed suppression through enhanced collective shading. This ecological weed management strategy offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional methods like mechanical weeding and herbicide application. This study investigated the impact of planting pattern, in conjunction with weeding, herbicide application, and cover cropping, on weed control efficacy and peanut yield.
Materials and Methods
A split-plot experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications, was conducted at the Moghan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 cropping seasons. The main plot factor was the peanut planting pattern, evaluated at three levels: single row, two parallel rows, and two zigzag rows. The subplot factor was weed management, comprising seven treatments: 1- crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) cover crop and 2- villous vetch (Vicia villosa) cover crop, 3- the combination of bentazone herbicide (SL%48) at the rate of 2 liters per hectare + haloxy-fop-R methyl ester (EC%10.8) at the rate of 0.7 liters per hectare, 4- single hand weeding (20 days after planting), 5- double hand weeding (20 and 40 days after planting), 6- hand weeding all season of weeds and 7- control (no management). Weed density and biomass, by species, were assessed 50 days after planting using randomly placed 0.25 m² (0.5 × 0.5 m) quadrats. One hundred seeds were randomly selected from a 1 m² area within each plot, dried at 75°C, and weighed to determine the 100-seed weight (accuracy: 0.001 g). Peanut kernel oil content was determined by Soxhlet extraction (45°C, dry diethyl ether solvent) of ground, peeled kernels.
Results and Discussion
This study investigated the effects of weed control methods and planting patterns on peanut yield and quality. Measured variables included the number of single- and double-seeded pods, total pod number, pod yield, biological yield, seed protein percentage, 100-seed weight, seed yield, weed density, and weed biomass. The two-row zigzag planting pattern, combined with various weed control strategies (weeding, vetch or clover cover crops, and herbicide application), resulted in the highest values for most measured traits. Conversely, the single-row planting pattern with no weed control exhibited the lowest values. Analysis of the interaction between planting pattern and weed management revealed the highest weed density and biomass in the single-row, no-control treatment and the lowest weed biomass in the two-row zigzag pattern with two weedings or a vetch cover crop. The highest 100-seed weight was observed in the two-row zigzag pattern with weeding, followed by vetch and clover cover crops, while the lowest was in the single-row, no-control treatment. The two-row zigzag pattern likely improved light utilization due to better plant distribution, leading to increased allocation of photoassimilates to reproductive structures and, thus, higher 100-seed weight. The highest seed protein content was also associated with the two-row zigzag planting pattern, while the lowest was found in the single-row pattern.
Conclusions
Considering the climatic conditions of the Moghan region and having economic justification, a two-row zigzag planting arrangement and two weddings (20 and 40 days after planting) will be the best option for controlling peanut weeds. In this treatment, the number of single-seed pods (23.2%), total number of pods (44.3%), pod yield (26.8%), hundred-seed weight (8.1%), and grain yield (13.7%) were higher than the two-row zigzag planting arrangement × control without control. The next priority will be the use of cover crops and sustainable farm management. Using the results of such experiments, it is possible to increase crop yields at the same level, as well as community health and sustainable agriculture. Using a mixture of herbicide 2 liters in the soil + halofop-R methyl ester to 0.7 liters is recommended if labor is used for weeding and no cover crops are cultivated.
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