Effect of field application of russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and rye(Secale cereal L.) extracts on weed control in french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

In order to evaluate the effect of harmful extracts of russian knapweed, vetch, and rye on weeds control of french bean, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2017 at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station, West Islamabad. Experimental treatments included cranberry, vetch, and rye weeds and their other pest extracts at three levels (zero, 50, and 100% of vetch, cranberry, and rye aerial part extracts). The results showed that the interaction of weed species and the concentration of allopathic extract had a significant effect on grain yield, 100-grain weight, biological yield, and dry weight of field weeds but had no significant effect on harvest index and ocular assessment of plant damage. With increasing the concentration of allopathic extract, french bean grain yield increased. The highest grain yield (981 kg.ha-1) was observed in plants treated with crap and the concentration of 100% allopathic extract. The lowest dry weight of weeds (12.33 g.m-2) was observed in plants under rye treatment at a concentration of 100% of the allopathic extract, which was not significantly different from vetch treatment at the same concentration. The decrease in the dry weight of bean field plants at high concentrations of other harmful extracts can be attributed to the control effects of the tested plant extracts. In general, increasing the concentration of allopathic extracts had an inhibitory effect on the density and dry weight of weeds and had a significant increase in 100-seed weight, pod length, biological yield, and grain yield of french bean.