Seasonal pattern of post-dispersal seed predation of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and wild barley (Hordeum spantaneum) in wheat field in Karaj

To evaluate the effect of hunting after the release of seed in wheat field a factorialexperiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications at Karaj during 2012-13. Factors were included plant species at two levels (wild mustard and wild barley), sampling dates at 14 levels (from December, 12 to June, 22 per two weeks) and sampling location at two levels (periphery and center of field). The seeds were transferred to petri and then placed in plots. At each sampling date, a control seed petri were placed at field and then the lost seeds have been measured. The results showed the highest seed hunting in center of field on 4 Khordad was pertained to wild barley and the lowest seed hunting in periphery on 24 Farvardin was belong to wild mustard. The highest number of predators on 18 Khordad was pertained to wild barley, whereas the lowest number of predators on 20 Day was obtained by both weeds and on 4 Bahman by wild mustard. The highest number of predator on 4 Khordad was in the center of field and the lowest number of predators on 20 Day and 4 Bahman was in the center of field and on 20 Day and 28 Bahman in the periphery of field. Ants (Formicidae) and crickets (Gryllidae) had the highest and lowest number of predators, respectively.