اثر گیاهان پوششی یک‌ساله زمستانه بر کنترل علف‌های هرز در باغ‌های سیب مشهد

This trial was performed in an apple orchard in Nemoone Field of Astan Quds Razavi, located in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, during 2021-2024 growing seasons. The experiment was achieved based on RCBD with three replicates. The four winter cover plants treatments included: 1- Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) planted by amount of 45 Kg/ha of seeds, 2- Arugula (Eruca sativa (Miller) Thell.) planted by amount of 10 Kg/ha of seeds, 3- Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) by amount of 25 Kg/ha of seeds 4- Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) by amount of 40 Kg/ha of seeds, 5 and 6- A treatment with no weeds control and another treated by contact herbicide i.e. gramaxone (Paraquat®) applied at dose of 5 l/ha once a month from first of March to end of June. Each parcel area was in the dimension of 4m long and 3 m width by two inter-rows with three trees. Cover plants were planted in early October. Arugula produced the highest dry weight related to the other treatments covering well the inter-rows. Arugula controlled the weeds by 98 percent with the least density of weeds, as the best cover plant. Grass pea, Persian clover and hairy vetch diminished weeds density to 67, 57 and 72 percent compared to the control treatment with no cover plant. Grass pea, Persian clover, hairy vetch and arugula controlled the total weed dry weight by 93, 87, 94 and 99 percent related to the untreated control with no cover plant.