The Effect of Cover Crops on Yield and Weeds Control of Patato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Using an effective management method can reduce weed contamination of main crop plants. To investigate the effect of cover crops on weed control and potato yield an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Field of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in autumn of 2017 and spring of 2018. Experimental treatments consisted of oat (Avena sativa L.), white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and double blend cultivation with 50% seed ratio and control treatment at 2017 (autumn) and subsequent potato planting in 2018 (spring). The results showed that the cover crops had a significant effect on lambsquarter (Chenopodium album L.), Amaranthus retroflexus L. and total weeds biomass in the main crop (potato) but not on other weeds (including Cirsium arvense L.). The highest biomass (466.1 g.m-2) among the cover crops and the lowest winter weeds biomass were related to white radish monoculture. The lowest weed biomass of amaranthus and total weeds biomass were obtained from white radish, and the lowest biomass of lambsquarter was obtained from white radish+oat. White radish was able to control 45.7% of total weed biomasses compared to control treatment. The highest yield and average tuber weight, marketable percentage and the lowest small potato tubers were obtained by white radish. White radish had the highest yield (3.74 kg.m-2), which increased potato yield by 46.3%, as compared to the control treatment. The highest number of potato tubers was obtained from oat as cover crop. Growing white radish along with oats also had the highest percentage of oversize tubers. In general, white radish can be a good choice to be used for winter cover crop before potato planting, either as a intercropping with Poaceae species or as a monoculture.