Critical period for weed control in leek (Allium porrum L.)

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 106 - 109
• Main Authors: Tursun, N, Bukun, B, Karacan, S.C, Ngouajio, M, Mennan, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA American Society for Horticultural Science 01.02.2007
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Allium porrum; application timing; Biological and medical sciences; crop models; crop yield; crop-weed competition; dry matter accumulation; equations; field experimentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; leeks; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; planting date; weed control; Weeds; Turkey (country); Cultural practice; Weed control; Monocotyledones; Vegetables; Horticulture; Weed; Application time; Pest and disease control; integrated weed management; weed competition yield loss; Liliaceae; Vegetable crop; Angiospermae; Allium porrum; Interspecific competition; Spermatophyta; Yield; Leek; Critical period; Integrated pest management
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.42.1.106

Field studies were conducted in Mersin, Turkey, in 2002 and 2003 to determine the critical period for weed control in leek and to investigate the effects of weed interference on weed biomass. The critical period for weed control in leek based on a 5% acceptable yield loss level was calculated by fitting logistic and Gompertz equations to relative yield data. Total fresh biomass of weeds increased as the duration of weed infestation increased. The beginning of the critical period for weed control was 7 days after transplanting in 2002 and 13 days after transplanting in 2003. The end of the critical period for weed control was 85 days after transplanting in 2002 and 60 days after transplanting in 2003. Results of this study suggest that leek should be kept weed free between 7 days after transplanting and 85 days after transplanting to avoid yield losses in excess of 5%.