Effect of summer cover crops and row spacing on weed management and yield and components yield of bean (Vicia faba L.)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of summer cover crop residues and row spacing of faba bean on weed population, yield and components yield of faba bean (Barakat cultivar).

experiment was conducted as factorial based on split-split-plot design with three replications in Bandar-Gaz Service Center in June-July 2019. The order of cover crops (mung bean, millet, and no cover crop), row spacing of faba bean (25, 35, 45, and 55 plant per m2), and interference of weeds (weeding and no weeding) were placed in the main plot, subplot, and sub subplot, respectively.

The use of mung bean and millet cover crop residues, especially millet, were effective in reducing density and dry matter of weeds. the highest number of pods per plant was recorded in millet cover crop residues in row spacing of 55 cm row and weeding treatment.The highest and lowest 100-seed weight were observed in millet residues and no cover crop treatments, respectively. The results showed that millet residues in no weeding and weeding condition had the highest grain yield with 2870.12 and 5049.43 kg.ha-1, respectively.

The results of the present study show that the use of cover crop residues alone is not able to completely control weeds. Reducing row spacing in combination with planting of cover crops can play an effective role in controlling weeds and improving crop yield.