Integrated weed management of sugar beet using planting date and cultivation in Dezful

In order to evaluate some agronomical management on weed control in sugar beet this experiment was conducted at Safi-Abad Agr. Res. Center, Dezful in 2002 and 2004. Tow planting dates, September 16 and October 12 and five cultivator applications, one and two time application at 4-6 and 6-8 leaf stages, respectively and once plus hand hoeing, weedy and weed free checks arranged in split plot design with four replications. Main plots, sub-plots assigned to planting dates and cultivator, respectively. Weed number was counted after application of cultivator and weed fresh weight and root quality and quantity was measured at harvest on early to mid May. In the first year, planting dates have not significant effects on sugar beet yield and quality, weed number and weed fresh weight. There are significant differences among cultivator treatments for most of sugar beet yield and quality traits, weed number and weed fresh weight. In the second year, the planting date did not also significantly affect the root yield, sugar yield and sugar content, and the cultivator treatments showed significant differences only for root and sugar yields. The combined analysis showed that there were significant differences between years for sugar beet root quality and quantity, weed number and weed fresh weight. Planting date has significant effect on potassium and harmful nitrogen. Root and sugar yield, weed number and weed fresh weight were significantly influenced by cultivator treatments.