The effect of different tillage methods and some herbicides on the control of weeds in growing chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The aim of this study was to demonstrate sustainable weed control by using different tillage methods and herbicide applications in chickpea production under Diyarbakır conditions. The study was conducted between 2020 and 2023 as a field trial, survey and questionnaire study. The field trial was conducted for three years in the experimental fields of Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture. Azkan chickpea variety was used in the trials. For this variety, three different tillage methods (mouldboard plough + cultivator, disc harrow + cultivator, cultivator) and three different herbicide application methods [pre-emergence (flurochloridone), post-emergence (aclonifen), pre-emergence + post-emergence (flurochloridone + aclonifen)] and weed and weed-free control groups were formed. Among the tillage methods, mouldboard plough + cultivator had an effect on both weed density and dry biomass weight. The other treatments had an effect on weed density but not on weed dry biomass weight. However, among the herbicide treatments, only pre-emergence and pre-emergence + post-emergence combinations were effective on both weed density and dry biomass weight. A total of 57 species belonging to 22 families were identified as a result of the treatments in the field trial. The most common weed species were Triticum spp., Avena sterilis L., Xanthium strumarium L., Galium tricornutum Dandy., Centaurea balsamita Lam., Euphorbia fistulosa M.L.S.Khan and Hordeum vulgare L. It was understood that tillage practices were not effective on grain yield per decare, but herbicides were effective. In addition, it was determined that there was a decrease in yield due to the phytotoxic effect of the active ingredient aclonifen. Survey studies were conducted in 7 districts of Diyarbakır (Bismil, Çınar, Eğil, Ergani, Silvan, Sur, Yenişehir). In these districts, 58 weed species belonging to 22 families were identified in 68 fields. The most common species were A. sterilis (40.3%), Sinapis arvensis L. (32.8%), and G. tricornutum (30.1%). The survey was conducted with 336 farmers over a period of four years and as a result, it was determined that farmers moved away from chickpea production over time, they did not have enough knowledge on weed control, they mostly encountered A. sterilis and S. arvensis in the field and they obtained high yields despite weeds being an important problem. In conclusion, as a result of field trials, surveys and questionnaires, it was determined that weeds and their control are important factors on yield and quality in chickpea production in Diyarbakır province. For weed control in production, a management approach using a combination of appropriate tillage methods and effective substances is recommended. Keywords: Chickpea, Cicer arietinum L., Weed, Tillage, Herbicide.