Crop row orientation induced photo-sensory effect on the competitive interactions of crops and weeds

摘要

Four trials were conducted in the Western Australian wheat belt during the 2002 to 2005 growing seasons to examine the effect of crop row orientation induced photo-sensory processes on weeds and crops. Grain yields of wheat were 25 to 42% greater andthose of barley were 8 to 43% greater when sown in an east-west orientation than in a north-south orientation. Plant growth and grain protein contents of wheat and barley were also greater in the east-west orientation than in the north-south orientation.Weed dry matter in the east-west orientation was 23 to 81% lower in wheat and 21 to 87% lower in barely than in north-south orientation probably due to 45 to 58% greater light interception by the crop canopy in the east-west than in the north-south orientation. No definite pattern of the impact of row orientation on yields of lupin, canola and field pea was observed. The results from this study may have vital implications in guiding growers as to whether they should sow crops in an east-west or north-south orientation. Sowing cereal crops in an east-west orientation, especially in tramline systems, could be more productive than in a north-south orientation under the agro-ecological conditions similar to Avondale and Merredin in Western Australia.