The effect of integrated weed control treatments on some growth and quality traits of cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.)

In order to investigate the effect of integrated weed management on some growth and quality traits of cowpea, an experiment was conducted at the research field of Shahrood University of Technology as randomized complete blocks design with four replications in 2014. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments; weedy, weed free (all season), recommended herbicide dose (960 grams active ingredient per hectare), reduced herbicide dose (480 grams active ingredient per hectare), ultrasonic waves (24 kHz for 6 minutes) and hydro-priming separately in combination with the above mentioned treatments. The results showed that leaf area index and height of the first pod insertion increased in ultrasonic waves + weeding (all season) treatment by 51.6 and 60 percent in comparison to control (no weeding) treatment respectively. Ultrasonic waves + weeding and hydro-priming + weeding treatments increased the grain protein by 7.3 and 7.5 percent in comparison to control (no weeding) treatment respectively. The results indicated that application of hydro-priming and ultrasonic waves in combination with redused dose of trifluralin increased the leaf chlorophyll index and grain yield equal to recommended herbicide dose and weeding (all season) treatments. Also no significant difference was observed in density and above ground biomass of weeds between the application of hydro-priming + reduced herbicide dose and ultrasonic waves + reduced herbicide dose treatments with recommended herbicide dose treatment. Based on the results of this experiment, priming and sonication of seeds in combination with reduced dose of herbicide can increase growth and quality traits and also reduce herbicide consumption.