Impact of Weed Interference Duration on Some Growth Parameters and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In order to investigate the weed interference duration on some growth parameters and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), an experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications during 2017 in Ardabil region.  

The experiment was included twelve treatments; six weed-infested and six weed-free treatments were applied at regular intervals (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days) after potato emergence in which weeds were allowed to grow until harvest and weeds were removed, respectively. Total dry matter (TDM),leaf area index (LAI), leaf area index duration, number of branches, mean tuber weight and tuberyield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were measured.  

The results showed that all measured traits were affected by weed interference duration and weed control period. Weed interference duration increased total dry weight of weeds and weed-free duration reduced total dry weight of weeds and mean tuber weight. Also, increase in weeds interference duration significantly reduced total dry matter, leaf area index, leaf area index duration, number of branches, mean tuber weight and tuber yield of potato. On the other hand, total dry matter, leaf area index, leaf area index duration, number of branches and tuber yield of potato increased by increased weed-free duration.  

Considering of 10% yield loss, the critical period of weed control was 18 and 57 days after potato emergence, respectively. The weed interference duration had a significant effect on the final yield of potato tubers and the interference duration through whole season caused 59.7% yield loss as compared to the control.