Study of Effective Morpho-Physiological Characteristics on Wheat Competitive Ability Against Weeds

Cultivars within crop species differ in competitiveness against the weeds that it is due to morphological and physiological differences. This experiment was conductedin Agricultural Faculty of Moghan, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili at 2010-2011 in order to study of morpho-physiological characteristics of 18 wheat genotypes growing in weed free and weed infested conditions.Experiment was established as strip-split plot using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that weed interference decreased wheat height to 27% in many wheat genotypes. At stem elongation stage, Alvand and S-82-10 genotypes have most height, and Kaskozhen and C-85-8 genotypes have lower height under with and without weed interference condition. Results also showed that weed competition reduced leaf area 5 to 47% in wheat genotypes. Highest leaf area reduction was observed for Sardary genotype, whereas Gaspard and Tous genotypes were able remain more of 95% of the leaf area in weed competition condition. In weed competition condition LAR and SLA Indices were more than twice for Tous, N-80-19 and MV17. The results can be used in breeding new varieties of wheat for non-chemical weed control in sustainable agriculture.