Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) Control Using Intercropping of Cover Crops with Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Date palm is one of the most strategic and important products in the world. To investigate the effects of cover crops intercropped with date on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) biomass, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in Iranshahr, Baluchestan during 2011-2012. Treatments were sesbania (Sesbaniasesban) 50 kg seeds/ha, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) 35 kg seeds/ha, pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) 50 kg seeds/ha, vigna (Vigna radiate) 50 kg seeds/ha and sorghum (Sorghombicolor) 20 kg seed/ha. Results showed that the sesbania with 1937 gr/m2 in first year and 2326 g/m2 in second year, had the highest biomass in both years. 1937 g/m2. Vigna and pigeon pea with 159. 7 and 22. 8 g/ m2 in first year and 101. 7 and 50. 7 g/m2 in second year respectively, had the lowest dry matters. Weeds were controlled by sesbania, sorghum, vigna, pigeon pea and alfalfa 97, 59, 7 and 3 % in first year and 99, 74, 2, 10 and 95% in second year compared to control, respectively. The study indicated that sesbania and alfalfa had the highest mean biomass in both years and were the best treatment to control and reduce biomass of bermudagrass.