IMPACT OF CROP RESIDUES MULCH ON WEEDS CONTROL AND SOME AGRONOMIC ASPECTS OF WHEAT

To study the effects of different mulching materials (maize and guar), their levels (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 t ha -1) and application methods (surface and shallow incorporation) on wheat, an experiment was carried out at the New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar during winter 2009-10. Plant emergence was comparatively quicker (12 days) in plots having maize residues than guar residues (13 days). Maize residues had higher (93) emergencem^-2 as compared to guar residues (84). Weeds weight m^-2 was lower (31 g) in maize residue plots as compared to guar residues plots (53 g). Days to physiological maturity hastened with maize residues (146 days) than guar residues (147 days). Surface method accelerated emergence (12 days) and improved emergence m^-2 (95), as compared to shallow incorporation. However, surface application decreased (35 g) weeds growth as compared to shallow incorporation (49 g). It is concluded that surface application method of crop residue can enhance the days to emergence, increase emergence m^-2, decrease weeds growth and enhance physiological maturity of wheat.