Lentil (Lens culinaris) Yield as Influenced by Duration of Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Interference

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of wild oat (Avena fatua L. # AVEFA) interference in lentils (Lens culinaris Medik). An infestation of 32 and 65 wild oats/m2 maintained up to 5 weeks in the field did not reduce lentil grain yield. However, 32 wild oats/m2 reduced yields 32% when allowed to remain for 7 weeks and 49% if they remained until harvest time (11 weeks). Sixty-five wild oats/m2 reduced grain yield 42 and 61% for the same time periods, respectively. In the growth chamber, 69 wild oats/m2 reduced lentil plant dry weight 29% if allowed to remain for 3 weeks, 61% for 5 weeks, and 72% for 7 weeks (harvest time). The field data suggest that wild oat control measures may be delayed for several weeks after lentil emergence without reducing crop yield.