The allelopathic effect of Wheat and Rye residues on weed control and sweet corn yield in next season

Weed control in crop lands using herbicide raised several concerns for human health and environment. Decomposition of some plants residues leave special compounds in the soil which may prevent weed emergence and prohibit the use of herbicides for weed control. In order to non-chemical weed management and investigation of the sweet corn response to wheat and rye residues (low, medium and high) a field experiment was conducted using RCBD. Results showed that wheat straw was more beneficent than rye in weed control and increasing the sweet corn yield, meanwhile wheat in low residue treatment was more effective than others. Indeed this treatment produced the highest leaf area index (7) and fresh forage yield of the crop (24693 kg.ha-1). The highest (2251.3 kg/ha) and the lowest (1653.8 kg/ha) amount of kernel yield were obtained under low wheat residue and low rye residue treatments respectively with +22% and -6.2% change from control treatment. Therefore it should be stated that sweet corn planting after wheat rotation will confront to less weed (density and biomass) due to allopathic effects of low wheat residue which indirectly increased sweet corn economical yield.