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Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2005 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 730-733
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Authors

Bekir Bukun

Sinan Gercek

Erkan Boydak

Murat Dikilitas

Keywords

Research Article

A Novel Irrigation System (Water Pillow) with Mulching Effect for the Control of Weeds in Soybean Plants of Arid and Semi-arid Regions

Bekir Bukun, Sinan Gercek, Erkan Boydak and Murat Dikilitas
The mulch effect of a new irrigation system, Water Pillow (WP), on the growth of weeds was investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of this novel system on growth of weeds in soybean. The system evaluated for the weed controlling ability. Also the effectiveness of WP was investigated for the preservation of irrigation water. WP covers most of the furrow surface and prevents soil from entering sunlight. In this study, WP was laid over the soil surface between rows throughout the furrow length and prevented weed germination and the growth. WP in various diameters (28, 34.6 and 40 cm), with various covering area, was placed between the rows in which the effect of mulch was tested. The results showed that the fresh and dry weight of weeds decreased as the diameter of WP increased. The lowest fresh (3.0 g) and dry (1.1 g) weight of weeds were obtained from the treatment of 40 cm diameter of WP. All treatments of WP were found statistically different from the control treatment in respect to biomass accumulation. Also, the 40 cm diameter of WP contributed 11.1% crop yield increment compared to the control treatment. Crop yield obtained from the 34.6 cm diameter of WP was also higher than the control treatment. However, the 28 cm diameter of WP was not much effective when compared to the control treatment in respect to crop yield. The main benefit of this system not only provides weed control but also reduces irrigation and evaporation. With the introduction of this method, the use of herbicides and labor were significantly reduced. Therefore, it would be a useful tool for the Integrated Weed Management.
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