Response of more and less competitive rice cultivars to different densities of barnyardgrass

The aim of this research was to investigate the response of more and less competitive rice cultivars to different densities of barnyardgrass. A field experiment was conducted in 2010 in Tonekabon’s rice research station in Mazandaran province. The experiment layout was a factorial design with four randomized complete blocks. The experimental factors were six densities of barnyardgrass (0, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 plant per square meter) and two rice cultivars (Khazar and Line 843). Results showed that rice grain yield, fertile tiller number m-2 and grain number per panicle were decreased as barnyardgrass density increased from 0 to 40 plants m-2. However, the percentage reduction in grain yield, fertile tiller number and grain number per panicle increased more sharply in Khazar cultivar than in Line843 as barnyardgrass density increased from 0 to 40 plants m-2. On the other hand, biomass and seed production of barnyardgrass was increased more sharply in Khazar cultivar than in line 843 as barnyardgrass density increased from 8 to 40 plants m-2. In other words, line 843 compared to Khazar cultivar, could significantly reduce biomass and seed production of barnyardgrass under competitive conditions.